UPDATED May 30: The second annual Spring Fling Festival is set for 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 10, in the Heights business district, at Mass. Ave. and Park Avenue. Rain date: June 11.
Enjoy an afternoon of top-notch live music, poetry, activities for children, more than 55 painted storefront windows and more – all free.
At left is one of those windows and its painter, Iris Peterson at the Heights Pub. See more windows and photos of two musical groups here >>
Organizer are the Arlington Heights Community Association (AHCA), the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture/ArtsArlington, ArtLinks and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.
“Arlington is such a vibrant town and increasingly recognized for its arts, culture, and environmental activism,” said organizer Janet O’Riordan in a May 22 news release. “People in the Heights have been clamoring for more events and we are delighted to respond with our second spring festival and showcase the wonderful talent and energy in our community.”
Collaborator Cecily Miller of ArtsArlington, added in the release: “We introduced the theme of sustainability and environmental stewardship last year to celebrate the spring season and Arlington’s amazing community groups. The response has been great, so you can learn about composting, renewable energy, reducing plastic, planting native and much more while exploring the arts and meeting your neighbors.”
LIVE MUSICwill be performed outdoors and indoors by groups with Arlington roots. Featured musical guest is the Dirty Water Brass Band who will parade down Mass. Ave. from the Heights Bus Depot and perform in D’Agostino’s parking lot from 4 to 5 p.m., following a dynamic performance by Odaiko New England’s Japanese Taiko drumming at 3:30 p.m.
Additional accomplished performers inclued TNT- Jazz and R&B with Jeff Robinson on tenor sax, Dave Harris on tuba, and Jim Arlhelger on drums outside MyEyeDr from 2 to 3 p.m. Local residents Lucy and Jim Pyle Bluegrass (Fiddle and Guitar) will perform at the Bus Depot from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Festivalgoers wishing to get out of the sun and bustle can enjoy choral music (and poetry) at Park Avenue Congregational Church, 2 to 4 p.m., see more info below.
FREE FAMILY FUN ACTIVITIESwill take place throughout the afternoon, including Touch-A-Truckhosted by Arlington’s Fire and Police Departments, Topnotch Contracting, and Intelligent Labor and Moving at the Heights Bus Depot; outdoor bean bag and ring toss games also at the Depot. A kid’s wind chime crafts activity with artist Tonya Grifkin is at Wonder Yoga. Outside ACMi, attendees can meet Nalua, the Great Horned Owl, and falconer Diane Welch; inside ACMi, they are invited to enter other worlds with floor-to-ceiling green-screen technology in ACMi’s professional television studio.
PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT: More than 25 community organizations and businesses from the high school student-led Full Circle Composting to Save Arlington Wildlife, Robbins Library, and the Arlington Swap Shop will host informational tables offering advice on what you can do to help promote a healthy and sustainable environment. The tables will be located by the Heights Bus Depot, 1389 Mass Ave, in front of ACMi Studio, 85 Park Ave., and at 1308-1312 Mass. Ave. (next to the Heights Pub).
NEW THIS YEAR – CHORAL MUSIC AND POETRY READINGS:a showcase of diverse voices developed in collaboration with Arlington’s Poet Laureate Jean Flanagan will features poets alternating with Cantilena– a women’s chorus – and Arlington High School’s Madrigal Singers Arlington. Flanagan will debut a collaborative Kindness Poem written with contributions from the community; she has invited local poets Thomas DeFreitas, Steve Rapp and Andy Oram to join her. Park Avenue Congregational Church, 50 Paul Revere Road, from 2 to 4 p.m.
ARTS ON VIEW: Local arts leader and artist Lidia Kenig-Scher has developed a visual arts component: “Festival goers can watch two artists at work during Plein Air Painting Demonstrations; the community reaction to live painting has been fantastic so I wanted to bring it to this great neighborhood celebration.” Suzanne Menon will paint in front of Apothca, 1386 Mass Ave, and artist Sudakshina Bhattacharya will be in front of the Park Avenue Congregational Church, 50 Paul Revere Road from 2 to 4 p.m. In addition, Miller has facilitated an exhibition hosted by Roasted Granola and RepHAIRations showcasing the work of Arlington photographer Maria Fonseca and Arlington musician and artist Larry Terry. Plus enjoy viewing more than 60 spring-themed painted windows in 24 business storefronts.
Free limited parking is available in the Arlington Coal and Lumber parking lot, 41 Park Ave.
For more info about schedule of events, location of activities and a list of participating organizations,click here >>
Volunteers are needed for this event. Sign uphere >>
This festival is free to all, thanks to a prestigious grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the generosity of the following sponsors: the Arlington Committee on Tourism and Economic Development, the Chamber of Commerce, AHCA, ArtsArlington Cambridge Savings Bank, Intelligent Labor and Moving, RB Farina Roofing and Senné Residential.
A warm thanks to the Town of Arlington, Roasted Granola Café, RepHAIRations, Wonder Yoga, Intelligent Labor & Moving and Park Avenue Congregational Church, and all the storefront businesses hosting window painting for their invaluable support.
Thanks also to Arlington Coal and Lumber and D’Agostino’s Delicatessen for loaning their parking lots for the festival.
This event was organized by the Arlington Heights Community Association (AHCA), the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture/ArtsArlington, ArtLinks, and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce
May 9, 2022: Arlington Heights Spring Fling Festival in May '22
This news announcement byJanet O'Riordan, who provides publicity for the AHCA, Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce,was published Monday, May 22, 2023. It was updated May 30, to add a main photo and a link to others.
