Listen to this note:
Autumn has just arrived and to celebrate it the county of Saint Matthew will hold an art and culture festival this Saturday, September 28, to which everyone is invited.
The September Arts and Culture Festival is presented by the San Mateo County Office of Arts and Culture and the San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce and will take place this Saturday, September 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
This one-day event will feature local musicians, cultural and entertainment performances, artists and artisans, food from around the world, wine and beer, and family-friendly activities in the heart of downtown San Mateo. The event is free and open to the public.
This event will include an exhibition of the work of photographers, artists, musicians, cultural artists and more, including that of photographer Aaron Álvarez Mendoza.
“I’m a little nervous. I’m not going to lie, it’s just because of everything that goes into it,” said the 36-year-old Moss Beach resident. His work has appeared in galleries and on magazine covers, but never at a street festival. “I feel more vulnerable in that sense.”
Saturday's event will take place on B Street between 1st and 3rd Avenues.
“We are completely focused on promoting local artists and performers,” said Aimee Shapiro, executive director of the office.
"There is tremendous diversity in art, photography, performing arts and more throughout San Mateo County," Shapiro said. "We want to help promote those artists by bringing them into the community and giving them opportunities to showcase their talents."
“The September Arts & Culture Festival is all about creating experiences that make people want to shop, dine and spend time in our wonderful downtown. We are thrilled to partner with the San Mateo County Office of Arts & Culture this year and collaborate with the City of San Mateo and the San Mateo Downtown Association,” said Erica Wood, president and CEO of the San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce.
Mendoza came to the United States as a teenager from Mexico, settled in Redwood City and attended Summit Prep. He found a second home at the Riekes Center, a Menlo Park nonprofit that offers classes in art and photography, as well as fitness and more; and took shelter at Art Bias, a San Carlos nonprofit that works with emerging and established local artists.
At this September Arts and Culture Festival, prepare to hear musicians performing taiko drums, acoustic, soul, jazz, rap and chamber music; poets in free verse, narrative and spoken word; dancers in the traditions of ballet, hula, Bollywood, folklore, hip-hop and Hungarian folk dance; and actors in theatrical productions.
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