Groovin’ for a Good Cause: Heifer Project Benefit Concert Hits the Stage Tonight
Fayetteville-based band Swimming will be one of several bands headlining Tuesday’s benefit concert for Heifer International at George’s Majestic Lounge. Tickets for UA students are $5, and all proceeds benefit Heifer International. - Mike Norton Staff Photographer
The lights dim down, the fans start screaming of anticipation, and the band comes out on stage: the concert has begun.
Tonight at George’s Majestic Lounge, Heifer International, the UA Registered Student Organization, will host their annual benefit concert at 8 p.m. with a lineup featuring Tim Meitzen, The Skinny Quartet, Teenagers, Swimming, Allison Williams and the Hot Ash String Band, and DJ Hayden Luckenbach.
UA student tickets are $5 and proceeds will be donated to help Heifer International, an organization that gives livestock animals to families in need.
“Heifer International is a non-profit, humanitarian organization that works with disadvantaged communities around the world and in the United States to end poverty through training in animal husbandry and sustainable agriculture,” said Madalyn Watkins, UA senior and volunteer at Heifer International since 2009. “The organization works with communities that approach them with a need, rather than the other way around, and they stay with the community for at least five years to make sure the training is thorough and the practices will be continued.”
This year’s music consists of mostly Arkansas-based bands with genres ranging from solo indie acts to pop sounds.
Tim Meitzen sings a country/indie tune while The Skinny Quartet is easy-listening music that one might hear in a coffee shop.
Allison Williams is a punk-rock musician, and her solo LP Give Me the Roses was released in 2008.
The band Swimming is also based in Fayetteville, and their Facebook page defines their music genre as “dad rock, if your dad is into reverby pop songs,” while the band Teenagers interprets their music as “surf folk/lo-fi.”
“We wanted a lineup with musical diversity, so the members got together and decided on a combination of local bands that would offer something for everyone,” said Cassidy McCants, UA junior and Heifer International Benefit Concert coordinator. “Several of the artists are students at the UA, and they have all been very successful in Fayetteville and surrounding areas.”
Students can also participate in other activities at George’s and maybe even win a prize by helping Heifer International in the process.
“We will have a raffle at the show. Some local business, including Slim Chicken’s and Arsaga’s, have donated gift cards for a raffle contest,” McCants said. “Tickets will be available for sale, and winners will be picked by the end of the night.”
Last year the concert made about $1000 in proceeds, allowing the organization to fulfill its mission to “work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the Earth,” according to the Heifer International website.
Students can still become involved with Heifer International even if they cannot attend the concert.
“Right now the chapter is mainly a fundraising group, but we would like to evolve into an educational group as well. We really want to get the word out about Heifer International,” Watkins said. “Students can volunteer with the Heifer International Chapter at the UA by just emailing fayettevilleheifer@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list. If you want to do something more individual, go to www.heifer.org for lots of fund raising and education ideas for the organization.”
Music can bring people together, but this concert has the potential to go beyond entertainment to help a non-profit group provide for others in need.
“I would encourage all UA students to make it out to this benefit concert,” McCants said. “Heifer International is a wonderful non-profit organization, and all of the money raised will go to help families in need.”
Heifer’s headquarters are in Little Rock, so the organization is based very close to home.
Not only can students get a full night of music and dancing for $5, but “they’ll also be helping an organization whose attempts at decreasing world hunger and poverty are some of the most effective that I’ve seen,” McCants said. “It’s a great way to spend a night of fun before starting in on finals preparation.”
