TWP-The Youth Movement | 700 E. Olney Road, Norfolk, VA 23504 | P: 757-747-2679 | www.TWPTheMovement.org
For Immediate Release Contact: Michelle Sims May 4th, 2021 Twpmichelle@gmail.com (757) 747-2679 (Norfolk, VA) – This year the 8th annual FUSE FEST celebrates community, culture and ART with a hybrid festival LIVE & Virtual at Purpose Park, May 22 from 3pm until 9pm!
Living through a global pandemic, the loss of the only community supermarket, housing turmoil and an increase in violence in the neighborhood makes FUSE Fest the healing balm and much needed celebration the St. Paul’s Community deserves.
Fuse Fest tightly weaves together all the elements of true community in a day of irrepressible love shared through interactive, safe distancing programming including art making, edutainment that ignites hope & healing and good vibes. The interactive zones include a dedicated space for youth, teens & elders plus the communal space and main stage area called The Village.
The Festival concludes with an outdoor screening of AINT YOUR MOMMAs HEAT WAVE, a comedy filmed right in St. Paul Community addressing the serious topic of the climate crisis and its impact on marginalized communities.
TWP (Teens with a Purpose) - for decades, has creatively cultivated young leaders through the arts and peer led programs and events. Their premium annual community event F.U.S.E. Fest, (Focus on Unity, Spirit and Edutainment) celebrates the heart of inner-city Norfolk through this intergenerational festival in the St. Paul’s Quadrant.
National Performing Artists, and Norfolk State University alumni Kristen Webster and Desire Gaston and their ensemble will perform and interact with Fuse Fest audience just one week before they open at Bank Street Stage starring in A Musical Tribute to Aretha and Whitney.
This walk-through experience includes African Dancers & Drummers, R&B, Neo Soul, Spoken Word, Hip-Hop, Dance Crews and regional and national artists including Testimony NBCBLK award winner. Resources like COVID Testing and Vaccination registration, Fitness workshops, Martial Arts, Tech/Robotics, Yoga, Horticulture; MC Olympics a rappers competition where top emcees compete for prizes and bragging rights are just a few of the highlights.
TWP Youth Poets performed their original poetry featured in this stand-up comedy “Ain’t Your Mama’s Heat Wave'' produced by Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% filmed at Norfolk’s Attucks Theatre. AYMH is the culminating feature for FUSE FEST showing at 8pm.
Teens With a Purpose’ Purpose Park, an urban garden and safe creative community space, is the site for FUSE FEST.
Fuse Fest Saturday, May 22nd, 2021 3pm until 9pm Purpose Park 801 Church Street, Norfolk VA (across from the Vivian C. Mason Art and Technology Center for Teens 700 E. Olney Road) Lawn chairs are welcome
This event will also be live streamed (excluding the film AYMH) Register for this free event for in-person attendance and live stream link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fuse-fest-21-tickets-153057034711?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Presenting Sponsors TWP-The Youth Movement Supporting Sponsors City of Norfolk; Virginia Arts Festival; RPOS; Highland Center Collaborative Partners: Hip-Hop Caucus; Norfolk Police Department, Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Stop the Violence Team, T.R.I.B.E. Inc, Moms Demand Action, OpenNorfolk; WPA Team L.A.M.B; Embodiment Fitness & Wellness, Chrysler Museum, Virginia MOCA, Open Norfolk, WPA, Hot 91.1 For additional information, visit our website.