[Student Reporters] Band[Aid] Convert Presents Bands and Aid

Hee Rim Shin/11th, Cypress HS

A concert took place at Oxford Academy in Cypress California that grabbed a hold of music fans in the greater Orange County area. The ten artists that were featured at the Second Annual Band[Aid] Concert on Friday May 22nd were AJ Rafael Cathy Nguyen Jane Lui Jumakae Yodraj Kris Mark Push Push Pull Seriously the Band Sue Jin Kim The Adrian William Project and Poreotics a dance crew. Most of these independent artists were already popular through Youtube videos and Myspace pages but the audience was surprised to discover new talent in other artists as well.

"I went to Band[Aid] looking forward to AJ Rafael Cathy Nguyen Jane Lui and Poreotics but I also found new artists that were really talented like Sue Jin Kim and Seriously the Band" said Michael T.

While most artists performed acoustics rock bands and surprise guests like guitarist Jesse Barrera also heightened the excitement that filled up the gym. With the wide variety of music that was available at the concert each member of the audience was able to pick and choose his or her own favorites. "For me Seriously the Band had the most exciting performance because they played really upbeat songs and had really upbeat showmanship" said Linda C. "Their music was really new to me. They usually don't play music like that on the radio" she added.

Tim M.'s favorite performance of the concert was AJ Rafael's medley of Disney songs from movies such as The Little Mermaid and Mulan. The screams of "I love you!" that came from all corners of the audience during AJ Rafael's performance of his hit song "Showstopper" also made his soaring popularity obvious. The Adrian William Project's version of James Morrison's "You Give Me Something" Poreotics' clever dance moves and Jumakae Yodraj's heart-wrenching lyrics were also pointed out as favorites. After the show fans were able to see their favorite artists to take pictures or receive autographs. They scrambled in line to have their backpacks shirts and even arms signed.

Band[Aid] was not only a night of incredible music and fun. It was also a night of incredible giving. The benefit concert was organized by the Oxford Youth Philanthropy Worldwide (YPW) and all proceeds from ticket and t-shirt sales went to the Two Brothers Foundation (2bros) and Instituto Dois Irmaos (i2i) sister nonprofit organizations that offer educational opportunities in Rocinha in Rio de Janeiro Brazil. The city still possesses shantytown characteristics like the lack of adequate water and electricity supply and houses packed irregularly along the slopes of hills.

For over ten years 2bros and i2i have been providing art classes computer training language instruction and much more in Rocinha the largest favela in Brazil. The organizations stand strong in their position to aid the 60000 to 150000 residents that call Rocinha home and the Oxford YPW and Band[Aid] audience stood strong in helping them out through the concert. Anna K. said "I think it was a great way to get a large number of people thinking about organizations like the Two Brothers Foundation and Instituto Dois Irmaos. It was a fun night but more than that I'm glad it was a meaningful night as well".