Countdown to PortFest 2013

Saturday marks the second annual PortFest, an event for the community celebrating local artists and supporting creative arts education in Port Washington public schools. Taking place at Schreiber High School, the event will go on rain or shine.  

Last year’s PortFest drew between 2,500-3,000 attendees, raising nearly $20,000 for arts education in the district, organizer Damon Gersh told Patch. The festival was praised for its organization and fun activities.  

This year’s lineup looks equally promising, complete with live music, artist demonstrations, interactive experiences and free activities. And everyone is invited to do the Harlem Shake (meet at 2:45 p.m. in front of Stage Three), hosted by Berest Dance Center.  

Students and community members alike will have the chance to showcase their artistry. Some Weber Middle School students, for instance, will spotlight the work they created with singer-songwriter Lucy Kaplansky, who recently performed at Landmark on Main Street to a sold-out crowd.  

“Lucy shared her own stories and how they have inspired her songs,” said Port’s Director of Creative Arts Sheri Suzzan of Kaplansky’s recent school visit. “Students then wrote poems [and] stories and Lucy assisted them in putting their words to music. Lucy would have loved to be at PortFest but she is away at a gig.”  

But while Kaplansky won’t be on-hand at PortFest, the Weber students who studied under her will, and will perform their work at 11:15.   Other musical highlights include Rock Steady (featuring Gersh on guitar and vocals) the Schreiber Jazz Band, Port Summer Show performers, Sonnet & Solomon, Schreiber Mixed Choir, The L.I. Sound, Last Resort and more. See the complete lineup.   

You’ll have the chance to watch artists at work, including Dominic Commisso who will showcase his pop-art graffiti technique from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Shelley Schneider who will demonstrate collage painting from 1-2 p.m., and Barbara Stein who will provide hands on instruction on drawing from still-life from 3-4 p.m.    

There will also be artists’ work for sale and a silent auction. Check back with Patch for more on PortFest in the coming days.