Coyote Music Fesitval May 4 at Cuyamaca College

Posted on: Apr 15, 2019 9:00:00 AM
In: District, Cuyamaca
Arts and Culture
Contact: Anne Krueger

Some of the region’s top young musical talents converge May 4 at Cuyamaca College when the 11th Annual Coyote Music Festival returns to the Rancho San Diego campus’s Grand Lawn.

 The free family-friendly festival features groups with styles ranging from dream pop to alternative folk and R&B playing on two stages from noon to 4 p.m. Food trucks and vendors will be on hand, too.

 The entirely student-run event culminates a semester-long Music Industry Seminar class that covers everything involved in staging a music festival, including marketing, promotions, production, booking, staging and sound engineering.

 “We’re giving our students real-world experience in producing a music festival that promotes local artists while also bringing the community together,” said marketing instructor Annie Zuckerman, who noted that Cuyamaca College is the only community college in the county offering a transfer program that combines music with marketing and production.

 Here is the schedule and the performers:

•  Eight West started garage-jamming in 2018 and consists of: Derek Bertram, bass; Blake Bixel, guitar/vocals; Tomis James, guitar/vocals; Kevin Egan, keys; and Cody Rex, drums. They share common goals of creating catchy tunes and playing hip-shaking grooves while paying homage to rhythm and blues, funk, psychedelic rock and hip hop. Eight West takes the stage at noon.
• Junipero, a Tijuana-based, dream pop duo featuring Janelle Saucedo and Joan on both the guitar and vocals. This duo, which got together in 2017 and played at last year’s Coyote Music Festival, recently performed in Mexico City and the nearby cities of Pueblo and Pachuca. Junipero takes the stage at 12:40 p.m.
• Alex Lievanos, who grew up in Spring Valley and released is debut EP “Nights Like These” as a teen. The multi-instrumentalist’s started playing piano when he was 3, and his single, “Living in Wonder,” has earned praise for his composition, vocal technique and mixing. His style includes both indie pop and surf rock, and venues at which he has performed include the Berklee Performance Center at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Alex Lievanos takes the stage at 1:20 p.m.
• Kahlil Nash, a product of the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts whose versatile style includes funk, rock and R&B. Nash has performed at a vast array of prominent venues and events, including a two-year residency at the Hard Rock Café in San Diego and shows at the House of Blues. Kahlil Nash takes the stage at 2:40 p.m.
• BJ Jezbera, a singer/songwriter from Chula Vista whose diverse influences from alternate styles has led to catchy pop-punk, alternative-folk tunes such as “Red Cups” and “Homesick.” Jezbera is an artist on San Diego label Mannequin Vanity Records. Jezbera has performed at the San Diego County Fair, SD Gypsyfest and the Arte Pad Festival, among other venues. BJ Jezbera takes the stage at 2 p.m.
• Dan DiMonte Trio, led by Chicago native Dan DiMonte, who enjoys a dual career as a performing artist and a traveling nurse. Over the past several years, DiMonte has worked at hospitals in four states and released five albums on his indie label, “Funky Night Nurse Sounds and Sights.” DiMonte is an exceptionally talented musician who plays trumpet, guitar, keyboards, bass and percussion and he and his trio recently played several dates in Arizona. The Dan DiMonte Trio takes the stage at 3:20 p.m.

“I think it’s really cool that the college has a business and promotions aspect to its music program, and I want to do everything I can to support that program and help people who are interested in getting the experience needed to get into this kind of business,” said DiMonte, whose trio recently completed a cross-country tour.

 Lievanos, who earned an associate degree in music industry studies from Cuyamaca College last fall and who played at the 2018 Coyote Music Festival, said he’s looking forward to this year’s event. “It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “The entire festival is run by students, they do a great job of marketing, they have all the gear set up and ready for, and there’s usually a lot of people going to the show, so it’s a great community event.”

 Parking is free. Festival goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

 “I’m looking forward to having a good time and helping to create a great experience for everyone involved,” said musician Khalil Nash.

 Cuyamaca College is at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in Rancho San Diego, 92019.

A performer at the 2018 Coyote Music Festival