Saint Louis University students and community members alike came together Jan. 22 to show their support at the Jamfest for Haiti Benefit Concert.
According to Concert Chair Sarah Holland, an estimated 350 people attended the event, which took place in The Billiken Club.
“We had a great turnout. People seemed to have a good time. I am ambitious, I am always hoping for more and more,” Concert Chair Owen Griffith said.
According to Griffith, more than $2,500 was raised from the concert alone. However, when including the fundraising surrounding the concert, a total of more than $5,000 was raised.
All of these funds will go to the grassroots organization International Lifeline for Haiti.
“Tragedy has the potential to bring people together. It’s great that people are willing to do something about it. I am grateful,” senior Becca Gorley said.
The concert included performances by student performers Cameron Matthews the Bear Ceuse and Hither & Yon’. Local performers Firekite and Tim Session also played.
“I loved the bands … There was a nice variety,” Micah House Program Coordinator Debra Wilson said. “There were several SLU students that performed who are very talented.” The Micah House Program, the Doerr Center for Social Justice, Una, Prints for Peace and TalentPlus Entertainment all sponsored the event.
“[The concert] is for a really strong cause. I am in Micah, so I feel really connected,” freshman Sarah Kamp said.
The benefit concert marked the first of many events that The Billiken Club will host this semester.
So far, the student-run venue has announced that its spring shows will include performances by Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin with Flaming Death Trap on Jan. 27, Breathe Owl Breathe on Feb. 20, The Rats and People on March 2., Via Audio and Pattern Is Movement on March 4., and The Cave Singers on March 23.
For more information on upcoming events, go to www.thebillikenclub.wordpress.com.
Additional reporting by Joseph Benak.