From OBRag / June 9, 2012

FAMILY FRIENDLY AND FUN: Occupy Women Lend a Creative Twist to the Movement
‘Occupy OUR Arts’ is a Celebration of the 99% Culture and Creative Arts.

SAN DIEGO: Women Occupy San Diego (WOSD), with the support and endorsement of many community groups and artists will be hosting an all-day, family-friendly arts festival at Civic Center Plaza on Saturday June 9th, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Occupy Our Arts will highlight the artistic side of the Occupy movement, focusing on the creative arts and bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate our diverse culture. In keeping with the WOSD emphasis on achieving positive change, Occupy Our Arts participants will be welcomed by San Diego City Council Member Marti Emerald in vivid contrast to clashes with authorities during previous Occupy events. The organizers have secured all necessary permits for the event and the list of co-sponsors and endorsers includes many local community organizations. The one-day event, including all performances, food and children’s activities, is entirely free. Donations will be welcomed.

The Children’s Peace Garden Area will offer crafts, music and dance, ecological projects, and a special Children’s Parade for kids and their parents.

The celebration will feature two stages showcasing music, dance, acrobatics, street theater, comedy and spoken word performances. Performances by: Ballet Folklorico, Sophia Isadora Academy of Circus Arts, WOSD Occupella Chorus, Eveoke Dance Theater, San Diego Women’s Drum Circle, TrancenDANCE Youth Arts Project, Charlie Imes, Carlos Huerta band, Band D, Ricardo Beas, Danza Azteca, Son de San Diego and more. Poets and Spoken Word Artists include Stacy Dyson, Ernie McCray, Jim Moreno, Tanya Raz, Jeeni Criscenzo and Sylvia Telafaro. The complete performance schedule is available on www.womencoocupysandiego.org.

Displays by local visual artists will include sculpture, photography, painting and street art. Local visual artists displaying include: Angel, Adam PlantZ, Johnny Nguyen, Art Academy, Spray Artist class from Art Academy Teacher: Isaiah Crol, Alicia Peterson, Chris Fehlberg, Marisol De Las Casas, Estela Gama , Steven Frank , Fred Lonidier, Jennifer de Poyen, Bixi Craig, Heidi xgirl, Alison Lee and Alix F. and Olivia T.

Free Speech boxes, each uniquely painted by local artists will be offered in a silent auction.

CO-SPONSORS

Activist San Diego
Apply Liberally Enterprises
Art Academy of San Diego
DSA – Democratic Socialists of America – San Diego
Karama, Arab & Islamic World Information Project
Mid-City CAN
National Lawyers Guild
Occupy City Heights
Occupy Encinitas
Occupy San Diego– CP
Occupy Yr Corner
Peace Resource
Project YANO – Youth & Non-military Opportunities
San Diego Coalition for Peace & Justice
Saudades, Page to Stage
Women Occupy San Diego

ENDORSED BY:

Art of Pride
Canvas for a Cause
Eveoke Dance Theater
ISO – International Socialist Organization
Moxie Theatre
Noel-Baza Art Gallery
SAME – San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality

Women Occupy San Diego (WomenOccupySanDiego.org) is an independent organization of San Diego County women dedicated to creating an equitable economic system and restoring government for and by the people rather than for corporations and the 1%.