For Hometown News
Arts on Stage, a second-year fine arts festival, will be a "cool" event.
The indoor arts festival is designed to launch Daytona Beach's arts season and showcase 40 juried artists, including those working in oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings, photography, Raku pottery and ceramics, jewelry, textile art, folk art, and more.
All in the air conditioned interior of the Peabody Auditorium!
The two-day event will be held Sept. 9 and 10 and in addition to the visual arts, features performing artists, food by TGIF's restaurant, a wine tasting on Friday night, children's art projects, raffles and an art hunt.
"As we go into our second year of Arts on Stage, I would like to invite the community to check out this fun, family event," said Peabody Auditorium executive director Helen Riger. "I am proud to be a part of what I'm hoping will grow into one of the most anticipated events on Daytona's annual arts calendar. Our city is home to so many gifted visual and performing artists, and we look forward to celebrating their talent and work."
The live performers include violinist Charlie Gear and saxophonist Richard Young, as they entertain on the Peabody stage throughout the two-day event. Christine Arnes returns with her original contemporary music, which she plays on Peabody's grand piano on stage and in the Rose Room Friday night.
They are joined this year by Daytona Beach's own Rick DeYampert as Sitarick, opera's Divas on Demand featuring Cynthia S. Fisher and Janet Rabe-Meyer, guitarist Mike Fred, the Heartbeat Boys, The Hispanic American Youth Group of Deltona (HAYGD) and Very Special Arts performers.
In addition, Perego, a well-known local artist, activist and performer, will bring art that rocks to the Peabody. He is co-founder of the ART ARMY - where "everyone is an artist," as well as a muralist known for the paintings at Daytona Lagoon, Bruce Rossmeyer's Harley-Davidsons, Downtown DeLand, and Maui Nix Surf Shops, to name a few.
Included in this event will be a program of family friendly activities, such as interactive community painting with Bruce Waldron, photo opportunities with surf boards by Dana Martino and sidewalk chalk art. Art by Very Special Arts Volusia, which supports local artists with developmental disabilities, health related issues and other life challenges, will be displayed on the walls in the Rose Room through Sept. 26.
Arts on Stage is being presented by The Peabody and Rose Room Curators Mary McBride and Judy Gilmer on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 9 and 10. Hours are Friday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free.