The Hue Fest Committee is seeking youth to help plan the second annual youth arts and music festival this April. (Photo: Courtesy Peggy Long, Coachella Valley High School)
By Alejandra Alarcon, Coachella Unincorporated
Following last year’s launch and successful turnout, expectations are high for the second The Hue Music & Arts Festival, scheduled for April 7, 2012.
The Hue Festival is a youth-led, cultural event promoting a healthier community and showcasing local talented artists and musicians. For Eastern Coachella Valley residents of all ages, the festival is also an event that allows them to express themselves in a safe environment.
“The Hue Festival is about spreading health awareness to the community in a creative way without wearing a vegetable costume,” joked Esperanza Navarro, youth coordinator for Building Healthy Communities.
“The Hue itself means color; color represents different people with their own interests and tastes,” said Denise Torres, a senior at Coachella Valley High School and former participant of the festival. “They all come together in this one space swaying to the music, observing the art.”
Breaking barriers, the Hue festival is a representation of diversity. The Hue has a variety of musical genres, such as ska, metal, indie, and hip-hop and showcases many types of art.
“The most difficult part about organizing this festival is coming to agreements [about what to showcase] because we’re all so different,” Torres said. “Our interests vary and we all want the best possible turn-out.”
The Hue is hoping to have even better attendance for its second year event compared to last year’s crowd estimated at one thousand people. The event will be located at the Dateland Park in Coachella.
Event coordinators Esperanza Navarro and Carlos Gonzalez have been recruiting to engage the youth.
“My job is to stand on the side lines,” Navarro said. “We are there to provide guidance and support. For example, the students might need some kind of permit or any specific arrangements. That’s where the adults help out. There is a lot of work ahead of us but we will have an amazing event.”
The festival’s committee is currently in the process of holding auditions for bands and musicians. As a group, they will all decide who will have the chance to perform.
“This year is going to be bomb diggity,” Torres said. “There will be more art, more lights, and better food than last year.”
If you are interested in being a part of the Hue Festival’s committee or performing or displaying your art in an exhibition, contact Esperanza Navarro at (760) 574-0736 or [email protected]
