By: Jen Paulson
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Mason Jennings - Photo by Zach Nagle (click for set)
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I visited the University of Wisconsin in River Falls for The Big Event, a concert put on by their chapter of the Student Global AIDS Campaign. They were raising money and awareness for BuildingTomorrow.org, an organization whose main goal is to build schools for the orphaned children of AIDS in the Ugandan capitol of Kampala. After the nights end, they had raised $4,000 for the cause, on their way to the larger goal of $35,000 that is needed to open a new school.
The bill they put together was impressive; not only Mason Jennings, but Haley Bonar and The Alarmists fresh off their respective wins at the Minnesota Music Awards along with possible future contenders, Consolation Champ and The Exchange. Each band was sponsored by local businesses, with some of the bands donating portions of their merchandise sales to the cause.
Arriving for the last few songs of Consolation Champ, I was impressed by their subtle way of rocking the helicopters off the trees. Adding significance to the day’s cause, a Ugandan musician/multi-instrumentalist named Sam had the attendees come down by the stage with him, and gave them an amusing dance lesson to accompany his music. The Alarmists were set in the schedule perfectly to balance the different musical styles of the bands involved. They were followed by The Exchange and their seemingly Ben Folds-influenced piano-rock and then the sweet-voiced folk of Haley Bonar’s modern lullabies under the stars as night fell.
After that, it was just Mason, his guitar, and us. He played a great variety of songs from his vast catalog, from Birds Flying Away to Boneclouds, starting his set with “Ballad For My One True Love.” I knew that a solo acoustic show would not disappoint. A natural storyteller, he made the transition from anecdote to songs flawlessly. It might be a smaller crowd than he’s used to now, but it was a treat to be seeing him within the natural Wall Amphitheatre, which added to the already-incredible atmosphere. As he played “Darkness Between Fireflies,” it made me miss them already. You couldn’t have asked for a better day for this show, as snow falls way too early on October.
Related Links:
Student Global Aids Campaign
Building Tomorrow
Location Info:
Wall Amphitheatre
Artist Info: A Whisper in the Noise, Consolation Champ, Haley Bonar, Mason Jennings, The Alarmists, The Exchange
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