Lined up for land

Anti-development activists plan to hold a benefit concert this evening at eVocal, a small art gallery and performance venue in Costa Mesa, to raise money for their fight against a proposed development on the 400-acre Banning Ranch.

The property’s owners plan on building more than 1,000 homes and a hotel on the bluffs overlooking the ocean. Officials from Newport Banning Ranch LLC, a coalition of the land’s owners, expect to unveil a specific proposal for the development to Newport Beach leaders before the end of the month.

The benefit concert will feature a series of local musical acts playing a variety of genres from blues to folk.

All the proceeds from the $7 entrance fees collected at the door, as well as any donations collected at the event, will go toward the Save the Banning Ranch Task Force, a group that champions opening up the area for public use as nature trails for hiking and other recreation.

Organizers expect about 200 to 300 people to attend the concert.

“Tomorrow could be a really busy night because all of the artists we’re having have a good draw in this area,” said eVocal owner Brett Walker.

Walker said he believes in preserving the natural beauty of the land but realizes thousands of new residents living near his gallery would mean more business.

Pat Conlon, an eVocal promoter, has worked on the event since March, he said. The lineup includes Parker Macy Blues, Marc B, Dolphin City and the Growlers.

Save the Banning Ranch Task Force plans to use the money from the event to spread awareness of the proposed development and the impact it may have on local traffic and the environment to Newport-Mesa area residents, and also to lawmakers and lobbyists throughout the state, according to Chris Bunyan, who is one of the coordinators of the task force.

“It’s not really just a Newport-Mesa issue. That land is everyone’s land in California, not just the developers’,” Bunyan said.

One of the major platforms in Bunyan’s campaign for Costa Mesa’s City Council is the development would bring thousands of extra cars to already-congested thoroughfares like 19th and 17th streets, Newport Boulevard and the 55 Freeway.

The concert will start at 8 p.m.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Benefit concert for the Save the Banning Ranch Task Force

WHERE: eVocal, 814 W. 19th St.

WHEN: 8 p.m. today

COST: $7 admission

ALAN BLANK may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at [email protected].