"Break The Formula" Benefit Concert For Habitat for Humanity and Power U

The "Break the Formula" benefit concert held on Saturday, October 27 raised $775 for charity! The funds will be donated to PowerU and Habitat for Humanity. The concert was a fun filled day of music, food, and carnival style attractions. Hands for the Homeless and Students Together Ending Poverty would like to thank everyone who helped make the concert a success!

Description and Purpose
Two community service student organizations: Hands for the Homeless and Students Together Ending Poverty have come together to host the 3 rd Annual "Break the Formula" Benefit Concert, scheduled to take place Saturday, October 27th , 2007 at 2pm on the Whitten University Center Patio. The purpose of this concert is to "Break the Formula" of poverty (i.e. the essence of what poverty is- supported by divides, conflict, and under representation in the community) bringing people from different backgrounds in the community together to "break barriers" by exposing them to different genres of music, which explains the choice of an eclectic mix of genres and performers. Most importantly, the concert will raise funds for this year's beneficiaries: Habitat for Humanity and Power U . The proceeds from the event will go directly toward each organization's efforts to alleviate the present situation of poverty and housing crisis in the local and Greater Miami area. Through this event, we will also spread awareness to inform other members of the UM campus and local community of these relevant issues, that are happening in "our own backyard."

Artists from various genres will be featured to draw an audience of all ages and multiple demographics, including but not limited to: UM Students, Faculty, Staff, Administrators, Alumni, Donors, sponsors and various members of the community. Sonny Lemmons, Students Together Ending Poverty (S.T.E.P.) Advisor and Assistant Director of the William R. Butler Center for Volunteer Service and Leadership Development (SLC), will serve as an MC for the concert. Representatives from Habitat for Humanity and Power U will also be present to provide more information about their respective organizations. Hurricane Productions is helping us to provide carnival-themed food throughout the event (ex: cotton candy, popcorn, sno-cones, hot dogs). And we are working with other students and student organizations to provide activities, like a henna tattoo artist, caricature drawings and some games to be available as additional entertainment. The bands and artists performing will also have booths/tables. We are exploring the option of having them sell/giveaway any t-shirts, CDs, posters, and various other pieces of merchandise to promote their groups.

A percentage of the funds raised by band and artists tables, in addition to any donations collected from food and activities booths will all be donated toward the cause.

Organizations Involved

Programmers
Hands for the Homeless (H4H) is dedicated to lending a helping hand to the least, the last and the lost: the homeless community in Miami . H4H members volunteer their time around the city serving, tutoring and inspiring the homeless. H4H often collaborates with S.T.E.P. for projects and events such as Hunger and Homelessness Week and "Break the Formula" Benefit Concert.

Students Together Ending Poverty (S.T.E.P.) takes thoughtful actions and promotes awareness to decrease local, national and worldwide poverty. Through fundraising events, volunteering and awareness campaigns, S.T.E.P. strives to put an end to impoverishment.

*Both organizations are affiliated with the William R. Butler Center for Volunteer Service and Leadership Development , which serves as a catalyst in developing students who cultivate positive social change within their communities as engaged citizens. Acting as a clearinghouse for all service and leadership endeavors, the Center strives to develop synergistic partnerships within the faculty, campus, local and global community to bring these fundamental concepts to fruition and integrate them further into the campus experience.

Beneficiaries
Habitat for Humanity is an international, ecumenical Christian, non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 1976 and devoted to building "simple, decent, and affordable" housing. Homes are built using volunteer labor and are sold at no profit with no interest charged on the mortgage. The international headquarters located in Atlanta serves to support and promote the activities of local, independent affiliate chapters, which initiate and manage all construction, mortgages and homeowner selection. The local Miami-Dade chapter of Habitat will receive donations directly from funds raised through the event to support their needs for assistance with various programming efforts.

Power U Center is a community owned and operated grassroots organization that was an idea that emerged from the experiences of two organizers with a vision of people taking it to the streets, speaking out and recognizing their power for CHANGE! for the purpose of building an organizing base around urban issues with low-income, inner city neighborhood residents. The center has many programs including: an environmental justice campaign with focus on impacts in and around inner-city public schools, a political education arm "Power University" and an apprenticeship program.

Tyler Bernhardt

is a solo vocalist and acoustic guitar artist as well as a student at University of Miami . As a new and upcoming singer/song writer out of Fairfield, Connecticut, his sound blends elements of indie rock, jazz and pop to produce a unique tone. With one five-song EP released to the public in June of 2007 and an LP in the making, to be released in the next couple of weeks, he is currently performing at venues and open-mic events across his hometown and in the Miami community. And, he has agreed to perform for no charge for this event as his contribution to help the cause. www.myspace.com/tbernmusic

Call it Radar is the newest musical creation brought to life by Tom Gorrio & Arik Dayan, of former bands: Baby Calendar and Lasso the Moon. So far, Tom and Arik have been experimenting with ways to play their music live as a duo, but recently some new friends, Tony and Josh have joined them on stage to create a tenaciously talented four man group. They are currently on tour and perform at various Music Festivals, clubs and assorted venues throughout the country. Call it Radar has also greed to perform for no charge for this event as their contribution to help the cause. Please visit: www.myspace.com/callitradar and www.callitradar.com for more information.

Lanzallamas Monofonica defies description- Radiant and rare, the band rises above an ordinary sound, with its grace and refinement. The music created by this 8-piece Afro-Cuban jazz ensemble is an enigma to all who listen and a symphony of exceptional charm and amazement. Dedicated to the tireless pursuit of excellence, Lanzallamas Monofonica encompasses a wide range of styles, richly woven and masterfully preformed. This elegant palette of artist comes together from all corners of the globe. Be it Mexico to New Zealand, all the way to Puerto Rice and Malaysia, and stretching to Argentina and the Americas, this group is truly a gift of color and sound...a precious member in life. The group performs regularly and for special event at premiere clubs in the Miami community, such as: Tapas y Tintos and Opium Garden.

With their local popularity and dynamic sound, they are expected to draw a large crowd of loyal fans and appeal to all ages and demographics of the audience that attends the concert. Again "Breaking the Formula" of poverty by bringing people, from different backgrounds in the community, together to "break barriers" by exposing them to different genres of music, which explains the choice of an eclectic mix of genres and performers. Lanzallamas Mon?fonica is providing their services to us at a discounted rate from their normal performance charge as their contribution to the cause. Please visit: www.myspace.com/lanzamusica and www.lanzamusica.com for more information.

Why you should support the cause
By sponsoring this benefit concert you will be helping us host this truly community empowering event, and joining us in our quest to eliminate poverty in Miami and around the world. For your generous contributions we would like to recognize you, so click the following link to donate and view our sponsorship and acknowledgment levels. Your donations are vital to the success of our benefit concert and our mission to alleviate poverty. Therefore, we greatly appreciate any support you choose to give.

Thank you for your support and for more information or to become more involved e-mail m.cox3@umiami.edu