Aspiring artists and musicians from Moorpark College came together to participate in the annual Avocado Music, Art and Film Festival. Unfortunately, no actual avocados were sold in this festival.

Since 2013, Daniel Alvarado, 20-year-old film major from California State Long Beach, has been hosting the festival. He continued the tradition this past Sunday, Jan. 17 at the White Oak Music and Arts in Van Nuys. Alvarado felt this was the perfect opportunity for some of his friends and peers at Moorpark College to showcase their artwork to others and even make a little cash on the side.

“When artists post their work on the web, it’s often a lot of waiting around,” said Alvarado. “You want people to react to it, but often you only get a few likes and comments online. A public showcase allows for immediate and visible reaction. The claps, the verbal excitement. It’s all very encouraging.”

As a film student himself, Alvarado says he understands the wonderful feeling in people seeing his work and wants to help his friends achieve that feeling too.

The festival was expected to have around 70 people attend at Sunday’s event and the goal was more than accomplished, according to Alvarado. The festival even ran out of seats for people, and therefore some had to sit on the tables or remain standing while the films were playing. To Alvarado, this meant it was a huge success.

At the Avocado Music, Film and Art Festival, there were three bands that performed, 10 artists that ran booths, and six films that were shown. The artists included Allen Zimmerman, 21-year-old visual arts major at Moorpark College, and Christian Fullner, 19-year-old illustration major, who plans on transferring to Otis College of Art and Design after finishing Moorpark College.

Both Zimmerman and Fullner tried sports growing up before they realized their passion for art. They are inspired by everyday images and things that go on around the world. Zimmerman feels that originality, consistency and good work ethic are all skills that make a successful artist.

“If you’re not going to put the work in, then you are wasting your own time,” said Zimmerman. “No imitations, that’s not flattering.”

Zimmerman hopes that he can live comfortably and make a difference in at least one person’s life with his art work, he said. Zimmerman and Fullner both agreed that it’s not necessarily about making money, but the joy of getting to share their work with their friends and family.

“It sounds cliche, but do what you love and you won’t have to work a day in your life,” said Fullner.

The art was not the only “attention grabber” at the festival, but also a band called Lavender Jay. Drummer Tyler Hammond, 20-year-old music major at Moorpark College, met the guitarist, Bryn Kirsch, in music theory class at Moorpark College, and the bassist, Danny Connel, through the jazz band at the college. All members come from different musical backgrounds that vary from Jazz, Metal, Electronic, and Classical, said Hammond.

“Lavender Jay’s goal is to play music not for any distracted reason and to stay true to themselves,” said Hammond. “It’s not about selling out, but for people to enjoy the music and have fun.”

Hammond feels that the music department at Moorpark College has really helped them communicate and express themselves better, which led to the band’s success.

“We have a pretty funny chemistry, we straight up tell each other what the problem is,” said Hammond. “You have to be able to compromise. If something is getting bad, just drop it. If a song is making you guys argue, drop it and move on.”

Overall, everybody felt the festival was successful and enjoyed themselves. It seems that this was the perfect place for artists and musicians to come together, keep people entertained and interact with one another.

“The goal of Avocado Fest is to bring everyone together, and that’s what happened,” said Alvarado. “This community has a voice and the valley heard it loud and clear Sunday.”

To book an event or check out any upcoming events at the White Oak Music and Arts, go to www.whiteoakmusicandarts.com or contact them at [email protected]. Also, follow them on Instragram: @whiteoakmusic_art and Facebook at www.facebook.com/whiteoakmusic.