stART On The Street Takes Over Worcester On Sunday

WORCESTER, MA—It's back.

stART on the Street returns to Park Avenue on Sunday, Sept. 16, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., for the 16th annual festival.

The street is alive with more than 250 artists and crafters, demonstrators and three stages of music. The event includes street performers and buskers, and a Youth Market, where teens can gain experience with the business side of creativity. It also includes more than two dozen food options, including food trucks and a vegan foot court, hands on activities for kids and all ages, area non-profits and sharing information on how you can get involved with the local community.

The free festival features handmade wares from more than 275 artists, four stages packed with live music, off-stage performances, activities for all ages, and community groups from all around Worcester.

For years, stART has hosted a Youth Market, which is designed to give teenage artists and crafters exposure to the business side of creativity, including selling, marketing, displaying, and accounting for their goods. This year, stART is increasing its involvement with young creatives, anchoring the Highland Street end of the festival with the Youth Stage. “Kids can rock,” Gabriel Rollins said in a statement.

As stART’s performance director, a member of the Worcester Arts Council, and a long-time member of the Worcester music scene, Rollins knows that, “It can be hard for underage musicians to find places to play in front of crowds. We are excited to be able to set the stage for these up-and-coming performers.”

Rollins is also looking forward to the returning three stages of live music, filled with diverse groups and performances throughout the day. Elm Park’s Ricciuti Stage, dedicated to the memory of Worcester musician Scott Ricciuti, will feature acts including Dutch Tulips, Thinner, and the interactive Federation of Belligerent Writers, who engage their audience to create and perform original scenes, on the spot, while being heckled by the crowd. The J. N. Phillips parking lot will host the World Music Stage, with acts such as the Carlos Odria Trio, Crocodile River, and reggae act I Anbassa – whose singer Anita Antoinette was on The Voice. Matt York, Olivia Frances, and Worcester’s duo The Promise is Hope are among the performers in the Park Grill & Spirit’s beer garden. A full lineup and further description of the stages can be found on stARTontheStreet.org.

From Pleasant Street to Highland Street, over 275 local artists and crafters will take over Park Avenue, selling their handmade goods. Wares range from painting, jewelry, photography, and sculpture to pottery, woodwork, personal care products, prose, glass, and more. Attendees will see a mix of annual favorites including Twigs and Heather jewelry and paintings by Scott Boilard; and new-to-stART vendors such as Rob Potter, Yania Jewelry, Scott Erskine Photography, and Sweet Yarnings. ArtWorcester, whose mission is, “engaging artists and the public to sustain and celebrate contemporary art, has joined the foray with an entire block of artists this year and toward Pleasant Street, there will also be a block of vendors specializing in 100 percent vegan goods.

Guests will also find hands-on activities, makers, and demonstrations lining the street. “We are here to promote all acts of art,” says event co-founder Tina Zlody. “Our city is filled with a crazy amount of talent. This is one day where we are happy to not only provide a platform for the makers to sell their handmade pieces, but to educate the public as to what’s out there and how they can get involved with the arts culture.”

While stART on the Street always peppers in a mix of food trucks and tents, stART Director Samantha Sorrentino teamed up with VegFest Worcester’s Coordinator Nicole Melone to deliver an entire vegan food court complete with vegan ice cream truck Like No Udder and vegan-friendly artists. According to Sorrentino, “there was so much excitement generated by last year’s vegan offerings that we decided to go even bigger. We want to cater to all of our guests and ensure that there truly is something for everyone.”

And cater they do. From BBQ and kebabs to French bistro and Asian fusion, stART has lined up more than 30 food vendors and trucks. Alongside stART veterans Say Cheese, The Dogfather, Mike’s Vending and Plouf Plouf Gastronomie, guests will find newcomers like South 9 with its fried fish and chicken, Wooden Noodles who offer Japanese ramen, and Melt, featuring poutine and pressed sandwiches. There are also a number of sweet options, including Shishkaberrys of New England, who will bring fresh fruit dipped in delicious chocolate and toppings.

Get more information here.

Information and photo via stART on the Street