 "Photo: Courtesy of swamp zen & photographer lisa stein")
If Bob Marley were alive and hanging out in Chico this Saturday night, chances are good he'd be chilling on a couch at Cafe Culture, taking in the eclectic vibe at the third-annual One Love Fest.
Even though Marley can't be there, his message of love certainly will be, as Chicoans gather to share a night of musical diversity, peace and dancing.
The festival will start at 5 p.m. and continue until midnight. There will be two stages hosting at least a dozen local acts, ranging from reggae to hip-hop, as well as local art and poetry. Tickets are $5.
"It's a truly amazing lineup," said Matt Stratton, one of the founders of the event. "Nowhere else will you be able to see that many talented acts for only $5."
The One Love Fest is a chance for people who love to dance and enjoy music to come together with people who love to make music, said Doug Stein, who will be performing at the festival with his band Swamp Zen.
"When musicians and music lovers get together, it's a mutual-love society," Stein said.
Love seems to be what this festival is all about: The love of music, the love of art and the love of community.
"We're bringing people together under one banner in the name of unity," Stein said. "Our greatest calling is to share our joy with others."
Swamp Zen plays what Stein calls "high-energy love-rock," but audience members can expect a night of great musical variety.
The main purpose of the festival is to bring people together from as many different backgrounds as possible, so it was important to book artists who represent a variety of interests, Stratton said.
While The One Love Fest is largely about bringing audience members together, it's also about collaboration between local musicians, said Tino Marrufo, who will take the stage Saturday with his band Mute Witness.
"This festival is also for bands that just want to get together and experience each other's stuff," he said. "There needs to be a stronger union between bands in Chico, and this is a really good chance to start working on that."
Last year, the festival took place at Park Plaza in downtown Chico, but this year organizers were looking for a place that would be more harmonious with the purpose of the event.
Cafe Culture and The One Love Fest share a common mission, said Cafe Culture owner Greg Fletcher. Both the festival and the cafe are all about good fun, great music and "artistic cross-pollination," he said.
Cafe Culture has only been open for a few months, but Fletcher hopes events such as this one will help define the business' mission in the community, he said. "I want this to be a place where everyone can come together."
Stein hopes the festival will be more than just an awesome jam session, he said. Everyone really wants to use the festival to make a difference in Chico, as well as in the global community.
"We're trying to make the world a groovier place for everyone's grandchildren," he said. "And we're going to do it with music."
Elizabeth Ghiorso can be reached at eghioroso@theorion.com
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