Alright, so here is the back story on our Night of the Comet benefit show at The Vogue tomorrow night. While teaching at IUPUI earlier this semester, when the whole Ray Rice/NFL ruled the news cycles, a class discussion with my scholars was very valuable, and yet two statements from exceptional scholars left me feeling uncomfortable. Most everyone was in agreement that any form of relational abuse was unacceptable, but two students expressed the following: 1. Trevor, Im with you, but while it might not be PC, the truth is some women actually like to get hit AND 2. I agree that no one should be hit or abused in any way ... but as the genders get more equal over time, shouldnt we expect that to result in more relational violence between equal partners? Obviously, from these statements, we collectively realized that more dialogue on the topic was necessary, and we committed ourselves to organizing two forums on campus and others off of it, addressing relational abuse, providing resources for those affected, and encouraging both men and women to stand up to ANYone who practices abuse in any form -- and encouraging victims to realize that there is far more out there than where they currently are. No relationship is worth this, and we all deserve far more. With the help of countless INCREDIBLE scholars at IUPUI and wonderful friends and colleagues -- Alex J Long, Amanda Lumpkin, Buttons Hamilton, Katy Head, Kate Clark, Sally Mills, to name just a few -- I believe we made a profound difference on campus and learned a great deal together. Still, it was more than clear that as the NFL story faded from the news cycle, there was still far more that could and should be done to keep the issue of domestic violence in the public spotlight. Hence, we embarked to do just that -- both my scholars and I. My scholars have initiated Be a Man, Stand Up to Domestic Violence campaigns in the city (and I am incredibly proud of them). As for myself, I asked what I can do to further contribute -- and thats when I discussed the topic with some of the greatest talents and friends in the local music industry in James Dies, Alex Dies, Jerrell Wiggins, Ari Applewhite, Michael Cobbs and Jessie Phelps. Together we wrote and put recorded what we hope is a consciousness raising song called Shallow Be Thy Name, and agreed that 100% of any profits from the song should go to Indianapolis and national anti-domestic violence organizations, such as The Julian Center, Coburn Place, Agape Alliance and Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. To make this happen, we also employed our equally passionate and talented brothers and sisters from my band sugar moon rabbit, Dell Zell, Ghosts of Kin, BREAKDOWN KINGS, and Zizi from Janet Duke & The Seven Deadly. The result is now on ITunes, Spotify and Amazon for 99 cents a purchase under the name Shallow Be Thy Game by Night of the Comet: Musicians Against Domestic Violence. Then, to top things off, after speaking with some of Indys most talented filmmakers, make up artists and actors -- who also wanted to be involved -- we decided to make a music video to help increase visibility and hopefully to keep public attention on this social ill moving forward. Thats where the amazing director Sam Mirpoorian of Uncharted: The Truth Behind Homelessness came in, along with the extraordinarily talented Shyla Robson, Brittany Renee, Courtney Brooks and Courtney Brooks Photography, Stephanie Durham (without whose faith and support this would never have happened), MP Cavalier and Scott Tolin of The DoitIndy Radio Hour and finally the great people at NUVO Magazine including Kat Coplen who agreed to host the video on their website for the first week to increase exposure, where it can be found now at nuvo.net Finally, after speaking with the amazing Grant of Square Social Circle and Jamie Jackson of Shine Indy we decided to finally organize a concert here in Indy with 100% OF THE PROCEEDS to go directly to these incredibly deserving Anti-Domestic Violence Nonprofits, who most definitely need additional funds to carry on their important mission. The incredible artists who volunteered to be a part of this concert before we event knew where it was going to be left me grateful and speechless; thank you to Gypsy Moonshine, Dell Zell, Ace One, Jerrell Wiggins, Square Social Circle, Ari and Jenny, Ghost of Kin, the 3 am Blues Band, Mad Wails, No Pit Cherries and The Rhaspers featuring great friend Alicia Tucker. Even local artists including Miranda Thomas and Julie Young -- and some of Indys most talented Burlesque Performers -- said, Heck yes, we would be honored to be a part, even without knowing when or where the concert would be. We approached several local venues with no luck, until Jason King from The Vogue said I believe in this too. Lets make it happen. So ... THANK YOU, FRIENDS, from the bottom of my heart, and hope to see you tomorrow night at NIGHT OF THE COMET: Indy Artists and Musicians Against Domestic Violence at The Vogue Theater. Friday, Nov 14th, 7 pm kickoff (until 2 am), 11 bands, some of Indys best burlesque and visual artists, silent auction and 100% of the proceeds to benefit The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the other three charities. Together we can do amazing things, Indy. Thanks once more and love. Hope to see everyone tomorrow night.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 16:23:26 +0000
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