Música Fun Fest to celebrate global music in Turners Falls

By JULIAN MENDOZA

Staff Writer

Published: 05-16-2023 11:25 AM

TURNERS FALLS — The fifth annual Música Fun Fest, to be held this Saturday, will bring “world-class music” from various corners of the globe to Unity Park.

Música Franklin, a youth development organization focused on music and social justice, will host the free yearly festival from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Largely geared toward empowering local youths, the lineup will feature Música Franklin student performers as headliners, as well as eight other acts hosting workshops and performing across a variety of mediums.

In its fifth year, the Fun Fest looks to further Música Franklin’s mission to give children a voice. Founding Director Vicki Citron said previously that this is especially imperative for the youths involved with Música Franklin, as a large part of the student body consists of children from underprivileged households. Executive Director Orice Jenkins said the diversity in students’ backgrounds mirrors the diversity in their experience playing music.

“Some of them have been playing for several years and some of them have been playing for nine months and they all find a way to work together,” Jenkins said of the students, who each play string instruments.

Supporting acts include three-time Tony Award winner Abena Koomson-Davis, Brazilian jazz artist Isabella Mendes, western Massachusetts’ own Expandable Brass Band, storyteller Djeli Forchion, internationally renowned English mime Chris Yerlig and Latin folk band Viva Quetzal. Local Spanish language and culture teacher Elsa Borrero will also be leading a Latin dance workshop. The full schedule is available online at musicafranklin.org/fun-fest.

“We always try to get folks from different corners of the world and draw folks from western Mass. to these artists from all over,” Jenkins expressed.

Other family-friendly activities will include arts and crafts, a “petting zoo” for trying out musical instruments, giant bubbles, a giant piano mat, local craft vendors and food trucks.

The Fun Fest is funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and six New England state arts agencies. Additional support comes from RiverCulture, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Community Foundation of Western Mass, Franklin First Credit Union, Greenfield Savings Bank, Clifford Oliver Photography, Art Space Greenfield, The Art Garden, Paul Redeker Rentals and Franklin County Community Development Corporation.

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The festival’s rain date is Sunday, May 21.

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

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