Hansen: Music festival to challenge stereotypes

Most people segment their lives in broad categories: family, work, play.

Each category comprises many activities. In the play bucket, for example, there might be art, music, cinema or duck hunting.

But what if there were no categories? What if our lives were not defined by boxes, straight lines and order?

That, in essence, is the premise of Laguna’s first real contemporary music festival in more than a decade. The Blue Water Music Festival will be held on the grounds of the Sawdust Festival March 29-30.

It’s called a music festival, but it’s more like an eclectic artistic convergence of sight, sound and soul.

“It has a soul to it,” said organizer Rick Conkey. “That’s what we’ve been trying to put into this. It’s just trying to show how powerful the arts are. It’s so much more than a music festival.”

Broadly defined, it’s a way to celebrate the many local musicians who have contributed to untold causes including autism awareness, the environment and education. Half the general admission ticket sales will be donated to a variety of local nonprofits.

There will be dancing, food, performance art, booths and of course music: two days, three stages and about 30 bands. For details visit bluewatermusicfestival.org.

The city’s planning department approved the project at its Feb. 26 meeting, where supporters rallied behind the effort.

“We’re very excited that music does matter to the people of Laguna,” said long-time resident Steve Kawaratani.

Local businessman and Coastline Pilot columnist Billy Fried also supported the festival, acknowledging Conkey’s hard work to make it happen.

“We’re always known as an art town, visual arts, but he’s making sure that we’re also known as a music town,” Fried said. “And that brings in a whole new set of visitors. It’s good for the economy; it’s good for the town.”

Ticket prices for the event are $65 for one day or $120 for both days. Other VIP options are available. By contrast, the Coachella music festival starts at $375.

Ever the promoter, Conkey is proud of his musical lineup, which boasts a variety of genres, from funk to reggae.

“I actually think we have a better lineup than Coachella does, if you take away the major headliners,” he said. “It’s not U2, but these are the best people who have not been signed by major record labels.”

Artists include David Lindley, Wally Ingram, Pato Banton, Jason Feddy, Common Sense, Missiles of October, Rebel Rockers, Sasha Evans, Salty Suites, Ken Garcia Band, World Anthem and many others.

“These people are the most talented, original artists in Southern California that will fit in a community event,” Conkey said. “It’s all different disciplines, other than punk and heavy metal. It’s everything from Americana to bluegrass to blues, funk, soul, R&B, reggae, instrumental, shamanistic.”

Even though Conkey is a veteran at organizing music events, including the free “Music Matters” concert series at The Cliff restaurant, this 2,500 capacity show is on a completely different scale.

The city required $3,000 trolleys, parking fees, food and beverage permits, police and fire approval, along with other rules, all of which are being adhered to. In addition, Conkey said he needs to cover about $50,000 in costs.

“It’s scary as hell,” he said. “There’s always a risk of not knowing how many people are going to show up. And we’re giving half of the money away because it’s a fundraiser.

“But the musicians have stepped up, once again. We have a stage to do this. Why wouldn’t we recognize these people?”

For Conkey, this event means a lot — but not to his personal reputation or pride. It means a lot because he believes in its message.

“We have the opportunity to make a statement and prove that we can activate the power of music for the benefit of the community. So it just makes sense to do it.

“You just invest so much energy into something you believe in. I’m just trying to make something good.”

So when you’re figuring out what to do in your play category, remember the musicians who donated their time after the floods and mudslides, who sang to local charity groups, who taught kids to surf or raised awareness for environmental issues.

Music does not fit in a box, but it does fit nicely in our lives.

Support local music and sing like you mean it.

DAVID HANSEN is a writer and Laguna Beach resident. He can be reached at [email protected].