Twilight's Alex Meraz, legendary blues man highlight arts & film week

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - A new arts and film festival is headed to Myrtle Beach, and with it come Twilight: New Moon's Alex Meraz, blues man Buddy Guy and Army Wives' Catherine Bell.

The Food, Arts, Music and Entertainment (FAME) Festival is set to kick off the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce's Arts & Film Celebration Week April 24 through May 2. Festivities run at the former Myrtle Square Mall site.

The FAME Festival features 30 area artists from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Broadway Street between Fourth and Sixth Avenues North in downtown Myrtle Beach. Visitors will be able to purchase all types of art, paintings and photographs, as well as pottery, sculptures and other crafts. Organizers say a number of break-dancers, shag dancer, mimes and stilt walkers will around to help entertain the masses.

"We're pleased to partner with the FAME Festival Committee and the Rivoli Theatre to offer a celebration that will appeal to all ages," said Brad Dean, president and CEO of the MBACC. "Arts & Film Celebration Week will give visitors yet another reason to make Myrtle Beach their spring destination."

The Arts & Film Celebration Week will culminate with a May 1 lineup that includes R&B and jazz bands with Buddy Guy headlining, celebrity meet-and-greets with Catherine Bell of Army Wives and Alex Meraz, who played Paul in Twilight: New Moon, kid character meet-and-greets, face painting, balloon artists, outdoor movies, food, arts and craft vendors and fireworks.

Proceeds from the FAME Festival's inaugural season will be put back into the Myrtle Beach community for improvements to Broadway Street, the Surfriders As sociation for the cleanup of Withers Swash, scholarships to the HGTC Culinary School and the Horry County Cultural Arts Council for local art students, and various charities such as the Boys and Girls Club for Music and Art.

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