7th Annual Jazz & Beat Festival Brings Art, Music, & Literature to Downtown Davis

By Nancy Resler

The Beat Goes on! Experience an intimate festival filled with poetry readings and painting improvisation set to the rhythm of live jazz.

Hosted by the Cultural Action Committee, this is a unique opportunity for attendees to experience exclusive performances, a thorough collection of Beat art, and later meet firsthand with the world-renowned poets, jazz musicians, and painters of the Beat Generation.

This 7th annual event is the premier collaborative conference in the region. 

A concurrent gallery-wide exhibition of Beat art will include paintings from the some of the most intriguing artists of the era. The two live venues will feature the artists working at a rapid pace in a public venue- a unique and exclusive privilege for the audience.

Additionally, the Jack Kerouac Annual Poetry contest will be held offering the winner the chance to read their poetry at the conference as well as a cash prize to the first, second, and third place winners. See the official rules and guidelines.

“Nothing says Davis like Art & Music in our dynamic downtown area. It’s always amazing to get the support of the Downtown Community when putting together these events,” says local gallery owner and Cultural Action Committee Member John Natsoulas.

The festival will take over the first street plaza and the John Natsoulas gallery at 1st and E with live music and performances from noon to 11pm. 

“Davis Downtown appreciates and supports the Cultural Action Committee's passion for the arts,” says Davis Downtown Deputy Director Nina Gatewood. “With events like the 7th Annual Jazz and Beat Festival being held in the downtown, the committee brings an even broader awareness and understanding of the importance of the arts to our community and the region. The Cultural Action Committee’s continued celebration of all art forms is commended. Davis Downtown looks forward to another successful celebration of jazz, poetry and the visual arts.”

The event comes at the end of Davis Downtown’s UC Davis Fall Welcome Week beginning September 29th with special deals at a number of local businesses and includes an instagram contest, a downtown Rock Concert on Saturday, and the Tomato craft fair on Sunday. 

John continues, “we’re grateful to have so much buy-in from various sectors of the community, there’s going to be something for everyone to enjoy- whether you’re a fan of our local school groups or the Mondavi Center’s top secret artist.” He won’t say more than that for now.

Visit http://www.natsoulas.com/schedule/ for a full schedule and other details.