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Darfur Concert
February 19, 2007
On Saturday, January 20th over 250 Bay Area high school
students attended Songs for Sudan: a Benefit Concert with
proceeds benefiting the Genocide Intervention Network and
Hope Enterprises. The concert was organized by the Youth
Alliance for Darfur Action (YADA), which was founded by six
high school students in October of 2006. In response to the
ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan, the group members from
Woodside Priory School, Castilleja School and Los Altos
High School came together with the mission of “working to
end the genocide in Darfur, Sudan by raising awareness and
encouraging action within the teenage community.” Members
Lauren Augustine, Molly Dellheim, Allison Hoffman, Max
Magnuson, Marissa Palmor and Leah Rappaport realized that
the best way to capture the attention and to raise
awareness within the high school community was to appeal to
its established interests.
The benefit concert was YADA’s first major event. It took
place at Kiki’s Candy Bar in Palo Alto from 7 to 11pm. The
evening featured six local high school bands, some of whom
wrote their own songs dedicated to the cause of raising
awareness about the genocide. Artists Flawed Logic,
Circumsax, Careful Dane, My Little Friend, DJ Technique,
Art&Ransom and Saadi Halil performed. CDs featuring songs
from the concert, bracelets and t-shirts were sold. YADA
member Lauren Augustine observed that “something unique
about this concert was that it was 100% teen run.”
Ian Brent, a senior from Woodside Priory who DJed between
sets, said “It was an amazing experience to see a group of
dedicated kids create and organize this event. It's great
that so many local bands were willing to play for the
concert, because it raised money and awareness for an
important cause.” Mountain View High junior Jeff Herman, an
alto saxophone player for the band Circumsax said “It was
definitely one of the most enjoyable shows I’ve been to or
played at.” Maddie Turner attended the concert and
explained that “I felt like since everyone was there for
the same cause, the crowd really connected with the
performers. We all knew the reason why we were there and
what the bands were playing for.”
YADA member Leah Rappaport comments, “I think that the
night went amazingly. For a first event, it could not have
gone better. So many people showed up that we had to start
turning people away.” Member Molly Dellheim adds “It was
evident that the enthusiasm that each band brought to the
night wore off on everyone in the audience. I did not see
one unhappy face, so I think the night was a success!”
At press time, YADA has raised over $4,600 from the event
with donations still coming in. $600 will be donated to
Hope Enterprise on behalf of YADA’s partner organization,
Action in Africa. The remainder of the profits will benefit
the Genocide Intervention Network.
Overall, Songs for Sudan was a great success. As group
member Max Magnuson puts it, "The teen voice is something
often lost when trying to solve world problems, but it is
an event like this that truly shows the power that can come
from a group of hardworking teenagers with a goal in mind."
This is not the last of YADA; they are ready to begin
planning future events with the same goals in mind. YADA
would like to thank the community and everyone who attended
the benefit for their support and enthusiasm.
For more information on YADA contact Allison Hoffman at
ahoffman1124@gmail.com or (650)380-1806 Produced for "Action in Africa" by Adam Whitfield ©2008
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