SouthPas ArtsFest
Saturday, November 15th, 2008

South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Hosts Fall Art Festival

Saturday, November 15, 2008 it's SouthPas ArtsFest.  Mark your calendars in anticipation of a festival celebrating the creative spirit in our community, featuring over forty local artists, craftspeople, and entertainers.

The South Pasadena Chamber and area businesses will host a day of world-class art, live entertainment, shopping and dining at SouthPas ArtsFest 2008.  Spend the day strolling along historic Mission Street as South Pasadena transforms itself into an art lover’s destination village.  Local art galleries will host open houses and area merchants will showcase the works of guest artists and crafters on site.  Several shops will offer Holiday Boutique Open Houses with unique and eclectic gifts available for pre-holiday shopping.   Plein air painting demonstrations and family art activities will also be offered at a number of locations.

The South Pasadena Strings Program will be participating in SoPas ArtsFest and will be performing in several locations.  Members of the South Pasadena Children’s Orchestra will play chamber music between 12pm and 3pm at center stage near Mike and Anne’s restaurant.  The South Pasadena Children’s Orchestra has won top honors at regional and state competitions and has most recently had the distinguished honor of being invited to play at Carnegie Hall in New York City.  These children have worked tirelessly to prepare for their trip and are in the middle of a big fund raiser.  The community is encouraged to make tax deductible donations to the South Pasadena Music Foundation to offset the costs of the trip.  The children will leave their instrument cases open during their performances for donation drop offs.  Between 3pm and 4pm the South Pasadena Youth Orchestra and the South Pasadena Children’s Orchestra will perform at the stage at Meridian Iron Works. 

South Pasadena Music Center and Conservatory is proud to present Battle of the Bands.  Eight rock groups, comprised of kids aged 8 to high school will perform between 2pm and 6pm on the main outdoor stage.  As always, Battle of the Bands will benefit South Pas Educational Foundation and proceeds from all drink sales during the Battle will be donated directly to SPEF.  After Battle of the Bands, a screening of the DVD Concert Downtown SouthPas Live will be shown on the outdoor movie wall at South Pasadena Music Center and the Chamber Wine and Beer Garden will open at 6pm.  A taco truck will be stationed near the Main Stage for patrons to enjoy.

On the indoor stage at South Pasadena Music, AlmaNova Duo performs classical guitar and flute at 7pm.  The USC Early Music Ensemble will begin at 7:45pm and Deb McColl (Americana/Folk) will take the stage at 8pm, followed by Justo Almario.  This is an extraordinary musician South Pasadena Music is privileged to host.  Mr. Almario was featured on a Jennifer Lopez DVD. He also appeared on “Ahora Si’, a CD by Israel “Cachao” Lopez that garnered two Grammys. Justo has also been heard on the soundtrack of the Oscar-winning film, “Sideways”.  Justo Almario is a resident of South Pasadena.

The main festivities will take place on Mission between the Meridian Iron Works Museum Plaza (at the Gold Line Station) and Fair Oaks Avenue, where dozens of shops will host Holiday Boutiques and open houses to display artists’ works and crafts.  Many stores will stay open late during SouthPas ArtsFest.  Off the beaten path further west on Mission, Sew Joe Stitch Lounge (634 Mission) will host a Holiday Boutique from 10am to 4pm, and Mission Tile West (853 Mission) will host a free tile-making workshop from 2 pm to 5 pm, and SOPA Studios (1025 Hope) will have an open house from 12pm to 9pm.  SouthPas ArtsFest is a great occasion to see the terrific displays our shopkeepers have created and get some pre-holiday shopping accomplished.

Family art activites and plein air demonstrations sponsored by South Pasadena Art Center and gallery will be available from noon – 2 pm at the stage near Meridian Iron Works.

SouthPas ArtsFest 2008 will be held Saturday November 15, 2008 from 12pm – 11pm.
Press Contact:  Kat Kittredge PR 626.484.4429; kkpr@live.com

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