Creativity Converges

**Charity** / Local artists performed Downtown on Sept. 6 for festival-goers in support of Waste Not OC. / **Adrian Gonzalez**

Downtown: Local artists, vendors, musicians gather for a good cause

By Jovany Leon

Local artists, musicians and small shop owners gathered on a recent Saturday to help the hungry.

The second annual Konsept Art and Music Festival was put together by two community organizations, Locally Grown Collective and Konsept. The Sept. 6 festival took place during Santa Ana’s monthly Artwalk, providing local talent with an audience for their creative expression.

Money raised by vendors and after-party ticket sales went to Waste Not OC, an organization that collects food leftovers from restaurants and markets, donating what would usually be thrown away to low-income families.

While the event was free, garments, crafts and works painted on site by artists were sold throughout the festival.

Music was the main attraction. Twelve hours of performances kept crowds moving and energetic. Pop-up venues were constructed at The Frida Cinema, Diego’s, Left of the Dial Record Shop, Native Son Alehouse and the Yost Theater parking lot.

“It was dope, there was a lot of people. It’s my first time doing something outdoors, so it’s really cool,” rapper Flip Major said. “I hope to do this in the future.”

For his first festival appearance, Major shared a 25-minute set with fellow hip hop artist Kevin Parxx, who returned to Konsept Festival after his performance last year was rained out.

“I came back this year, bigger and better things, so I’m happy to be out here,” Parxx said.

Festival-goers came from all over Southern California, many expressing appreciation for the Santa Ana arts scene. Desi Delgado traveled from Lakewood with her friend to check out the up and coming artists.

“It’s awesome because they don’t do this where I’m from,” Delgado said.