Local performers, artists get a chance to show off

By: JOSE CARVAJAL - Staff Writer | Saturday, May 28, 2005 10:48 PM PDT ∞

TEMECULA ---- The Arts Council of Temecula Valley is broadening its horizons and, for some local artists, that's exciting news.

Well-known for promoting arts like painting, drama and classical music, the organization is making an effort these days to reach out to a younger, hipper crowd that its officials say often gets overlooked around these parts.

That, at least, was the goal of Saturday's Identity Band Clash, a day-long concert and alternative art show featuring local performers and artists at the Temecula Community Recreation Center Amphitheater. The event was part of the council's month-long Arts in the Country Festival.

Ophie Filanc, one of the concert's organizers and secretary of the Art Council's executive board, said adding an event geared toward a younger crowd to the annual Arts in the Country Festival is a key goal for the council.

"For 16 years, the festival has always been geared toward family-style fun," Filanc said. "One section of the population we've ignored is the teens. We want to do something just for them."

To do that, the council invited 13 local bands to take the stage and show off their musical stylings, which ranged in genre from rock to hip hop to acoustic guitar. Also invited were a handful of tattoo artists, who created dozens of airbrush portraits on site.

Bill Gould of the all-purpose musical talent firm Full Value Entertainment helped set up the concert and said that, for local aspiring artists, getting exposure at such a venue is an important first step in pursuing a career in music.

"It's just about crucial if they want to get anywhere," he said. "In order to get a fan base, you have to have a place to play."

There aren't too many venues in this part of Southwest County, he said, and young people often have a hard time finding interesting things to do.

"There's no cultural efforts being put out," he said. "Temecula, it's a stale town. We're trying to bring some culture in."

That includes alternative cultures, too.

Zack Ross and Ian Hudgins were invited to Saturday's event to display their airbrushed portraits and demonstrate the process of creating their pieces. Ross and Hudgins are artists from Anchored Ink Tattoo in Murrieta and were excited to be given an opportunity to show off their work.

"It's awesome," Hudgins said. "It's a wonderful thing. It's great for everyone. People are getting to see what we're creating."

Contact staff writer Jose Carvajal at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2624, or jcarvajal@californian.com.