 "Photo: Nick Caldwell")
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It's hard to imagine three stages of music, free arts and crafts and international food booths at Chico State, but it's about to happen once again.
On Friday night, the 14th annual Chico World Music Festival will kick off with a performance by Pink Martini in the Laxson Auditorium. The concert will cost students $20, but the rest of the weekend is free.
On Saturday and Sunday, the lawns in front of Kendall Hall will be covered with booths and people dancing and lounging around. During the day, five acts from around the world will jam simultaneously on three separate stages. The music at the festival will represent a cross section of different cultures from around the world, said Dan DeWayne, director of University Public Events.
"I think the festival helps us all with a greater understanding of the wonderful artists that exist in every country and that great music is created in every culture," DeWayne said.
Artists such as the Klezbillies, the Eric Bibb Trio, the West African Highlife Band and more will represent music from Nigeria, Spain, Brazil, the United States and more. The genres of music are also eclectic, with explorations into Afro-pop, blues, fado, klezmer, highlife, jazz, country, blue grass, pop and swing. Even if attendees aren't familiar with the different types of music, they can still enjoy the show.
"Last year, I heard one member of the audience saying, 'I did not even know I liked Afro-pop, but now I know I do,'" DeWayne said.
The festival setting is the only one of its kind in Chico said Daran Goodsell, marketing coordinator for Chico Performances. For the past 12 years she has helped shape this event, and she said that the atmosphere is a fun one.
"The festival setting is great, especially since it's outdoors," Goodsell said. "There is a live energy between what happens on stage and what flows off stage."
The majority of performers at the festival agree. Ken Okulolo is the lead singer, band conductor and arranger of the West African Highlife Band and has been performing at the festival for about 10 years. Chico Performances describes Okulolo's music as having rich harmonies, intertwining guitars and exciting percussion.
Okulolo said the atmosphere is wonderful in Chico, and he always accepts an invitation back.
"The way the people there enjoy the music, it makes the celebration of life really easy, and people are very receptive to my music," Okulolo said.
He compared the festival's environment to the earliest musicians interacting with the people and celebrating together.
But music isn't the only entertainment that will be at the festival. The Chico Art Center will have a tent where anyone can stroll in and participate in an art project, said Jana Lawton, an employee at the center. An instructor from the center will provide supplies and coaching in different art projects such as painting.
"It offers people an activity if they just need a little break to do something different in between listening to the music and snacking on good food," Lawton said.
Other activities planned include fossil rubbings and paintings, rock art and cave art under the magnolia tree in front of Laxson Auditorium hosted by the Museum of Anthropology.
Numerous food establishments from around Chico have been invited to sell their goods at the event, although there is no set list of vendors.
Chico Performances and Chico State fund the event, and about 100 volunteers help set up and run the booths. It's an opportunity to give back, Goodsell said.
"It's our gift to the community from the campus," Goodsell said. "It's a day to come enjoy the beautiful setting and tie the community musically to Chico."
The music festival is open to all ages, and Goodsell said students at Chico State should check out what's happening on campus.
"I think there are a lot of people with the misconception that it's an old-aging, hippy event, and it's not," Goodsell said. "I hope people will come of all ages and realize there is music out there that they will enjoy."
Laura Hauser can be reached at lhauser@orion.com
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