Chasing Suns wins the All-Cape Battle of the Bands

Chasing Suns of Dennis-Yarmouth High School defended their crown last night as they took the Second Annual All-Cape Battle of the Bands at Harwich High School. About 150 people were entertained by eight different performances. The event raised $1200 to help the victims of genocide in Darfur, proceeds going to benefit the Genocide Intervention Network.

Highlighting the event, the crowd was addressed by Mr. Mangok Bol, a survivor of the civil war in Southern Sudan who came to the U.S. in the '90's in a group known as the "Lost Boys." Mr. Bol thanked the crowd for taking a stand for the people of Darfur, and for making a difference.

Synesthia, also from D-Y, came in second in the Battle, while Harwich's Blind Drive came in third. Special recognition was also given to Devon McFadden and Nicki Blodgett for their acoustic performance. The crowd was dazzled by a sound and light show coordinated by Harwich alum Brian Boyle. The show culminated in a performance by the legendary local band Roots Down Below, who also judged the event.

Harwich STAND (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur) who hosted the event would like to thank all the participants, volunteers, and attendees for a great evening of music and activism.

Pictures of the show can be viewed here.

Some Videos:

Mr. Mangok Bol:


Chasing Suns:


Synesthesia:


Blind Drive:


Devon McFadden:


Green for the Graft:


Handsome Pool Boyz:

All-Cape Battle of the Bands - May 2, 2008

Harwich STAND will be hosting the Second Annual All-Cape Battle of the Bands on May 2, 2008 at the Harwich High School Auditorium (75 Oak St, Harwich, MA). The show begins at 7 and will end by 9:30. Bands from various schools across the Cape will compete. The judges will rate each band's performance leading to the crowning of the All-Cape Champion. Local band extraordinaire Roots Down Below will help judge the event and will treat the crowd to a set at the end of the night.

Admission will be $8. The event is a fundraiser for Harwich STAND - Students Taking Action Now: Darfur - and the money will go to benefit the victims and refugees of the genocide in Darfur. All are welcome.

Also scheduled to speak at the event is Mr. Mangok Bol, a "Lost Boy" and survivor of the violence in Southern Sudan. We are thankful for his generosity - he will help us gain perspective on the importance of reaching out to help the victims of far away conflicts.

We're looking forward to a great event - Be there!

DarFUNdraiser

We had a great time last night at the DarFUNdraiser. Thanks to all the bands and especially to Brian Boyle for donating his time and equipment to provide a light show, and Mike Raneo for doing the same for the sound system. Thanks also to Sheila House for arranging the space at the Community Center and the volunteers, and providing the pizza! Our press release:

Press Release 2/9/08: Harwich Students Host Band Showcase to Benefit Darfur

Harwich STAND (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur) hosted a band showcase Friday night at the Harwich Community Center to raise money to aid the victims of genocide in Darfur. About 100 people attended and the event generated over $600 to benefit the Genocide Intervention Network. Bands from Harwich, Chatham, and Dennis-Yarmouth participated, including Corrupted Youth, Blind Drive, Synesthesia and the Handsome Pool Boys, and the event was headlined by Cape sensation Roots Down Below. Also at the event, the students painted a refugee tent that, when completed, will be displayed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. later this year, then sent to Darfur. For more information on the tent, visit http://www.tentsofhope.org/.

See an album of photos from the event on Flickr, click here.

For more info, photos and video from the event, check out our sister blog - STAND Now Cape Cod.

Some video clips from the bands:

Roots Down Below:


The Handsome Pool Boys:


Synesthesia:


Blind Drive:


Students painting a Tent of Hope: