The Savannah Urban Arts Festival celebrates the diverse range of art and artists who live and work in Savannah and build connections with artists from across the Southeast.
The 2010 festival will feature eight days of events (April 18 – 24, 2010) including live music, film screenings, artist workshops and more. Nearly all of the festival’s events will be free, to encourage people to come out and participate. SUAF will be a “pass the hat” festival where attendees are asked to donate a few dollars if they enjoyed the event and the performers.
Last year’s festival included performances from Savannah natives and internationally known musicians Anthony David and Brittany Bosco, along with film screenings, dance performances, dance parties, The SUAF King of the Beat producer battle, live music from regional artists, and presentations from award-winning hip hop historian/author Jeff Chang and Community Arts Activist Bill Strickland.
The feature for this year is the the southeast regions largest touring arts exhibition, Art, Beats and Lyrics. The exhibition has been featured Atlantas High Museum of Art and cities throughtout the southeast to include Charolotte, NC and Birmingham, AL. AB+L has consistently drawn hundreds of art enthusiast from around the country to experience this unique urban art exhibition. AB+L’s appearance is supported by grant funding from the Georgia Council for the Arts and the City of Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs and Cricket Wireless. Local supporter include Paragon Design Group, WSAV, and Comcast of Savannah.
Schedule of Events:
Sunday (4/18)
7-9pm: Festival Introduction and Therapy Session Open Mic Night hosted by All Walks of Life Inc. – The Sentient Bean, 13 E. Park Ave. All Ages.
Monday (4/19)
6-9pm: Graffiti Night* – Includes a mural painting workshop and a screening of “Style Wars,” the 1983 documentary about the emerging graffiti culture. Indigo Arts Center, 703D Louisville Rd. All Ages
*(The festival does not support illegal graffiti practices, and will distribute literature to participants regarding applicable city and state laws, as well as the punishments associated with them).
Tuesday (4/20)
6-9pm: Artist Development workshops – There will be two sessions: First, “MC Bootcamp” where rappers will learn about different styles and flows, then be put through a series of challenges to test their lyrical abilities. Second, “What Artists Need to Know,” a session lead by industry professionals including performers, radio, media, and public relations professionals discussing what aspiring artists need to understand about professionalism and the music industry. Meddin Studios Conference Room. 2333 Louisville Rd. All Ages (Sincere interest, work ethic and experience as an artist strongly recommended.)
11pm-2am: Hip Hop Night hosted by Dope Sandwich – live music, MC battles and break dancing. The Jinx, 127 E. Congress St. 21+
Wednesday (4/21)
6-9pm: SUAFilm – Screenings of work by independent filmmakers from across the Southeast, including scripted and documentary films. Indigo Arts Center. 703D Louisville Rd. All Ages.
11pm-2am: Rare Grooves hosted by DJ Valis – Cool selections of funk, soul, breaks and hip hop. Bacchus, 309 W. Congress St. 21+
Thursday (4/22)
7-9pm: Keep it Cool – Live performance from Atlanta Futuristic-Soul Singer Dezaray Dawn, spoken word poetry performances, and a photo exhibition titled “The Face Project” by Sheldon Frazier: Lulu’s Chocolate Bar, 42 MLK Jr. Blvd.
9pm-12am: The Jam Session – An eclectic set of performances from musicians, dancers, poets and others. Visual arts exhibit TBA. The American Legion Post 135, 1810 Bull Street. 21+
Friday (4/23)
6-9pm: On the Grind Skateboarding – An evening skating session and skateboard demos. Woody’s Skate Park, 218 Windsor Road. All Ages
9pm-1am: Shut Up and Fight – A video game tournament, the SUAF King of the Beats producer battle, and the “Last Man Standing” regional breakdancing tournament, as well as the opening reception for an exhibition of selected visual artists. Indigo Arts Center, 703D Louisville Road. 16+
Saturday (4/24)
12pm-6pm: The Big Party – A full day of live music, food, vendors, activities and more for the whole family. The Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum, 460 MLK Jr. Blvd. All Ages
Continues
7pm-11pm: Art Beats + Lyrics – A traveling Urban Arts Exhibition from Atlanta that includes live music, DJ performances, visual arts and more. The Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Righst Museum, 460 MLK Jr. Blvd. All Ages
Sunday (4/25)
1pm-2:30pm-SUAF Artist Networking Brunch-Come hangout on the last day of SUAF and enjoy a light brunch and network with other artist from around the region. Hit the road feeling SUAFY. The Indigo Arts Center, 703D Louisville Rd. All Ages
5pm-10pm: Vinyl Appreciation – A group of local DJs and record collectors gathering to play some of their favorite rare and undiscovered music selections. The Indigo Arts Center, 703D Louisville Rd. 16+