The Arts & Justice Festival is a multi-day celebration of community care, culture, and actions that maintain a healthy community on Cape Cod despite the challenges we face living here.
We are planning a series of events from July 7-9, 2023 that focuses on community, joy and rest, addresses mental and public health, interrogates the history and stories of who makes up Cape Cod, celebrates the richness of our different backgrounds through art, food and music, lifts up POC businesses, and offers ways for community members to get involved in keeping our neighbors healthy, safe, and thriving.
Thursday, July 6:
- KICK OFF EVENT! Reception for Take Up Space: A Spatial Justice Art Exhibit and Film Screening
- 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. | 255 Main St, Hyannis
- Featuring works by Filipe Borges, William Camargo, Movimento (and more!) will portray stories of humanity, intimacy, gentrification, and justice. We’ll also be celebrating the premiere screening of “The Low Down on Main Street: perspectives from underrepresented community members”. This mini-documentary, funded by the New England Foundation for the Art’s Public Art for Spatial Justice Grant, features interviews of long-time Hyannis residents by emerging director Tamora Israel of Communi-T Productions. Exhibiting artist William Camargo will be giving a virtual artist talk from his studio in Anaheim, CA about social justice and the ethics of photography, and Movimento will engage the audience in one of their renowned contemporary dance performances.
Friday, July 7:
- A Night of Black Excellence produced by Communi-T Productions
- 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Hyannis Village Green
- The Black Excellence event is a showcase of local and regional Black musical and spoken word artists whose talent and drive lends to the development of Black culture on Cape Cod.
Saturday, July 8:
- BFree Wellness’ Restorative Yoga and Movement for Healing
- 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | 255 Main St, Hyannis
- Join Ayanna, Founder of B FREE Wellness for a soothing restorative yoga experience. This workshop will guide you through gentle breath work and restorative yoga poses to allow your mind and body to come home to who you are and allow any stress and trauma to be released. Reiki energy healing also offered to those that would like to receive it. No experience necessary or needed just come as you are. Bring yoga mat and water.
- Latinx in Action’s Healing Through Art
- 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | 116 Stevens St., Hyannis
- No art experience is necessary to join this moment to heal through art! In this judgement-free zone, you will be encouraged to create while following the motto "It’s all about the process, not the product.” This session is for those interested in putting some time aside to get engaged with your mind, body and spirit.
- Hyannis Public Library presents Storyteller Antonio Rocha
- 2 p.m.| Harbor Overlook
- Join Storyteller Antonio Rocha at the Hyannis Harbor Overlook by the Artists' Shanties, for "Crossroads," a culturally diverse performance of tales from around the world that not only entertains but also addresses matters of communication, self esteem, conflict resolution and respect. This performance is for general audiences including adults.About Antonio Rocha, originally from Brazil, began his career in the performing arts in 1985. In 1988 he received a Partners of the Americas grant to come to the USA to perform and deepen his mime skills with Mime Master Tony Montanaro. Since then he has earned a Summa Cum Laude Theater BA from the University of Southern Maine and studied with Master Marcel Marceau. Mr. Rocha’s unique fusion of mime and spoken word has been performed from Singapore to South Africa and many places in between including 20 countries on 6 continents and 44 US states. Antonio has three very entertaining and educational award winning DVDs, a picture book and a few awards including the coveted Circle of Excellence Award by the National Storytelling Network.
- The Arts & Justice Collective Fashion Show House Party
- 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. | The Guyer Barn
- More details to come!
Sunday, July 9:
- Hyannis Public Library presents Storyteller Antonio Rocha (for Children)
- 10:30 a.m. | Outdoor Play Oasis (behind the Hyannis Public Library)
- Antonio will perform "Under African Skies," a children's storytelling show, in the Outdoor Play Oasis behind the Hyannis Public Library. The show explores the diversity of the African continent and features an impressive set of Antonio's sound effects and signature moves! These performances are offered in partnership with ArtsBarnstable and funded by a generous grant from Mass Cultural Council.
- Amplify POC Summer Vendor Festival
- 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. | Hyannis Village Green
- Join us for Amplify POC's 2nd Annual Summer Vendor Market & Festival! This years festival includes live music from The Fred Clayton Band (12pm) and Rafael Caries (2:15pm), intergenerational movement session with Lillian Lomba (1:45pm), face painting & bouncy house, delicious food, beer & wine, art activities for all ages, and over 30 local POC vendors with an amazing variety of products and services! Come be in community with us!
Many thanks to MassDevelopment for the Creative Catalyst Grant that gives us the financial support to bring this important community event to life!