Frogtown Art Festival set for Sept. 25

On Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 the Frogtown Neighborhood Association (FNA) and the Victoria Theater Arts Center (VTAC) will co-host the annual Frogtown Arts Festival. This annual festival celebrates the artists of Frogtown and brings together community connection and power through the arts.
“This year’s theme - ‘Development Without Displacement, Rooted in Arts and Culture’ - aims to take this goal a step further by demonstrating and celebrating the amazing things that can be created when all our neighbors come together to take a stand for our community,” say organizers.
“Development Without Displacement has been central to all of FNA’s work in the past few years. As inequitable development on University Avenue continues, many people who have lived in the neighborhood for generations find themselves pushed out by rising rents and property taxes, amongst other hallmarks of gentrification. In response, FNA has developed a number of strategies to push back against displacement, from raising awareness to policy work to collaborating with other nonprofits, all in order to ensure properties stay in the hands and ownership of residents.”
The Victoria Theater Arts Center was born out of that anti-displacement work. When development threatened to demolish the historic building in 2009, FNA was part of a large community coalition to save the building and make it into a community asset. Twelve years later, and that building is now owned by the Victoria Theater Arts Center, a community-lead nonprofit that will be transforming the vacant space into a community arts center.
For right now, the building is a construction zone, so the Frogtown Arts Festival will again be an outdoor event, happening on University Avenue on the block between Avon and Victoria from 1-8p.m. Featuring a stage MC’ed by the unstoppable Levi Martin, and programmed with music, dance, comedy, and a community open mic, this family-friendly festival always brings folks together just before winter descends on the city. The festival will include opportunities to create your own art, buy art from local vendors, and, as in years past, it will feature food, including Wet Tacos, and sweet treats from Yum Yum Brownies.
Event admission is FREE and this event is family-friendly.
Attendees are requested to follow Covid-19 safety precautions (mask-wearing and social distancing for unvaccinated attendees).
Want to get involved? Organizers are still seeking volunteers for the festival as well as a few openings for art vendors and performers. Reach out to Community Coordinator Sydney Latimer at sydney@victoriatheater.org to learn more.