Amerimasala in Erie, PA: A Multi-Disciplinary Cultural Movement

Amerimasala: Uniting Erie Through Global Arts and Community

Annual festival and creative workshops foster cross-cultural understanding with "Everyone at the Table" ethos

ERIE, PA - June 9, 2025 - Amerimasala, Erie's premier cultural movement, today announced details for its highly anticipated 2025 festival and ongoing creative workshops. More than just an annual event, Amerimasala is a dynamic initiative dedicated to fostering cross-cultural understanding and celebrating the diverse heritage of all peoples, encapsulated by its inviting motto: "Everyone at the Table."

The Amerimasala Festival Experience: A Global Celebration in Perry Square
At the core of the Amerimasala initiative is its spectacular, free-admission annual festival, set to transform Downtown Erie's Perry Square (571-601 State Street) on Saturday, July 19, 2025. This event has firmly established itself as "Erie's first multi-disciplinary celebration of global ethnic arts, food, and performances."

Attendees can expect a truly unique visual spectacle featuring towering 15-20 feet tall body puppets, majestic 15 feet long dragons, and graceful stilt walkers. These remarkable creations are works of art crafted by a growing number of hometown participants through Amerimasala's community workshops.

The atmosphere will be enriched by a diverse array of sounds, ranging from the lively rhythms of a New Orleans-style marching band to the captivating beats of a West African dance/drum ensemble, culminating in a powerful performance by the renowned 20-member all-female Afro-Brazilian Samba ensemble, Batala. Throughout the day, local chefs will present an array of cultural foods, inviting attendees to savor diverse flavors and participate in various interactive activities for individuals of all ages.

Cultivating Creativity: The Amerimasala Creative Workshops
Beyond the festival, Amerimasala actively cultivates creativity through its Amerimasala Creative Workshops for Teens and Adults, hosted in collaboration with the esteemed Erie Art Museum. These hands-on workshops provide community members with the opportunity to directly contribute to the festival's unique visual elements by constructing costumes, masks, and the iconic giant puppets.

Designed to be broadly accessible, the workshops welcome individuals aged 13 and older, with a thoughtful provision for those 12 and under to attend with an adult guardian. A standout feature is the sliding scale pricing structure, allowing participants to pay an amount they are financially comfortable with, ranging up to $200 per week. Various promo codes (e.g., CREATE50, CREATE100, CREATE150) are available to adjust the cost, ensuring financial barriers do not hinder participation and reinforcing the "Everyone at the Table" philosophy.

Workshops are offered across two distinct weeks:

Week 1: Monday, June 30 - Thursday, July 3, 2025 (9 AM - 3 PM daily)
Week 2: Monday, July 7 - Friday, July 11, 2025 (9 AM - 2 PM daily)
Participants embarking on larger projects are encouraged to register for both weeks, with each week requiring a separate fee. All necessary basic materials, including upcycled cardboard, paint, glue, and tools, are provided. Instruction is provided by experienced teaching artists, such as Niecey Nicole, an Erie native celebrated for her artistic contributions, activism, and deep community engagement.

https://www.erieartmuseum.org/camp
https://www.erieartmuseum.org/amerimasala-workshops

Community Roots: Partnership with Erie Art Company
Amerimasala's robust foundation is significantly bolstered by its strategic partnership with the Erie Art Company. This 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, established in 2013, serves as a crucial organizational backbone, providing essential support that enables Amerimasala to thrive. The Erie Art Company's mission is deeply aligned with Amerimasala's ethos: to empower the Erie community through "creative place-making," focusing on the business of art and the sustainability of creative processes.

Over its impressive 13 years of operation, the Erie Art Company has been instrumental in organizing a diverse array of art projects, events, and educational opportunities throughout Erie. Amerimasala is explicitly recognized as one of its key partnerships, receiving invaluable volunteers, professional marketing design services, and crucial sponsorships. This synergistic relationship underscores a shared, profound commitment to promoting cultural appreciation, fostering deep community engagement, and leveraging the transformative power of the arts for broader societal benefit in Erie.

http://www.erieartcompany.com

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Contact:
Lynn Johnson
Director
814.403.1088
Turtleback350@gmail.com

Brad Ford
info@erieartcompany.com
1311 State Street
Erie, Pa 16501

Impact and Vision: Everyone at the Table
Amerimasala's profound impact on Erie stems directly from its unwavering commitment to its core mission: to "promote cross cultural respect and value of all peoples." This vision, powerfully articulated through its motto "Everyone at the Table," serves as a guiding principle for all its endeavors, fostering a truly inclusive environment.

By intentionally bringing diverse communities together through shared artistic expressions, culinary delights, and interactive experiences, Amerimasala significantly contributes to building a stronger, more interconnected Erie. The festival's unique blend of captivating visual arts, dynamic music, expressive dance, and delicious cultural foods creates an immersive environment that not only entertains but also educates, celebrating the rich tapestry of global cultures within the local context.

Looking ahead, Amerimasala continues to be a vibrant and evolving force in Erie's cultural scene, dedicated to bringing Erie's most original, unique, and multi-disciplinary arts and education to the stage. Its foundational commitment to accessibility, manifested through the free festival and the sliding scale workshops, ensures that its positive impact is widespread, truly reaching and benefiting "everyone" in the community.

This release was published on openPR.