A lively sea of bobbing heads kept the focus off the creeping cold in Memorial Gym Wednesday night as students awaited the Invisible Children benefit concert. The mixed crowd melded together in excitement and awareness when the stage lights fell and Ocean is Theory took position. Heads gradually turned and countless legs in skinny jeans strolled coolly to the stage.
Much more was on deck as the head-banging hipsters opened the night, dramatically backlit and energetic.
Following the Chattanooga quintet were Nashville bands Starlume and Knapsack Heroes.
Following the sunny indie-pop sets, the venture of Invisible Children was relayed to the crowd. Founded by three California filmmakers in 2003, Invisible Children documents lives of people in areas torn apart by injustices and conflict.
“We hope to educate and inspire individuals in the Western world,” their biography states, “to use their unique voice for change.”
After Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey and Laren Poole filmed “Invisible Children: Rough Cut,” a documentary about night commuters and child soldiers in the Ugandan Civil War, the three received concerned feedback leading them to start of Invisible Children Inc.
In coalition with the Ugandan community, Invisible Children works to do more than document the lives of
“…our work extends beyond our borders,” their mission statement says. “In war-affected regions we focus on long-term development, working directly with individuals and institutions that are eager to realize their full potential.
“Through education and innovative economic opportunities, we partner with affected communities and strive to improve the quality of life for individuals living in conflict and post-conflict regions.”
For information about Invisible Children, its efforts or to get involved, visit www.invisiblechildren.com.
