God, polka, art & food (updated)

Polish Hill’s annual arts and parish festival unfolds this weekend, starting with a polka mass at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 3058 Brereton St., Saturday, then a street party from 1 to 11 p, with polka music, games of chance, raffles, a bake sale and Polish food in Rosary Hall.  Visit the IHM site for more information.

The Polish Hill Arts Festival follows on the street Sunday from noon to 9p.

Thirty artists and craftsmen will offer their work for sale, hands-on art activities, readings from local authors at Gooski’s (7 to 8p), Polish food from IHM church, Thai food and chicken on a stick, Ben and Jerry’s and a few vendors with vegan and vegetarian food.

Eight bands will perform. Here's the schedule:

12:15 – 1:00         Zout (klezmer avant fusion)
1:15 – 1:45            The Committee for Getting Attention (solo folksinger Kayla Slicker)
2:00 – 3:00          Dragging the Stone Big Concept Band with Steve Pellegrino (Americana “with a twist”)
3:15 – 4:15            Truth and Rites (reggae)
4:30 – 5:30           Timbeleeza (Brazillian samba drumming)
5:45 – 6:45            The Frantic Heart of It (pop/punk)
7:00 – 7:45          Lungs Face Feet (Cumbrian-influenced brass band)
8:00 – 9:00          Jayke Orvis and the Broken Band (country/roots/Americana)

(Photo above: Lungs Face Feet performing at the 2011 Polish Hill Arts Festival.  Photo by Leslie Clague for the Polish Hill Civic Association.)