Hunter Fox On Off Sunset’s Vision & Evolution
BY MARK ARIEL | PHOTO BY ZIV SADE
First off, for folks living on another planet—please introduce yourself and describe your connection to the LGBTQ+ community.
I am Hunter Fox, former manager of Eagle LA. My husband, Charlie Matula, and his business partner, Vince Quattrocchi, own Eagle LA. Charlie Matula and I had the idea for Off Sunset Festival and when we were introduced to Kim Sharp who has produced festivals in the Venice and Silverlake areas we knew we had a dynamic team who could collectively bring the festival to life. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to its creation. Many people believed in us, and we wanted to make sure we didn’t disappoint the LGBTQ+ and Silverlake communities.
What inspired the creation of the Off Sunset Festival, and when was it conceived?
The Off Sunset Festival was inspired by the changing landscape of Silver Lake. As the neighborhood grew, many gay and lesbian businesses, bars, and clubs disappeared. We wanted to create a festival to preserve our history and maintain our presence in Silver Lake. The idea was conceived by myself and the late George Wong years before it came to fruition. My dream was to create this festival for the leather community and the broader Los Angeles LGBTQ+ community, to raise funds and reinvest them back into the community, supporting initiatives like beautification, education, and assisting organizations in need, all while having a good time.
What challenges have you faced in organizing the festival?
We faced numerous challenges, including exorbitant permit fees, the need to borrow money for initial funding, securing vendors, bands, and food trucks, and promoting the festival. Then, like everyone else, we dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, but everyone was excited to come together and we picked right back up the following year. And yes, the weather! The rain from the last two years is why we moved this year’s Off Sunset Festival to the end of April, specifically April 27th. So yes, there have been many challenges, but we’ve faced each with determination and excitement.
How has the Off Sunset Festival changed since its inception?
The festival has evolved significantly. We’ve seen growth in attendance, vendor participation, food truck variety, band performances, and the overall footprint. Consequently, we’ve been able to increase the amount of donations we make to the community. It’s incredibly rewarding to dedicate months of hard work and then be able to support the community we love.
Who are the featured performers for this year’s festival?
This year’s festival lineup includes: Milahroy, Blimes and Bando, Blood Moon, WORK, Zee Machine, and ABBA LA.
Is there any additional information you would like to share?
It’s a privilege and an honor to do this work. We want to sincerely thank everyone who contributes their time and energy to make the festival possible. We hope you will join us at Off Sunset Festival on Sunday, April 27th, along Santa Monica Blvd. in the heart of Silverlake.
For more info visit: www.offsunsetfestival.com.
