Avondale, Ariz. - Aspiring musicians and bands from across the valley get a chance to shine at SAMFEST (Showcasing Arizona Musicians) on Friday, December 13, beginning at 10 a.m. The event, with the goal of creating awareness of local musical talent, will be held on the campus of Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale. Although entry to the festival is free, participants are asked to bring donations of canned foods, toiletries and books to assist needy and homeless families.
More than a dozen Valley bands or musicians have signed on to perform in the festival. Among the performers are Capillary Action, Namesake, The Addicktives, Low Tide, Mismatch and Bliss. For a full list of scheduled entertainment, visit http://www.geocities.com/bigheadtalent/
Organizers of SAMFEST are not professional promoters, but instead are a group of young students in Estrella Mountain's Small Group Communication class, who go by the name Big Head Talent. The group was formed as a direct result of a class project. The course teaches small group communication dynamics by having students focus on a community problem or issue and ways to address the problem.
Big Head Talent identified their problem as a lack of promotion of West Valley talent and created SAMFEST as an avenue to showcase local talent. Due to widespread interest, the group broadened its scope to include musical talent from across the Valley. Other groups in the class have identified hunger, education for the homeless, literacy and organ donation awareness as key community issues. Big Head Talent decided to use SAMFEST as an opportunity to help out fellow classmates by accepting donations for the hungry and homeless at the event.
Musicians or bands interested in playing at SAMFEST or those with questions, may contact Big Head Talent at [email protected].
Estrella Mountain Community College is located at 3000 N. Dysart Road in Avondale at the corner of Dysart and Thomas Roads.