By Heather Kryszak

A number of Buffalo musicians will join together Oct. 21 for a concert benefiting those affected by Hurricane Katrina. All proceeds from the night's event will go to the Mercy Corps Hurricane Katrina fund that provides supplies and assistance to the storm's victims.

Mercy Corps main objective is to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Programs currently reach 7 million people in more than 35 countries. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided over $1 billion in assistance to people in 81 nations. Mercy Corps is a nonprofit organization with headquarters in Portland, Seattle, Cambridge, Washington, D.C. and Edinburgh, Scotland.

The idea for this event can be credited to Buffalo bands, Clearmotive, Speakerfire, Rivalry, Miracle at Rich and Thrill Me!, who all thought it would be a wonderful act of kindness on behalf of today's young population if  they could join together and provide monetary help to those affected by the natural disaster.

Nate Laughlin, bass player for Clearmotive, is excited to play this show.

“It gives us a chance to get together and play music for a good cause,” he said. “It’s always fun to play shows in our hometown, but when it’s going to help out those who lost everything in Hurricane Katrina, it makes playing the show worth it.”

The show costs $7 and will be held at Broadway Joe’s, 3051 Main St. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and there will be raffles and door prizes given out throughout the evening.

Terry Jourdain, a junior at Buffalo State College, will be in attendance.

“It’s great to see kids my age coming together and putting on a show like this,” he said. “It shows that people, no matter where they are from, have been affected by the hurricane and want to do all they can to help out. I’m really looking forward to the show.”

For more information about the show contact Thrill Me!or Broadway Joe’s directly at (716) 836-9555 or by email at webmaster@bjoes.com.

Contact Heather Kryszak at: kryshm19@mail.buffalostate.edu