Dallas Asian

CityArts Festival

Moving a month earlier to May 7 – 9, CityArts Festival presented by TXU Energy will feature a diverse mix of festivities for families and art aficionados alike to enjoy against the backdrop of historic Fair Park, a national landmark featuring the world’s largest collection of art deco exhibit buildings, art and sculpture. Highlights of the three-day weekend extravaganza include a record-breaking line-up of more than 250 renowned juried artists at The 500, Inc. Artist MarketPlace, more than 50 entertainment acts including headliner Bugs Henderson, free Fair Park museum visits at select times, a Crafters Village, concessions offered by popular North Texas restaurants, plus huge culinary and children’s areas.

Free and open to the public, CityArts Festival will run Friday, May 7, from 6 – 10 p.m.; Saturday, May 8, from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; and Sunday, May 9, from noon – 6 p.m. Indoor and outdoor activities will take place in the Automobile and Centennial Buildings, Court of Honor, Exposition Plaza and the Esplanade.

The 500 Inc. Artist MarketPlace will almost double in size from last year. The popular juried art fair will showcase fine art and original works by more than 250 renowned Texas and national artists inside the Automobile Building. Bigger and better, the expanded art area gives The 500, Inc. an increased opportunity to raise money for cultural arts organizations in the Dallas area.

Offering something for everyone, a variety of indoor and outdoor entertainment will rock Fair Park with more than 50 musical, dance and performing arts groups set to show on multiple stages. The legendary Texas-grown rockin’ guitarist Bugs Henderson will perform an outdoor gig Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Fox 4 Stage. Other big-name bands will include The Zydeco Stingrays set for Friday at 8:30 p.m. and the high-energy Latin dance ensemble Havana NRG! headlining Sunday at 4:30 p.m.

Kid-friendly fun will be aplenty at the Prudential Children’s Area and Art Exhibit which will house arts and crafts, interactive art, storytelling, demos and more inside the Centennial Building during the day. Big Thought will host a children's art exhibit sponsored by Prudential featuring works by Dallas ISD students participating in its Thriving Minds After-School program, along with hands-on activities and performances by local youth at the Big Thought booth. Other crafts will include origami folding, coloring, unity wreaths, Mother’s Day cards and more. Outdoors, there will be children’s activities, bounce houses, bungee jumping, rock-climbing walls and other rides and revelry to keep kids amused. A nominal fee will apply for certain rides and rock-climbing walls (Note: Select outdoor rides and activities, the indoor art exhibit and the Time Warner Cable Family Stage will stay open all weekend including Friday; the other indoor children’s area will be open till 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.)

Foodies and wine lovers will want to congregate at the Culinary Showcase for cooking demos and samplings by local chefs, wine tasting, wine pairings, mixing sessions and other delectable delights to tempt the palette. Chefs from Canary Café, Crosby Catering & Coffee, Kirby's Prime Steakhouse, Parigi, Whole Foods Market and other local hubs will participate.

The Crafters Village will offer a retreat for creative folks complete with demonstrations of visual and performing arts inside the Centennial Building. In addition, vendors and artists from around Texas will set up shop offering unique items and gifts on any budget.

Guests will be able to enjoy “dancing water” shows choreographed to music at the Esplanade Fountain, plus the Fair Park museums will offer free admission and special programming at varying times.

Title sponsor for CityArts Festival is TXU Energy. Other major sponsors are Prudential, MetroPCS, City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, Time Warner Cable, Baylor Healthcare System, Ben E. Keith Beverage Company, Bud Light, Coca-Cola, Community Coffee, FAGE Yogurt, North Texas Tollway Authority, Solemar Wines, Ultimate Vodka, and The Patrón Spirits Company. Media partners are Time Warner Cable, Fox 4 and My27, 98.7 KLUV, 100.3 Jack FM, NewsRadio 1080 KRLD, 103.7 Lite FM, Mega 107.5 FM, K104 KKDA, Smooth R&B 105.7 KRNB, WRR Classical 101.1, Al Dia, Downtown Business News and The Greensheet. DART is the Official Transportation Provider.

Founded by the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2004, CityArts Festival is now presented by the Friends of Fair Park in collaboration with a variety of Dallas cultural, civic and arts organizations.

For details and schedules, call 214-421-9600 or go to cityartsfestival.com.