Sundara hosts “Back 2 School Bash” for under-21 NAU students

in A&E by MacKenzie Chase — September 1, 2012 at 2:05 pm | no comments

by MacKenzie Chase

With the first week of classes practically over, the other side of college life is picking back up.  This Friday, students will be welcomed back to town with Flagstaff’s first huge party presented by Sundara Boutique & Gallery and the Hands on Wax events production.  Several talents will be coming to town to kick off the new school year, along with a few local names.

Anyone who’s been on campus long enough and knows anything about the nightlife here is probably familiar with the name DJ KBK.  He started as disc jockey (DJ) in Flagstaff for the Hot Mess freshman orientation parties and then continued booking events.

He says the best part about DJing is the crowd response.

“After you drop a really good track, real popular at the time, you know, they scream, they put their hands up, everybody starts dancing.  That’s my favorite part.  I live for that stuff,” DJ KBK said.

Former DJ at the Cinnabar nightclub, KBK now plays at San Felipe’s Cantina and Collin’s Irish Pub & Grill downtown and now Sundara for the under-21 crowd.

Sundara is most known for the regular events put on each week, like the poetry slam Wednesday nights and open mic on Thursdays, but they’ve started to venture into club territory recently.

“It’s something that’s relatively new with us, especially since we got our beer and wine license this past summer,” said John Quinonez, barista and events coordinator at Sundara.

The venue is a versatile space, so everyone should have enough room to go crazy.

“We provide a place where you have enough room to space out,” Quinonez said.  “The stage is big enough for really anyone to do exactly what they want with it.  We’ve hosted anything from a book reading to a punk show and they’ve all been a success.”

DJ KBK will be joined by Chris Frank, an up-and-coming hip hop artist who recorded his first music video over the summer.

He has a passion for music and says when others like his songs, “It’s just amazing because something you did, something you love, affects another person and they enjoy it too.”

Frank started making music his freshman year of high school, but didn’t start recording seriously until sophomore year.  His dedication paid off, and he just released a mixtape available for free download off his Facebook page as well as news regarding his new songs.

The DJ KBK Facebook fan page is also the place to check out a list of upcoming events worth going to.

This isn’t their first event collaboration; Frank and KBK have been working together for a while now.

According to KBK, “Ever since I met him, we’ve been doing projects and all kinds of stuff together.  We’ll never stop.  Can’t stop, won’t stop.  All his songs have the same energy I have when I DJ.”

People planning to come to the party should bring their energy, because they don’t plan on letting anyone slack off while there.

“If you wanna chill, go outside, take a break, come back inside [and] be ready to [expletive] [expletive] up,” Frank said.

Giveaways will be handed out all night.

“I don’t wanna give away too many details, but it’ll be real nice stuff that everyone’s gonna like. [There’s] something for everybody,” KBK said.

Other DJs set to perform include 3zee, Mario Soulece and Skoolboy.

Admission to the event is free for those age 21 and up until midnight and then $2 after with a $5 entrance fee for 18+ guests all night.  Doors open at 7 p.m. and the first 50 females get in free.