YAKIMA, Wash. – The vibrant local heavy metal community came together recently for a revamped Yakima EdgeFest, a two-day event focused on raising funds for La Casa Hogar and The Space, an LGBTQ+ youth center.
Held at Chainsaw Cat EdgeFest offered a unique blend by combining heavy metal performances with drag shows, creating an inclusive fundraiser for all attendees.
While a heavy metal fundraiser in Yakima may sound unusual to some, that community is prominent and wants to give back.
“The metal community and the punk community here is very strong, but also they’re all accepting,” said the event’s promoter, Kaimu Peneku.
The event accepted everyone in, including limiting the alcohol sales to one side of the bar so youth heavy metal fans could enjoy the show. Peneku says those audience members stayed throughout the entire show, showing their passion.
“It is definitely a healthy outlet for a lot of youth who have maybe a lot of aggression that they want to get out in a healthy way,” say Peneku.
Peneku also addressed common misconceptions about heavy metal music, emphasizing that while the music can be abrasive, it’s what the fanbase comes for.
Incorporating drag performers, the event affirmed the festival’s commitment to inclusivity and acceptance. Saturday night’s event was the first drag performance at a Yakima heavy metal show, according to Peneku. But with the similarities the two styles share, they went hand-in-hand.
“Drag is just as important to the metal and the alternative scene,” Peneku said, noting the positive response from young attendees.
Beyond supporting local youth, the festival also offered opportunities for performers through a vocal competition. Peneku added the Vocal Throwdown where the winner would take home recording equipment to help their musical journey.
“Just part of our way of helping further that art in that progression because we’re in the digital age,” says Peneku.
