With music, cuisine, vendors and a spotlight on Black artists in South L.A, Gearfest is the premiere USC festival honoring Black art. Hosted by the Black Student Assembly (BSA), the event will take place on March 29 at Founders Park at 5 p.m.
In order to enter the event, USC students are required to bring their student ID. Though the festival has been a part of USC for years, there are a few new policies to keep in mind.
Gearfest adopted the USC Coliseum’s clear bag policy. Any bags must be clear and smaller than 12-by-12 inches.
Attendees cannot bring drugs, alcohol, weapons, loud noise makers, professional, video cameras, audio recording devices, chairs, laser pointers, bags that don’t follow the policy, skateboards, bicycles, hoverboards, outside food and drinks or drones.
Though a campus event, non-USC students must request a ticket via a link on the Gearfest Instagram page and bring a valid student ID to enter. “As Gearfest approaches, we want to remind you that Gearfest is NOT only for USC students,” an Instagram post states.
The first 500 guests that attend Gearfest will receive tickets to redeem a burger and fries from Earle’s Restaurant and a choice of cotton candy or funnel cake from Barts Carts.
Headlining Gearfest 2024 is R&B/Soul artist Jordan Ward. Before becoming a musician, Ward danced for artists like Justin Bieber and Becky G. Ward’s love for music led him to start his own career as an artist.
Teemkah Hayes, or better known as Teemakn, and SlaterRose will perform DJ sets at Gearfest.
Kaufman dancers choreographed by Ryann Simone will be official performers at Gearfest, as well as USC’s Cardinal Divas. USC’s Official National Pan-Hellenic Council will be performing at Gearfest as well.
Cross Colours L.A. will be gracing the Gearfest stage in the Cross Colours Fashion Show, which also includes a dance intermission by the West Coast Elites.
Other artists who will perform on stage this Friday include Nina Butterfly, SultanTheGiant and Love Keyyz.
More information on Gearfest can be found on @uscgearfest Instagram account.