Folk singer and songwriter Jay Hitt of Butler will lead off the continual array of performers starting at 11 a.m. Saturday on Main Street in Slippery Rock as part of the Kaleidoscope Arts Festival.

SLIPPERY ROCK - The Kaleidoscope Arts Festival hosted by Slippery Rock University concludes on Sunday but not before the featured performer and an array of musical guests fill the campus and downtown.

Emmanuel Jal, once a child soldier in war-torn Sudan and now hailed as a rising star of African hip hop, will give a lecture on his life, then sing to highlight his message of peace today at 7:30 p.m. in SRU's University Union. Tickets are $5, and available at the University Union or by calling 724-738-2104.

An exhibit featuring the work of SRU students will open with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday on Main Street downtown, across from The Brewery. Admission is free. Call 724-738-2020.

Performances between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday on Main Street will start off with Butler resident Jay Hitt, a singer and songwriter who will play his original compositions. He is a member of Calliope: The Pittsburgh Folk Music Society and has performed at the Three Rivers Arts Festival and Columbus Arts Festival. He has released five CDs, including "Show Me the Way to Your Heart," a compilation of original songs about animals for a Humane Society fundraiser.

Other groups that will play include The Lonesome No More Band, Between Liberties, Panama Red, Brad Yoder, Brett Allen Morgan, Rick Malis, Emily Rodgers, Mark Muretisch, and Rising Regina. Tommy Womack will play at 7 p.m. at North Country Brewery.A contemporary dance concert called "Something in the Way They Move" will have shows at 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday in SRU's Swope Music Building. Admission is $5, or $3 for SRU students. Call 724-738-2036.A list of events is available at kaleidoscope.sru.edu.

Folk singer and songwriter Jay Hitt of Butler leads off the 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. performances Saturday on Main Street in Slippery Rock as part of the Kaleidoscope Arts Festival.