Fun ‘n’ Games

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT > LOCAL SCENE

By Ray Schweibert

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Sep. 24, 2009

Island Jam at the AC Free Public Library's Family Fun Festival

If it’s fun and free, it must involve the Atlantic City Free Public Library!
Sure enough, the ACFPL’s second annual Family Fun Festival is back and better than ever, taking place this Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10am-4pm on Tennessee Avenue between Atlantic and Arctic avenues (next to the main library). Free parking will be available in the city’s parking lot on Arctic Avenue between Tennessee and South Carolina avenues.
Presented by the library and City of Atlantic City, the festival will offer a wide range of attractions designed to appeal to people of all ages, and will be held rain or shine. Youths can participate in several fun and educational activities with the International House of Blues Foundation, sit in an Atlantic City Fire Department truck and meet Sparky the Fire Dog, and touch sea creatures in the Atlantic City Aquarium touch tank. The carnival-like atmosphere will feature games such as a basketball shot and football toss, a stilt walker, face painters and balloon artists. There will also be moon bounces for children to enjoy, percussionist Michael Hoebler will use everyday household items in his entertaining musical act, and the highly acclaimed Island Jam makes a return appearance at 3pm.
Adults will be tempted to get up and dance when the Cason Brand Express plays a mix of popular tunes. Magician Chad Juros is a crowd pleaser with his tricks, illusions and interactive show. The Grupo Axe Capoeira Brazilian martial arts group gives mesmerizing demonstrations by using a variety of graceful and acrobatic moves, such as flips.
Introducing these acts will be DJ Dave, who will also demonstrate dances such as the Limbo, Macarena and Chicken Dance. Festival goers will also have the opportunity to find some great deals among the large collection of books and CDs offered at the Atlantic City Free Public Library Foundation sale. Call 345-2269, ext. 3112, for more details. The tentative festival schedule is as follows:

10am — Festival kickoff with DJ Dave
11am — Poetry by local teens and Raymond Tyler
11:30am — Michael Hoebler’s Rhythm Kitchen
Noon — Agostino Arts Presents Transformations
1pm — Cason Express Band
2pm — Magical Chad

3pm — Island Jam
3pm — Grupo Axe Capoeira Brazilian Martial Arts