AS220’s Signature Summer Block Party Returns

In the summertime, everything we love about a celebration can be brought out into the sunshine – delicious food and drinks, live entertainment, family-fun… what is even better is when all of these things can be combined into an all-day affair. Taking over Empire Street on August 13 is AS220’s annual Foo Fest – bringing all the beloved aspects of the classic block party and taking it up a notch with 12 hours of local performances, unique eats, art and activities for all ages. Since 1995, AS220 has been bringing the artistic and cultural community of Providence together for this radiative festival that entertains and engages all day and well after sunset.

What sets this Fest apart from the rest are its goals of raising awareness, spreading knowledge and growing community through every type of artistic medium you can imagine. Making its awaited return comes a component of Foo Fest that is bound to satisfy your inner creator. If you want to be part of the action, head on over to the RI Mini Maker Faire – a family-friendly showcase which features hands-on building, crafting, engineering, designing and more.

Although this event is mainly devoted to the entertainment and learning value of DIY projects, makers are encouraged to share what they have learned with other innovators, too. From techies to tinkerers, the Maker Faire has a role for everyone in the community – robots included – and will be welcoming creators of all ages throughout the afternoon.

Headlining the Fest will be Dan Deacon, an electronic composer based out of Baltimore with just the right show to take Foo Fest 2016 off into the night. His participatory live performances are moving – literally. Dan will have you dancing and singing to captivating, story-like melodies and rhythms, combining each of the medias into one experience you won’t forget.

Other artists featured at this year’s Foo Fest will be Providence’s Arc Iris, the hypnotic trio that blur genre boundaries, the heavy and haunting riffs of Churchburn, the short-and-sweet thrashes of Ed Schrader’s Music Beat and the punk-rock wizardry of Harry and the Potters.