A committee of students and Student Life staff are busy planning the ninth annual Cabaret for a Cause event. This year, the event will be the evening of March 23 in Bob’s Place and kickoff celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Marbeck Center.
Cabaret for a Cause is a semi-formal event that draws students, faculty and other members of the campus community each year for an evening of music and fundraising. Students perform a variety of musical acts, and the money raised from ticket sales is donated to a charitable cause.
“It’s a great opportunity to support fellow students, support a good cause and have fun,” said junior English education major Emily Rush. This is her second year on the committee planning the event.
Emily Rush photo by Blake Hershberger
Proceeds raised from this year’s Cabaret for a Cause will be donated to Crossroads Crisis Center. The Lima-based organization seeks “to enhance safety for survivors of Domestic Violence and their children by educating, advocating, and empowering individuals,” according to their mission statement. Crossroads Crisis Center offers programs such as a confidential emergency shelter, 24/7 crisis hotline, crisis intervention, court advocacy and victim educational support groups.
Senior biology and sociology major Alicia Loch said, “It’s a small, local place that not many people know about. The donation will let them help more people and provide better resources.”
Loch helped to organize the event last year, and she was the first to suggest Crossroads as the recipient of this year’s donation.
“The best part will be finding out how much money we’re donating,” she said.
Students interested in performing in the Cabaret show can audition from 7 to 10 p.m. tonight, Feb. 28, in the Gilliom Room in Mosiman Hall. Students are asked to come to auditions with a song prepared.
Cabaret for a Cause tickets will be available after spring break. Tickets are $5, and additional donations to Crossroads Crisis Center are welcomed. Advance ticket sales will take place outside of The Commons at The Spot during lunch and dinner. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event.
“We normally have a really good turn out,” Rush said. “Cabaret brings together a lot of different students.”
Last year, $1,300 was raised from Cabaret ticket sales. These proceeds went to Camp Invention, a summer camp developed by the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Nearly $8,500 has been donated to various charitable organizations since the event’s founding.
“The event is for the students, but it’s more about the cause,” said Loch.
