Student bands set for charity event at Women's Club

By Paul Greulich, Staff Writer
A slew of bands from Glen Ridge High School are preparing to perform early next month in a charity benefit event, Bands for a Better World.
Sponsored by the Community Service Department of the Women’s Club of Glen Ridge, the concert offers a chance for area residents to sample the local musical talent as well as donate to a good cause. The proceeds will benefit Charity: Water, a nonprofit organization with the mission of bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.
The show will feature 10 bands from Glen Ridge, including such acts as Two Point Five, Coyote Terminal and The Lavaliers. Most are pre-existing groups, but some have formed specifically for this event. Most of the pieces performed will be original compositions in the style of alternative, rock and indie music.
The event will also feature a cafe run by the Girls Club of the Women’s Club.
Co-chairwoman of the Women’s Club Community Service Department Karen Winslow said the Women’s Club has established a good working relationship with many of the students involved.
“We have a good group of kids we’ve met over the last three years,” said Winslow. “They’re into music and they have bands.”
The Women’s Club guides and mentors the young musicians with setting up the event, but the students do most of the actual work themselves. The students will set up their equipment, and do other pre-production work. In addition, they have an established a Facebook page to spread the word about the event.
The show is being run by three student producers for sophomore, junior and senior participants. They are Ethan Johns at the senior level; Samantha Nicles at the junior level; and Henry Blue at the sophomore level.
These producers will be busy with a variety of responsibilities, including helping with the sound system, filming the event and making sure the bands get on and off the stage in a smooth and timely manner.
Nicles, who is also a member of the Girl’s Club, said she is excited to be working on the event.
“I did it last year and it was really fun,” Nicles said. “I think it was a good turnout.”
Winslow said she is pleased so many musical groups are participating. “We’re surprised with the response,” she said. “I think this is the most bands we’ve ever had.”
The beneficiary of the event’s proceeds, Charity:Water, was one chosen by the students.
“Together we came up with four options for a possible charity, and then the high school students voted on it on Facebook,” Winslow explained.
“I’m a big fan of the charity,” Nicles said. “The number-one cause of death in a lot of developing countries is unsafe drinking water.”
One of the activities Charity:Water undertakes is the building of wells. It costs about $5,000 to build a well, Nicles said.
Bands for a Better World will hit the stage Feb. 3 from 7-10 p.m. at the Women’s Club on Ridgewood Avenue.
Paul Greulich can be reached at 908-686-7700, ext. 121.
, or at glenridgepaper@thelocalsource.com.