Beginning in May, the Stern Grove Festival kicks off a new mobile pop up arts festival — "Grove on the Road." Admission-free afternoon events throughout the city are aimed at delivering arts experience into diverse San Francisco neighborhoods.
The program is to bring concert performances by local artists, interactive arts education programs, and an overall community “block party” atmosphere to urban spaces that have not traditionally been used as arts venues. In addition to the performances, Grove on the Road will offer hands-on arts programs such as "instrument petting zoos," talks with the artists, and food booths.
“Since its founding, Stern Grove Festival has been a vital part of San Francisco and has played host to many of the city’s cultural institutions,” says Steven Haines, the festival’s executive director. “With Grove on the Road, we are thrilled to expand beyond the Grove and bring the Festival experience into our neighborhoods.” It is supported by a grant from the James Irvine Foundation.
The program launches on May 4 as part of “Sunday Streets,” Bayview at China Basin Park. The next two mobile pop-up arts festivals this spring will be on May 17 at Cleveland Elementary in Excelsior and June 11 at the UN Plaza farmer’s market. Then Stern Grove Festival itself oppens its 77th season of free summer concerts in the park. Grove on the Road shows will resume in the fall.
The spring schedule for Grove on the Road features performances by The Family Crest, ODC, Chelle! and Friends, Dholrhythms Dance Troupe, International Low Brass Trio, and Kristin Damrow Dance Company; as well as an instrument petting zoo with Magik*Magik Orchestra, and interactive visual programming with Trash Mash-up, a community art project using disposable materials to construct visual artworks.