Amp it up: Ormond Beach Live brings over 125 musical acts to town

Good weather, music and art prevail at the 5th annual Ormond Beach Live Original Music and Art Festival, Oct. 14-15.

  • By Michele Meyers
  • | 4:00 p.m. October 18, 2023
  • Ormond Beach Observer
  • Neighbors
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A group of people sitting under a white tent in front of the Rockefeller Gardens main stage cheered as singer-songwriter Dean Batten took the stage. They were there to support the Ormond Beach resident and support the artists performing at the fifth annual Ormond Beach Live Original Music and Art Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 14 and 15.

Presented by the Songwriters Showcases of America, a nonprofit performance arts organization, the event is an opportunity for musicians to perform and artists to share their creations with the community. 

Over 125 musical acts, ranging from rap and hip hop to jazz and folk music, took to 12 different stages located at the Casements, Rockefeller Gardens and Fortunato Park. 

I do this because I am really passionate about bringing people together and expressing their creativity. I know the value and significance behind wanting to make a difference in your community. There’s no better way to do that besides setting an example and opening up a pave way that allows them to do it as well..." — Natasha Azari, Save the Arts Movement

Ormond Beach residents Mitzi Tucker and Brian Jenkins live approximately a mile and a half from the venue. They said the weather was beautiful, so they jumped on their bikes and rode over to Rockefeller Gardens. Tucker was pleasantly surprised by the music.

“We love music festivals,” Jenkins said. “We’ve been to music festivals all over the country. It’s a nice little bike ride down and it’s a beautiful day. We get to enjoy some music and some good food.”

People had two days to listen to music, eat a variety of food and grab a mimosa at the beer garden. They also had the opportunity to check out over 70 artists and trade show booths. 

Ormond Beach Elementary had its own booth where they exhibited student art. Fifth grader Amari Pusey pointed out his art and the fact that it was located close to his fellow artists and friends Leonidas, Gabriel, Nash and Vivian. He explained that his teacher gave them a folded paper and had them write their name on the line. The paper was folded back and rubbed until there was a mirror image of the student’s name.

“Then you just have to use your imagination to make anything you want,” Pusey said.

Noah’s Landing had a variety of creatures for kids to pet if they needed a break from relaxing with their adults. There were also pony rides, a rock wall and an extra large inflatable obstacle course.

Save the Arts Movement founder Natasha Azari and her assistant Amber Williams were finishing a painting that had initially started as a large paint-by-number piece. Everyone was welcome to try their hand at the work of art.

“I do this because I am really passionate about bringing people together and expressing their creativity,” Azari said. “I know the value and significance behind wanting to make a difference in your community. There’s no better way to do that besides setting an example and opening up a pave way that allows them to do it as well and continue it to be a domino effect. In my field it would be doing it in murals, artistically painting, so I want to be able to allow those that are willing to be opened up to that creative force to come join and do the same.”

 

 

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