Cha’keeta B, Founder of the Kinky Curly Coily Festival, wanted to attend a festival in Austin, like Afropunk with the focus being on natural hair. So, to make sure it was the exact event she wanted to attend, she decided to create it herself.
Cha’keeta B is an Austin native who attended Ronald Regan High School and started writing poetry in 2004 when she was in the 8th grade. By 2011, she had transitioned to writing songs and began performing in 2012. Now, in 2023, she is a Recording Academy artist as well as an official SXSW music artist. Needless to say, when she has a dream, she goes after it.
“I’m a black woman with natural hair. Not to say there weren’t other festivals here for natural hair, but I hadn’t attended them. I’ve seen Afropunk and wanted to create something like it based on natural hair. Even if you don’t have natural hair, come for the entertainment. It helps artists get exposure and vendors get their products out there.”
Be ready to shop, listen to good music, and vibe out
When she started this event, Cha’keeta B faced some hurdles. The very first KCC festival was in 2017, the weekend of Hurricane Harvey. Though Austin was not directly hit by the storm, we did receive extensive rain, which is bad news for any outdoor event but especially so for an event focused on hair. So, unfortunately, it was not a success. That did not deter Cha’keeta, though. She took a break, revamped, and came back in 2020 bigger and better. “It was how I felt the first festival should’ve been,” she stated. The festival returned for its third year in 2021, took another break in 2022, and will return on June 25 for the 4th time, which is expected to be the biggest, most successful iteration of the festival to date.
[modula id=”56272″]This year, your ticket gets you access to an open bar, goodie bags by a surprise sponsor, free massages, live music, and much more. Cha’keeta said, “Be ready to shop, listen to good music, and vibe out. It’s not just for women. So men, come treat yourself too!”
For the music, Chicago artists, Mother Nature, will be performing, as well as J Soulja, Lil Naj, Queen Deelah, LHF Lil Ke, and more. Cha’keeta wanted to make sure she had a range of musicians that attendees of all ages would enjoy.
Kinky Curly Coily Festival will take place on Sunday, June 25, 12 pm – 5:30 pm, at 1601 Headway Circle. You must be 18 or older to attend. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
