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<< Front page Arts November 7, 2003
 

Sco fundraiser to target sex abuse

Oberlin’s second Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network fundraiser will be held this week in the ’Sco. Organized by Brad Walsh, College senior, the RAINN party will be an evening full of live music, giveaways and prizes for those who donate toward the cause.

Musicians will perform throughout the evening, opening with Oberlin’s own Erika Kulnys. Returning RAINN performer Robin Stone and her band will then perform a set, followed by Canadian singer/songwriter Emm Gryner.

Walsh was encouraged by the variety of acts that will be performing. “It’s going to be a more diverse night, musically,” Walsh said. “Erika Kulnys is a student at Oberlin, and she’s an excellent local folk artist. Robin Stone is from Cleveland, and she and her band are really funky and sort of bass-oriented, which I like.”

Walsh is particularly excited to bring Emm Gryner back to Oberlin after her Parents Weekend concert in the ’Sco last year.

“[Gryner] is a huge pop artist in Canada,” he explained. “She has some really upbeat and interesting songs, and she’s an incredible songwriter.”

Gryner has been nominated for several Juno awards (the Canadian Grammy), in addition to touring with well-known musicians such as David Bowie and The Cardigans. She will open for Sarah McLachlan on her upcoming world tour.

Erica Kulnys has worked with sexual assault survivors in the past, and is glad to participate in such an event at Oberlin.

“I think offering support and resources to survivors is always an imperative, but is especially pertinent to a college environment such as Oberlin,” she stated. She believes the event will both “increase awareness of the organization on campus, and connect Oberlin to the larger world of activism.”

RAINN is a national organization dedicated to supporting victims and survivors of sexual assault. Established in 1994, RAINN created and has maintained the National Sexual Assault Hotline that delivers free confidential counseling to assault victims by connecting the caller to the nearest of over 1,000 affiliated crisis centers. The hotline has aided over half a million callers since its inception.

In addition to maintaining the hotline, RAINN is committed to educating the public about sexual assault. It is also a politically active organization that champions new measures to bring perpetrators of sexual violence to justice. Despite its status as the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization, RAINN receives no government funding and runs all of its programs through donation money. Voted one of “America’s 100 Best Charities” in 2001 by Worth magazine, eighty-eight cents of every dollar donated goes directly to the services it provides for sexual assault victims.

Walsh has been involved with RAINN for quite some time. “I knew of RAINN for several years, and since I and several people very close to me had had experiences with various types of sexual assault, I kept a loose eye on the programs that RAINN planned,” Walsh said. “A couple of years ago, they started planning info card distribution days on college campuses around the country, so I did what I could.”

Last year, Walsh planned Oberlin’s first RAINN fundraiser, “Rock and Raunch for RAINN.” The party, also held at the ‘Sco, featured live Cleveland acts Alexis Antes and the Robin Stone Band, and was originally going to be hosted by a local drag queen.

“Last year we planned on having two musical acts and a professional drag performance, but our queen had a last-minute emergency and wasn’t able to make it,” Walsh said. “So last year was a relatively short night.”

Despite the difficulties, the fundraiser was well attended and raised over $400.

With three musical acts on the bill, Walsh seeks to draw a larger crowd. “Well, we’re putting out about $300 in expenses, so I’m hoping to be able in the end to hand over a check to RAINN for $500,” he stated. He also hopes that the raffles planned for the evening will entice people to donate. Last year’s raffle items included restaurant gift certificates, Oberlin merchandise contributed by the bookstore, products donated record labels and make-up companies, and even CD recordings of a song recorded especially for the 2002 RAINN event by Tori Amos. In addition, Walsh promises a host of new prizes donated by local schools and town venues for this year.

Raffles, prizes, and entertainment aside, Walsh concedes that raising money is a formidable challenge. “[I]t’s difficult to get students on this campus to give away their money. Most of us, myself included, have very little as is,” Walsh explained. He stresses, however, that the musicians have already donated all or a portion of their performance fee to RAINN and remains hopeful that this spirit of giving will permeate throughout the event.

“As cheesy as it sounds, this is getting to be the time of year when we’re encouraged to give when we feel we can’t. Honestly, all of us are able to do something. No donation is insignificant, especially when RAINN is struggling to keep its lines open,” Walsh said.

Walsh also hopes to see this two-time event grow to an annual tradition after he leaves Oberlin. “I would love it if this was continued next year when I’m gone. This campus is big on supporting traditional party events (Drag Ball, Safer Sex Night, Keep Halloween Party, etc.), and this one’s for a good cause, so it would be great if this could be an ongoing thing.”

The ’Sco. Saturday, Nov. 8, at 9 p.m. Free, donations welcome for cause.