Kidchella Comes to Colfax!

This Saturday Colfax Charter Elementary School will be transformed into Kidchella – a rock concert with a lineup of 20 kids’ bands, a parent band made up of professional singers and musicians, and a popular teachers’ band. This is the third year that Burbank Music Academy has donated four weeks of free studio time and music instruction for the students and assisted in coordinating the event through their non-profit Rockin’ for the Arts program.

The Kidchella flyers went out in the students’ backpacks two months ago and the program was full within a day, with 80 unlucky students on the waiting list. Some kids have never played an instrument before in their lives, and by the end of the four weeks, they are able to play an entire song.

A total of 108 kids ranging from kindergarten to 5th grade will be performing classic rock songs like The Beatles’ "Twist & Shout" and The Who’s "My Generation," mid ‘70’s rock like Aerosmith’s "Sweet Emotion" and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts’ "I Love Rock & Roll," and current songs like Neon Trees’ "Everybody Talks" and Mumford and Sons’ "Roll Away Your Stone."

The kids were able to choose their own band names. Some eclectic selections include The Gummy Bears of Doom, The Koalas of Rock, and The Red Monkey Spectacles. They’ll be singing or playing keyboards, guitar, bass and drums, with a little help from some of the Burbank Music Academy pros.

One of the Colfax parents is loaning Colfax a 9x12 foot LED screen and three cameras so even those seated in the back of the venue will get an up close view. Former Colfax parent and popular Valley Village DJ Jerry Antonelli will be spinning his iPod.

Colfax parent Dan Boul, guitarist and owner of 65 Amps, is donating sound equipment and playing guitar in the parent band which calls itself Valley Village Idiots. The parent band also includes multiple Grammy nominated country singer/songwriter Deana Carter, Kidchella co-coordinator Crissy Guerrero – an actress and singer with the band El Vez, music producer/songwriter/singer Kristian “Boots” Ottestad. Non-Colfax parent Jimmy Slim Evans will be rounding out the band playing drums. Boul says they’ll be playing some “great foundation rock so kids are exposed to it,” including covers of songs from The Beatles, Chuck Berry, Sheryl Crow, and The Eagles.

Boul’s two daughters performed in last year’s Rockin’ for Colfax, and he advises that if any of these kids decide to go into the music business, Kidchella “may well be the nicest gig they’ll ever play in.”

“At other gigs, they’ll be playing in bars with lots of smoke and they’ll nearly electrocute themselves on the microphone,” Boul warns. “The stage will be so small they’ll be bumping into each other.” But at Kidchella, with the high tech big screen, cameras, and premiere sound system, they’ll not only have the best equipment. “They’ll also have the best audience,” he boasts.

Burbank Music Academy owner Laura Wynne is thrilled to be back at Colfax with her Rockin’ for the Arts. “This event is exactly what we pictured when we began this non-profit.  Kids learning music as well as some great tunes that connect them to their parents and grandparents," she said. "Colfax has a great parent body that comes together to make the event stress free, fun filled and an all around magical musical evening.”

Colfax Charter principal Susana Gomez-Judkins agrees. “Kidchella is a wonderful opportunity for students to engage in an authentic music performance experience,” she believes. “They learn to practice an instrument, cooperate with band members, and then perform in front of adoring fans (their parents).”

Gates open at 2 p.m. The 5th Grade Community Drum Circle led by REMO will perform at 2:30 pm, and the concert begins at 3 p.m. There will also be a rock star makeover booth and various merchandise booths. Participating food trucks include Corn Heaven, Lobos Truck, Patty Wagon, Urban Oven, and Gringo's Tacos.  Drinks and desserts will also be sold.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. All money raised goes to support Colfax arts programs. Fans of the rock groups are invited to bring their blankets, sweaters, low beach chairs, and signs to cheer on their favorite band.

To join the event on Facebook, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/617025374978152/?fref=ts