Sat 9/13 @ noon-7PM
The annual Waterloo Arts Fest in North Collinwood’s Waterloo Arts District, is now in its 25th year, the same age as the Beachland Ballroom , which was a catalyst for this once moribund neighborhood revival as an arts mecca. It’s more neighborhood-oriented than many of the summer’s arts fests which it can do because of all the creative people living in North Collinwood: a large percentage of the vendors and musicians taking part come from the immediate area.
In addition to nearly 100 fine artists and handmade makers, you’ll find information booths from neighborhood organizations, city departments and nonprofits, craft tents with demos and hands-on activities, a children’s play area, food trucks and stalls, and nonstop music and other performances on eight outdoor stages as well as music inside the street’s bars and music clubs. There’s jazz, folk, blues, soul, Americana, hip-hop, dance music, singer/songwriters, and rock & roll.
Be sure to visit the local businesses and galleries whose doors will be open. Also, make it a point to stop in the studio of music photographer Jay Brown, located upstairs from the Treelawn Music Hall & Social Club. It focuses on photos taken by Jay when he lived in Columbus, prior to moving to Cleveland, including Babes In Toyland, The Jesus Lizard, Laughing Hyenas, Nirvana, White Zombie, and the Henry Rollins Band. Few photographers hac mastered the art of using flash in small, dark clubs with such natural-looking results.
The festival is free and very family friendly. Go here for more info, a complete schedule of performances, list of vendors/organizations participating and parking information.