1909 Announces Partnership with SunFest to Include More Local Musicians in the 2022 Music Festival

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Oct. 1, 2021 - PRLog -- 1909, a nonprofit organization located in West Palm Beach, announced today that they have partnered with SunFest to offer a new application system for local artists to audition for the 2022 Music Festival next spring. Together with Steven Spencer from Melody Ave, a local rehearsal and recording studio, the organizations created a proprietary platform to accept and screen local artists to join the SunFestivities and have the chance to perform at SunFest 2022.

Applications are currently being accepted and are open until November 19, 2021. Volunteers from the SunFest Entertainment Committee and 1909 will work together to review the applications and extend offers to select groups. The Fresh Local Artists (FLA) that will be selected will have the opportunity to perform at SunFest 2022 and a few lucky artists could headline for bigger evening entertainers.

"What sets SunFest apart from other festivals is our focus on supporting the community," said Paul Jamieson, SunFest executive director. "Every facet of SunFest includes our community, from our volunteers, police officers, those that produce and operate SunFest, to the artists, food vendors and performers at SunFest. We are so proud to be able to offer our neighbors the opportunity to perform and be involved with SunFest 2022. It is an honor to give these Fresh Local Artists a platform to do what they love and entertain the community that we love."

The opportunity presented itself during the 1909 Music Accelerator', which supports local musicians in West Palm Beach. Launched in 2019, 1909's Music Accelerator program teaches musicians how to market themselves, ensure their content is legally protected, and provides guidance on budgeting and generating revenue. The idea to partner with SunFest stemmed from the Accelerator's Musicians Forum where local musicians voiced their opinion that the national submission system SunFest used to put together their lineup was not representative of South Florida's local talent. The new platform created by the partnership of 1909 and SunFest has created a way to remedy the situation.

"As a local musician, it excites me to see that SunFest is making an effort to be more inclusive toward curating local acts and creating better opportunities for our local artists to perform at SunFest," said Markis Hernandez, local musician and co-founder of the Musician's Forum. "SunFest's new local musician application system is proof of that effort. It will create a more authentic submission experience for both the local musician and those tasked with selecting the bands, thus resulting in a better representation of our local musicians at Sunfest."

Local musicians who would like the opportunity to audition can apply at www.sunfest.com/how-to-perform. The application deadline is November 19, 2021.

About SunFest
Founded in 1982, SunFest is Florida's largest waterfront music and art festival. Held annually in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida the first week in May, SunFest attracts more than 100,000 visitors. The festival and the patrons have a positive impact on the local economy.

SunFest is produced by SunFest of Palm Beach County, Inc., a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. SunFest of Palm Beach County, Inc. consists of a 23-member board of directors; 25 committees; more than 2,800 volunteers; a full-time, year-round staff of 4; and approximately 80 corporate sponsors. SunFest is funded in part by the Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council through the Palm Beach County Cultural Council. SunFest is also sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

About 1909
1909 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the holistic growth of creators in Palm Beach County, offering members access to a one-of-a-kind, collaborative community, workspace, accelerator programs, and mentorship. 1909 was formed in 2018 to build the kind of space and community that the founders—along with fellow Palm Beach County creators and innovators—sought for themselves. Since opening its doors, 1909 has welcomed many creators who have helped lead the organization forward and adapt where needed. We are proud to be creating a more decentralized organization that allows talented people with unique perspectives to shape and contribute to the future for all of us. For more information about 1909, go to https://weare1909.org/.