On May 16 & 17, Artsplosure will proudly present its 30th edition of its namesake spring arts festival in and around Moore Square in downtown Raleigh. As the premier arts festival in central North Carolina, the event attracts up to 80,000 people over the course of the weekend. The festival is presented by Artsplosure, a nonprofit corporation that also produces First Night Raleigh.

As always, organizers promise a vibrant and interactive experience for those who come out in May.
“Artsplosure will celebrate 30 years of festival production by focusing on what it does best -- presenting some truly remarkable visual and performing artists in an entertaining and stimulating environment,” says Michael Lowder, executive director of Artsplosure. “Given the current state of the economy and people’s concerns about the future, we want this year’s festival to be especially joyous and welcoming to all. There are few things you can count on in life. One of those is you will always experience great art and have lots of fun at the Artsplosure spring festival. “

Live music is just one of the many highlights at the event. Over the years the festival has presented some of the very best in jazz, blues, rock, and folk, and this year’s lineup will be no exception. The festival will feature more than a dozen musical performances on the Main Stage and North Carolina Stage located in Moore Square.

Contemporary swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will headline the milestone celebration. The group will perform on the Main Stage Sunday late afternoon. Their notable singles include "Go Daddy-O,” "You & Me & the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby),” and "Mr. Pinstripe Suit.” The band appeared in the 1996 cult comedy Swingers and played the Super Bowl XXXIII half-time show in 1999.

In addition to Big Bad VooDoo Daddy, the event will feature musical performances by urban-jazz vocalist Kellylee Evans, Creole legend Buckwheat Zydeco, rising blues and soul band The Soul of John Black, jazz/funk soloist Trombone Shorty, North Carolina salsa band Tropic Orchestra, steel drummer Jonathan Scales, and others to be announced at a later date. New this year, performances will run until 10:00PM on Saturday.

Strolling through the Art Market is a must. The market showcases the talent of more than 170 juried visual artists and crafters from across the country. Artwork by fine artists and crafters exhibiting in 11 different categories will be available for purchase, including painting, photography, pottery, jewelry and more. As always, the booths will line Blount, Martin, and Hargett Streets near Moore Square and City Market.

Kidsplosure provides activities and entertainment for children. Kids will discover their inner artists by creating the make-and-take offerings at the event. In addition to the many arts and crafts available, the Kidsplosure Stage will provide live family-friendly entertainment. Scheduled to perform this year are the Sandbox Band, Barefoot Movement, and the North Carolina Theatre’s Conservatory presentation of selections from “High School Musical.”

A unique component of Artsplosure 2009 is The Octa-Masher Collaborative DJ Installation. This interactive music experience allows participants to try their hand at making music with the help of cutting edge DJ technology. The end result is an exciting way for Artsplosure attendees to create a sound of their own.

The Student Art Exhibition features a juried selection of artwork by students from Wake County High Schools and Middle Schools. This aspect of the weekend is an exciting glance into the artistic talent of local students. The exhibition is open to the public and will be held inside the Zanzibar Room at Marbles Kids Museum.

Everyone will enjoy Sandy Feat, a large sand sculpture created by Ed Moore. Each year Moore and his team turn tons of sand into a work of art not to be missed. And don’t miss Chessworks, where you can challenge your friends to a life-size game of chess.

With so many offerings, it’s no wonder that Artsplosure has become one of the most celebrated festivals in the state.

“Our 30th Anniversary Celebration will continue the tradition of being the way that Raleigh welcomes summer and enjoys the arts in the beautiful setting of Moore Square in downtown,” says Terri Dollar, program director for Artsplosure. “From the incredible music that will get folks dancing, to the Art Market, to the interactive installations, to the original and inviting Kidsplosure--there is truly something for everyone! Artsplosure 2009 is a don't-miss event!”

Artsplosure is free to the public and is held rain or shine.