Talcott Hosts Coffee Benefit

Coffee Makes Me Laugh: Coordinators Cesar Alvarez, Ally Wall and Rebekah Silverman take time from their busy preparation to relax. (photo by Lee Dolan)

Tonight Oberlin students will have the opportunity to help fight AIDS in the surrounding community. Classical Action/Oberlin, a division of the national Classical Action Network, is sponsoring the Talcott Coffeehouse with the hopes of raising both money for and awareness of local AIDS services.

Classical Action, a non-profit organization based in New York City, devotes itself to raising money to fight the AIDS epidemic through the performing arts community. The organization raises money by sponsoring special events, private house concerts, recording and merchandising projects, and through individual donations and corporate support. In general, funds are directed toward communities with the most need: urban minority communities and rural and suburban areas with few AIDS-related resources.

Sophomore Cesar Alvarez, a resident coordinator at Talcott Hall, came up with the idea for the coffeehouse after the success of Classical Action/Oberlin's benefit concert on Sept. 23, which featured classical performances by both Conservatory students and alumni.

"People hopefully got a lot out of the concert and we want to ride that wave," Alvarez said. Noting the popularity of other coffeehouses on campus, he said, "I thought it would be cool to have one at Talcott. It's a really good space."

Alvarez plans to perform with his jazz ensemble at the coffeehouse and encourages anyone else to perform as well, although he would prefer some prior notice if you intend to do so. The event will begin at 9 p.m. tonight. "If you want to listen to music, get condoms, drink coffee and donate money, you should come," Alvarez said. The suggested donation is $1.