The Neighborhood Music and Art Festival
By: Kallie Griffin
Issue date: 11/16/09 Section: News
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They then came together from 3:00- 8:00 pm to enjoy each other's many talents. A local organization, the Neighborhood, organized this whole event. Helle Hatten, a senior at Eastern New Mexico University, was the Neighborhood member in charge of the music festival.
According to Helle, the idea behind the Music and Art Festival was to promote a night of fun and togetherness that did not need to use a lot of energy. The event was held outside, with only a few hanging lights and a fire pit for light.
Helle also shared what the Neighborhood is all about. It is an "organization open to people of all ages and beliefs. Our goal is to enrich the quality of life in Portales and the surrounding area through city beautification, and conservation for a sustainable future. Action will be carried out through encouraging motivation, awareness, and cooperative work in aspirations of fostering community pride. In order to build a strong neighborhood, we must be good neighbors."
They meet at the Wesley Foundation on Sundays at 6 pm and are open to any who would like to join. Helle said the Neighborhood hopes to improve sustainable recycling in the area. The organization has about 15 active members and some who are on standby. Helle was extremely pleased with how the community pulled together to help out for the event. 10 to 12 businesses helped to advertise the event by allowing flyers in their businesses. Some even went as far as to promote the event on their marquees.
The Music and Art Festival took a total of three weeks to organize and execute. Joann Rackler, the owner of Do Drop In, offered her business as a venue for free to host the event. There was art that ranged from sketches to photography. The event also included two dancers, three fire poi performers and eight musical performers.
Some of the artists were Aaron Prince and Josh Lees. They both donated prints and sketches. Josh said his work is "personal relationship type pieces… I suppose." Aaron's prints were from film photography. He mentioned that with film photography there is an "honest quality." He also likes to have layers of meaning in his work. There is of course his layer and then a layer that he likes to include for those admiring his art.
James Pearson, one of the artists present and the chairman of the Neighborhood, said, "I would like to stress how important it is for the University to support progressive movements from the students. We have to push for change if we want a better future."
All of those who came to enjoy the event had nothing but positive feelings towards the event. Carolee Mitchell, a sophomore at ENMU, said that the Music and Art Festival "should happen 24/7, almost… but with sleep."
Stephanie Miller, a senior at ENMU and one of the fire poi performers, seemed very passionate about the event and its cause. She has strong beliefs that ENMU is a wonderful school, with tons of students that have lots of talent with no outlet. She believes that most of the very creative students at ENMU would be happier and healthier if they were more able to share their talents.
Travis Erwin, one of the amazing performers and a music professor at ENMU, helped with the sound set up of the event and performed. He has been in Portales for seven years and was surprised to see the wide variety of musicians in attendance at the event.
The Music and Art Festival had at least 100 people in attendance throughout the whole event. Those present appeared to have a great time and really supported the cause of the Neighborhood. It was obvious that the Music and Art Festival was nothing short of a great hit that will, without a doubt, only get better if it takes place again.