The City is gearing up for its fun-filled two-day Arts Alive Festival this weekend. The spectacular annual spring event takes place from noon to 8:30 p.m. May 5 and from noon to 5 p.m. May 6 at Oso Viejo Park and the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.
The event complements and celebrates the City’s investment in the arts, economy, environment, education and a healthy civic life. This sixth annual event will focus on the arts relevant to the 1950s and will showcase printmaking, photography, painting, ceramics, and sustainable environmental art.
Along with a host of time-honored creative activities and events, this year’s festival will feature a “Special Tribute to Animation” and an appearance by Steve Hickner of DreamWorks Studios.
Festival-goers will enjoy live entertainment, fabulous fare and arts & crafts vendors galore. A community art project will cater to all ages and entails covering ceramic bears in mosaic tiles. The bears will be placed along Marguerite Parkway near the Oso Creek trailhead. Folks can also try their hand at ceramics on a potter’s wheel; create a collage with college students; or color the ceramic mural, which will be displayed on the Village Green.
This year, people will enjoy strolling through street paintings “On the Avenue” and shopping at the nearly 40 local artisans booths offering an array of original artwork, jewelry and mixed media.
Tasty fare from Baja Fresh; The Tailgate Truck; Farrell’s Mission Viejo; California Kettle Korn; Just Chillin; T.J.’s Woodfired Pizza; Jersey Mike’s; Seabirds Truck; and Baskin Robbins will be available throughout the weekend, and the California Wine & Beer Garden will serve drinks from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Throughout the 2-day festival, the ambiance of arts will be enhanced with the sound of music. “Art under the Stars” will include the Amazing Platters and Dazzling Drifters tribute bands on Saturday night. Earlier in the day, the Rockits, Philip Bardowell and the Phat Cats and Hot Rod Trio will entertain the masses. In honor of Cinco de Mayo, Mariachi For All will delight visitors of all ages, and a special performance by Laguna Dance Theatre will inspire people to move their feet to the beat. On Sunday, Elvis joins the mix along with the “musicians’ musician” Frank Hechavarria and amazing storyteller Debra Weller.
A special tribute to animation on Saturday will feature famous animators from the golden age of animation – Scooby Doo, Flintstones, Pink Panther, Josie and the Pussycats and Bugs Bunny – who will be on hand for a special celebration on the Buddy Holly Stage at 6:15 p.m.
Free shuttle service from the Mission Viejo Civic Center will run from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information and a detailed schedule of events for both days, visit cityofmissionviejo.org/artsalivefestival. To see a sneak peek of the color, excitement and fun on tap for this year’s Arts Alive, visit Arts Alive 2012 Preview.
