On Saturday, April 14, the Micah Program and the Doerr Center for Social Justice Education and Research will co-sponsor the Jamfest Benefit Concert for Karen House, a Catholic Worker house of hospitality.

This fundraising event is an opportunity to raise money for a shelter in North City that provides a safe haven for women and children in need. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the concert will go to Karen House.

“SLU has had a long history with Karen House,” said Sheila Donnelly, a senior Micah and social work practicum student at the Doerr Center. “We want to continue to maintain this relationship.”

The Doerr Center decided to co-sponsor this event with the Micah Program in an effort to advocate social justice within the St. Louis community, and to explore the social issues of economic justice, poverty and racial justice and cultural diversity. In addition, the Doerr Center hopes to educate SLU students about the field of social work, and to emphasize the reward of giving back to the community.

During their time at SLU, many members of the Micah Program have volunteered at Karen House and provided tutoring and childcare services.

“This is my first main project as a Micah Intern,” said Adrienne Edson, a senior Micah.  “It is exciting to be a part of the head team for this benefit concert because it is a worthy cause.”

Edson and Donnelly said that they are in the process of finalizing the plans for the Jamfest Benefit Concert.

“As the event planners for this event, we wanted to help promote reputable local bands in the process of fundraising,” Edson said. “The biggest draw for this event is the music, as well as the enjoyment and participation in the fundraiser.”

Edson hopes that Jamfest will appeal to broad audience.

“I have noticed that our previous fundraising events largely attract the Micah population, so we want local bands to perform in order to bring in people who are not even SLU students, like St. Louis community members,” Edson said.

Entertainment will include three bands: Trotting Bear, Fire Kite and Vintage Years.

Trotting Bear, a folk-band from St. Louis, has played in local shows at Off Broadway and Cicero’s. Trotting Bear’s acoustic sound and soft melodies highlight a classic folk influence.

Fire Kite, a local St. Louis band, is a three-member group that is connected to Karen House. Like Vintage Years, Fire Kite has an upbeat sound.

Vintage Years is the headliner for the concert. Vintage Years, a group of six members, is growing in popularity on 88.1 KDHX. This band has an upbeat, high-energy sound which ranges from genres of pop, alternative indie rock, soul and Motown music.

“We prefer local bands that have a social justice theme in their music to correlate with this event,” Edson said.

The collaboration of the Micah Program and the Doerr Center allows these organizations to work together to achieve a common goal — promoting social justice.

“Our vision for the Jamfest Benefit Concert is that we will have a great concert where people would enjoy each other’s company in a fun and relaxing environment,” Donnelly said.

The Jamfest Benefit Concert will take place on Saturday, April 14 from 7 to 10 p.m. In lieu of an admission fee, there is a suggested donation of $5. This event will be held at The Billiken Club in the Busch Student Center.