Coachella Pre-Party 'Berniechella' Kicks Off Today
COACHELLA (CBSLA.com) — Several musicians and artists will perform Thursday at an event dubbed "Berniechella."
As the two-part Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival moves toward its final run of performances this weekend, visitors will also be converging for a two-day gathering starting Thursday aimed at promoting Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign.
The unofficial Bernie Sanders for President Block Party, or "Berniechella" will run from 5 p.m. through midnight both Thursday and Friday, with its own slate of live music performances scheduled.
Ozomatli, Zoe Kravitz, Richard Montoya, Shepard Fairey and Alex Ebert are among the acts lined up to perform at the party, which will be held along Grapefruit Boulevard and Vine Street, near Coachella City Hall. The event is free to the public.
Just like the Coachella festival, which ends Sunday, the block party will feature live art and interactive installations, along with a beer garden and food vendors.
Sanders won't be attending; he'll be campaigning in Pennsylvania. But his presence was felt last Saturday in the Coachella Valley when he introduced hip-hop/rappers Run the Jewels to the Coachella festival crowd via a taped announcement. The duo, comprised of Killer Mike and El-P, are both supporters of the Vermont senator.
The Democratic presidential hopeful said getting to know Killer Mike was "one of the highlights of running for president over the course of this last year," while also telling El-P to "keep up the great work and let's get to know each other better in the months to come."
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