Fire Fish Festival

Launched four years ago, the FireFish Festival transforms downtown Lorain into a stage for vibrant arts performances. This year's event will take place from 4 to 11 p.m. today and tomorrow. Organizers promise there will be even more diversity in art and performances. The festival will conclude with "the most spectacular fiery finale yet with an interactive component and theme of 'release.'" Tonight will feature headliner Carlos Jones & the P.L.U.S. Band. Tomorrow night will feature "non-stop" international music, dance, theater, art and fire performers — both on stages and in the hidden alleys, empty storefronts, balconies and fire escapes on Broadway Avenue. The dance group Jasmine Dragons will be on hand as will Sammy De Leon and his fusion/salsa band, Oberlin samba dancer Alysia Ramos, the Exotic Fruit Club and the Great Lakes Light Opera. It will all lead up to a "one-of-kind" spectacle of the burning of the fish, a giant sculpture designed and choreographed by interdisciplinary theater and performance artist Daniel McNamara (alumni of the Bread and Puppet Theater.) In keeping with the theme of "release," patrons can bring flammable artifacts to a ceremonial bamboo altar which, when it burns along with the fish, will symbolize letting go of the past. Community members, students and teen arts apprentices from the Lorain County Community College's Summer STEAM Teen Academy will create the centerpiece of the festival, the giant FireFish sculpture that comes to life spewing fire. The fish will be created from upcycled paper and cardboard. Admission is free. (Niesel) firefishfestival.com.