More than 200 artists are expected at the Fountain Square Festival in downtown Evanston on Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and 29, and there’ll be food and musical performances as well.
Strollers and serious buyers will have time and space to explore paintings, sculptures, metalwork, jewelry, glasswork, wood work, photography and mixed media.
The music lineup kicks off at noon on Saturday, with Fred Simon playing jazz piano, followed at 3 p.m. by boogie jazz/blues pianist Craig Brenner.
On Sunday the Etc. Music School will perform at noon, followed by BMR4 Jazz at 3 p.m.
Simon, on the faculty of the Music Institute of Chicago, has a robust recording career and has composed for live performance, film, dance and television.
Brenner was called, “a fine and funky pianist” by Living Blues Magazine. He has recorded often as Craig and the Crawdads, and is a favorite in the college town of Bloomington, Ind., where he studied.
The Etc. Music School, founded by Evanstonian Mike O’Mara, offers a holistic approach to music and theatre. And the group BMR4, often heard at Evanston’s Pete Miller’s Steakhouse, has many recordings.
The new FamilyFest Activity Area will feature several activities for children and adults. Evanston Art Center will oversee kid-friendly activities.
Adirondack chairs for lounging and a secret interactive art project with a surprise ending from Evanston’s Bottle and Bottega and Good’s of Evanston will keep fairgoers guessing.
In addition, “Selfies” featuring Evanston’s creative sculpture, The Encounter, will make for some never-before-imagined photos.