River Festival?

Saturday I went  to the 35th Annual Cambridge River Festival. Yes, it was a festival and it was fantastic but “river?” Not this year. Dunno why—can’t find anything beyond this:

Please Note: Historically, the Cambridge River Festival has occurred on the banks of the Charles River since its inception in 1977.

For our 35th Anniversary, River Festival moved from the banks of the Charles to the Central Square Cultural District—the cultural hub of Cambridge. The festival will remain in Central Square for 2015, but we are hoping to return to our historical home along the river soon.

The fest was set in my fav Cambridge neighborhood—Central Square. I missed all the big trees that line the Charles along the stretch where the gala is usually held BUT Central Square is pretty damn awesome. SO much wild and fabulous people watching!

The kick off, the Sculpture Race, began down at the end of The World of Food (AKA Food Heaven) section. Sidney Street, from Mass. Ave to Pilgrim Street (three blocks!) was nothing but food trucks and they all looked and smelled astoundingly fabulous. Hell’s, how could anyone decide what to eat? I could've spent the entire day in gustatory Shangri-la.

I was at the fest for art not food though and managed to tear my, undoubtedly drooling, self away. I was looking forward to checking out Mudflat Studios table—there’s always fresh, diverse, interesting work there—but didn’t see them. In fact, there seemed to be just one potter in the whole of the fair (could that be?). Lisa Knebel’s work is just flat out stunning. The bowls are so brilliantly beautiful, they should be placed on pedestals, illuminated by tiny spotlights or mounted on walls but they’re also practical. My large, spiral graced Lisa Knebel bowl is holding bananas and oranges at the moment.

The bright, blazing, primary-isn colors of the Atomic Earrings booth came out and totally snatched me off my feet. The cool organic shapes were hypnotizing too. They look like magnified cells, models of atoms, nests and hives as seen under a microscope—wild shit!

Bob Field, the man behind Atomic Earrings, explains the name:

Why “Atomic” earrings?
The 1950's imagined a future full of Robby the Robots, trips to the planets, limitless energy and a flying car in every garage.

Although we never got our jetpacks, Atomic Earrings recalls that hopeful past and points to a better future through the magic of 3-D printing.

Tremendous! I bought this bright orange pair for Jen. They’re 3-D printed by the by. How cool and space age is that?

I then ran into Taylorcustom.  I’m mad for their work.

Each of the items in the Taylorcustom Nature & Wildlife product line is crafted with great attention to detail and scientific accuracy.

Our Anatomy Items items are small scale replicas accurate enough to use for instruction and study.

My sister, Celeste, gave me this key ring, a cross-section of the human ear for my birthday one year. It’s perfect. Absolutely aces. Naturally, I had to indulge and pick up this cuttlefish pendant and skull earrings. Of course.

I stopped in at one last booth before dragging myself and my much abused credit card for a walk up the back streets to Harvard Square. I hadn’t intended to buy anything more—HONEST—but Nurit Niskala’s designs, so wonderfully happy, peaceful, and warm nailed me.

Check out the website, NuraBella, for more examples of her uplifting, captivating work. Check out Ms. Niskala's bio too. Amazing!

I wish I could’ve hung out longer to see some of the bands. There were six (!!!) stages:

Energize: Rock, Indie, Alternative Stage
Create: Jazz, R&B, & World Music Stage
Connect: Folk & Roots Stage
Imagine: Family & Children’s Stage
Engage: Dance Stage
Inspire: Theater Stage

 There was also story telling WITH ASL ‘terping ALL day!

Next year, I gotta make a whole day of it. The next big area festival is ArtBeat in Somerville. This is always a killer fun fest with great bands and artists.

This time, I’m gonna plan ahead and spend the whole day.