The West End Arts District, Rhythmix Cultural Works and the City of Alameda will host a music and dance festival to celebrate the opening of Alameda’s newest park, Waterfront Park at 2151 Ferry Point, on Saturday, April 9.

The festival is scheduled for 1:30 to 5 p.m. Performers at the event will include AXIS Dance Company, Crosspulse Percussion Ensemble, Fog Beast, 13th Floor Theater, Maze Daiko and more. After the official Ribbon Cutting ceremony at 1.30 p.m., young artists from Alameda High School, Encinal High School, Bay Area Music Project, Head Royce School, and Destiny Arts Center will open the festival with their Animate Alameda performance. Also onsite will be an Aeolian Day exhibit curated by the innovative Oakland-based arts organization Thingamajigs. This will be a mini version of their much-loved annual community festival which brings together sound sculptures from diverse Bay Area artists in a tribute to the power of wind.

“Ever since I arrived in Alameda in 2016, I’ve been drawn to Alameda Point and the Waterfront Park District,” said Tara Pilbrow, Executive Director of the West End Arts District. “It’s such a unique space and location. If we can place the arts at the center of its development, it has the potential to become an incredible creative hub. Opening the Waterfront Park with a day full of art and performance seems to me to be the perfect way to herald that future.”

The West End Arts District and Rhythmix were planning separate arts events for the west end in 2022, but with the opening of the new park, the two organizations decided to host a joint event for Alamedans to enjoy.

The Alameda Point Waterfront District is completely transformed with the addition of a second Ferry Terminal, new housing, and the Waterfront Park. Alameda Recreation and Park District director Amy Wooldridge said the Waterfront District “brings a whole other aspect to Alameda and really revitalizes the entire Naval Air Station.”

Admission to the Waterfront Park Festival is free. All ages are welcome to view the sights and sounds. Food trucks from Satay by the Bay, Kabob Trolley and Alameda’s own Tuckers Ice cream will be on site throughout the afternoon. Bike Walk Alameda is hosting a bike ride to the festival, meeting at the City Hall steps at 12:15 p.m.

Alameda Point Partners, which is also the developer of the Waterfront District, is one of the sponsors of the event.