Live music fans rock with a purpose tonight at Little Brother’s.
The Feminist Students United, a student organization, will host a benefit concert to raise money for Take Back the Night, an annual demonstration to protest violence against women and children.
The concert, dubbed “Rock Against Violence,” will feature music from local groups Mortimur, Silencio, acoustic Ohio State-duo The Moist Star, as well as soloist and recent OSU-grad Connie Gadell-Newton.
“When you play a benefit it’s great because the people have a really positive attitude,” said Courtney Jacobs of The Moist Star. “You get the satisfaction of supporting something you believe in.”
Take Back the Night is a 30 year tradition at Ohio State and is sponsored every year by the Feminist Students United, formerly the Association of Women Students, one of OSU’s oldest student organizations.
The demonstration, held in the spring, aims to raise awareness of violence against women and features guest speakers, self-defense demonstrations and testimonials of sexual and physical abuse. The event culminates with a female-only march around the campus area.
“It’s to make people more aware of violence against women, especially in the campus community,” said Jennifer Lawson, president of FSU and senior in women’s studies.
“We’ll be taking on various issues such as violence against trans-gendered women, violence against women who are incarcerated and rape prevention,” Lawson said.
According to Lawson, about 80 percent of rape victims are assaulted by someone they know.
“Usually you aren’t picked up off the street and raped; you’re usually attacked by the person sitting next to you on the couch,” Lawson said.
The concert will feature guest speakers and women’s organizations such as VOX, a national organization run by Planned Parenthood, that deals with reproductive rights and issues.
“I wouldn’t consider myself personally a feminist, but I agree with some feminist issues,” said Cassie Lewis of The Moist Star. “It’s great to be able to use our music to help.”
Using their talent to help others is nothing new to The Moist Star – the duo played a Rape Crisis benefit in the summer of 2002.
Menfolk need not be afraid; all are welcome to rock out to raise awareness.
The event is also sponsored by The Underground, OSU’s student radio station.
The Rock Against Violence benefit takes place tonight at Little Brother’s in the Short North beginning at 8 p.m. A donation of $5 is requested at the door.
