March 29, 2012 (Savannah, GA) - The 4th Annual Savannah Urban Arts Festival will take place April 15-22 at several venues around the city. There are some exciting new additions to the schedule this year, which will make this the most packed schedule yet. There are loads of great events throughout the week, but three in particular we’d like to highlight: The SUAF benefit concert and local music showcase, the performance by Kristina Wong on Friday night, and the final Saturday of the festival, SUAFest!

Part of SUAF’s mission has always been to support local artists, and Thursday night’s local music showcase and SUAF benefit concert will be a great chance to sample the diverse styles that call Savannah home. The show will feature some of Savannah’s best local bands, including Cusses, KidSyc@Brandywine, Word of Mouth, Dope Sandwich and Nickel Bag of Funk. The concert will take place at Muse Arts Warehouse from 7 p.m. until midnight, and serve as a fundraiser for the not-for-profit festival. Tickets are $30.

Friday night will include a performance by SUAF 2012 featured artist Kristina Wong, who is a solo performer, writer, actor, educator, culture jammer and filmmaker. Described by the East Bay Express as “brutal but hilarious… a woman who takes life’s absurdities very seriously,” her body of performance work includes short and full-length solo performance works, outrageous street theater stunts and pranks, subversive internet installations, and plays and sketch comedy. Kristina’s performance will also feature youth trained in a 5-day performing artist residency program sponsored by the City of Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs.

The biggest day of the festival is definitely Saturday afternoon for SUAFest, from 4-11 p.m. at Muse Arts Warehouse (703 D Louisville Rd). The event will feature food, games, live music, vendors and fun. There will be performances from artists visiting from all over the country, as well as local talent. The cost of admission is a suggested donation of $5 that helps support the festival, which is a not-for-profit endeavor.

One other interesting thing to point out about this year's festival is the impact SUAF has had in the creative community over the past four years. The new local public art organization SeeSAW, who are hosting two incredible events during the festival, was created after an attempt to do a public mural during last year's event was rebuffed by the city. Vinyl Appreciation, a monthly event for DJs and record collectors that is celebrating it's second anniversary during SUAF 2012 initially started as a SUAF event, and now serves as the closing event of the festival. On the talent front, the local band KidSyc@Brandywine played their first show together two years ago at a SUAF event in the Civil Rights museum. We're tremendously proud that as a festival started to support local and regional talent, we've been able to create new outlets that start with the festival, but extend to become new additions to the fabric of the community.

SUAF is sponsored by The City of Savannah, Paragon Design and Cricket Wireless. In-Kind support provided by Clearchannel, WSAV, Comcast, Connect Savannah, and Muse Arts Warehouse.

The week’s full schedule is as follows:

Therapy Session SUAF Kick-Off
The monthly open mic night hosted by AWOL features a mix of music and poetry.
Where: Sentient Bean Coffee Shop
When: Sunday, April 15, 7pm
Cost: Donation

Panel Discussion: "Changing the Perception of What's Possible in Savannah."
Local artists discuss ways to improve outcomes for local artists and develop additional local infrastructure that will facilitate creative projects locally.
Where: The Creative Coast, 15 West York St.
When: Monday, April 16, 4:00-5pm
Cost: Free

Youth Hip-Hop Night hosted by C.Jizzy and AWOL’s PROJECTS 6
Includes live performances and DJs for festival attendees under the age of 21.
When: Tuesday, April 17, 7:00pm-10pm
Where: Muse Arts Warehouse, 703D Lousiville Rd.
Cost: Donation

Hip-Hop Night hosted by Dope Sandwich
The city’s longest-running weekly hip hop event includes breakdancers, MCs, DJs and more. 21+ only.
When: Tuesday, April 17, 11:00pm-2am
Where:The Jinx, 127 West Congress St.
Cost: Donation

SUAFilm presents Loop it Up Savannah presents “I Am the Beloved Community: Story Quilts of Our Savannah”
Experience a collection of neighborhood story quilts made by the children of the West Broad Street YMCA, the Kayton Homes Boys and Girls Club and the seniors of the Hudson Hill Golden Age Center. Refreshments provided by the Sentient Bean.
When: Wednesday, April 18, 5:00-8pm
Where: Muse Arts Warehouse, 703 D Louisville Rd.
Cost: Free

The SUAF Benefit Concert
We celebrate some of Savannah’s best and brightest musical acts during this fundraiser helps keep the rest of the week’s events free of charge. Featuring Cusses, KidSyc@Brandywine, Word of Mouth, Dope Sandwich and Nickel Bag of Funk.
When: Thursday, April 19, 7:00pm
Where: Muse Arts Warehouse, 703D Lousiville Rd.
Cost: $30 (Discount sales provided by LivingSocial)

Art Wall Block Party hosted by SeeSAW
Savannah Art Walls hosts a party in honor of the organization’s first-ever sanctioned mural. The mural was done by celebrated local artist Katherine Sandoz.
When: Friday, April 20, 6-8pm
Where: 34th & Habersham
Cost: Free

AWOL presents Kristina Wong: ”Wong Flew Over the Coo-Coo’s Nest”
A performance by SUAF’s featured artist, acclaimed performance poet Kristina Wong
When: Friday, April 20, 8:00-9:30pm
Where: Muse Arts Warehouse, 703D Lousiville Rd.
Cost: Free

SUAFterparty - Artist Showcase
A mix of local and visiting MCs, DJs and singers will showcase their skills.
When: Friday, April 20, 10pm-3am
Where: The Sparetime, 36 MLK Jr. Blvd.
Cost: Donations

“Before I Die” Savannah presented by SeeSAW
A public art installation asking people what they would like to do before they die. The installation is presented across two blighted buildings, and will be up from April 7 through May 7.
When: Saturday, April 21, 1:00-3pm
Where: 1100 East 31st Street (31st & Waters) & 109 MLK Jr. Blvd. (2 locations)
Cost: Free

SUAFest
Come out and enjoy live music from local and visiting artists, food, games and fun all day + art, clothing and more from local vendors.
When: Saturday, April 21, 4:00-11pm
Where: Muse Arts Warehouse, 703 D Louisville Rd.
Cost: Donations only! SUPPORT THE ARTS!

Vinyl Appreciation’s Two Year Anniversary: “The Roots of Hip Hop”
An evening of music that influenced the foundation of hip hop. Sandfly BBQ and Foxy Loxy will be serving up treats and the Psychotronic Film Society will provide video accompaniment.
When: Sunday, April 22, 5:00-10pm
Where: Muse Arts Warehouse, 703 D Louisville Rd.
Cost: $3