The Columbia Festival of the Arts has been delivering free outdoor concerts at its LakeFest opening weekend ever since its inception.

But with less and less discretionary income these days, the festival's invitation to bring the family and kids out to hear some free music seems like an idea whose time has come.

The arts festival, which itself opens June 12 and runs to June 27 this year, is again mounting the three-day event outdoors at Lake Kittamaqundi in Town Center. As in years past, dozens of performers are scheduled to take part, ranging from hot local bands to specialty acts and circus-like troupes.

The Columbia Festival's executive director, Nichole Hickey, calls this annual outdoor celebration crucial to the festival's community mission and "the main element of what we do."

The musical talents at this year's LakeFest will all perform on one stage known as the LakeFest stage. The action kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday, June 12, with an appearance by 3fifths, a highly regarded, Balt-based jam band that plays music in the tradition of the Allman Brothers Band and Frank Zappa. In recent weeks, the quartet was named "New Favorite Band" by Baltimore's 8x10 Club.

The Jordan Harman Band will play soulful pop 6:15 p.m., while the Players Band will revive the sounds of ska music starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday's entertainment schedule concludes with an appearance by Florida slide guitarist Bill Wharton, who performs traditional American blues under his moniker of "the Sauce Boss" at 9 p.m.

Saturday's LakeFest lineup opens with the singer-songwriter folk duo Cletus & Lori at noon. The group has earned some 46 Washington Area Music AssociationWammie nominations and 10 Wammie Awards.

The acrobatic troupe Cirque-Tacular will bring together aerialists, acrobats, contortionists, fire artists, illusionists, singers and dancers when it takes the stage between musical acts at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

Wes Tucker and the Skillets will mix danceable funk with soul music starting at 1:30 p.m., then Shane Gamble and the Gentlemen will play classic rock in the tradition of Tom Petty at 3:30 p.m.

Elikeh will perform African roots music under the direction of leader and Tongo-born musician Massama Dogo at 4:45 p.m. King Soul plays 1960s-influenced Southern soul starting at 6:15 p.m.

Closing out Saturday's festivities will be two major coups: The mega-popular Baltimore band Fools and Horses will play starting at 7:45 p.m. This modern rock group has opened for everyone from Bon Jovi to the Violent Femmes, and has been on the verge of a national breakout for several years.

Saturday climaxes starting at 9 p.m. with Black 47, a wildly adored Irish band that blends Celtic music with rock 'n' roll. It was a favorite on MTV in the 1990s.

Sunday's musical slate opens with acoustic soul singer Karter Jaymes at noon, after which Cirque-Tacular returns at 1 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Janelia Soul Afrique blends reggae, neo-African and world music 1:30 p.m., and James Mabry plays electric blues at 3:15 p.m.

A local favorite, the Glenelg Jazz Ensemble closes out the weekend at 5 p.m. More than just a high school band, the group has won more than 60 awards over the past decade, including a top rating at the Maryland State Jazz Festival.

Serving as master of ceremonies for LakeFest will be Robert Neal Marshall, a local actor, writer and director who has done emcee duties for the past two years.

More outdoor fun

LakeFest will also offer a host of non-musical events all three days.

One of the most popular longstanding events, the ArtPark crafts sale will return during LakeFest hours June 12 to 14. The juried, invitational show will feature over 60 artisans displaying and selling one-of-a-kind artwork ranging from wearable art to pottery.

As in year's past, ArtPark will be set up in two areas: indoors under the covered garage at Wincopin Circle and outdoors along LakeFest grounds. Indoor hours will be Saturday-Sunday, June 13-14, noon-7 p.m. Outdoor hours are Friday, June 12, 5- 9 p.m.; Saturday, June 13, noon-9 p.m.; and Sunday, June 14, noon-7 p.m.

A community art exhibit called "Summer Reflections" will be on display starting Friday, June 12. A number of local artists accepted the challenge to transform two-dimensional wood framed mirrors into three-dimensional works of art. The finished mirror creations will be available for purchase.

A Chalk-It-Up Contest will let everyone try a hand at street painting, and will offer cash prizes of $750, $500 or $200. A $12 entry fee includes chalk.

Saint Agnes Hospital will sponsor this year's Kinetic Art Parade on Saturday, June 13, starting at 11 a.m. The race will showcase vehicles that have been turned into movable works of art. Once again, prizes will be awarded for "most creative" entries. The parade runs on Little Patuxent Parkway starting near the Howard County Public Library and proceeding to the intersection at Sterrett Place.

A PuddlePushers Kids' Arts and Crafts Workshop will be open Friday-Sunday to provide children with unique activities courtesy of KidzArt, Howard County's advocates of child creativity.

A fine arts exhibit called "ArtWorks" will showcase a collection of paintings and monotypes by local artist Joan Tarbell in the Lakeside Café & Deli, while watercolors and pastels by area artist Donni Dingman can be seen in the Artists' Gallery. Both the Café and gallery are located in the American City Building.

The sixth annual Howard County Boat Float is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, at 1 p.m. Local makers of cardboard boat regattas will compete for honors.

While the arts festival is offering fewer big-name, ticketed events this year, LakeFest has remained its robust self, notes Hickey.

"We felt we need to give this to the community," she explains. "It's three days of arts and entertainment, free for all ages."

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user comments (1)

user bkellner says...

It's a great line-up of entertainment and a great weekend for Columbia. One event that isn't listed is BookFest at Lakefest. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday local and regional authors will be reading from their work, talking about their craft and signing books. Friday night is kids night -- Bobbie Hinman reads from The Sock Fairy and The Knot Fairy and the Howard County Library presents a pajama night. Kids are encouraged to wear mismatched socks and pjs. Teddy Bears are welcome. On Saturday learn about Columbia and Ellicott City books, The Chesapeake Watershed, Jam City and join Truth Thomas at open poetry mic. On Sunday meet Mary Downing Hahn, Susan McCallum-Smith and Pulitzer Prize nominee Sue Ellen Thompson. Schedule is up on Festival website www.columbiafestival.com.

Posted 8:58 AM, 06.12.09 | Permalink