Matthews-Mint Hill - Carolina Weekly Newspapers

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENTA guide to events, organizations and people in the communityEnjoy a Sunday Afternoon in the ParkAnnual Mint Hill artsfestival expects recordnumber of artistsby Kara Loppkara@matthewsminthillweekly.comKate Kaplan never wore jewelry untilshe started making it herself about sevenyears ago.Now the Matthews resident – whofavors working with copper – is a stapleat local arts festivals including Mint Hill’sSunday Afternoon in the Park, whichwill mark its fifth annual event Sunday,Aug. 22. Kaplan has been a festival participantsince its inception. And yes, she’llbe wearing some of her jewelry.“I still don’t wear (jewelry) a lot, but Iappreciate it a lot,” she said.Kaplan will be among more than 40local artists expected to participate inthis year’s festival, also dubbed Art inthe Park. It’s a record number of artistsfor the annual event, said organizer TinaRoss. The festival will be held from 1-6p.m. at Mint Hill’s Park on Wilgrove,7750 Jim Harper Lane, off Wilgrove-Mint Hill Road. Admission is free.The event will feature displays fromartists of various mediums includingstained glass, watercolor and oil painting,basket-making, ceramics, jewelry andmore. “Author Alley,” an area featuringlocal authors, will return this year andfood vendors will sell pizza, lemonade,cotton candy, funnel cakes, hot dogs andice cream. Three crowd-pleasing musicalacts will also perform this year, Rosssaid.From about 1-3 p.m. attendees willhear the keyboarding talents of NoelFreidline, the Union Chorale will singtheir hearts out from about 3:15-3:45p.m. and Sam Pinnell will entertain withhis guitar at about 4 p.m. The FunkyJunky Band, which features kazoos andhomemade instruments designed foraudience participation, will have ongoingperformances for kids—even kids atheart, Ross said.“We think that will be fun for people topound away, bang along and express theirmusical talents,” she said. “We encouragepeople to bring their lawn chairs or theirblanket and settle in for the afternoon.”Kaplan said the festival, which hasgrown each year, is well on its way toMatthews jewelry artist Kate Kaplan will showcase her work (above,left) at Mint Hill’s fifth annual Sunday Afternoon in the Park Aug. 22.Last year’s festival (above, right) drew woodworker Bill Paschall (right).becoming a true Mint Hill tradition andsymbol of the fine arts the area has tooffer. And, she said, that’s why she comesback every year.“(Art in the Park is) the only festival ofthe arts that Mint Hill has and I’m hopingto see it grow,” she said. “I think there’sa great deal of local pride just to see thequality of the local artists and musicians.We do have a lot of talent here.” qWant to go?Mint Hill’s fifth annual Sunday Afternoonin the Parkwill be from 1-6p.m. Sunday, Aug.22 at the Park onWilgrove, 7750Jim Harper Lane,off Wilgrove-MintHill Road. Admissionis free. Formore information,call Tina Ross at704-545-6231.MMHW file photos and courtesy of Kate KaplanPresented by:OCTOBER 8 - 9, 14 - 16KNIGHT THEATER“Its delicious vampires and crazedgargoyles were more erotic thananything you’ll have trick or treatingat your front door” - Anne HicksTickets: 704.372.1000ncdance.orgOCT. 5-10 • OVENS AUDITORIUM704.372.1000 • BlumenthalCenter.orgGroup Sales: 704.379.1380Page 22 • Aug. 20-26, 2010 • Matthews-Mint Hill WeeklyPhotography byJeff CravottaA performance worth sinking your teeth into.www.matthewsminthillweekly.com