By Bob Bumcrot
The Norfolk Economic Development Commission (EDC) has announced plans for a three-day arts festival to be held this summer on August 13, 14 and 15. The festival, celebrating Norfolk’s musical, visual arts and literary heritage, will have as many as 24 events scheduled from Friday afternoon through Sunday.
Musical events already scheduled for the weekend include concerts by the Tokyo String Quartet, Yale music students and former Yale Summer School of Music Director Joan Panetti. Infinity Hall has already booked Suzy Bogguss, a Grammy award winning singer songwriter with over a dozen albums, and is in the process of scheduling additional events.
Visual arts events will include the annual exhibit of the Norfolk Artists & Friends at Yale’s Art Barn and the Norfolk Library will be hosting a show of works by Yale Summer School of Art Director Sam Messer.
Literary events are still in the planning stage, but may include talks honoring The New Yorker magazine writer Brendan Gill and New Directions publishing house founder James Laughlin, a Hayden Carruth Poetry Symposium and a Norfolk Now sponsored panel discussion on the state of journalism in the United States.
Additional musical, visual arts and literary events are under active consideration, including documentary art films with interactive post-film conversations. The Norfolk Farmers Market, the Norfolk Historical Society and at least one fine arts dealer have also been invited to participate in the festival.
EDC member Francesca Turchiano, the principal catalyst for the festival said, “The EDC, under the direction of Libby Borden, initiated the festival to attract visitors to Norfolk events year-round, and with the more specific goal of drawing potential residents and business owners to the town. We encourage every resident with ideas and interests in any aspect of the arts to get involved in planning this exciting event.”
Suggestions for topics, specific artists, writers, musicians or other performers should be sent to Francesca Turchiano at fturchiano@sbcglobal.net. The EDC hopes to have a firm listing of events by April 1.