Kent State’s Student and Recreation Center will make way for a diverse crop of performers Friday for the first ever “Kentchella.”

Steven Langdon, marketing coordinator for the Department of Recreational Services, set the bar high for the music and arts festival. His dream plan is to recreate a festival reminiscent of Coachella.

“I know that Kent State has the same uniqueness and creativity as some of these larger music festivals that are thrown across the world,” Langdon said. “We have the exact same talent and innovative skills to house and host something like this at the Rec Center with everyone else on campus involved.”

There will be a main stage like Coachella located in front of the rock wall for participants to climb up and get their picture taken, resembling the Ferris wheel at the festival. There will also be multiple smaller stages holding aerobics and yoga classes.

“We will have all types of live performances like bands, DJs and different dance groups,” Langdon said. “There will be multiple DJs all playing at the same time to really showcase as much music as we can.”

The upstairs studio will be reserved for a silent disco, and all downstairs studios will feature acoustic performances during the night.

“I didn’t think Kent would ever do something along the lines of a music festival — especially in the Rec Center — so I’m going to go check it out,” said Erica VanNostran, a freshman exercise science major. “One of my friend’s band is playing, so it’s cool that I get to see Kent State supporting them by throwing this event.”

Different student organizations will be presenting their work, including fashion, art, photography and dance.

“All of our bands we have are from Kent State,” Langdon said. “It shows that we don’t have to book really big names to throw a music festival — we have enough talent here at Kent.”

The free event will start at 9:30 p.m. and is only open to students with valid FlashCards. The first 500 attendees will receive a Kentchella wristband.

“I think Kentchella is a great, affordable way to bring local artists and DJs together while also being easy access for locals and Kent State students,” said Mollie Farragher, a sophomore economics major. “I never thought something like this would happen at Kent so I’m excited to see what they come up with for it.”

Madeline Crandall is an entertainment reporter for the Kent Stater, contact her at [email protected]