ARTS

Fresh show aims to inform

by Holly Mack-Ward

Oberlin's second annual AIDS benefit event will take place at the 'Sco Saturday night from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. Old-school rap legend Doug E. Fresh will perform along with the Cleveland underground hip-hop artists Jahi, Robie Man and 3 Foot. Kicking off the show is Oberlin's own salsa and merengue band, 151 Proof.

Organizers and sophomores Jonathan Lowe and Dylan Ruga, known collectively as "12 Inches of Velvet," got together their first year to combine their favorite musical genres, techno and rap, in an effort to raise awareness and funds for the fight against AIDS. Lowe has organized events and promoted clubs in New York City, and Ruga has spun in San Francisco. They wanted to apply some of that experience to making things happen in Oberlin. Their first event took place in the spring of 1996 in the form of a party called "Elevate," featuring such prominent techno DJ's as Mr. Kleen and David Holland from New York City, and had a turnout of over 400 people.

This year, "12 Inches" has joined up with several other College organizations, such as La Alianza's Latino Symposium and the Sexual Information Center, to sponsor not just Saturday's concert, but also provide a panel discussion earlier in the afternoon. Topics will include AIDS in colleges and in the Latino community. One of the panelists happens to be opening act, Jahi, who is also an AIDS activist in Cleveland.

This day-long program during which AIDS education and musical entertainment merge to create a setting in which consciousness can be raised, but not at the expense of fun. "Music and awareness must be combined; we as fans and as a community need to educate and protect one another," said Lowe. "What better way to be educated and contribute to helping in the fight against AIDS than enjoying a dope show?"

Starting at 10:30 p.m. there will be prizes given out in a freestyle competion. The show is free for students who donate a canned food item, which will go to the Cleveland AIDS Task Force to help families in need. Tickets are $6 for non-students, and all sales will be donated to AIDS charities.

The benefit featuring Doug E. Fresh will start Saturday at 10p.m. in the 'Sco.

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Copyright © 1999, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 127, Number 21, April 23, 1999

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