Philly Arts and Music Festival hits the stage this weekend

The first ever Philly Arts and Music Festival will be kicking off this weekend for one day only, and everyone—whether you’re an avid music lover, or just someone with a curious spirit—is invited to check out the festivities.

Taking place at the Marine Parade Grounds in the Navy Yard, the celebration of local cultural talent (in the form of music, a village of Philly vendors, and popular food trucks) will start at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, and will run into the evening until 8 p.m.

Although the Philly Arts and Music Festival sets its sights on local talent, nationally renowned musician Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue will headline the showcase, with other performances spanning a wide range of genres from hip hop, pop and rock to funk and drumline beats.

The line-up includes: Chill Moody, DJ Nico Oso, Don McCloskey, Peter Collins, Poetry by Voices in Power, Suzanne Sheer, the West Powelton Steppers and Drum Squad, and the brass-heavy band, SNACKTIME.

SNACKTIME specifically was launched during the pandemic and since then has created a revered reputation for itself as a local group with funk, punk, jazz, pop and R&B influences. Most recently, the band debuted their first album, ‘Sounds From The Street: Live!,’ and the 10-track recording is said to feature mood-enhancing musical compilations bringing the SNACKTIME experience to a wider audience.

Headliner Trombone Shorty, on the other hand, hails from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is best known as a trombone and trumpet player but also plays the drums, organ, and tuba. Fresh off his 2022 Grammy win for Album of the Year, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue is said to always bring performances that blur the line between funk, soul, R&B, and psychedelic funk.

And as the Philly Arts and Music Festival states, the headliner got his start earlier than most, performing at Jazz Fest with Bo Diddley at age four, leading his own brass band at six, and working as a teenager hired by Lenny Kravitz for his Electric Church World Tour. He’s since released four chart-topping studio albums; collaborated across genres with Pharrell and Bruno Mars to Ringo Star and Foo Fighters; and played Coachella, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Newport Folk, and Newport Jazz. The PAM Festival is his next stop.

In addition to the diverse music lineup, attendees will have the opportunity to take in and purchase work of local artists and shops. Everything from fine jewelry to original animal prints to one-of-a-kind paintings will be on display and available for purchase, a release states.

Local vendors include AMBERELLA, The Aura Painter, BradyRain Media, Dangerous Art, Harriet’s Bookshop, Leah Creation Jewelry, Lost in Paint Strokes, The Metz Art Gallery, Nuto Studio, Stone Temple Creations and more. A full list of vendors is available online.

In total, over 40 art vendors will be on-site, ranging from painters, photographers and jewelry connoisseurs.

Food and beverage wise there are also plenty of options to sift through from Boomer’s Kitchen & Catering, Candygyrl, Cotton’s Place, Gigi’s & Big R, The Grilled Salmon Stand, Haagen Dazs Ice Cream, Hen & Hatch, Kandy Ices, Philadelphia Chili, Piece of Fruit and 2 Street Sammies.

The Philly Arts and Music Festival will take place this Saturday, Sept. 24, from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Marine Grounds at the Navy Yard (4747 S. Broad St. #120). For information and tickets ($35 to $60), visit wellsfargocenterphilly.com