MPAartfest 2019: Art Activities, Music, Food Planned In McLean

MCLEAN, VA — McLean Central Park will turn into an outdoor art gallery for the 13th annual MPAartfest Sunday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

The festival features over 40 artists, local musical performers, local food vendors and art activities for all ages. Artists from around the Mid-Atlantic will display their work in mini galleries. Art is available for purchase.

Live performances will be presented by musical director Ken Avis, the radio host of Antidote WERA 96.7 FM and member of the award-winning band Veronneau. The musical performance schedule is as follows:

• 10 a.m. - Djangolaya: Djangolaya presents a wide range of musical configurations from an intimate trio to a six-piece ensemble that really swings. Djangolaya often draws on their large network of gypsy jazz enthusiasts to augment our group to suit any occasion.
• 11 a.m. - Jake Blount: Jake Blount is a fiddler, banjoist, singer and scholar. He’s currently a 2019-20 Artist in Residence at Strathmore and tours nationally. Earlier this year he took first place at the prestigious Appalachian String Band Music Festival in Clifftop, WV–the first black musician to do so. Jake will be performing with multi-instrumentalist and composer Clara Delfina at MPAartfest.
• Noon - Great Guitars: Three generations of virtuoso jazz guitar —Jan Knutson, Steve Herberman, and Steve Abshire — form a trio.
• 1 p.m. - Bumper Jackson’s Duo: Bumper Jacksons’ co-founders Jess Eliot Myhre and Chris Ousley lead with their signature sun-dappled vocal harmonies, and the multi-instrumentalists trade off on strings and horns, playing fresh originals and dusted-off tunes from their great-grandparent’s coat closet.
• 2 p.m. - Black Masala: Black Masala puts on an amazing, high-energy live show. With rock drive and a willingness to be as weird and wonderful as the party demands, Black Masala woos fans and new listeners.
• 3 p.m. - Caz Gardiner: Often compared to Tina Turner, Caz is a high energy performer who writes songs of overcoming struggles and celebrating life with a 60’s infused soul pop sound that is as diverse and driving as she is.
• 4 p.m. - Blues Alley Youth Jazz Orchestra: The Blues Alley Youth Orchestra is comprised of accomplished student musicians ranging in age from 14 to 17 years old, and their mission is to preserve and promote the big band jazz art form.

Another highlight is MPA’s STEAM Village with a variety of STEAM (STEM+Art)-based learning stations. The Children’s ArtWalk features an open-air gallery of student art selected by teachers at local public and private elementary school students. Teens and adults can sketch live models in MPA’s Open Air Art Studio.

Food options will include Café Beret, Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company, Red Hook Lobster Pound and Zinga Frozen Yogurt. Wine and beer will be provided by The Wine Outlet.

Parking is available at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean. Free shuttle service will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between McLean Central Park, 1401 Beverly Road (former Verizon building) and the Langley Shopping Center. Other parking options near McLean Central Park include Capital One Bank (6890 Elm Street) and FitzGerald Properties (1446 Dolley Madison Boulevard at Elm Street).

MPAartfest attracted an estimated 10,000 visitors last year. Held by the McLean Project for the Arts, the event is held in partnership with the Fairfax County Park Authority and sponsorship from the McLean Community Center and other community partners. For more information, visit mpaart.org/mpaartfest.