Santa-Cali-Gon Days is for everyone. But its musical act lineup needs a little flavor | Opinion

I sat down this week with the organizers of the annual Santa-Cali-Gon Days festival in Independence. It was a cordial conversation. I wanted to know why over four days mostly rock, pop, disco tribute and country music artists were featured?

Because those are the acts that fairgoers said they want to see, officials said. I challenged that survey talking point a bit: Could hip-hop be on the bill at next year’s festival?

Independence Chamber of Commerce President Tom Lesnak and festival coordinator Amy Knipp were receptive to my suggestions for more diverse musical talent. Area booking agents may want to reach out.

I can hear the protests of baby boomers now: Say it isn’t so.

What about jazz or R&B acts? Those genres and rap, heavily-influenced by Black artists, were missing from this year’s entertainment lineup. Each could be an option next year, festival officials told me.

Good.

The music selection at this year’s festival did not match the demographics of the festival’s target audience: the Kansas City metropolitan area, or that of Independence, the state’s fifth largest city.

Nonwhite people account for 23% of Independence’s 123,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census.

The number of attendees from underrepresented and marginalized groups grows each year, according to organizers. Based on personal observation, I believe this to be true. All types of folks enjoy Santa-Cali-Gon.

Yet, an overwhelming number of acts on the main and community stages over the Labor Day weekend were led by white male singers, not an uncommon occurrence at musical festivals across the country.

“We look for artists that draw a crowd,” Lesnak said, adding that local tribute bands are a huge hit.

Kansas City’s affinity for jazz and rhythm and blues music is established. This year, hip-hop, the most popular music genre in America according to Billboard Magazine, celebrates its 50th birthday. We missed an opportunity to showcase this area’s unsung rap talent.

Might rap artists attract more fans to Santi-Cali-Gon? “We’ve never tried it,” Lesnak said. “But maybe it would.”

Homogeneous musical festivals are not all that uncommon. But like amazing soul singer Stevie Wonder wrote in 1977’s funky “Sir Duke” single, music brings people of all backgrounds together:

“Music is a world within itself/With a language we all understand/With an equal opportunity/For all to sing, dance and clap their hands.”

Diversifying the entertainment options at Santa-Cali-Gon Days makes good business sense. Close to 300,000 people were expected to attend this year’s festival, which included its highest number of vendors, Lesnak said.

Final guesstimates for 2023 aren’t in, but the heat could have kept many families away, officials said. Dustups were minimal, according to Lesnak. Two years after a shooting injured four people at the festival’s carnival, private security and Independence police had very few problems with unruly patrons, he said.

Hip-hop could attract new festival regulars

I’d say, expand the music choices and their fans will follow. A more inclusive lineup would bring more visitors to the historic Independence Square in coming years. Some could be new to the festival. Others may start a new tradition and become repeat attendees.

This screed is meant as no disrespect to any of the bands I heard on Sunday. Each deserved to be there. I just want more choices.

Elton Dan and the Rocket Band took the main stage on Sunday and rocked out. I wasn’t necessarily there to see the Elton John tribute band, but from what I could tell, their ode to the legendary singer was spot on.

Not to say I know John’s catalog all that much, but the crew performed well. As did other acts I watched that day, including Foreigner tribute band Double Vision KC.

I jammed to its version of “I Want to Know What Love Is,” and others in the crowd sang along as well.

Sequoia Newland and the Redwood Revolvers, an up-and-coming country band from Kansas City, were a treat to hear live. Lead singer Newland has a really good stage presence and persona. He can belt a tune, too.

Still, couldn’t organizers find a local or regional rap act suitable to perform at a four-day family festival?

Kansas City’s Dolewite is a really cool hip-hop tribute band. Kemet “The Phantom” Coleman wrote “Get Out,” the official song for the KC Streetcar. He is a phenomenal rapper and live performer.

Independence business leaders must take note of the various musical talents in the metropolitan area. Next year, we can’t sing this same old song.