Mayfest starts Thursday with unique new art form as well as old favorites

BY JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer
Thursday, May 17, 2012
5/17/12 at 2:51 AM

More than 250,000 people are expected to swarm the Main Street area during this year's Tulsa International Mayfest, Thursday through Sunday in downtown Tulsa.

More than 100 artists from around the globe will participate this year, said Heather Pingry, Mayfest executive director. Also, 100 live music acts will perform over four stages throughout the event (see map).

All concerts and art exhibits are free and open to the public. The festival runs 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

Mayfest was established 40 years ago to promote a broader knowledge of and appreciation for the arts and humanities, event organizers said.

"We have a great group of artists this year," Pingry said.

A variety of mediums are represented, from clay to wood, toys to folk art, photography and more. A full list of artists can be found at tulsaworld.com/mayfest12

"There truly will be something for everyone, no matter your budget or taste," Pingry said.

Festival guests may purchase artwork from artist booths along Main Street during the festival.

Also, to celebrate its four decades, organizers announced it will bring a new art form to the state. The 22-story 320 South Boston Building will morph into a three-dimensional work of moving design.

The "move music wonderwall" is a nightly projection project designed by employees of Tulsa-owned GuRuStu and sponsored by Cricket Communications.

The projections will show between music concerts Thursday through Saturday.

Local jazz stalwart Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey headlines at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, country singer-songwriter Hayes Carll headlines at 9:30 p.m. Friday, and local old-school retro-rocker JD McPherson headlines at 9:30 p.m. Saturday. All three are on the Williams Green Stage.

Mayfest also features five indoor art galleries, and official art and memorabilia from every year will be on display in the Vintage Mayfest Gallery through May 30 in the lobby of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

Mayfest KidZone

This year, Mayfest brings back its popular KidZone, which adds art, music, hands-on activities and other events to the festival, Thursday-Sunday in downtown Tulsa. All events are free.

KidZone, located at Sixth and Main, runs from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Stop by any time - there will always be something fun happening.

Children can dig for genuine fossils, get their faces painted, meet Volt the Tulsa Shock mascot, make headbands, dance to live music, sing and more.

Also 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday is The Children's Hospital at St. Francis's Bear Clinic. Children get a free teddy bear to decorate then take through the clinic for a "checkup," organizers said.

Musical acts include Farmer Jason, Sara Hickman, Midtown School of Performing Arts, Neely Trio, Arthur Thompson & A Taste of Africa Dance Troupe and more.

For the full schedule, visit tulsaworld.com/mayfest12

Mayfest KidZone

Start anywhere, anytime, on any corner of downtown Tulsa this weekend and you'll end up satisfied. That said, we still play favorites sometimes. Browsing is free, and so is the music. Food, on the other hand ...

Here's the Mayfest music you should definitely experience:

Thursday

9:30 p.m.: Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Williams Green Stage (jazz)

9:30 p.m.: Sam and the Stylees, Fifth & Main Stage (reggae)

6:15 p.m.: Admiral Twin, Williams Green Stage (pop-rock)

11:30 a.m.: Oklahoma's Park Family Bluegrass Band, Fifth & Main Stage (bluegrass)

Friday

9:30 p.m.: Hayes Carll, Williams Green Stage (alt-country)

8 p.m.: Starr Fischer, David Cameron Community Stage (pop)

6:30 p.m.:Jenny Labow, Fifth & Main Stage (pop-rock)

6 p.m.: Wayne Humbyrd Jazz Experience, Williams Green Stage (jazz)

Saturday

9:45 p.m.: Lowdown Fancy, Fifth & Main Stage (funk)

9:30 p.m.: JD McPherson, Williams Green Stage (Americana, rock, blues)

6:30 p.m.: Scott Aycock, Williams Green Stage (Americana)

5 p.m.: Starlight Jazz Orchestra, Williams Green Stage (jazz)

1 p.m. and 4 p.m.: Farmer Jason, KidZone Stage (vocal, acoustic)

Noon: Susan Herndon, Fifth & Main Stage (singer-songwriter)

Sunday

4:15 p.m.: The Round Up Boys, David Cameron Community Stage (country)

1:45 p.m.: David Correa and Cascada, Fifth & Main Stage (Latin)

11:30 a.m.: Leon Rollerson, David Cameron Community Stage (jazz)

What else?

Come for Mayfest, stay for ... everything else. This weekend, downtown Tulsa is simply brimming with arts and entertainment opportunities, each within blocks of one another and each with its unique zest and appeal.

Blue Dome Arts Festival

The ninth annual Blue Dome Arts Festival picks up where Tulsa International Mayfest leaves off. This independent arts and music extravaganza features locals only, Friday through Sunday in the historic Blue Dome District, just blocks from Mayfest.

The fest is free and all-ages, and it runs 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

There's the Art Car Parade at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, 220 booths filled with local art of all kinds, food vendors and live music from every genre imaginable, including Larkin, Electric Rag Band, Klondike5, Sam and the Stylees, Jeff Graham Band and many more.

Street closings run on Second Street from Detroit to Frankfort Avenues, and Elgin Avenue from First to Third Streets. They will be closed from 4 a.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit tulsaworld.com/bluedome12

Chalkfest

The historic Deco District opens up from Boston Avenue from Fourth to Sixth Streets and gets crafty.

Just as it sounds, Chalkfest lets youth and adults play in the streets - and sidewalks - with art contests, music, dancing and more, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, said Libby Auld of Elote Cafe, who is helping to organize this year's event. Event admission is free and all-ages.

Watch high school students compete from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., adults from 1-5 p.m. and pros from 2-6 p.m. Each contestant gets a 10-foot-by-10-foot square to work with. Winners will be announced at 7 p.m. Saturday.

More than 40 artists are scheduled to participate. Special guest and Native American artist Yatika Starr Fields from New York City will create a 10-foot-by-20-foot chalk piece in the intersection of Fifth Street and Boston Avenue. He was born in Tulsa, is a member of the Cherokee, Creek and Osage tribes, and is a member of the Bear Clan.

He's attended the Art Institute of Boston, Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma's Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute and the Landscape Painting Study Abroad Program in Italy. He's studied and practiced painting, photography, sculpture, Native American art, found objects, mixed media and film.

Also, the Vintage Swing Movement will have 75-100 Lindy hop dancers performing from 2 to 5 p.m.

Mayfest bike valet

TulsaHub offers a no-charge secure bicycle valet at Mayfest, located at Third and Main Streets. It also will provide information about ongoing local bicycling activities, educational opportunities and vehicular-cycling consciousness. Tulsa Hub is a nonprofit bicycle resource and bicycling advocacy organization.

TULSA INTERNATIONAL MAYFEST

When: Festival runs 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday

Where: On Main Street in downtown Tulsa (see map)

Admission: Free. All ages.

Original Print Headline: Putting the art in party

Jennifer Chancellor 918-581-8346
jennifer.chancellor@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

Renowned local artist Otto Duecker created the artwork for the 2012 Mayfest poster. Courtesy

Kids can get their faces painted, dig for fossils, meet Volt the Tulsa Shock mascot, make crafts and sing and dance at the KidZone at Mayfest. Tulsa World file

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey performs at 9:30 p.m. Thursday on the Williams Green Stage. JEREMY CHARLES / Courtesy

Hayes Carll Courtesy

Farmer Jason performs on the KidZone Stage at 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturday. Courtesy

JD McPherson performs at 9:30 p.m. Saturday night on the Williams Green Stage. Courtesy

The Blue Dome District in downtown Tulsa hosts its ninth annual Blue Dome Arts Festival, Friday-Sunday. JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World file