The atmosphere at DiPiazzas Thursday night ignited with the blends of seven motivated musical performances, as they took the stage in the hopes to raise money for Cal State Long Beach Invisible Children’s Organization.
“It’s kick ass to be up here doing another good deed,” said the bassist of Orange County punk band Alpha Prevail. “I’m starting a swear jar for myself so I can help raise more money for the cause.”
Alpha Prevail wasn’t the only performer who accounted for the energetic laughter heard from the audience. The five other performers included Doctor Young’s Adventure Club, Ronin-Son, the Absolute, We Are Arsenal, Bright Before the Fall, and CSULB senior DJ Patrick Moreno, allowed a slew of eclectic sounds to bleat magnificently through the airwaves. As the music ensued, managing to entertain a rather smaller crowd than normal, the event itself remained the primary focus as the club raised roughly $400 for the organization that evening alone.
President Kaitlyn Nelson, a sophomore Psychology major, explained how gratifying it is to be apart of an event that raises funds for the innocent victims of the prolonged war in Africa. ” There’s no better feeling than knowing that people are motivated and giving their time to help the cause,” she said.
Invisible Children is a non-profit organization hat has been running on CSULB’s campus for two years. The primary focus of the club is to raise money for the areas that have been consistently affected by the war in the hopes of rescuing children ages 5 and greater, and offering them the opportunity to a safer and better life. “We aren’t a political group, we just raise money,” Nelson explained.
Starting this fall semester, the club has entered a contest competing against other Invisible Children clubs around the country. The contest will allow the group that raises the most money possible the opportunity to visit the school they are aiding in Africa. Vice President and second year nursing major Christina De Robertis also provided information about the foundation while helping to earn money by selling hand made, tie-dyed tote bags that the group crafted themselves.
Los Angeles natives The Absolute showed off their theatrical alternative-punk renditions and were more than eager to rock out for the cause. Drummer Anthony Lopez explained what it’s like to not only expose their music to new areas, but to play for a beneficial cause. “This is kind of our favorite type of show,” he said. “We’ve played a lot of charities and this is just another one that deserves our time. We’re hoping we can help change a negative into a positive.”
Alpha Prevail has also participated in other events on campus including Up Til’ Dawn and Relay For Life, where they were spotted by Nelson and offered the chance to play for the Invisible Children Foundation. “It’s more than just having selfish motivations behind your performance and just playing to expose yourself,” said Drummer Andy Gardikas. “It’s about putting on a show that’s enticing and that’s benefiting to others at the same time.”
Ronin-Son’s guitarist George Gallegos, along with the four other members of the group, made their way from San Diego that evening to show off their music for a greater cause. After meeting a refugee and survivor from the war in Africa, Gallegos considers this event very dear to his heart and found that the commute from San Diego was no hassle considering the benefits of their actions. “It means a lot to me personally, especially after meeting the girl who was rescued,” Gallegos explained. “We’re not used to getting paid,” Guitar player Emmett Rodriguez joked. “But it’s about doing something bigger than us; something good for the world.”
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