A Santa Clarita nonprofit to benefit autism awareness hosted After the Meltdown, a fundraising “pop-up” art and music show in Newhall Friday

Yes I Can hosted artists and musicians from across the country, who performed in their signature event Meltdown to raise funds for next year’s Summer Meltdown show.

“It was a beautiful night celebrating artists from around the country who came out to support our cause of autism awareness,” said Bret Lieberman, executive director of the nonprofit. “They helped us raise funds for next year’s Meltdown and the start of our new YIC transitional vocational program for young adults.”

Enrique Rodriguez live painting at After The Meltdown

Yes I Can is a nonprofit which provides hands-on experience in the entertainment industry for people on the autism spectrum.

Yes I Can was started 17 years ago at Valencia High School under the teaching of Bret Lieberman.

The charity’s work culminates in the Summer Meltdown Autism Awareness/Acceptance Art and Music Festival, a one-day music and arts festival in Santa Clarita.

This week’s event brought back past Meltdown artists to the Main in Newhall to spread autism awareness, while raising a little dough to put on the larger show.

“Our guests were treated to a live musical performance by Know Madik, pure hip hop with a positive message, not one bad word, and everyone was smiling from ear to ear the entire night,” said Lieberman. “We had artists that came all the way from Texas, Salinas, Sacramento, Orange County and several artists from Santa Clarita area.”

Morphis Art painting live on stage

It was great seeing alumni and their parents still embracing the movement, he said, adding that he sees nothing more satisfying than unity through art, music and education.

“I’m a nomad hippy hip hop artist I was raised in Indiana Utah Virginia Maryland Montana and all over California,” said Know-Madik, hippy hip hop artist. “I use my diversity and upbringing to unite people together through my music, I think positive music needs a bigger platform in this world right now so I’m doing my best to create a duality and a balance and energy were putting out here for the youth to intake, I ran across YIC Meltdown through my good friend Bret Lieberman who has been helping me connect with people that appreciate my mission.”

Random Art Studio

A Yes I Can alum launched his own art business from and managed to stay connected with the YIC organization even after he graduated from Canyon High.

“Frankly Unique Artistry started in 2012 from the YIC at Canyon High School, when I was a student there I was in a program called Yes I Can, I was a mentor there helping kids. At the end of the year they throw a concert for the community of Santa Clarita,” said Enrique Jr Gallegos.

Frankly Unique Artistry speaking to art fans

“I do an art wall with the kids, it’s a six-seventy feet wide blank and white so the kids can color it and that’s what gets me going,” said Gallegos, “those kids are coloring my stuff. I love how the kids are interacting with other people, it makes me feel good.”

Most of the artist and participants in the pop-up event will continue to support Yes I Can and their future music and art festivals.

“I’m involved with summer meltdown because I love the people who put it on. Bret Lieberman is an amazing teacher he works so well with the students the way they involve us it makes it so interactive we get to help support these students in their dreams,” said Amber Crouch, a Summer Meltdown returning artist.

“Whether it’s becoming an artist or something in the music industry,” said Crouch. “I think this program is so cool to give them the opportunity to get their foot in the door to accomplish their dreams.”

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