Adding music to the act

Suzie Harrison

Organizers Rick Conkey and Dean Andrews hope to quench Laguna Beach

residents’ thirst for music with the first Blue Water festival on

Feb. 5. at the Festival of Arts grounds.

They’ll attempt to satisfy by filling people’s cups with a

plethora of local bands while raising money for local ocean related

nonprofits.

Andrews describes the festival as a celebration of Laguna Beach’s

music, culinary and cultural arts.

“The other artists in town have their festivals, and the musicians

in town don’t have anything,” Conkey said. “Laguna Beach is an

artists’ town and music is part of that. You can’t separate the two,

music and art.”

With this event, Conkey said, they are trying to create the first

Laguna Beach music festival.

“We contacted Rick Wilson at Surfrider [the Laguna Beach chapter]

and told him we wanted to put together a fundraiser for them,” Conkey

said. “He was skeptical in the beginning, but since then he’s been

amazed about what’s taking place.”

Wilson said Conkey approached him at the end of November.

“I didn’t know Rick, but I liked the idea that he wanted to put on

a music festival in Laguna to benefit specifically Laguna Beach

Surfrider, and nothing was required of Surfrider,” Wilson said.

The proceeds from the Blue Water Music Festival will be split,

with part going to the South Orange County Chapter. Pacific Marine

Mammal Center and the Ocean Laguna Foundation will also receive a

small percentage.

Wilson said that individual Surfrider chapters have to raise their

own money to support local programs.

“The main things we pay for are all the [water] testing supplies,”

Wilson said. “Those expenses alone cost several thousand a year. And

those funds go to public outreach and education.”

Conkey said they are using the Blue Water Music Festival as a

platform to bring attention to ocean-related environmental

organizations that affect the coast in the South Orange County area.

Environmental organizations have been invited to have booths.

“So they can educate ... enlighten people about their causes and

plight and how to better care for the ocean,” Conkey said.

All the musicians at the event are Laguna Beach based or have

roots in Laguna, and are donating their time.

The lineup includes Common Sense, Missiles of October, World

Anthem, Jason Feddy, members of Honk, Jasso, Rebel Rockers, Evren

Ozan, John Heussenstamm, Forrest Blackburn, Blues Offenders, Just

Jinger and Rob Eller.

“Every artist has their voice and it’s nice to have it spoken to

bring awareness,” Andrews said.

Eller, who has a new album, is a surfer and Laguna resident. He

jumped at the chance to be a part of the festival.

“Anything to benefit Surfrider is a good idea to me,” Eller said.

“Everything I play is beach inspired; I do all my writing at the

beach.”

The fundraiser will feature ocean-related artwork, surf movies at

the Forum Theater, a silent auction and more.

“The auction will dilate your pupils,” Andrews said. “We’ll have

trips, surfboards, one signed by Andy Irons, and a lot of big stuff.”

A donation box for SurfAid to collect money for Tsunami relief

efforts will be donated on Surfriders’ behalf.

Tickets are $100 for VIP and $50 general admission and include a

one-year membership to Surfrider.

Conkey and Andrews hope the “Blue Water Music Festival” will

become an annual event to foster local musicians and local

environmental nonprofits.

The festival is from noon to 9 p.m. at 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For

information or sponsorship, call (949) 842-2260.