It’s interesting that the next great celebration of American independence in Long Beach would be held at a ship named after a monarch. But from what we can tell about FRDM Fest at the Queen Mary this Saturday, it definitely rules. The all-day festival on July 2 includes performances from Kid Ink, SNDCLSH featurng a special performance by Lupe Fiasco and T-Pain as well as DJ sets from sought after selectors ARMNHMR, Bixel Boys, Blair and many more.
“We came out with a more eclectic lineup that fits the vibe of the day, we have a little more trap house/deep house at the beginning of the day and then a little more party house,” 24 year-old founder Karan Ram says. “Then hip-hop for the end. We really wanted to do something that stands out.”
But more than just the ability to have fun or get faded underneath some fireworks is the satisfaction of doing it for a good cause. FRDM Fest pledges to donating 100% of the proceeds to Teen Cancer America, a charity founded by The Who that constructs facilities for teenage cancer patients in hospitals around the country. Beyond the marriage of hip-hop with EDM, like Fiasco does so fluidly with SNDCLSH, the project he put together with Sky Gellatly, FRDM Fest is an exercise in fun philanthropy.
“Everyone finds a reason why they can’t give back to charity,” Ram says. “It’s just excuses all the time. I found myself doing the same thing. But our expertise as an event management company is to give back to charity while utilizing our strength and doing what we can do to give back to the people.
What started as a dream of hosting a fun alternative to typical holiday partying over a year ago for Ram is finally becoming a reality. It’ll also be a long awaited better option for wayward youngins’ who can’t always get into cool events.
“When I was 20, all my friends were 21. So when we went out to Newport, all of them went to the bars and I was sorta stranded going from house party to house party,” he says. So we wanted to do an event for all our friends to be able to hang out together. We really wanted to push a fun atmosphere above all else.”
If all goes well on the inaugural event, Ram says, FRDM Fest will be a reoccurring event where we go into different cities and find charities that correspond to the major problems in that city.
Aside from the festival music atmosphere, mechanical bulls, life size beer pong, life size Jenga, live muralists are also part of the package you get with the price of the $50 admission. Parking around that area is a little steep ($20) so be sure to carpool with your squad. Not only will it keep the cost of freedom down, you’ll feel like George Washington crossing the Potomac with his posse when you finally roll up.
For tickets to FRDM Fest and full event info, click here.
