The second annual Taste of Unity festival will be held 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 25 at Unity Place, 201 W. Franklin Blvd.

This multi-cultural family day highlights all the activities at Unity Place.   It is free and open to the public.   Come see dancers rehearsing for The Nutcracker Ballet and let the kids try their hand at scratch art or making clay pots. See weavers, spinners and other artists demonstrate their skills while touring the building that houses Gaston Dance, Inc., Gaston School of the Arts, the Gaston Choral Society and Gaston County Art Guild, as well as St. Stephens AME Zion Church.

Outside, continuous entertainment will fill the stage, with performances by the St. Stephens Children’s Choir, Cassell Singers and El Mariachi band.   Face painting, clowns and Unity Place coloring books will be help entertain children.

At 2 p.m., the Latin salsa band, Fuego Lento, featuring Gastonia musician John Alexander, will perform high energy Latin music.   A dance floor will be provided and free salsa lessons will be offered prior to the performance.

All that activity will build up an appetite.   Lunch, featuring three different menus, will be offered for $5.   Choices are Mexican, soul food or barbeque.

Unity Place is a unique partnership between St. Stephens AME Zion Church and the United Arts Council of Gaston County.   The building houses an after-school care program, pottery classes,   choral rehearsals, art classes, a theatre for young people, community programs and concerts, dance classes, Arts Council offices and church services.

The public is invited to celebrate the old church’s rebirth as a downtown community center where arts and spirituality co-exist, by joining the Unity Place partners and members of the Gastonia Downtown Development Corporation as the newly refurbished church bell is rung in a brief ceremony at 11:15 a.m.

Come join us for a special day of fun, arts and entertainment at Unity Place, 201 W. Franklin Blvd.   Lunch tickets are $5 and are on sale now.   To buy a lunch ticket, or for more information call the United Arts Council at 704-853-2787.   In case of rain, A Taste of Unity will be held indoors in the fellowship hall.