On Saturday April 25, from 3 to 8 p.m., the Gist Hall Parking lot will be exploding with music, art and workshops using absolutely no power from the electrical grid.
People, the sun and bio-diesel will power this free, zero waste event; so bring a spoon, a friend and be prepared to pedal electricity-generating bikes courtesy of the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology.
SLAM fest is a student-run event that “brings the students and community together to collaborate on ideas on how to incorporate sustainability into every little thing we do,” says Ciara Kilburn, a SLAM fest coordinator.
“I want people to walk away with a new sense of community through expression,” says SLAM fest arts coordinator Sierra Gjerde.
Start the day with yoga workshops in the Gist basement and check out the free rock-climbing wall.
On the musical side, A.S. Presents partners with SLAM to bring in the “Heavy Heavy Afro-Beat” sounds of Albino, Great American Taxi, known for their “Americana without borders” style and “dance party provocateur” DJ Party Ben to headline the event.
Student participants take another look at the trash around them with a runway “trashion” show featuring new styles composed of potentially discarded goods. “It’s a way to artistically utilize what would be trash,” says Gjerde.
Spoken word activists are also part of the lineup. “This whole event is about education and spreading knowledge,” says Kilburn.
Student clubs and community organizations will share their knowledge about locally-based sustainability solutions. Participants can take part in interactive workshops, appropriate technology demonstrations and displays of their own creative twists on sustainable art.
Also slated are appearances by the Kinetic Sculpture community’s artistic bike creations, demonstrations by hybrid and electric vehicles and a few circus performances to boot.
One last essential ingredient for a sustainability-minded community is local food, so come hungry and bring a utensil to sample local vendors’ offerings.
With so many events and people coming together in one space, Kilburn emphasizes the power of the community.
“I want people to understand how easy they can make it; if everyone makes one change they can move a mountain.”
For more information, visit www.humboldt.edu/~slamfest