This year’s festival and theme is Loops, design work by Dave Ortega.

By Amy Swain

Somerville is gearing up for the annual ArtBeat Festival in Davis Square. This event has been a Somerville staple since 1986. July 17 and 18 will see Davis Square transformed into a world of loopy expression and creativity – the theme of this year’s event is “Loops.”

Rachel Strutt, Somerville Art Council’s Cultural Director, has been part of organizing the festival for thirteen years. Her excitement about this year’s theme is that it is so open: “It’s playful and can be interpreted in many ways.”

On Friday, the 17th , beginning at 5:30 p.m., the excitement kicks off with Somerville’s own School of Honk street band on Traffic Island, and continues until 10:00 p.m on the Seven Hills Stage with comedy, visual, and melodic acts. Both days of the event are free, but a $3 donation is suggested.

On Saturday, the 18th, Davis Square is shut down for the festivities, which open up at noon, starting with local singer/songwriter Rose Polenzani, and boasting many other musical acts including swing, indie, Brazilian reggae, dark groove, pop and even “galactic surf.”

Beyond the music, Saturday’s festivities will embrace many dance numbers, including expressive, belly dancing, and theatrical and kinetic dance styles from local as well as travelling companies. Also in attendance will be puppeteers, a one man band, and of course – hula hoopers.

Performances on Saturday will occur simultaneously on the Seven Hills and Elm Street stages, Traffic Island, and the Somerville Theater. During the organized performances, all day long, patrons can visit over 100 craft vendors, and the Nibble table culinary area, which includes purveyors of many different cultures and flavors. Other community organizations that will be participating all day include cheerleading, knitting/crocheting, Somerville’s own Open Air Circus, and the M.U.S.C.R.A.T. bus, an area of Davis Square story-telling and free popcorn. The fun continues until 6:00 p.m.

For Rachel Strutt, the shining star is Ronald Regan, a sax duo that comes armed with cultural humor and wit. To see when and where they will be performing, as well as all of the other acts, visit somervilleartscouncil.org/artbeat/2015/schedule.