The 2nd Annual Burns Square Chalk Festival has been announced with the theme being a celebration of the Goddess Flora with a "Avenida de Colores Floralia Festival". Street Painters, or "I Madonnair" who were Italian artists, have used chalk as their medium and the street surfaces as their canvas for over 400 years. This performance art will magically transform Pineapple Avenue - and the observers are a part of the process!
Flora, the sensual goddess of spring, is especially associated with flowers, vines, olives, fruit trees and honey-bearing plants and is usually depicted in paintings in flowing fabric goddess attire surrounded by blossoms. She is a goddess of youthful pleasures, birth and fertility the direct opposite of Halloween. The Floralia festival began in Rome in 238 B.C. to please the goddess so she would protect the spring blossoms.
The Floralia festival celebrates the liberation of blossoms after the confinement of winter. Chalk street painters, knows as "I Madonnair" will tantalize your sights as they chalk examples of romantic, contemporary or neo-classical art onto the street surface of South Pineapple Avenue throughout Saturday and Sunday. Professional I Madonnair, Lori Escalara, who was the people’s choice during the 1st festival, will return. First Place winner, Kitty Dyble Thompson will return and create an anamorphic picture that is beyond amazing to see. Performers will take the stage with various comedies and tragedy shows such as sword swallowing extraordinaire Johnny Fox. The street will capture your sense of smell with flower vendors as well as vendors selling honey, a common gift of the goddess. Women will be dressed in flowing goddess dresses selling flower wreaths to be worn in your hair. There will be a lack of sound by mimes on performing boxes and the beautiful sounds by pantomimes and musicians staged at different areas. Tasty sensations with booths of delectable food selections will be available, such as Nancy Krongold's BBQ and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. Booths will be available for consumption of oceans of grog and spirits (Fruit Juice Smoothies, Mimosas, Champagne, and Beer). A true celebration of spring, the renewal of life and flower blossoms in honor of the Goddess Flora.
Various contests involving flowers will be held throughout the event. Best flower decorated light pole, best floral tiara and best floral painting. Have an idea? Please let us know.
A children section will be available for our inspiring artists to play with chalk and flowers.
The entire event is family oriented. For more information contact: Avenida de Colores at Denise.kowal@mac.com.
