Spring Break
Local musicians to headline benefit show for Sexual Assault Center
MANDY RODGERS
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: Out & About
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When Ian Schwarber saw singer/songwriter Allison Weiss perform at Repent last year, he knew he wanted to work with her.
"It was just the most ridiculous environment for her, but she handled it beautifully," Schwarber, Blue Flashing Light frontman, said. "There is a certain authenticity to a person if they're willing to put their pain and passion out there and not hold back."
Now the two, who have been playing and recording together around Athens, are teaming up for a concert at The Melting Point, benefiting The Sexual Assault Center of Northeast Georgia.
"The Sexual Assault Center is unbelievably close to my heart," Schwarber said. "It focuses the work more on minorities, immigrants, the people that have this perspective that 'if something happens to me, that's life.'"
Weiss, a junior graphic design major at the University, also quickly agreed to join the cause.
"From what I understand, they provide help to women who have been troubled and sexually abused," she said. "It's kind of a safe haven."
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: The Melting Point
Cost: $5According to its Web site (www.sacnega.org), the Center strives to provide help and education to minorities as well as the disabled, elderly and anyone affected by sexual assault.
The concert will open with the two singing an acoustic duet before Weiss's band, Allie and the Bandits, takes the stage.
"(The music is) really catchy music," Weiss said. "Folk rock, indie rock - it's influenced by whatever I'm listening to at the moment."
Schwarber's band will also play a set, marking its last concert with bass player Sheldon Wolfe, who is leaving the group to get married.
"He can't rationalize letting the opportunity with her slip away because of this dream," Schwarber said. "He's a grown man making a grown decision. We love him, and he loves us."
The show will also include a cover of Joni Mitchell's "River" by Schwarber and Weiss, who recorded the song and are giving proceeds to the Center.
"It's my favorite song in the world," Schwarber said. "You can't attack your favorite song the same way that the songwriter did it, so I did my own arrangement."
Along with the CD, Schwarber is also producing a short documentary called "Hands Off" for the Center, comprised of interviews with those involved and footage from the upcoming concert.
"It will have some music behind it, and we'll give it to the Center to use as a tool," he said. "I love the fact that this organization is more focused on assisting the people that are unfairly imprisoned, and that is why I love that we're doing this."
"It was just the most ridiculous environment for her, but she handled it beautifully," Schwarber, Blue Flashing Light frontman, said. "There is a certain authenticity to a person if they're willing to put their pain and passion out there and not hold back."
Now the two, who have been playing and recording together around Athens, are teaming up for a concert at The Melting Point, benefiting The Sexual Assault Center of Northeast Georgia.
"The Sexual Assault Center is unbelievably close to my heart," Schwarber said. "It focuses the work more on minorities, immigrants, the people that have this perspective that 'if something happens to me, that's life.'"
Weiss, a junior graphic design major at the University, also quickly agreed to join the cause.
"From what I understand, they provide help to women who have been troubled and sexually abused," she said. "It's kind of a safe haven."
BENEFIT CONCERT
For the Sexual Assault Center of Northeast GeorgiaWhen: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: The Melting Point
Cost: $5
The concert will open with the two singing an acoustic duet before Weiss's band, Allie and the Bandits, takes the stage.
"(The music is) really catchy music," Weiss said. "Folk rock, indie rock - it's influenced by whatever I'm listening to at the moment."
Schwarber's band will also play a set, marking its last concert with bass player Sheldon Wolfe, who is leaving the group to get married.
"He can't rationalize letting the opportunity with her slip away because of this dream," Schwarber said. "He's a grown man making a grown decision. We love him, and he loves us."
The show will also include a cover of Joni Mitchell's "River" by Schwarber and Weiss, who recorded the song and are giving proceeds to the Center.
"It's my favorite song in the world," Schwarber said. "You can't attack your favorite song the same way that the songwriter did it, so I did my own arrangement."
Along with the CD, Schwarber is also producing a short documentary called "Hands Off" for the Center, comprised of interviews with those involved and footage from the upcoming concert.
"It will have some music behind it, and we'll give it to the Center to use as a tool," he said. "I love the fact that this organization is more focused on assisting the people that are unfairly imprisoned, and that is why I love that we're doing this."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Sam Bernstine
posted 12/01/07 @ 6:57 AM EST
Hi Ian,
This is a great story with a wonderful cause behind it!
Best of LUCK to you and Josh as well as the other Blue Flashing Light band members, but even more importantly to anyone associated with the Sexual Assault Center!
I hope that Friday night was a huge success for EVERYONE!
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