One of the Bay Area’s largest and most popular festivals is again set to draw thousands of people to downtown Oakland. Scheduled for August 20 & 21, the 11th Annual Art & Soul Festival will feature music, art and food reflecting the rich cultural diversity of the Oakland area.
Last year more than 60,000 people attended the event, which this year will feature more than 150 artisans and the largest Family Fun Zone of any festival in the Bay Area.
Salsa, rock, rock en español, cumbia, and jazz musicians will entertain the crowds. Several Latino musicians are among the most anticipated performers at the festival.
Edgardo & Candela is a salsa band whose trademark is their high energy level performance, featuring great vocals, a tight rhythm section and the powerful sound of the trombones. Better known as simply Candela, the band has been based in the Bay Area since 1987. “Music for me is all about making people want to dance, have a good time and maybe even make us all think a little in the process," says band leader Edgardo Cambón.
Carne Cruda is a highly entertaining and innovative band that blends surf music cumbia, son with soca, and traditional with indie, all performed in both Spanish and English.
Led by Emilio and Jack Castillo, Tower of Power headlines the Art & Soul Main Stage on Sunday. Tower of Power is a renowned soul band with a famed horn section proudly originated in Oakland more than 40 years ago. Known as a very dynamic group on stage, Tower of Power has produced nineteen albums and has worked with stars such as Santana, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Little Feat, Aerosmith and Rod Stewart.
New to Art and Soul this year is the WomenGig Stage hosted by popular comedienne Marga Gomez on Saturday. This stage is dedicated to promoting rising female musicians to Bay Area audiences. The big buzz is directed at Vicci Martinez, the high-energy finalist on the TV show The Voice. A prolific singer and songwriter, Martinez’s rich, emotional vocals, profound lyrics and percussive acoustic guitar playing have made her a crowd favorite.
For families, the festival features the largest Family Fun Zone of any festival in the Bay Area, complete with rides, entertainment, interactive activities, carnival games, inflatable bouncers and hands-on activities for kids to create their own art to take home. Festival admission is free for children twelve years and younger.
Art & Soul takes place in downtown Oakland on Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21, 2011 from Noon–6 PM. The festival is centered in Frank Ogawa Plaza and City Center, covering ten walkable city blocks. Admission to Art & Soul is $10 per day (online if purchased by August 19) and $15 per day at the event. Seniors and youth (ages 13-17) are $5 per day (online if purchased by August 19) and $8 per day at the door. Children 12 & under are free. Advance tickets are available on line at ArtandSoulOakland.com.
For more event information visit ArtandSoulOakland.com or call (510) 444-CITY.