SANTA BARBARA — After five long years, Rockstock is returning to Santa Barbara.
Rockshop Academy, a nonprofit program for aspiring musicians from 10-17 years old in the Santa Barbara area, is bringing back their popular benefit concert and music festival this October. Rockstock III is scheduled for Saturday, October 27 at Santa Barbara’s Paseo Nuevo Shops & Restaurants.
The full-day festival will feature up-and-coming musical acts from the Rockshop Academy and program alumni including Rockshop Kids, Jamey Geston, J. Mally, Katelyn Mires, Christian Pelonis, Ethan Harb, Will Callender, Jump Start, Maxton, and Stolen Thunder. Local band The Caverns will also be performing before the headliner, platinum-selling Dishwalla, takes the stage.
George Pendergast, Dishwalla drummer and Rockshop Academy founder, is thrilled to bring the organization’s signature event back to town. This provides a venue for alumni, many with their own record deals and tours, and currently enrolled students to share their art with the community.
“Everyone at Rockshop Academy – the staff, the kids, the parents – is so excited for the return of Rockstock,” Pendergast said. “This is truly an event where everyone wins. Our kids, who have been working so hard, get a chance to perform in front of their friends and supporters, and gain some exposure and new fans from throughout the community. Santa Barbara area music fans get a chance to see and hear some really amazing aspiring musicians. And the most important part is that the funds raised from the concert support Rockshop Academy programming needs, so more local Santa Barbara kids can collaborate with their peers, learn new skills, and become better musicians.”
The event will also feature food and drinks for sale from local vendors, a beer garden, and special giveaways throughout the day.
The Rockshop Academy will celebrate their 10-year anniversary in 2019, and funds raised from the October 27 benefit concert should help provide an early funding boost for next year’s programming.
Rockshop strives to provide today’s at-risk youth with a supportive environment where they can share and grow their passion for music. Studies have shown that teens who participate in positive, goal-oriented activities may also be less likely to engage in risky behaviors and show a stronger commitment to school.
Proceeds from Rockstock III will support Rockshop Academy activities including underwriting Rockshop Academy scholarships for low-income and foster youth, paying for teacher salaries, purchasing equipment, and promoting Rockshop Academy player events.
Rockstock III takes place from 2:00pm to 10:00pm on Saturday, October 27th on the Upper Level of Paseo Nuevo’s Parking Structure (651 Paseo Nuevo). VIP packages and teen tickets are available, and children 12 and under get in free.
To buy tickets or learn more about Rockshop Academy and Rockstock III, visit www.rockshopacademy.com
About Rockshop Academy: Rockshop Academy is a unique nonprofit program founded by George Pendergast, drummer for the alternative rock band Dishwalla. Rockshop Academy is a community after school and summer camp program that offers kids 10-17 years old a place to connect with other children who are interested in learning to play music. Students receive mentorship by professional musicians and Rockshop Academy alumni, learn skills to perform on stage, and get an opportunity to improve life skills including self-confidence, multitasking, organization, teamwork, and accountability. Kids in the program also learn to appreciate differences in each other and how to work together to accomplish a common goal.