8 March 2018 • AlumsArts Veras '17 Directs One Love Geneva Festival

Linden Street, one of the busiest parts in the city of Geneva, is home to many popular restaurants, bars, and venues. During the weekends, Linden Street becomes a pedestrian walkway, and the social pulse of Geneva.

With music, art, performances, and food and drinks from local businesses, Linden Street in Geneva was the place to be on Saturday, Aug. 12 during the One Love Geneva festival directed by German Veras '17.

"I wanted to give the community a chance to come together as one and celebrate the diversity that makes up the Geneva community," Veras said. "I also want to give people an outlet of self-expression by providing the open mic hour as I have been exposed to many Geneva community members and artists who are seeking an outlet of expression."

 

The event, which was open to the public, featured performances by Smooth Groovy, Swing by Four and King Ammo. In addition to the live music there was an open mic with prizes for the top three most inspirational performances, raffles, prizes, and a wide variety of food and drinks.

During his time at HWS, Veras majored in media and society and minored in studio art. This combination, along with various history classes and an active membership with Student Activities and the Campus Activities Board, gave Veras the skills necessary to organize the One Love Geneva festival. He is a four-year recipient of the Ida Johnson Anderson Memorial Scholarship.

"I had the chance to plan festivals and events on campus that united diverse groups of students to celebrate, educate or relax," said Veras. "I have come to understand the way media, art and music play a role in the ideologies of a society; hence why I am using this medium as my tool for change."

With the focus of the event on celebrating the diversity throughout the Geneva community, Veras said: "the bands I have chosen to play at the festival are meant to provide a melodic expression of the diversity of the community by playing hip-hop, funk, reggae, and Latin music."

In addition to the celebration of the diversity in the Geneva community, Veras plans to donate all proceeds from the raffles and prizes to the lunch program at the Methodist Church.