CHARLESTON, W.Va.– Friday night kicks off FestivALL, a multi-arts, multi-venue, 10-day summer festival held in Charleston.
This is the 14th year of FestivALL and to begin the fun, this year’s opening ceremony will be held at Charleston’s 2018 public art project “Brickscape” in the 11th floor of the Union Building. Following the ceremony, Live on the Levee will start at 6:30 p.m.
Every year, FestivALL gives patrons over 100 events, performances and exhibitions to attend and enjoy, and Executive Director of FestivALL Brittany Javins said she hopes people take advantage of all the fun the event has to offer them.
“Charleston really comes alive during FestivALL, and it’s the perfect opportunity to explore new things that maybe for whatever reason people are not doing throughout the year,” she said. “75 percent of our events are free and then any that aren’t we try to keep as affordable as we can.”
FestivALL is known for many of its events held throughout the 10 days, but Javins wants attendees to know that there will be new events to attend, as well.
“We have a lot of the returning favorites and events. This weekend we have “Smoke on the Water Chili Cook-off”, art parade in the morning and a lot of things that people are familiar with, but every year we’re incorporating new projects,” she said.
One new project FestivALL patrons can look forward to is coming all the way from Italy. Compagna TPO is an interactive theatre company that will be performing their piece “Panda’s Home” that explores Chinese tradition using storytelling, dance, lights, interactive technology and engaging with the audience.
FestivALL is a special time for Charleston, and Javins said that Charleston comes alive during the festival.
“It’s a really exciting time for Charleston. Everybody just kind of comes together and is able to enjoy the art,” she said. “But, it’s also an opportunity to enjoy new things.”
For those who may not have attended the event before, Javins said it can be a bit overwhelming; however, patrons should plan what they would like to see and do.
“We definitely encourage people to take their time with the schedule, because there’s a lot of unique things in there that it’s hard to touch on, every little thing that’s happening, but you really want to comb through that schedule,” she said.
Schedules for the various events can be found online at festivallcharleston.com, and the website even allows visitors to make their own FestivALL schedules to follow.
“What’s so special about FestivALL is the way this community comes together. The city of Charleston has heavily supported FestivALL since day one and Mayor Jones and the city council,” Javins said. “All the city crews are out there making things happen, the artists, the volunteers and the sponsors. It’s just a really unique city-wide collaboration that we have that makes this possible.”
FestivALL will last until June 24th, and Javins said she hopes Charleston residents, as well as others, get to experience everything the event has to offer.
Story by Jordyn Johnson