On Feb. 6, Wooster Activities Crew and the Underground will be working together to produce a battle of the bands style fundraiser for Haiti relief, known as Hype For Haiti, with the winner getting a spot in Aprilís† Springfest performance.
WAC Music Committee Director David Small í11, however, emphasized that it is not to be called a battle of the bands. ìI want it to be more focused on the charity aspect. Weíre getting together for that purpose,” said Small. ìThe battle of the bands is second to its charity nature.”
The event will be hosted by Ramsey Kincannon í12, who originally came to WAC with the idea.
ìIn my high school [George Mason High School in Falls Church, Virginia], we designed a battle of the bands to coordinate with Katrina relief,” said Kincannon. ìIt was kind of inspired by shows like Live 8. And that fundraiser went really well, so I wanted to bring the idea to WAC.
ìAs it turned out, WAC was already planning a battle of the bands to look for an opener for Springfest.” continued Kincannon. ìFrom there, it became a symbiotic relationship. I got to help out in a way I was comfortable, and WAC found an extra purpose for their event.”
WAC has confirmed two ways in which they are selecting bands to open for Springfest. In true battle of the bands tradition, there will be an audience pick, in which bands donate money to enter and then audience members also donate money to vote for their favorite band. The band with the greatest amount of money donated will be guaranteed a spot.
The WAC Music Committee, however, will be sending Small, Dan Casto í12 and Ben Gartin í11 to individually watch performances.
ìCasto, Gartin and I will be deliberating based on the performances and scout bands that fit the vibe weíre looking for in Springfest. If we like them, weíll take them too,” said Small. ìItís not necessarily a judgement of the performances, though. Itís moreso evaluating and looking for what we want for the direction the show is going.”
This year, Springfest will take place on April 10. The main act that the Hype for Haiti winners will be opening for has yet to be disclosed; all Small said was that ìFinal contractual details are still being worked out.”
Students have already begun to show support for the event. In response to the confirmed date, Covers: Duets coordinators Marnie Zoldessy í11 and Linda Kuster í11 moved their event a week later to prevent detracting from Hype for Haitiís attendance.
The Underground, in support of getting people to come, is waiving their usual cover charge for the evening, but patrons are strongly encouraged to make donations. All proceeds from this event, in combination with the Collegeís other efforts, will be sent by the Collegeís Haiti Relief Committee to the Red Cross.
Currently, Hype For Haiti is calling this an open invitation and there is no set limit on the bands competing during their 9 p.m. to midnight time slot. Those interested in entering or learning more about it can do so by contacting David Small at wac@wooster.edu, or by visiting the Facebook WAC page.
ìI can only imagine the capabilities of a dedicated school like Wooster in providing relief,” said Kincannon. ìEspecially in a college setting, weíre wise enough to know that a disaster like this affects all of us.”
