2nd Annual Sights and Sounds of DJ Dusk April 27, 2008

Last April, in its inaugural year, the Sights and Sounds of DJ Dusk Festival celebrated the life of long-time Mar Vista Family Center employee and youth leader, Tarek "DJ Dusk" Captan. On April 29, 2006, Tarek tragically lost his life and his absence has been felt citywide, especially at Mar Vista Family Center. Through art and music, Tarek was able to reach wide audiences across the Los Angeles landscape and beyond. During his ten years of service here at Mar Vista, he was able to empower youth with the tools to seek higher education and social justice.

This celebration, and each one thereafter, will combine Tarek’s passion for music and art with his devotion to youth activism by exposing aspiring artists to veteran performers who believe in using art and music to create positive social change. With a new youth center under construction, MVFC will be able to serve three times the amount of current youth. Aside from offering leadership workshops and building communication skills, the new youth center will provide programs in the creative arts, such as dance, music, deejaying, art, video, and photography; an accomplishment Tarek would appreciate.

Since the festival coincides with the much anticipated creative arts programs, the celebration is being utilized to establish a foundation for these programs by raising funds for materials, equipment, software, etc., and accepting monetary and/or equipment donations.

Featured artists include DJ’s Expo, Sake 1 (SF), Daz, Jeremy Sole, Lady Sha, Music Man Miles; live performances by Ray Ricky Rivera, and Raquel Rodriguez; keynote speaker Garth Trinidad (Chocolate City, KCRW) and graciously hosted by Azul 213. There will be many more dj’s, artists, and attractions such as a DJ workshop in addition to a youth and veteran art exhibit.

The Mar Vista Family Center is a nationally recognized program that creates positive changes through dozens of community programs including By Youth For Youth which promotes individual and social responsibility among youth. The BYFY program provides positive role models and important leadership development tools for 65 underprivileged youths, ranging in age from 13 to 21. These youths, in turn, supervise enriching activities for 600 children and preteens who attend programs at MVFC year-round.
“None of us are as strong as ALL of us.” – DJ Dusk

Official Website: http://www.myspace.com/welovedjdusk