It’s nearly a decade old, but this year’s To Life! A Jewish Cultural Street Festival will seem as young as ever.
In its ninth year, the festival will feature cutting-edge international music, arts and food, with an additional focus on “green” living.
To Life! will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21 in Palo Alto, with vendors and stages stretched along California Avenue between El Camino Real and Park Boulevard.
More than 80 local and Israeli artists will display and sell everything from handcrafted jewelry and clothing to ceramics and Judaica.
Entertainment this year includes local and international acts performing on three stages. On the main stage, there will be a showcase of Bay Area-based Israeli bands, the Barvinok Ensemble performing Ukranian folk songs and blues guitarist Saul Kaye. The children’s stage will feature Israeli and hip-hop dancing, and the community stage will play host to other local musicians and dancers.
It wouldn’t be a Jewish event without a nosh — which is why To Life! will feature an array of kosher, Israeli and vegetarian foods, from potato-spinach knishes to shwarma, and even Chinese food and gourmet ice cream sandwiches. To help keep the festival green, food vendors will utilize compostable plates and utensils. And attendees who bring their own reusable water bottles will be able to fill up for free at the beverage booths.
At the Koret Tents of Community, attendees can learn about social and service organizations, including local Jewish agencies, school, congregations and social groups. There also will be a nonpartisan voter registration booth.
For the way-under-voting-age set, there will be arts and crafts, games, inflatable slides and bounce houses, along with the aforementioned children’s stage to keep them entertained.
And because all good things must come to an end, but not without a festive sendoff, festival attendees can say l’hitraot to To Life! at the After Life party. At nearby Illusions Fayrouz, young Jewish adults will be encouraged to eat, drink and be merry — after all, it’ll be a long 12 months until the next one.