InterView
By Chris Murphy
Modesto is special because of the many innovative and creative people in our community. There are those that do and those that talk about doing and ModestoView loves the people that DO things, make things happen, and create things. Since this is October and we love Halloween, we are going to celebrate this month as much as we can and since this is ROCKtober as well, we will be celebrating the music in our community at the MAMA Awards and also with the California Women’s Music Festival. We would like you to meet amazing people that make this season special, Victoria Boyington, of the California Women’s Music Festival.
Women’s Music Fest
Interview – 5 question with Victoria Boyington
By Chris Murphy
I was raised in a family of women and my wife Rebecca is a champion of raising strong girls and we celebrate their accomplishments and their possibilities. It is in this vein that we celebrate the amazing women in music and want to encourage people in our community to support the California Women’s Music Festival and Workshops on October 22 at the Gallo Center. We caught up with event chairperson Victoria Boyington; who not only is the chair, she is a mother if eight, is in multiple bands and is a teacher; for some additional insight on this event.
ModestoView: Why a women’s music festival?
Victoria Boyington: This event is all about supporting women in music and all areas the music industry. California Women’s Music Festival gives women in this area a chance to gain skills necessary to host a larger scale event. This year we have reached out to Central Valley High School and UOP music, photography and film students expanding the opportunities for mentoring young women. Central Valley High School’s Kari Copley will be bringing in young women interested in film and photography giving our youth a chance to utilize their skills in a live setting. This event is all about creating opportunities for women.
MV: What do can people expect from this event?
VB: People can expect an excellent show with amazing women in music. We have Grammy Award Winning Songwriter Paula Cole, Blues Guitarist Samantha Fish, Dilana from RockStar Supernova, an all female Zeppelin band and an amazing bluegrass touring band, Urban Pioneers, not to mention all the talented daytime performers coming to us from Los Angeles, Napa, Tennessee, and from The Central Valley. Music lovers will enjoy a variety of female headliners at a time when large festivals are not billing women as headliners. We also have presentations by Without Permission, a local anti-human trafficking organization and Alana Scott of WELL to help build awareness about women’s issues. Expect a day filled with great music and education.
MV: Is there an age where it is toll late to get involved?
VB: There is no age limit. This year we go back to our roots and encourage women of all ages to come support women in music, business, education and the fine arts. Our organization is dedicated to helping women across the life span. This is an event where you can bring your daughters, mothers, brothers, and the whole family to enjoy women musicians.
MV: What can you learn?
VB: You will learn about the anti-trafficking organization Without Permission and their efforts to help free women from trafficking in our community. I think people would be amazed at what is going on throughout the central valley. It’s a national problem that begins with education at the micro level, which starts here at home. We will also have information about Sacramento Girls Rock Camp and Soundgirls.org.
MV: What are you most excited about for the California Women’s Music Festival?
VB: I am excited about the venue and the outstanding job they have done so far. We are lucky to have such a beautiful venue in town. We are also excited about all of the exceptionally talented women coming to Modesto this fall. This year’s festival is going to be amazing. I hope people take advantage of the opportunity our town has to host such a landmark festival. This is California Women’s Music Festival and it is happening here.
California Women’s Music Festival – Gallo Center – Oct 22 cwmusicfest.com/
Featuring Paula Cole, Samantha Fish, Dilana, Zepperella, Big Earl, & Urban Pioneer
