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Calling all artists, unplug and get wild

Madison Bear gets a show from Chico students
Giovanni Alvarez soothing the crowd with their guitar at Madison Bear. Photo taken by Makalya Anaya, October 2025
Giovanni Alvarez soothing the crowd with their guitar at Madison Bear. Photo taken by Makalya Anaya, October 2025

 

The School of the Arts is hosting its annual “Chico Unplugged” event. This event happens twice a year, giving students a chance to perform on stage.

“We just want to showcase local singer-songwriters and give them a chance to perform,” said Makayla Anaya, the organizer for outreach and promotions for Chico Unplugged.

As part of this event, all music industry majors must take SOTA Production II. A class that focuses on “Chico Unplugged.” The event will have a list of artists that signed up to perform; each artist will play one song in front of a panel of judges who will pick a winner. The winner will earn a free recording session.

Markus Lucian swooning the crowd with their original music at Madison Bear. Photo taken by Makayla Anaya, October 2025

The event will also include a $5 drawing for a professional microphone and headset. Those funds will go toward the Butte Humane Society. The class held a vote on where to donate these funds, motivated by a desire to give back to the community.

“We figured it would be a really good charity to donate back to, help out animals, and get them resources,” Anaya explained.

The years Chico Unplugged will be unique because they are now allowing bands to play. Due to SOTA recently acquiring a stripped-down drum kit, they are now looking for additional bands to play at the show. All students are welcome to sign up for this event using their sign-up forum.

The event will start at 7 p.m. in the upstairs room of Madison Bear Garden on Tuesday, March 3 and 10, open to all students and community members to support aspiring performers in Chico.

 

Emilio Ceja can be reached at [email protected]

About the Contributor
Emilio Ceja
Emilio Ceja, Reporter
Coming from the comfort of their own room with a Hello Kitty Mug, Emilio Ceja is on their first semester here at the Orion. Their major is public relations with a minor in social media, so you best believe that there will be some delicious tea coming your way. Hailing from Live Oak, a small town 40 minutes south of Chico, you’ll typically find them at various local shops spending money as if they have money to begin with or regretting their life choices at Kwando’s buffet during midterms. If you ask nicely, they’ll happily show you photos of their really fat, ugly cat, Venus.