On Oct. 11, Grammy-winning artist Anderson .Paak, part of the duo Silk Sonic, brought back his annual community music festival, .Paak House, to Ventura County, powered by the Brandon Anderson Foundation.
This year’s festival highlighted local vendors and organizations such as Gordo’s Hot Chicken and Ventura County Defensa, both reflecting the festival’s mission to uplift and support the community.
Gordo’s Hot Chicken has grown from cooking at home to operating two food trucks and opening a sit-down restaurant. Co-owners and best friends Mario Torres and Alex Hernandez launched Gordo’s during the pandemic, and even attended .Paak House as fans at its original MacArthur Park event. In 2021, when the festival was hosted in Oxnard, they reached out to become food vendors and have been invited back every year since.
Beyond serving food, Gordo’s has become a community force of its own, hosting an annual turkey and toy giveaway to support local families during the holidays. The Anderson .Paak Foundation has been a consistent supporter of their efforts, donating funds to expand the event’s reach.
“They provide so much for the community. It’s awesome to see,” said Torres,
Another organization featured at the festival was Ventura County Defensa, a volunteer-led group formed in response to recent ICE raids in the area. The organization provides services such as patrolling neighborhoods, connecting families with immigration lawyers, food distribution, school outreach and “Know Your Rights” education. They also run a rapid response program, where volunteers respond to community calls, check on situations and post updates to social media to keep residents informed.
“We are here, and we’re here for them,” said Stephanie from VC Defensa, referring to Ventura County’s undocumented community. “We’re just trying to reach everyone in the community.”
Meanwhile, .Paak House sponsors such as Mattel and Vans provided toys, clothes and shoes that were distributed to low-income families throughout the festival, further emphasizing the event’s focus on community support and giving back.
The Brandon Anderson Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Anderson .Paak. Its mission is to uplift and engage the community by providing access to the arts, supporting underserved families and empowering youth through music, culture and education. Each year, the foundation donates thousands of tickets to at-risk and low-income families, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the event regardless of background.
As .Paak House continues to grow; it remains deeply rooted in the same community that raised Anderson .Paak — and the same one he continues to give back to.