More than 60 artists will fill up Whittier Square and Admiral Boulevard, local music will echo in the streets and the scent of decadent and delicious local cuisine will swirl in the air on Saturday during the Kendall Whittier Arts Festival.
“It’s going to be such a fun event,” said Jessica Jackson Seay, executive director of Kendall Whittier Main Street, the event’s host. “The event celebrates all things art and Tulsa’s vibrant art scene.”
The event runs 2-10 p.m. on Oct. 16. Live music on the ABCO Party Stage and the free Philbrook Kids Zone all kick off right at 2 p.m.
“We urge everyone to come early to attend the Tulsa Farmers’ Market, then visit the Kendall Whittier businesses and stick around for the Arts Festival at 2 p.m.,” Jackson Seay said.
Artists booths will be located in historic Whittier Square at the corner of Admiral and Lewis as well as along the Admiral Boulevard just west of Lewis Avenue. Seven vendors will be located inside the Arts Festival Market at 2306 E. Admiral Blvd.
“There is such a variety of art from our vendors this year,” Jackson Seay said. “There’s fine art, painting and drawings, jewelry, candles and body products, ceramics, photography, macramé and so much more!”
Masks will be required inside the Arts Festival Market and inside Kendall Whittier businesses.
Two stages provide opportunities for 11 musical or performance acts. The ABCO Party Main Stage will be located on Gillette Avenue in the dead end just north of Admiral Boulevard. Dane and the Soup, an indie and retro-soul band, will play from 2-3 p.m. followed by a performance by Aim High Gymnastics.
At 3:20, Grazzhopper, a bluegrass-folk fusion band, performs for 1 hour before Kay’s Dance Movement does a 30-minute exhibition. Switching gears, Jeff Thompson will perform spoken word poetry from 5:15-5:40 p.m.
Nia Moné will delight the crowd with her jazzy vocals from 6-7 p.m. Beachfriends, one of Tulsa’s premier pop bands, will play at 7:20. The ever-popular soulful sounds of Casii Stephan and the Midnight Sun will headline the event, playing, starting at 8:40.
Over in the Whittier Square parking lot on the She Brews Stage, Tim Swanson and his acoustic guitar will start at 2:15. Ben Jammin, fresh off the boat from Santa Cruz, will perform songs from musicals and spoken word starting at 3:30 p.m. Finally, MAX Paeper, who opened at Thursday night’s Kendall Whittier After Five, will perform at 6 p.m.
The Philbrook Kids Zone is a free opportunity for little ones to create art and play yard games. The Philbrook Kids Zone is located at 2221 E. Admiral Boulevard in front of the Scrambler Building.
Philbrook volunteers will be encouraging children to participate in The BIG Show: Work by Young Artists. The BIG Show features young artists ages 4-18. All supplies to participate will be available.
“We also have yard games for children of all ages! There will giant jenga, tic tac toe, Connect Four and even corn hole,” Jackson Seay said. “And, of course, plenty of chalk for more artistic creations!”
Six food trucks will be lined up on Admiral Boulevard just east of Lewis Avenue. Food varieties include soul food, barbecue, Cajun, South American fusion, smoothies and ice cream. Three others will be stationed just outside the event area, including Pollos Asados behind She Brews Coffee and Dante’s WoodFire and KillerWail Barbecure at Heirloom Rustic Ales.
American Solera, Marshall Brewing and Renaissance Brewing will be serving up refreshing beer at the event. Guests may also visit Heirloom Rustic Ales, The Whittier Bar and Four. Seven. Three. for adult beverages or She Brews Coffee, Pancho Anaya Bakery or Circle Cinema for other snacks and refreshments.
Several Kendall Whittier businesses will be open during the event with artist, pop ups or general shopping. Anthousai will have Graham Collective from 2-6 p.m. and 20 percent off storewide all day. The Bobby Pin will have art by Danielle Unruh, and Josh New Photography will be open for gallery viewing. The Makerage and other businesses will be open extended hours as well. Four. Seven. Three. has a comedy show starting at 7 p.m.
“There’s just going to be so much going on on Saturday,” Jackson Seay said. “We are so grateful to our sponsors and volunteers, without whom we would not be able to pull off this event.”
Fowler Automotive is the Presenting Sponsor. Additional sponsors include: Entertainment Sponsor ABCO Party Rents, Kid Zone Sponsor Philbrook Museum and Media Sponsor TulsaPeople. Additionally, Rise Staffing, City Glass by J&B, Josh New Photography, American Heritage Bank and The Studio are Friends of the Festival.
Kendall Whittier Main Street is a nonprofit organization that inspires the ongoing revitalization and growth of a historic and cultural neighborhood in Tulsa, striving to transform it back to a thriving, walkable commercial district. KWMS is a 2020 Great American Main Street Award winner and an Oklahoma Certified Cultural District.
For more information about the Kendall Whittier Main Street, please call or text 918-633-1934 or email info@visitkendallwhittier.com.
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