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When disaster struck the island nation of Haiti, Resident Assistant Ross Gauvin knew he wanted to do something. This Friday, 15 musical acts will perform in the York Dining Commons at the Rock for Haiti event to raise money for relief as part of the continuing effort to get the country back on its feet.
While it is fairly common practice for RAs to organize they are rarely done to raise money, according to Gauvin. It is also the first event of its kind to take place in York Commons, according to Director of York Commons Susan Little.
“This was the first time in my life I felt like I could actually make a difference because I had so many resources at my hands, connections and people around,” Gauvin said.
According to Gauvin, he worked closely with Little as well as his supervisor, Tiffani Lindsey. The event was originally proposed for the York Hall lobby but moved to the dining commons to accomodate more acts and attendees.
“Over the past few weeks during our [meetings], I listened to his ideas for the event and piped in with resources that he could utilize,” Lindsey wrote in an e-mail. “Getting him connected with the right people and explaining to him how to go about certain campus processes for permissions was my primary role.”
To find talent, Gauvin put up advertisements and contacted other RAs who had organized open-mic nights.
Singer / songwriter Christian Giddings will be performing at the event. He said he was friends with Gauvin his RA on the fourth floor of York Hall. Gauvin and Giddings are both music majors and are working on starting a band together.
“I’m happy to provide entertainment,” Giddings said. “I figure the more people that play, the more people that will come. For instance, a lot of people are coming in just for me.”
Giddings said he had attended other smaller open-mic nights Gauvin had organized. He described his music as “easy listening but with meaning.”
The campus governing board and RAs will be cooking food and working at the event under Little’s supervision. She volunteered her time so that the dining staff would not need to be hired and the extra money could go to the cause.
Little said that when Gauvin came to her with the idea, she jumped at the chance to be able to incorporate the community and provide the space.
“We’re all in this to survive together, so whatever I can do to help another human being, I’m all for it,” Little said.
The concert takes place from 4 to 9 p.m., allowing each act a 20-minute slot.
Entry is free but attendees can purchase tickets for $5 — good for a free personal pizza, unlimited soda refills and entry in a raffle. There will also be a bake sale and donation basket.
“This isn’t just about raising money,” Gauvin said. “It’s about taking a break after spring break, hanging out and getting food for cheap.”
Bangor Daily News