Drag
Queens and Folkies Unite for a Good Cause
By
Kate Antognini
Hanging
from almost every billboard on campus are big red posters featuring
two folk singers and a grinning drag queen. Barely visible under
the flashy title “Rock and Raunch for RAINN,” a few
words hint at the cause behind the advertised concert: “RAINN
(Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) is the nation’s
largest anti-sexual assault organization and operates the National
Sexual Assault Hotline.”
When junior Brad Walsh organized the show in June, he had more serious
intentions in mind than planning yet another folksy Oberlin rock
show. For several years Walsh has worked to raise money for RAINN,
which has answered 50,000 desperate calls since singer Tori Amos
started the organization in 1994.
“As someone who has survived a threatening situation with
a guy here on campus, and as someone who is in close contact with
people who work at and for RAINN, I knew the moment I heard of these
events that I wanted to help out,” Walsh said, explaining
his reasons for hosting the Cleveland area “RAINN BASH”
at Oberlin.
“Like it or not, (sexual assault) is an issue on our campus,”
he added.
The show will kick-off with singer-songwriter Alexis Antes on the
mic. In 1997 Antes represented Cleveland with her distinctive blend
of funk, folk and jazz at the Lilith Fair.
“Can I just say, ‘Wow!’?” I have to admit,
performing at the Lilith Fair was definitely one of if not the career
highlight to-date,” Antes said in a phone interview of the
event.
Antes will be accompanied by Victoria Fliegel on the guitar.
Robin Stone and her band are up next. Concertgoers can look forward
to watching Stone play at least four instruments, the guitar, bass,
drums and cello, during her act. Stone’s multi-talented abilities
have allowed her to write richly layered soul/folk songs in their
entirety as would a classical composer. She was recently named the
Best Folk Act in the Free Times music awards.
Finally, nationally renowned drag queen Paige Turner will take the
stage and show off her singing and female impersonating talents.
At the end of the night she will hand-out prizes to raffle award
winners. The most coveted give-away will probably be a Tori Amos
CD of an a capella song she recorded specifically for the event.
“It’s a two-minute thank you song that will be played
[at the show], and it’s really touching,” Walsh said.
Rock
and Raunch for RAINN will start at 10 p.m. in the ‘Sco. Admission
is free with OCID, 5 dollars for outsiders.
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