Play, Learn, And Experience The Wonders Of The Arts At The Inaugural MAGEC In The Park & Patio Playhouse Preview

MAGEC (Museums & Arts Growing Escondido Culture) and Patio Playhouse Plays in the Park are proud to present the inaugural MAGEC in the Park Family Event and Preview Show on Saturday, June 9th at the Kit Carson Park Amphitheater. This family festival, running from 6:30-9pm on Saturday, June 9, 2018, is designed to bring youth teams together to create cool art and showcase Escondido's Arts and Culture, and is free to all participants!

Children residing in Escondido between grades 1-12 are invited to form teams of 5 to participate in the completely free-of-charge art/sculpture contest on the theme: "Escondido Inspires Us." Team registration opens May 5th and is available to a limited number of teams. The contest will take place on-site at the festival and will be judged by audience applause. Prizes will be awarded to three winning teams and all participants will receive two tickets to their choice of any Patio Plays in the Park performance in this summer's lineup. All entries will be exhibited after the event at the Expressions Gallery at the Escondido Arts Partnership located at 262 E. Grand Avenue.

In addition to the youth art competition, MAGEC in the Park Festival will also feature a picnic area, snacks, refreshments, face painting, and interactive activities. Additionally, while the judging is taking place, audiences are invited to sit back, relax, and enjoy a selection of songs from this summer's Patio Plays in the Park series, including performances from the casts of Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie, and In the Heights. Jesus Christ Superstar, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lyrics by Tim Rice, will open the following weekend, June 15, and run through June 30. Annie, a Patio Youth Theater Production featuring music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and book by Thomas Meehan, runs July 20-28th, and finally, In the Heights, with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, will run August 17-September 1.

Tickets: There is no cost to participate in the art contest or to attend this event, but a limited number of teams will be accepted for the contest. To enter, teams should select "MAGEC in the Park" at https://stoneandglass.com/book-a-class. This event will take place at Kit Carson Park Amphitheater on June 9th from 6:30-9pm.

About our Sponsors: This event is sponsored by MAGEC, Museums & Arts Growing Escondido Culture, an informal group with the purpose of collaborating to grow and develop the goals of its participants by promoting Escondido's vibrant Arts, Heritage and Educational Culture. This group of businesses and nonprofits are open to the public and comprised of art galleries, studios, museums, theaters, educational venues and arts oriented businesses who are dedicated to actively promoting cultural and heritage tourism, network, create co-op programs, and collaborate to build their businesses and in turn enhance the quality of life for those visiting, working, and living in Escondido. For more information about MAGEC, head over to VisitEscondido.com or email info@visitescondido.com.

Patio Playhouse, the event's other sponsor, is Escondido's only community theater. Established in 1967, the playhouse is located in the heart of Escondido near the intersection of Kalmia and Grand. Patio Playhouse presents a full season of musicals, dramas, and comedies but is also known for its unique fee-free youth theater, which produces several shows a year while introducing live theatre to children through performance/crew opportunities and school performances. Last year alone, Patio Playhouse adult and youth productions took home 10 different Aubrey Awards (awarded at an annual ceremony by the San Diego Association of Community Theatres). Patio also presents a summer season called Patio Plays in the Park, where patrons can enjoy an evening of musical theater under the stars at Kit Carson Amphitheater. This year, the season will include Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie, and In the Heights. Patio Playhouse is an independent, all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. To find out more about Patio Playhouse, please visit www.patioplayhouse.com or find us on social media. Patio Playhouse is also a partner of the San Diego Theatre Connection, a group that fosters and supports service opportunities between arts organizations and nonprofit partners around San Diego County; the San Diego Theatre Connection can be found on Facebook and Instagram.

Event Partners: This event is presented in partnership with California Center for the Arts, Distinction Gallery, EcoVivarium, Escondido Arts Partnership, Escondido Art Association, Roynon Museum of Earth Science & Paleontology, San Diego Archaeological Center, San Diego Children's Discovery Museum, Spiritivity, Stone and Glass, and Visit Escondido.