Arts and Entertainment

Courtesy Photo / Ryan Workman
Chip Christy plays an acoustic set for Rock Against Rape at last year’s event. This year’s concert will feature bands Sullivan Skye and Alco.

Eyes Wide Open, Greek organizations to host Rock against Rape concert

By Elijah Brumback GVL Staff Writer
1/31/2010

On college campuses around the nation, rape and sexual assaults on women remain a constant issue year after year.

Because colleges are stereotyped with partying, drinking and sex, the issue is often heightened. This mix of factors compounded with alcohol is essentially like pouring gasoline on a fire; when someone becomes a victim, the argument over who is responsible becomes a media discussion while simple efforts to make people more aware of their own personal responsibility could have prevented the crime in the first place.

That is why Sigma Epsilon Fraternity, Sigma Kappa Sorority and the Eyes Wide Open group will, for the sixth year, host the Rock against Rape concert on Feb. 20.

With the support of bands Sullivan Skye and Alco, RAR kicks out an alternative approach to addressing the issues of rape and assault against women.

"We're trying to combine educational information and entertainment in a fun and meaningful way," said Steve Kutyna, co-vice president of public relations for Sigma Epsilon. "It's important we strongly convey the relationship between alcohol and sexual assaults."

Kutyna said he thought Grand Valley State University is one of the safest college campuses, but being proactive about awareness and prevention is always beneficial. He said using a concert setting to promote a message about such a heavy subject helps to maintain a positive educational experience.

"We always want to make sure that students care about the issue of sexual assault and that it's easy to take a stance against it and show support," said Mike Patterson, the fraternity's vice president of education and member of Eyes Wide Open. "Were interested in supporting bands that carry our own message."

The fraternity and sorority groups along with Eyes Wide Open started planning the event last April. The bands, both up-and-coming alternative-rock groups from the surrounding Grand Rapids community, have done well to establish themselves and both have albums to prove it.

But as more than just a concert, Rock against Rape serves dually as a vehicle for discussion about issues facing women and college students. The event will feature several educational booths and student-led conversations other students can take part in throughout the show. Students will also be able take part in interactive art pieces as well.

"We're hoping to get a thousand people this year," Kutyna said. "Admission is free; we have free food, pop and Monster, a raffle, T-shirts and freebies and we're offering VIP passes to meet the bands."

Ryan Workman, vice president of event planning in his third year on the committee for the event, said the concert has proven to create a good atmosphere to spread the word.

"Having the event in a nontraditional way really helps to spread the word of awareness," Workman said. "Trying to raise funds becomes much easier as opposed to having just a discussion board or panel."

In addition to hosting the concert, the groups in charge will also donate all the proceeds from the promotions and raffle to the GVSU Women's Center, the Center for Women in Transition in Grand Rapids and the YWCA of Grand Rapids.

The event is Feb. 20 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Fieldhouse Arena.

ebrumback@lanthorn.com

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