About The 2008 Festival

Soft and sassy… bold and brassy. That’s the 5th annual West Oak Lane Jazz & Arts Festival, a three-day feast of non-stop music, arts, crafts, fashion, food and family fun.

Bring a blanket or lawn chair and groove to the downbeat of The O’Jays… Ashford & Simpson… Mandrill… WAR… The Benny Golson Quartet… The Whispers… Pieces of a Dream … Kevin Eubanks and more than 50 of the region’s hippest, hottest performers. Whatever your favorite — straight-ahead jazz, hip-swaying R&B, innovative fusion, dance floor funk or old-school soul — with four stages going non-stop, you’ll end up dancing before the weekend is through. Even the youngsters might leave their hip-hop and rap behind for a time and break a move to the genres that started it all.

As the music wafts up and down Ogontz Avenue, you can visit the Art Pavilion and never miss a note. Drop by and you’ll discover displays featuring the works of such renowned artists as Poncho Brown, Paul Goodnight and Charles Bibbs. Stay a little longer and you can mix, mingle and join in workshops led by these celebrated artists. Learn about the art of dollmaking, mosaic tile and other crafts from the artisans who do it best.

And why just look at art when you can be the art? Body-painter Adrienne Mills transforms willing festival-goers into a living canvas with her innovative designs.

Can’t find your favorite fashionistas in the crowd? Chances are they’ll be lined up along the runway choosing their favorite Afrakan-inspired styles designs from Kwame Agyei and Akua Nson Akoto. They might be over at the Vendor Village stocking up on hand-crafted jewelry and accessories, books, music and other items.

Even after the sun goes down, the Po/Jazz Connection keeps the action going at Art Noir gallery when poets Lamont “Napalm” Dixon, Lady Dove, Taalam Acey, and Amina dazzle with their performances combining jazz and the spoken word.

With so much to do, you’ll need to keep your energy up, and the Food Court has just what the tastebuds ordered. A wide assortment of vendors will serve up yummy treats, tasty fare and delicious healthy choice menus to satisfy even the most discerning diner.

It couldn’t be easier to get here. Take public transportation or drive and park your vehicle at the Cheltenham Mall (Cheltenham Avenue and Route 309) and hop on the free trolley shuttle for a complimentary five-minute ride to the festival.

And you can’t beat the price of admission. It’s free!