The Media Arts Council (M.A.C.) will host the 3rd annual Bastille Day celebration during the 2nd Saturday Arts Stroll on July 11, 5:30-11pm. This is a family-friendly, arts-filled celebration of independence offering entertainment and activities for all. Highlights of the evening will include performances by Benjamin Franklin, an audience-participation storming of the Bastille, live bands, and an award to a World War II veteran. State Street will be closed to traffic to accommodate this exciting event.
The celebration begins at 5:30 when strolling actors and musicians begin to transform State Street into a place from history. The first featured events will take place at Plum Street Mall with a Chic Dog Fashion Show sponsored by the Delaware County SPCA, followed by the Fair Trade Anniversary and Awards presentation which will celebrate Media as America’s first Fair Trade town.
The historic highlight of the evening takes place at 6:15, when the Hedgerow Theater presents the reenactment of the storming of the Bastille prison, the event that marked the beginning of the French Revolution. The audience will be invited to participate as they march toward PNC Bank.
At 6:25, the spotlight will be on the stage at Olive Street, where there will be performances by the Hedgerow Theater, Benjamin Franklin, and an award to a World War II veteran. Dean Bennett of Newtown Square will appear as Benjamin Franklin. Bennett has appeared at the White House, performed at the National Archives, traveled to Paris as Philadelphia’s official host for US Air, appeared on the Discovery Channel and A&E, and has been featured in numerous television commercials, films, magazines and newspaper articles.
Gypsy jazz band, Hot Club of Philly, will perform at 7:30. This jazz quartet’s inspiration is guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli, and the legendary “Hot Club of France.” Their forte is evoking the atmosphere of a 1940’s Paris Bistro. The audience can enjoy the music of this acoustic jazz quartet, and then take part in free swing dance lessons from 8:30-9:00 by Joe Donato of Tango 411 Studio. The Barbone Street Jazz Band will then perform, playing a mix of small band swing, New Orleans jazz, American songbook and Dixieland.
Ongoing attractions include paper historical paper making & silk marbling, tie-dying, creating corn husk dolls with the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation, decorating wind socks with the Community Arts Center, face painting, plein air artists, and a flying artist. Carriage rides will also be available throughout the night with the Media Historical Society.
The Bastille Day celebration at the 2nd Saturday Arts Stroll will offer attendees of all ages a unique experience filled with art, music and historical attractions. 51 businesses participate, with outdoor dining at many restaurants, along with numerous art displays and musical performances.
The Media Arts Council is a non-profit arts organization working to support local artists and integrate a wide range of arts into the life of the entire community of Media, PA. For more information about Bastille Day and a map of events, please visit http://www.mediaartscouncil.org/.
Bastille Day Schedule of Events:
5:45-6:00 Chic Dog Fashion Show by Delco SPCA
6:00-6:15 Fair Trade Anniversary & Awards·
6:15-6:25 Reenactment of the storming of the Bastille with the Hedgerow Theater
6:25-6:50 Stage Performances: Hedgerow Theatre, Benjamin Franklin, Award to WWII
Veteran
6:50-7:30 Storytelling with Ben Franklin
7:30-8:30 Gypsy Jazz by Hot Club of Philly
8:30-9:00 Swing dance lessons by Tango 411
9:00-10:30 Dixieland by Barbone Street Jazz Band
10:30-12:00 After-hours performance by Hot Club of Philly at Picasso’s
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