The Autism Rocks benefit hopes to provide a great opportunity for people of all ages to shake their bon bons for a good cause.
This Friday, WOW Hall will host the Autism Rocks benefit concert, and doors open at 8 p.m. The concert will begin at 8:30 p.m. All proceeds from the night will be donated to children and adults with autism. Autism Rocks is a part of Kind Tree Productions, Inc. This group, founded in Eugene, reaches out to support the autistic community worldwide. Autism is a biological disorder of the brain that impairs communication and social skills.
Three world-music bands will perform at the concert, adding different flavors of dance rhythms to the mix. The lineup will include Jewish party band The Klezmonauts, afro-Cuban band Son Malao, and classical Indian band Bindaas.
Though the evening has been geared toward the dance floor, Steve Brown, president of both Kind Tree Productions, Inc. and Autism Rocks, said participants do not need to have prior Latin dance experience to enjoy the evening.
“If you can feel the beat and get into the groove, you can dance to it,” Brown said. “No one will be sitting down. Everyone will be shaking their bones.”
Brown said he has been raising money for the autistic community through Autism Rocks for the past five years. He described Kind Tree Productions as “a federal non-profit organization dedicated to serving and celebrating people with autism through education, recreation and art.”
To start the party rolling, Son Malao will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. They are a nine-piece ensemble (though only eight will play on Friday), consisting of vocalists, horns and drums.
“If people are on the floor, they will be dancing,” said Marietta Bonaventure, vocalist for Son Malao.
She said this was her first time performing with Autism Rocks, though the band has performed for other activist organizations in Eugene.
“I really believe in being involved in the community with my art,” she said.
She admitted she had never taken formal Latin dance classes either, but that doesn’t stop her from moving her hips on stage.
Jeremy Wegner of Bindaas and The Klezmonauts said he was looking forward to playing at WOW Hall again. For Bindaas, he plays the sitar, a guitar-like instrument from India. In addition, he plays the mandolin for The Klezmonauts.
“The WOW Hall is a great place to dance.” he said. “It is one of my favorite places to play.”
Wegner described The Klezmonauts’ sound as being based on Jewish dance music. He said they play the type of music often played at weddings, bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs, but it is also infused with jazz, bluegrass and Celtic sounds.
“I think it is a great cause,” he said of Autism Rocks.
Autism Rocks will accept a $6 to $1,000 donation at the door on a sliding scale, and will sell raffle tickets for a variety of prizes for $1. All ages are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Brown at 302-1518 or visit Kind Tree Production’s Web site at www.kindtree.org.
Jen West is a Pulse reporter for the Oregon Daily Emerald. She can be reached at [email protected].