The Local will host a benefit concert on Friday for the Hunger and Health Coalition, a group focused on relieving hunger and poverty for those facing economic hardships.
The concert will feature local student bands including Bootstrap Slicks, Space Canoe and Sonic Blankets, with performances beginning at 9:30 p.m. Each band playing hour and a half sets. The event will also include a raffle sponsored by Harpoon Brewery, with tickets selling for $1.
The event is the brainchild of senior social work majors Katie May and Kasey Anne Powell. Both students are currently enrolled in a social work groups class, which focuses on helping a particular cause through methods such as fundraising, food drives and other kinds of support.
This semester, the class chose to focus on the Hunger and Health Coalition after learning that it receives no federal funding and was on the brink of dissipation, May said.
“This is pretty much our last semester of classes, so everyone is really dedicated and got into it,” May said. “So far we have raised $1,600 for the Hunger and Health Coalition and over 800 pounds of food.”
The duo said they hope that number will reach $2,000 after Friday night’s concert. Powell said she expects 100 people to attend and is confident they can reach this number, though if they don’t she knows it will be fun anyway.
May and Powell, who have been friends since meeting in a social work class last semester, essentially organized the entire event, from finding a venue to booking the bands, to creating the flyers and a Facebook page. Powell said the duo works well together and accredits their strong relationship as key to the success and fun of planning the event.
However, Powell insisted that it is the community, and not them, who deserve the press, referring to herself and May as simply “facilitators.”
“It’s the venue, it’s my contacts, it’s our friends, it’s [The Local’s] owner, it’s the band members, it’s the brewery, they are the ones that are making this happen,” Powell said. “We have a really, really responsive and involved community.”
The concert will be 21-and-up and will have a $5 entry fee. All proceeds will go to the Hunger and Health Coalition.
Story: Liz Flamming, Intern A&E Reporter