A group of 80 music and comedy fans turned out at the George Sherman Union’s Metcalf Hall Wednesday night for “Booked: A Benefit Concert,” sponsored by Boston University’s BUILD literacy tutoring program.
The event, hosted by the sketch comedy group Slow Children at Play, featured performances from three bands and two solo acts. The money raised will be used by BUILD to purchase books for the Boston Public Schools after-school programs.
Event coordinator Gili Malinsky, a BUILD tutor, said she organized the event after finding it difficult to get elementary school students interested in the small selection of books available at public school libraries.
“The libraries are so small, there’s just not enough choice for them to get excited about reading,” the College of Arts and Sciences sophomore said. “There’s so much great literature out there for them.”
Event organizer Melissa Mulrey said another goal was to raise enough funds to donate to after-school programs in local schools.
Students who came were treated to a series of sketches by Slow Children at Play, who introduced each musical act. Alison Wood, an acoustic guitarist, opened the show.
“I’m always happy to help out, and it’s for a great cause,” she said after her performance. “If there’s an audience that’s willing to listen, then I’m willing to play.”
The Whatnot, the following band, performed a rendition of The Violent Femme’s “Blister in the Sun” that brought the crowd to their feet.
“We were really happy with tonight’s event,” The Whatnot bongo player Chris Mathews said. “The people were really psyched and the crowd was really cooperative.”
The event’s final band, Eighty-Six, said they were also happy to play for a charitable event.
“A show’s a show, and this is for a good cause,” Eighty-Six guitarist Harry Brown said.
Members of Student Studio, a BU student group that teaches advanced art curriculum in Boston public schools, also assisted with the organization for “Booked.” CAS junior Laura Zientek began working with Malinsky this semester to help organize the show. College of Communication senior Jessica Haskell said the group is “a big proponent of donating books for kids.”