It's that time again. Time to celebrate all the beauty and creativity and funk and goodness that exists between the cracks of urbanity. There are a whole lot of festivals in Tacoma. But only one Urban Art Festival. On the surface, this may look like any other Urban Art Fest - music galore, live painting, dead painting, live glass blowing, reggae, a kiddy pool; but this year's Urban Art Festival - the sixth annual such event - is an evolution. They're all about evolution, of course. But this year's event marks a distinct change of pace, of face, and one or two other things that rhyme with "ace."

We'll start with change of place.

"I'm excited about having a park with trees and shade and grass to dance on," says co-organizer Lisa Fruichantie of the Urban Art Festival's move to People's Park on Hilltop. "(Co-organizer) Johanna (Gardner) and I had a conversation about how the festival is supposed to migrate, and we didn't want it to be known as happening in the same place. We started exploring areas in Tacoma that have been underutilized. We even looked in parking garages. People's Park is a cute little charming park with plenty of businesses within walking distance. We decided it was perfect."

Also perfect is Urban Art Festival's proximity to 1022 South, which will host the official UAF Happy Hour. UAF Happy Hour at 1022 South will feature a range of high-octane, delicious and downright crazy drinks, fusion cocktails and absinthe - if you're into that sort of thing. Attending UAF Happy Hour also will get you a stamp worth a couple dollars off entrance to the after-party, hosted by nearby Fulcrum Gallery. The Fulcrum comedown party will include a fashion show, live music and a DJ stage. Though no promises are made, there is a chance DJ Creepy Mustache will be there. Doors open at 8 p.m. for that one.

Beyond 1022 South and Fulcrum, new UAF partner Foster Enterprises will be celebrating its grand opening the day of the festival. Foster specializes in youth mentorship, providing art instruction, job skills training and a bunch of other stuff that will warm your heart.  Foster coordinated UAF's volunteer flock this year, and will showcase some of its talented youth in three live dance performances.

Also on deck are live art demonstrations from painter and screen-printing wiz Kenji Fulmer, who has been seen recently teaching screen-printing classes at Tacoma Art Place. Also, expect appearances from local favorites Mike Capp, Dustin Hillgrove, Jada-Moon on the henna, Ryan Loiselle, Jodi Barstad, Lithium Love, and photographer Tanya DeMots.

And then there's the music. Hell of a line up this year, including main stage performers Voxxy Vallejo, Basemint, Blame it on the Girl, New Law, Hotels, Pioneers West and The Fucking Eagles.

Rounding out main-stage offerings is a rare treat for Tacoma - reggae legend Clinton Fearon.

"He's amazing," says Fruichantie.

Clinton "Basie" Fearon is counted among Jamaica's most talented musicians by peers and professionals in the realm of reggae. He was a house musician for Coxsonne Dodd's Studio One and Lee "Scratch" Perry's Black Ark Studio. He recorded many of Perry's best-known songs, including "Roast Fish" and "Cornbread," which features one of Fearon's most famous and infectious bass lines. He also composed some everlasting noggin-nodders for Yabby You, Jimmy Riley, Max Romeo, Junior Byles and many others. Urban Art Festival goers can look forward to being soothed and soul-charged by delicious bass riffs, guitar licks, percussion accents and downright powerful vocals. Fearon is a living legend among reggae musicians, and should do a fine job of elevating the Hilltop vibe for at least a few weeks.

"The band line up is really amazing," says Fruichantie. "This is the first time in a long time that I've been this excited about it."

Vendor organizer Mandi Webster-Martin says she's even more excited about next year's Urban Art Festival.

"It gets a little harder every year," she says. "But next year we're really going balls out."

Urban Art Festival

Sunday, June 27, noon to 9 p.m., free,
People's Park, Ninth Avenue and MLK Way, Hilltop Tacoma
tacomaurbanart.com