Preview
SWEET RELIEF
Saturday, January 25
The Den (U of C)
More than just another party, the fourth instalment of Sweet Relief is one event that is quite literally for the kids. The majority of proceeds from the event – which features DJs such as G.I. Jodi, Lotus Queen and Shidoshi – will go to benefit the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
Event organizer Gunther Ha says previous events have been so successful that that they guarantee 90 per cent of this year’s take will be donated to the hospital, while the remaining 10 per cent will be donated to the University of Calgary Biology Students Association scholarship fund.
Those kind of numbers outdistance many charity events, simply because the overhead is kept to a minimum. It helps that the university chips in with the advertising and that The Den offers its venue free of charge.
"We’re really fortunate – there are so many people who help out. I mean, with the (rave) bylaw the way it is now in Calgary, we couldn’t afford to do a party. It’s that simple."
The civic bylaw to which Ha is referring significantly curtailed the number of locally produced events by making security and licensing costs for parties of this sort more costly when they’re not housed within the confines of a traditional venue.
"Thanks to the university, we don’t have worry ourselves with that (security and licensing) and that keeps the overhead quite low," Ha explains.
Not only are the students pausing for a cause, but so is the DJ talent.
"They have all donated their services for the event – they’re all into doing something good for someone else."
The lineup, bolstered by the talents of Gunther E, Cykosi and Majes, will be spread throughout both The Den and the Black Lounge. The idea is to highlight local talent and try to help build community around the DIY initiative that these kind of events were once famous for.
"Everybody coming together – that’s really the best feeling," says Ha. "To come up with a positive experience that benefits the community." |
