Art in the Park Set for This Weekend

If weather forecasters are correct, the rain is finally gone and this weekend's forecast for the 41st annual Art in the Park Festival is absolutely perfect.

As in past years, Burlingame's Washington Park will become a huge outdoor art gallery on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Artists from throughout the Bay Area will display and sell creations unique to their medium. There'll be food, beer, and wine; live music to enjoy; and lots of activities for kids from 3 to 93!

This year's Art in the Park will include a Kids’ Activities Corner that features a bungee trampoline, costume dress-ups, face painting, make-your-own candles, and caricature drawing. There will be performances by Cotton Candy Express Music! featuring Lori and RJ, award-winning entertainers devoted to the youngest generation who sing songs filled with rhythm and enthusiasm.  Those participating in a Lori & RJ show are eligible to win tickets to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Other performances on the kid’s stage include performances by winners from Burlingame Idol; Daniel Ordonez, a 6-year-old Hispanic singer; and the North Shoreview Montessori Glee Club.

Art in the Park PR spokesman Marc Gendron sent to Burlingame Patch a short list of notable artisans to be found at this year's festival:

Gabriel Borensztejn of San Francisco creates wearable art: knitted or felted wraps, shawls, ponchos, as well as handcrafted pins and jewelry. Gabriel’s clothing incorporates bold colors with elegant designs, while his pins and jewelry are whimsical creations made of metal, glass and ceramic.

Richard and Mary Black of San Jose will show their handcrafted, exotic- and domestic-wood functional pieces of art, consisting of boxes, canes, walking sticks, shaving brushes, and razors. “It’s a constant pleasure for me to see the natural grains enhanced and the hidden beauty emerge in each piece," says Richard. He notes that all purchased wood is from reputable dealers who are active with the conservation of the world's woods and who participate in certified, sustainable-yield forestry projects around the globe.

Chris Honeysett of San Rafael specializes in fine art, black-and-white photography of trees, architecture, form and landscape. His photos have been published in many publications, including Black and White Magazine and View Camera. Chris just returned from travels in Hawaii, New Orleans, Texas and Florida where he captured majestic photos of the areas, many of which will be on display in Burlingame.

Art lovers will also find work displayed for sale by the Burlingame Art Society, a group founded in 1957, whose membership includes artists from throughout the Bay Area.

Gendron supplied Patch with the following weekend schedule:

Saturday

11:30 am—Burlingame Show Choir

26 elementary students, 1st-5th grades, from Lincoln, Franklin, McKinley, Washington, Roosevelt and other Bay area schools in Millbrae and Belmont will be performing "On The Radio." This medley of songs throughout the ages combines acting, singing and dances to such songs as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Hound Dog," "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and "Footloose."

Noon—Broadway By The Bay—Youth Group performance

Broadway By The Bay introduces: BROADWAY BOUND: an ensemble to grow and perform with. This is a program designed for the serious, passionate & dedicated Musical Theatre student with outstanding music, choreography & material. BROADWAY BOUND is a new performing troupe that ventures into the community to entertain and inspire.

41st Annual Art in the Park Festival—Main Stage Entertainment

The Main Stage entertainment at the event will showcase a variety of toe-tapping musical talent. 

Main Stage Entertainment Schedule at a Glance

Saturday

• Noon–2 p.m. - Jazz by Design (jazz)
• 3–5 p.m. - Inoahband (R & B)

Sunday

• Noon–2 p.m. - Best Dam Steelband (calypso)
• 3–5 p.m. - Stompy Jones (Swing-Jazz)

Diamond Sponsors for Art in the Park this year are:

• Burlingame Parks and Rec Dept
• The City of Burlingame
• Recology San Mateo
• BathFitter

Washington Park is at the corner of Carolan and Burlingame Avenues in Burlingame. Attendees are encouraged to take mass transit, including using Caltrain, whose station is located across the street from the park. No pets are allowed. For more information, you can contact the Burlingame Parks and Recreation Department at (650) 558-7300.