Monterey Music Summit, Music For Change
Articles / Art
Date: October 15, 2007  

Quinn To, Staff Reporter

The first Annual Monterey Music Summit will take place Oct. 20 through 21 at the Monterey Fair Grounds. The musical event is a two-day, music and arts festival created to inspire and raise awareness regarding political and social issues faced by the college generation.

The summit hopes to create a friendly and thoughtful environment through music and art. Producer Joe Fletcher developed this festival as means to bring others together through music in order to inspire and educate each other about the political and environmental affairs happening throughout the country. The festival hopes to provide an arena for alternative solutions for these problems.

Fletcher and his associates chose Monterey because of the rich history it holds from such historical events as the Monterey Pop Festival back in 1967.

“ Monterey has always remained kind of a mystical vibe because of that original festival.  In the spirit of the original Pop festival we are presenting the cutting edge of today. Artists have important messages and music that matters today,” said Fletcher.

The event will include some internationally known, as well as local talents from a variety of genres. Those set to perform include: The Roots, G. Love & Special Sauce, Cake, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Ozomatli, CéU, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Brandi Carlile, West Indian Girl, Colbie Caillat, Alo, Ian Ball of Gomez, Tea Leaf Green, Zap Mama, Yard Dogs Road Show, Ollabelle, New Monsoon, Crash Hot, Jessie Baylin, Bang Bang Bang, Melodrome, Holiday & the Adventure Pop Collective and more.

The official Monterey Music Summit website states, “performers are invited to participate not for their talent and popularity alone, but also for their willingness to speak openly on current political matters, and for their commitment to positive social change.”

One artist to watch is California native Colbie Caillat whose debut album, “ Coco” is climbing the charts. Caillat’s artful blend of folk and pop sounds along with her laid back soulful voice make her a favorite among the young and old.

Her single, “Bubbly” is currently the number three most requested song on I-Tunes. This will be Caillat’s first time performing at a venue of this caliber.

“I still get nervous, but I love it when fans sing every word along with me,” said Caillat.

At only 22 years old, Caillat uses her music as a way to speak to her younger fans. Caillat felt that one message for the performance would be, “no matter what you’re going through, just know that everyone goes through the same thing and be comfortable with yourself.”

Colbie Caillat will be performing on the Monterey stage Sunday at 8 p.m.

For more music and upcoming shows for Colbie Caillat, visit www.myspace.com/colbiecaillat

Over 25 performances will occur on three stages throughout the weekend. There will also be spoken word presentations, performance art and a drumming circle taking place in rooms at an intimate venue made famous by the Monterey Pop Festival.

The Monterey Music Summit is also a Green Event. Fletcher said, “Monterey Music Summit is a carbon neutral rock ‘n’ roll event that will help plant over 1,000 trees on the Monterey Peninsula.”

Trees will be planted locally to off set the event's carbon impact on the environment. Also, a $5 donation per ticket is automatically made on the ticket buyer's behalf to one of the charities listed below. Proceeds will be shared equally with following four charities:

Action Against Hunger - www.actionagainsthunger.org

The Agape Foundation - www.agapefn.org

The Children's Defense Fund - www.cdfca.org

Oceana - www.oceana.org

TICKET INFORMATION:

This festival is an all ages event. Children 12 &

under are free when accompanied with a parent.

Tickets start at $55 for a one-day ticket and $99

for a two-day ticket. Tickets can only be

purchased at http://monterey.inticketing.com