Arts & Music Festival to Benefit Arts Guild of Woonsocket

The Arts Guild of Woonsocket aims to raise capital for classes, seminars and trips during their festival at River Island Park Saturday with art, music, food and raffles running morning, noon and night.

Food vendors include Vintage Restaurant, Tandoori Restaurant and Beacon Charter School, whose students will provide crepes for hungry patrons. "We'll also be selling soda, water, popcorn and popsicles," said Connie Anderson, owner of Stage Right Studio and a co-organizer of the event. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. and last till 8 p.m.

A feast for the eyes will also be available, with 28 artists and artisans including painters, jewelry makers, knitters and crocheters, an ensaustic (using wax) artist and an environmental found object artist.

Music and entertainment acts during the festival include Able Thought, Dylan Sevey, Rich Ferri and Chandler Cross performing at the gazebo. On the main stage are Black Velvet, Steve Mallock & Electric Flood, The Stilts' stand-up comedy act, and headliners Doors tribute band Through the Doors.  

Proceeds from the event and food sales will benefit the Arts Guild of Woonsocket's Operating Fund, which the organization will use for trips, seminars and classes. 

Anderson, a member of the guild, said the organization has come far since their debut dressing up a Main Street storefront with paintings in October.

The guild boasts 50 members, began renting gallerly space at Le Moulin at 65 S. Main St., in April, and just finished their first series of beginner's painting classes, drawing about seven students. Considering it was their first go at the endeavor as a new organization, "We think that was pretty good," Anderson said. They'll do the classes again in September, she said.

Meanwhile, you can get a taste of art and culture Saturday and meet Arts Guild members at River Island Park.

IN THE GAZEBO

10:00 am - Able Thought
10:50 am - Dylan Sevey
11:40 am - David Brodeur
12:30 pm - December Strings
1:20 pm - Rich Ferri

ON THE MAIN STAGE
2:10 pm - Steve Malec and Electric Flood
3:00 pm - Comedian, John Kelley
3:25 pm - Black Velvet
4:15 pm - Joe Morse
4:40 pm - The Stilts
5:30 pm - Comedian, Frank O'Donnell
6:00 pm - Through The Doors

For more information, call Anderson at 401-356-0255 or email connie@­stage­rightstudio.­org.