CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Organizers for the Unity Crayons auction fund-raiser met at Coffee Talk on Waialae last week. The nonprofit group is responsible for creating an all-ages show twice a month at the Kaimuki community coffee shop and needs to raise funds for new audio equipment. Involved with the auction are, from left, Kalie Capadona, Michael Harrell, Jack Tawil, Joshua Hancock, Christopher Bartolozzi and Jake Foster (not pictured).

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Unity Crayons
needs equipment

The nonprofit has to raise money
for a public address system to put
on its shows

One week after celebrating their second birthday with Los Angeles underground artist Radioinactive of The Shape Shifters, local promotion outfit Unity Crayons is back at Coffee Talk this weekend for a different purpose.

Fund-raiser Unity Crayons Auction/Show featuring Upstanding Youth, The Hell Caminos, NVP, The Malcognitos and DJ Antix Where: Coffee Talk, 3601 Waialae Ave. When: 7 p.m. Saturday Cover: $5, all ages Call: 783-4810

The constant setup and breakdown at gigs, including downtown's Club Pauahi, the Waialua Community Center, McCoy Pavilion and a number of repeat performances at Coffee Talk, has taken its toll on gear originally purchased in 2003.

"We bought a PA system back then, and over the last two years, it's been worked," said Unity Crayons spokesman Michael Camino. "So we're having a fund-raiser to buy a new (one)."

All the proceeds from Saturday's show, featuring Upstanding Youth, The Hell Caminos, NVP, The Malcognitos and DJ Antix, will be used to purchase new equipment, not to line the pockets of Camino and the rest of his crew.

"Most venues are more into making money than exposing kids to live music," he said. "We're a nonprofit organization, so we're here to break even."

FOUNDED BY musicians Jake Foster and Josh Hancock, Unity Crayons strives to provide a safe weekend alternative for local teens while also promoting a drug and alcohol-free environment for residents of all ages to witness a variety of artistic performances.

They've found an ideal location in Coffee Talk, located just off the H-1 Freeway at the top of Waialae Avenue in Kaimuki. Almost every weekend, fans from all over Oahu line up to pay their five bucks and rock out.

"Coffee Talk has always been 'our' venue," said Camino. "The owner likes what we're doing and supports us."

In return, Unity Crayons does its best to support the community at large. Over the last two years, the nonprofit has promoted concerts to benefit groups like the Hawaii Food Bank, Hale Kipa, Hawaii Opera Theatre and The Life Foundation.

And some local bands, like Vax, Chain Shot, Zero Gravity, Lucky 65 and Pet Johnny, have members who occasionally aren't allowed to perform in the traditional bar/club environment because they're underage. Unity Crayons provides them with the opportunity to play in front of a live audience, something other promoters won't even bother to consider.

"One of our objectives is to create a buzz where kids want to get involved in bands," Camino said. "They wouldn't have the opportunity (otherwise)."

WHILE FOLKS are still invited to donate used musical instruments for Saturday's fund-raiser (call the number listed, or just bring your gear to the show), Camino is realistic when asked how much the promoters expect to actually sell.

"We'll probably make more proceeds at the door," he admitted. "A lot of kids don't have the money to buy amps or guitars."

Yes, he'd like it if a couple of wannabe punk rockers asked mom and dad for a loan to bid on the bass guitar, drum kit and amplifiers that will be on the auction block. But Camino and his Unity Crayons brethren are more interested in presenting a quality event for the general public to enjoy.

"It's going to be more for fun," he said. "We want the kids to listen to music and get excited. We'll make do with what we have."