Five bands to perform for Haiti relief efforts

KINGSTON, R.I. –February 12, 2010—URI Helping Haiti, an initiative the University of Rhode Island launched last week to help Haitians recover after their country was struck by a devastating earthquake, has a number of projects, programs, and fundraising efforts being planned.

One fundraiser, Rhodypalooza, highlights five bands that will perform Friday, Feb. 26 in URI’s Memorial Union Ballroom, 50 Lower College Road, Kingston. The bands all have a URI connection. The fun starts at 6 p.m. and runs until midnight. The recommended minimum donation is $15 for general admission, student discount $8. Click here to purchase tickets on the Web. and a limited number will be available at the door.

Proceeds will support the work of Plan USA in Warwick, R.I. Plan USA is an independent, not-for-profit organization that works worldwide addressing the needs of children. The organization has been active in helping the children of Haiti for 37 years. For more information, visit www.planusa.org.

Rhodypalooza, sponsored by the URI Musician’s Guild, is the brainchild of John McLinden Jr, the son of John McLinden, a physical therapist at URI. After talking it over with his parents, he decided on a benefit concert because almost all the aspects of his life included music. “I think music is something everyone relates to.” Both father and son will play in their respective bands.

Whatever your taste in music, you’re bound to find something that will please you. Here’s the lineup:

• The Compass School Rock Band includes John and Andrew McLinden, sons of John McLinden and Max Leatham, son of Mary Leatham, research associate in URI’s College of the Environment and Life Sciences.

• The King Huey Band will play classic hits from the 60s and 70s. The band features URI Communication Studies Professor Norbert Mundorf, David Sheldon, URI 2000, MS and Joseph LiVolsi, 1993, MS.

• The Grill Daddys: Classic rock and blues, featuring John McLinden, URI ’91, MSPT 93, and a faculty member of URI’s Physical Therapy Department.

• Out of the Blue: Punk pop, featuring current URI students Tommy Feliciano and Jared Duarte.

• Poolshark: Sublime tribute band, featuring URI 2004 alumnus David Ladin.