MPA Announces MPAartfest 2021 Musical Lineup Expansive

McLean Project for the Arts Exhibits. Educates. Inspires. 1234 Ingleside Avenue n McLean, Virginia 22101 n 703.790.1953 n www.mpaart.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Deb Bissen / Jennifer Wormser (703) 216-1181 / dbissen@mpaart.org (239) 691-7548 / jwormser@mpaart.org

MPA Announces MPAartfest 2021 Musical Lineup Expansive musical program returns October 3 with international roster

of critically acclaimed artists McLean,VA:McLeanProjectfortheArtshasreleasedthemusicallineupandprogrammingforMPAartfest2021,setforSunday,October3,2021inMcLeanCentralPark.Featuringeverythingfroma15-pieceswingbigbandtoaviolinvirtuosoandanall-starinternationalcollective,theMPAartfestMusicStagepromisesperformancesforeveryageandmusicalinterest.

BluesAlleyYouthJazzOrchestrawillkickoffMPAartfestat10:00am*.ComprisedofaccomplishedstudentmusiciansanddirectedbylegendaryjazzbassistMichaelBowie,thisaward-winning,15-pieceyouthswingbigbandseekstopreserveandpromotethebigbandjazzartform.Nowinitsthirddecade,theOrchestrahasperformedatDC’sleadingvenues.Vocalist,pianistandguitaristSheydaDo’awillperformwithherbandat11:00am.Blendingsoundsfromacrosstheglobeintowhatshecalls“melodiesforthesoul,”Do’adrawsonhermulticulturalheritageandherupbringinginAlbaniatocreatemusicthatinspiresacrossculturesandgenerations.Do’awasselectedin2020totheprestigiousStrathmoreArtistinResidenceprogram.NatalyMerezhuk’sHotBandtakesthestageat12:00noon.OriginallyfromRussia,NatalyhasmadeherwayfromtheMoscowConservatoryallthewaytotheUnitedStates’PeabodyConservatory.InfluencedbythesoundsofStéphaneGrappelliandSvendAsmussen,Merezhukbringsherbeautiful,classicaltonetotheworldofhotjazzandswing.

*Performanceschedulesubjecttochange

ProjectLocreawillperformatMPAartfest2021

McLean Project for the Arts. MPA@MCC: 1234 Ingleside Avenue n McLean, Virginia 22101 n 703.790.1953 n www.mpaart.org

At1:00pm,ProjectLocreabringsinternationalharmoniestotheMPAartfestMusicStage.ProjectLocreaisanall-starinternationalcollectivefeaturingmusiciansfromChina,Argentina,Ethiopia,Bulgaria,Peru…andeventheUSA.Withvocalsandtraditionalinstruments,thebandweavesanintriguing,multiculturaltapestryofmusicwithimpactandappealtoallandajoyousonstagepresence.LedbyBulgarianfluteplayerYanaNikol,themusicreflectsnotonlytheband'sethnicdiversitybuttheirbackgroundsinmultiplemusicgenres.LocreaisawordinventedtoreflecttheirethosofLoveandCreation.ItalianvocalistandloopartistIreneJalentikicksoffthe2:00pmhour.Adynamic,soulfulandpassionateperformerandcomposer,Jalentidelvesdeeplyintothemeaningofeachsongandbringsdramaandconvictiontoherperformancewithhernaturallydeeptoneandanimpressivewiderange.Adeptatscatsingingandabletosinginfivedifferentlanguages,Jalenticonnectswithanddelightsarangeofaudiences.SteelpanmusicianJosanneFranciswillcloseouttheMPAartfestMusicStageat3:00pm.Bornandraisedinthetwin-islandRepublicofTrinidad&Tobago,Francis’smusicblendstogetheranddrawsinfluencefromtraditionalCalypsomusic,jazz,Indian,funk,rockandclassicalmusic.TheMPAartfest2021musicallineupwascuratedbyKenAvis,radiohostofAntidote(WERA96.7FM)andaperformingmusicianwiththeaward-winningbandVeronneau.LivesoundprovidedbyFrankKayser.MPAartfest2021willtakeplaceonSunday,October3,2021from10:00amto4:00pminMcLeanCentralPark.Nowinits15thyear,MPAartfestfeaturestheworkofvisualartistsshowcasingawidevarietyofmediaandstyles.DuringMPAartfest,McLeanCentralParkistransformedintoalivelylandscapeofminiartgalleriesshowcasingandofferingforsaletheworkofacclaimedartistsfromtheMid-Atlanticregionandbeyond.Alongwiththeartists’tentsandlivemusic,MPAartfestoffersfoodfromlocalrestaurants,aChildren’sArtWalk,andmuchmore.MPAartfest2021ismadepossiblewiththehelpoftheMcLeanCommunityCenter,andthroughpartnershipswithourcommunityandcorporatesponsors,FairfaxCountyParkAuthorityandTheMather. MPAartfestadmissionisFREE,andallarewelcomeandencouragedtojoin.Sponsorshipopportunitiesareavailable.Formoreinformationvisitwww.mpaart.org/oremailinfo@mpaart.org.

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AboutMPAMPAExhibits,EducatesandInspiresMcLeanProjectfortheArts(MPA)isoneofthemid-Atlanticregion’smostrespectedcontemporaryvisualartsorganizations.MPAprovideshigh-qualityartexhibitionsshowcasingtheworkofestablishedandemergingartists,educationalprograms,artclasses,MPAartfest,summerartcamps,andArtReach,anaward-winningprogramservingstudentsingradesK–12,seniors,andindividualswithspecialneeds.Formoreinformation,visitwww.mpaart.org.