Here's the lineup of artists, food vendors and more at Saturday's Get Down in T-Town
This year's Get Down in T-Town event will return for its fourth celebration of diversity in the Topeka community.
Sawab Hazim, event organizer, said he wants people to be able to come out and relax while having fun in a historic setting.
"When you actually experience something, it can change you," Hazim said. "It can change your attitude on different things. Even in the neighborhood that we're at, there's a lot of people who don't come over to that neighborhood a whole lot."
Get Down in T-Town will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Brown v. Board of Education Mural, 1515 S.E. Monroe St.
The public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs and cash for the various food vendors. The event is free to attend.
What will be featured at Saturday's Get Down in T-Town event?
Music, food and local vendors are expected to be at the event.
Performances from local artists and speakers will include Nyisha and friends, The Pardize Band, Ellie Smith, Burnablocc, Trevon Payne, Authentic Expressions featuring JQ Guest, SJ Hazim, Buttrfli Jones, Daniel Dank Martin, real talk from Phelica Glass and more.
Roger Ortega, a Topeka native, will headline the night performing some of his latest tunes.
Food from Cudema Collective, Paletas Royal and Jazzy Doggs Freshly Squeezed Lemonade will be available for purchase.
Hazim said a newer aspect at this year's event is Authentic Expressions.
Authentic Expressions is a group of poets who provide a platform for local and regional poets to share their work. Workshops and other educational opportunities will be offered to create an inclusive space for artists to connect and engage with the community.
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Paradize Band will start the event at 4 p.m. The night will end with Ortega taking the stage at 8:20 p.m. Those interested in further show times can follow the Topeka United Facebook page and Hazim's Facebook page for updates.
Celebrating diversity in Topeka is what Get Down in T-Town is all about
Get Down in T-Town is part of Topeka United's yearlong programming, which includes Mosaic partner pairs and multicultural events, said city of Topeka councilwoman Karen Hiller, who is a member of Topeka United.
Topeka United is a community group formed in 2019 after the 65th Anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision that ended segregation in schools.
The group aims to remain engaged in the community by spreading knowledge at local events that promote cultural and spiritual diversity and inclusion in the community.
"This is a big outdoor concert that is transitioning us all from summer, where we had various and fabulous cultural events, to fall where this is a multicultural event that draws all the various cultures together," Hiller said.
Keishera Lately is the business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at klately@cjonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Lineup of artists, food vendors at Topeka's Get Down in T-Town event
