(CAMDEN, NJ) -- The Johnson Park Music and Arts Festival returns to Johnson Park, 101 Cooper Street in Camden, on Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. Now in its 5th year, the festival brings Camden-based musical acts, craft vendors, and visual artists together to promote "healing of the nation, city and tribes."
The Johnson Park Music and Arts Festival is hosted by the IDEA Center for the Arts, one of Camden’s premier arts organizations, which is celebrating its 30th year sharing the life-affirming quality of the arts with local youth. IDEA provides summer camps, music intensives, intimate evening concerts, and after school programming in addition to this much-anticipated annual event.
This NO CHARGE, family-friendly event is made possible through generous support from the Rutgers-Camden Digital Studies Center Program, the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Global Racial Justice, Rutgers AAUP-AFT, Camden Special Services District, and the Cooper-Grant Neighborhood Association.
“This year is especially meaningful as IDEA marks its 30th anniversary. This festival is a space where diverse voices shine, where music and visual expression uplift, and where the spirit of collaboration fuels social change,” says Cynthia Primas, Founder and Executive Director of the IDEA Center for the Arts.
IDEA was founded in 1995 with the goal of reaching outside of traditional education to bring high-quality arts education facilitated by experienced teaching artists to youth in Camden. Since then, the Center has grown to include the Subaru Media Lab, where students create podcasts, mix music, and learn software skills necessary for bringing their creative ideas to life.
In that vein, the Johnson Park Music and Arts Festival was created by the IDEA Center for the Arts™ and the Rutgers-Camden Digital Studies Center Program in partnership with the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Global Racial Justice, Rutgers AAUP-AFT, Camden Special Services District, and the Cooper-Grant Neighborhood Association.
Musical performances will include renowned saxophonist Greg Osby, Camden-based multi-instrumentalist Nasir Dickerson, funk-R&B collective SoundEVR, and the RaiSan Sings Trio. The lineup ensures that there will be plenty of opportunities for festival goers to dance the afternoon away. Local community organizations will also take the stage to throughout the afternoon, educating the crowd about their work through spoken word, storytelling, and more.
SoundEVR is a band centered around making music that gets people to dance, playing Funk, RnB, Pop, Jazz and especially House Music. SoundEVR brings together some of Philadelphia’s most talented musicians. Collectively, they have performed through out the city of Philadelphia, hitting the stages of The Brooklyn Bowl, City Winery, Time, Chris’s Jazz Cafe and the Black Squirrel Club among many others.
Saxophonist Greg Osby has been a formidable presence on the international music scene as a leader of his own ensembles and as a guest artist with other acclaimed groups for the past 39 years. Highly regarded for his insightful and innovative approach to composition and performance, Osby is an inspired voice among the ranks of improvising musicians. He has earned numerous awards and critical acclaim for his recorded works and passionate live appearances and has been recognized by The New York Times as one of the "most provocative musical thinkers of his generation".
Nasir Dickerson is a saxophonist, kora player, African flutist, composer, producer and recording artist. Nasir is the Leader of the jazz sextet, “The Renaissance Messengers” & “Life Light Empower”. He has performed with artist such as Lauryn Hill, Doechii, Daniel Caeser, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, Busta Rhymes, Wyclef Jean, YG Marley, Zion Marley, Eric Roberson, Flow, FoggieRaw, Mannywellz, Angie Stone, The Legendary Roots Crew, Vocalist Bilal, Quest Love, Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, Samara Cyn, Vocalist Maysa, Akua Naru, Miki Howard, Jeff Bradshaw, Rappers Beanie Sigel, State Property, Stalley, The legendary Stylistics, The Intruders, the Philadelphia Eagles and more.
Camden Special Services District (CSSD) is a dynamic local organization dedicated to enhancing Camden’s vibrancy and livability through strategic investments in public spaces, community engagement, and economic development. By providing Clean & Safe services, facilitating inclusive programming, and fostering partnerships with local organizations, CSSD works to create welcoming, accessible spaces that reflect the needs and culture of Camden's diverse residents. Through collaboration with community development corporations, businesses, and civic leaders, CSSD is building a resilient and thriving Camden, one that fosters connection and cultivates pride across the city.
