By ASIA EWART
Staff Writer
The Saint Rose community is always ready to help those in need and Rock the Build 2 is providing another opportunity for people to do so. On Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, at 7:30 p.m., four performers will be taking the stage at Jack’s Place for Rock the Build 2 in support of the alternative Spring Break trip to New Orleans in March. After a large turnout last year, founder Gigi Diffenback decided to give the event another go this year.
“Rock the Build was an idea that came up last year in order to fundraise for the alternative Spring Break trip to New Orleans,” said Diffenback, a junior leader on the trip. “It’s a benefit concert in which local talent is displayed and goods are raffled off to the audience in hopes of raising money for this trip. It’s a great time with really great talent!”
A benefit concert in support of those who need relief in another area on the United States is reminiscent of the Live Aid concert series (which supported the famine in Ethiopia), and is sure to draw in a large number of supporters. The idea of actually holding a benefit concert came from Diffenback herself. “I kind of just said ‘Hey, we should do a benefit concert’ and it really took off from there… Music is such a big part of our school, [and] since New Orleans is the city of music, why not have a concert to raise money in support of it?”
This year, being in Jack’s Place is an upgrade for the event—it had its beginning at the Tierra Coffee Roasters (the former Muddy Cup) down the street. “We were able to get items from stores around the Albany area donated to us for the raffle. All in all, we made around $275,” said Diffenback.
The success at Tierra Coffee Roasters made its way back to campus, and Rock the Build 2 was green lit for this year.“Since RTB was so successful…this year we planned to make it bigger and better! Not only is the concert at Jack’s Place but we have raffle prizes that are really, really awesome, a bake sale and a photo booth! It’s really a great time and I definitely recommend it as a fundraising tool,” said Diffenback.
The lineup for the event this year consists of Drew and the Grand Spectacular, Brian Willis, Secret Release, and Next Station. Willis, a freshman this year and up and coming singer/songwriter, is really getting the feel of what it means to be a part of something big at the College. “I am very fortunate to be a part of such a good cause […] I think music is a very powerful tool, [and] with that being said, music would be the best idea for fundraising. Everyone loves music and it will give people a reason to come out and support the cause,” said Willis.
Rock the Build is about music and there will be raffles and fun times to be had. However, the festivities are all for one purpose: the alternative spring break trip.
“We work to rebuild a community. The work is mainly focused in the Lower Ninth Ward. This area was damaged the most by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. We can do anything from interior house construction, to building a house completely from the ground up, to working with community members directly. Really whatever is needed to be done in the Lower Ninth Ward is what we do,” said Diffenback.
Rock the Build is being put together for a good cause. “They’re really doing an incredible thing,” said Kate Catricala, a sophomore student and Resident Assistant on campus. “This concert is a great way to support the trip. If everyone had fun last year, they’ll have an awesome time again this year.”
A donation of $2 is suggested at the door, so come out and support the Saint Rose trip to New Orleans. “Being on a trip like this gives you a new eye to view the world. You really can get out there and see what people are like. You experience something so out of the norm, and that’s what I truly love about AB [Alternative Break] trips,” said Giffenback.
