“If you truly believe in what you’re doing and passionate about it, you will find a way to get it out there.”
Alex Callego
Born and raised in the Coachella Valley, Alex Callego has been organizing events, bands, DJs, Hip-Hop acts, and public charities for the last 15 years. Now his most ambitious project to date is: The Palm Springs Comic Con Kickstarter campaign. “I’ve been kicking around this idea since 2011,” Alex said. But the encouragement from a close friend was the tipping point, “I was talking to Jason Dibler, the general manager at the Ace Hotel — he knew I was going to the Comic Con in San Diego, the granddaddy of them all — and he said, ‘you should bring the Comic Con to Palm Springs’ — he motivated me. At first, I thought, I could never do that, but I started kicking the idea around. Just living here in the desert — I knew it was something needed.”
The idea developed gradually: Alex has been an avid comic book reader and attending comic cons for 17 years. What he appreciates most about comic cons is, “the camaraderie, connecting with some of the artists — sometimes you can have an amazing discussion with artists — it gives you a deeper appreciation for what they are doing. I compare it to fans meeting their favorite bands — I’ve been able to meet some of my heroes.”
The proposal to bring the Palm Springs Comic Con to the desert can also be credited to the emerging art and culture scene, and the success of current mainstays such as the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Add to the mix a growing discontent from youth living in the desert who feel there is a lack of things to do. Yet Alex remains optimistic because more local art and music shows across the valley are steadily popping up. Alex Callego points out the desert has an advantage to create something from nothing here, “because there is no precedent, we don’t have set up systems, you can create your own — isn’t that what everyone wants — to be their own boss? — now we have more tools to get the message out there.”
Although the Coachella Valley is continually experiencing an evolution, Alex acknowledges, “there’s a lot more to do than when I was a teenager, but there’s still needs more work to do, more all ages shows.”
Alex also points to a shift in higher education, “that was the trend before, if you were a creative type person, you would finish high school and then there was nothing to do. So, you would leave the desert. Now more artists are going to college, coming back and making good on their talents.”
Alex envisions the Palm Springs Comic Con will, “bring something to the desert that’s good for the youth and families and bridge the gap between artists and fans. There’s a big gamer demographic, cosplay is a huge part of it — there’s appreciation for both cultures. It’s a chance to see your favorite comic book character come to life.”
The Palm Springs Comic Con: Kickstarter campaign is projected to launch in March 2015 and Alex expects the first annual Palm Springs Comic Con to mark its debut in December 2015. “If you truly believe in what you’re doing and passionate about it, you will find a way to get it out there.”
EVENT: PALM SPRINGS COMIC CON
FOUNDER: ALEX CALLEGO
HOMETOWN: PALM SPRINGS, CA
WEB: PSCOMICCON.COM