Bands 'battle', raise awareness for poverty

from The Red and Black

Music significant in effectiveness of event
By: BRITTANY EVANS

This Saturday the University will hosts its first "Battle Against Poverty," an eight-hour musical showcase that includes a Battle of the Bands competition to raise awareness of poverty in the Athens area.

BATTLE AGAINST POVERTY

When: 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday
Where: Legion Field
Cost: Free admission
Within the Battle of the Bands competition there are three categories: high school, adult and rap. At the end of the evening, Bling the Children Back Home will perform. The winning high school band will earn a spot in the AthFest music festival.

Admission to the event is free, but donations are encouraged, said coordinator Judy Bau, a senior from Cedar Shoals High School.

Bau said she was inspired to raise awareness in her 11th grade English class while participating in a community service project. The project sparked her interest in the issue of poverty on a global level. The following year, Bau worked on solving the issue through independent study, and after collaborating with several organizations, the idea for the "Battle Against Poverty" was born.

"I realized that poverty is an issue that is pretty much hidden," Bau said. "I think it's ridiculous."

Different organizations from around Athens are working together for the cause, including Cedar Shoals students, Athens Academy students, Partners for a Prosperous Athens, AthFest and University organizations such as Amnesty International, ONE and Habitat for Humanity. Local DJ Tommy Valentine serves as the music coordinator. Mayor Heidi Davison also supports the event.

Bau said attendees can expect free music and messages from community leaders working toward solving local poverty issues.

The event comes as part of a local push to work toward eliminating poverty. Partners for a Prosperous Athens held a town meeting to discuss solutions last week and is sponsoring the "Battle Against Poverty" this weekend.

"Poverty does not just negatively affect the quality of life of low-income individuals and families; it also prevents our entire community from reaching its full cultural, social and economic potential," said Joe Wharton, staff director of Partners for a Prosperous Athens.

Kristen Berg from the University's ONE campaign - a group whose mission is to spread awareness of global events which lead to poverty - said the musical aspect of the event plays a significant role in the event's effectiveness.