Concert collects for March event

'Take Back the Night' benefit features a cappella, step to raise money

A cappella groups sang their hearts out and and step groups stomped the night away at a concert in Grafton-Stovall Theatre Tuesday to raise money for JMU's annual "Take Back the Night" event.

"Take Back the Night" is an evening dedicated to raising awareness and providing a supportive environment for those affected by sexual assault and violence. This year, it takes place March 27 at 5 p.m. on the commons, marking the seventh year the event has been held at JMU. Junior Jordan Kilby and Clare Bertrand, co-coordinators for "Take Back the Night," encouraged people to sign up to help out for the event. "The concert far exceeded our expectations," Kilby said. "The performers were great and brought out a huge crowd."

Note-Oriety opened the concert, followed by The Overtones, debuting a song relating to themes of "Take Back the Night." The song, "Damaged" by Plum, describes a woman who was abused as a young girl and is building back her courage and trying to get over her fear.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority got the audience clapping and cheering with its step performance. The BluesTones and Madison Project closed the show with audience-pleasing performances.

Bertrand said, "It's so great of [the performing groups] to donate their musical abilities to help us out."

The performers expressed an eagerness to participate and help raise funds for the March event. "It takes a lot of courage for them (the victims of sexual assault) to get up there and speak," freshman Jillian Kelleher of Note-oriety said.

Freshman Ryan McAllister, a member of Madison Project, said he was happy to help raise money for the cause. "It shows there are people at the school that support those were affected by sexual assault," he said.

"I've attended [Take Back the Night] in the past, so I came out to support it," junior Gillian Schulz said.

Sophomore Erin Burns said, "[Take Back the Night is] very moving, emotional and touching. So when I found out about this I wanted to come because it's an excellent way for the coalition to raise money because people are really into the a cappella groups on campus."

Many students look forward to the annual events leading up to and associated with "Take Back the Night." "I've been going every single year," senior Lauren Haracznak said. "It's a unique approach to awareness. It's something different."

The generosity of others overwhelmed those hosting the night. Andrea Sarate, assistant coordinator in the Office of Sexual Assault Prevention said she considered the night a success. "People were paying with their laundry money. Everyone was just being so generous." The requested donation was $3, but Sarate said that most contributed more.

"Take Back the Night" is sponsored by the Women's Resource Center. For more information or to help the "Take Back The Night" planning committee, visit the WRC Web site at www.jmu.edu/womensrectr/, stop by the WRC in Warren Hall 404 or e-mail Kilby at kilbyjr.