Music Industry Club brings Life is Art festival to Barker Commons
A wide-ranging showcase of live music, poetry, comedy, dance, media and other art forms will be presented at the Life is Art Festival on Saturday, April 21, at Barker Commons in downtown Fredonia.
Sponsored by the Music Industry Club at SUNY Fredonia, the fun-filled celebration of the arts -- now in its third year -- will also feature food, vendors, games and other attractions in the park from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Buffalo-based Music is Art, a not-for-profit organization founded in 2004 by Goo Goo Dolls’ bassist Robby Takac to promote and explore music’s impact on cultural, social and educational aspects of local communities.
“The club’s goal for this year’s upcoming festival is to raise a donation amount that at least totals that of the past two years combined and to significantly increase attendance,” said Noelle Panepento, Music Industry Club president.
Since its founding in 2010, the student-run festival has contributed over $1,800 to the foundation, and last year’s event attracted nearly 500 patrons. The Music Industry Club relies on donations from local businesses to support the festival and the cause by providing product, food or monetary donations.
“The Life of Art Festival is growing in popularity and its reputation is becoming increasingly well known,” said Panepento who, with production chair Shauna Presto, organized this year’s event.
Music is Art also collects musical instruments as a means to help restore music programs in area schools, such as Fredonia Central High School, that face budget challenges.
