SunFest Returns on May 3-5, With an Eye on Locals
By David Rolland
SunFest Music & Arts Fest returns to Downtown West Palm from Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5. The headliners again will be big names like Billy Idol, Nelly and Cole Swindell. But, as they have throughout their 40 + year history SunFest will also have an eye on representing local artists and musicians. Be sure to brush up on our guide prior to attending.
The Sandbar Stage will give you a chance to listen to some of our favorite local musicians with the Fresh Local Artists series. Youngsters from the School of Rock and the West Boca High School Jazz Band will have you feeling positive about the future of our region’s musical talent. Among other Sandbar highlights is Saturday at 5 p.m. when Brett Staska & The Souvenirs take the stage. We covered Staska back in December when he released his new album County Line, with a “coastal cowboy” sound in which he blends surfer vibes with old school country music. Also of note are The Floridians driving up from Miami for a Sunday 6:00 p.m. set. The indie rock quartet recently made the cover of Miami New Times as one of the region’s best rock bands. Finally, don’t forget Dashboard Confessional — locals hailing from Boca Raton — when the emo rockers play 25 years’ worth of music. They’ll be taking the Ideal Nutrition Stage Sunday at 6:45 p.m.
Art is also a major facet of SunFest. Their Creative Arts Village hosts a plethora of regional artists and artisans. Expect painting, ceramics, photography, clothing and more. You can also join the artists by adding to the yearly chalk mural, or getting henna tattoos and permanent jewelry as a SunFest memento.
Among the locals to keep an eye out for is Christopher S. Mickey, who goes by The CASM Mind. The Boca Raton-based artist focuses his vivid work on local marine life and the ocean itself. He pledges that a portion of proceeds from all original sales at SunFest will go towards preserving our oceans. He has a long history of doing live art shows, so you might get to see this artist at work at booth one.
Also check out Stephanie Gowdy — who goes by Alyrical. She will be stationed at booth seven. The Boynton Beach native, despite being legally blind, creates brilliantly colorful acrylics and lifelike black and white portraits using mixed media graphite and charcoal.
