See Also:
“I feel like there's limited safe spaces, safe and fun spaces for us,” says 22-year-old Tony Ortuno, an intern with The Center for Gay and Lesbian Community Services of Orange County. He worked with a coalition of youth groups from Santa Ana-based organizations like KidWorks, Latino Health Access, and The Grain Project, to plan the concert, which features local bands, live art, food and a resource fair at the Yost Theater.
]
Event coordinator Barbara Garcia of Kidworks said a festive concert will
provide a rare opportunity for Santa Ana youth to showcase their talent
whether it's local rock bands like Bell Haunts, Frank Zeen Band, and
HUricane, or African drummers and a belly dancing ensemble called The
Z-Dance, or Spanish rock band La Causa. There will also be live rap
battles, Folklorico dance, and performances by the gymnastics team and
martial arts crew from Jerome Center, the community recreation center.
Attendees can also learn about the resources available in their
community, like Santa Ana College, voter mobilization group Orange
County Congregation Community Organization, and Healthy Smiles OC, a
group that increases access to dental care for lower-income communities, among others.
Through music and education, Garcia hopes the event will empower youth to get involved in their community.
“We are responsible for our own transformation within the community,” she said.
The 2012 Summer Sensation Concert takes place tomorrow, Saturday, August 25 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Yost Theater in Santa Ana.
Follow us on Twitter @OCWeeklyMusic and like us on Facebook at Heard Mentality.
