The 5th Annual Palenke Arts Festival is a free multicultural celebration of the arts in Seaside organized by Palenke Arts, a multicultural arts center offering low-cost and free music, dance and art classes and concerts to the Seaside community. This event will also feature a free pop-up COVID vaccination clinic hosted by the City of Seaside Fire Department and VNA.

The Festival will feature exciting musical performances by award-winning Brazilian ensemble and crowd favorite Sambadá, and all of the Palenke Arts student ensembles (Bilingual Youth Chorus, Hip Hop dancers, Jazz Workshop and Tam Tam Sacré, West African Drum and Dance), and a special appearance by members of the Monterey Peninsula Gospel Community Choir directed by John Nash. 

Food will be provided by Aquino’s Birrieria. There will be community and artists’ booths, live art demos by artist Paul Richmond, a samba dance class, and art activities for children

Blankets, low-cut lawn chairs, dancing shoes and community spirit are highly recommended! Entrance is free but donations to  benefit Palenke Arts' multicultural arts classes and workshops will be graciously accepted.

Please note that due to COVID regulations by the Monterey County Health Department there will be limits to the venue capacity. Please wear a mask and maintain social distancing.

Featured Performances:

Sambada - Dubbed the West Coast’s hottest Brazilian band by promoters, journalists and fans, SambaDá musically unites the Americas. Based in the rich musical traditions of Brazil, SambaDá also references salsa and cumbia, and blends them playfully with funk and reggae beats. Brazilian natives Papiba Godinho and Dandha da Hora bring profound knowledge and respect for Brazilian music, and together with the entire band, they present a unique musical sound with a universal appeal.

About us: Palenke Arts is a grassroots organization made up of multicultural interdisciplinary artists, performers, students, educators and community members in Seaside, who want to transcend their individual differences, and build a better community through the arts. Our mission is to educate, inspire and transform  the community through the arts.  We are a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization IRS # 82-1786480.

Sponsored by the City of Seaside Fire Department, C4 Consulting and the Arts Council for Monterey County