By Jonny Verbeten
The Lubbock Cultural Arts Foundation (LCAF) is celebrating its fifth anniversary on Saturday, September 6, with a “Hi 5 Celebration” that is free and open to the public. Taking place at the Hollingsworth Cultural Center at 42nd and Boston from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the day’s schedule will highlight the many ways LCAF has impacted the arts community over the past five years. Visitors can enjoy art booths, live theater and dance, local film, and music throughout the day. Among the musical highlights will be a “Getting the Gig Alumni Stage,” which will kick off at 11:00 with singer-songwriter Jay Sueños. Getting the Gig has become a cornerstone event for LCAF, and Sueños’ journey illustrates how programs like these can shape the careers of emerging artists.
I spoke with Sueños, who reflected on his participation at Getting the Gig in 2023 by stating, “I found it to be an informative and fun way to connect with musicians in town, as well as access valuable resources and skills for success. I gained insight on how to scale my music business and appreciated hearing musicians and venue owners share their experiences.” At the time of his performance, Sueños was just beginning his musical career. “When I performed, I had just officially started and had only played a few gigs, so I was very green to the business.” Far from “green” today, he explained that since that event he has “performed at over 150 shows, from solo gigs at breweries to festival stages… [and] built a positive reputation, made many friends in the scene, and now perform consistently every month.”
The last few years have also brought significant milestones. Sueños notes that graduating from New Mexico Junior College was a pivotal achievement, made possible in part by connections he made at LCAF’s annual Buffalo Grass Fest. Other achievements include performing 4th on Broadway in 2024 and opening for Mariachi Rock Revolution at Hobbs August Nites that same year. More recently, he returned to Hobbs August Nites in 2025, where his band shared the bill with the rock group Warrant, and in July 2025, he released his first album, a live recording titled Sueños Sings Love Songs.
Looking back, Sueños encouraged other aspiring musicians to take advantage of the opportunities LCAF provides. “Absolutely, 100% yes!” he said without hesitation. “Go to the events, make friends with the people you met, stay curious and humble, ask questions, and always be willing to grow. The musicians in this town were incredibly talented and, more importantly, incredibly friendly. Many were happy to share their wisdom and advice.” Advice he clearly applied to his own career: “Personally, LCAF was one of the reasons why being a working musician in Lubbock wasn’t just feasible—it was enjoyable,” he reflected. “We were like a hidden oasis in Texas, where you could make a good living performing for receptive audiences while pursuing your artistic ambitions. LCAF brought new musicians into the scene, showcased the incredible talent we had, and connected artists with the venues and ventures that sustained our music ecosystem. I gained education, mentorship, and a strong network from this community, and I’m confident that if I could do it, anyone else could certainly do it.”
Sueños will be joined by fellow musician Micah Burns, and together the duo will kick off an exciting lineup of past Getting the Gig performers!
Click HERE for more information on the “Hi 5 Celebration” and be sure to check out Jay’s new album, Sueños Sings Love Songs!