Published 2004-04-14T00:00:00Z”/>

Richard Gehrels<br>Staff Writer

Spend some quality time with Mother Earth and “rock on.”

The seventh annual Eco-Fest will take place from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 24 on the Kendall Hall lawn. Admission is free.

The Chico State tradition was started by Jessica Rios, former head of the Environmental Affairs Council. Rios wanted to do something similar to the International Festival, said Ajamu Lamumba, A.S. Presents program coordinator.

The theme of this year’s Earth month is “Each one, teach one,” said Barbara Kopicki, A.S. Recycling coordinator.

Kopicki said there will be hands-on workshops at the festival, headed by community members and Chico State students. People can learn how to tie-dye T-shirts, make their own tofu from scratch, learn about the sustainable kitchen and make seed balls.

There will also be educational booths and an eco-art display, Kopicki said. Children will be able to make artwork from recycled material.

Bands performing at the festival are Buffalo Creek, Chingus, Brown House and Jack Shat & the Know-it-Alls.

Lamumba said the Eco-Fest is an Earth Day celebration for the community at large.

“Hopefully people will walk away with a little more knowledge and respect for Mother Earth,” Lamumba said.

Chingus bassist Marcus Schmidt said this will be the band’s second performance at Eco-Fest.

Schmidt said his band comes because it’s always a great day with a good vibe, and it’s a good cause to support. He said he hopes that people will have fun and appreciate the time outdoors at Eco-Fest.

Schmidt said this year’s performance will have an outside play list and that the music will be mellow and energetic. At last year’s Eco-Fest, the band played “I’d Love to Change the World.”

Last year, band members also wore themed T-shirts with national parks on the front. Schmidt said they’ll come up with a new theme this year.

“We have some tricks up our sleeves,” Schmidt said.

Buffalo Creek will be performing old favorites and some new stuff, said Bryn Loosley, the band’s vocalist.

This year’s festival will be the second one that Buffalo Creek has taken part in.

Loosley said the band considers itself a supporter of environmental causes.

“We’re all pinko-lefties when it comes to the environment,” he said.

<em>Richard Gehrels can be reached at <a href= ‘mailto:[email protected]’>[email protected]</a></em>