What do ice cream, jugglers, opera singers, actors, dancers, face painting and film have in common?
They’re all happening simultaneously on three different stages this Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Festival of the Arts grand re-opening of the Herberger Theater Center. 
 
I spoke with Laurene Austin, marketing director for Herberger Theater Center, while construction workers were busy behind her readying the theater for Saturday’s exciting event.  Austin says the Festival of the Arts runs the gamut from Bollywood dancing to Phoenix Opera and everything in between.  It’s a “way to bring all the arts together in one space, plus the proceeds support the Herberger Outreach programs for kids ages 3-18.”
 
All three stages will have entertainment from 10 a.m to 6 p.m., including local bands Flash Molasses and Padmakali Tribal on the outdoor stage and the Top 5 finalists from the AZ Young Artists program indoors.
 
You’ll see Shriner’s clowns, puppet theater, renowned children’s author Conrad Storad, and Phoenix Film Festival shorts playing throughout the day, plus so much more.
Admission is free for kids 12 and under and only $5 for anyone 13 and over.  Tickets can be purchased at the Herberger the day of the event. There’s even free parking courtesy of Arizona Center, which is also celebrating its 20th anniversary this fall.  
 Of course there’s plenty of food to go with the fun and lots of volunteers to help make it a special day for all ages.
 
Come and immerse yourself in the arts and see what the new and improved Herberger has to offer.
 
I’ll see you there!