ERIKETA COST
Special to the Leader
The first Saturday that finally flirted with 50 degrees fell on the same day as Fredonia Music Industry Club’s “Soulstice Jam” event. Sunshine, soulful music and sweet-tooth satisfiers all filled Dod’s Grove this past Saturday.
The music and art festival, formerly known as “Life is Art,” featured all kinds of musical performances.
The set list included The Tins, Ugly Sun, Kites and Powerlines, Cooler, Heavy Tides, Feed the Rhythm, Spencer. and Dynamic Intonation.
Music Industry Club members Sophia Auteri and Maya Cason had beaming grins as they greeted attendants while collecting tickets at the door.
“It’s a great way for students to promote their music on campus. They have been selling their own CDs and merchandise here, too,” Auteri said.
But musicians weren’t the only artists getting their name out there. Several vendors were set up with art and homemade goodies.
Most of the vendors included art students at Fredonia who set up their work to sell, while also promoting their name and social media.
One of the student vendors included photographer Patricia Maess, who had a table set up to sell her postcards and other pieces of work.
Couple Daniel and Denise Zafuto ran a vendor for their small business, “House on the Hill Bath Therapies.” It includes bath salts, soaps, lotions, body mists and more.
The Zafutos run the company in Forestville, N.Y. and have appeared in the Fredonia Farm Festival in the past. They were invited by Music Industry Club to bring some of their collection to the event for the day. The two work together to make their products from scratch.
“He does all the hard work, I do the easy stuff,” Denise said, pointing to a box of lego shaped, mini bars of soap which she created herself.
Attendants occupied themselves between sets by playing can jam, exploring vendors and trying the several different snacks offered.
“They have cotton candy, popcorn and cake pops,” freshman and liberal arts major Callie French said. “It’s such a cute little event.”