The International Cultural Center will host a concert this weekend powerful enough to draw one musician out of a decades-long retirement and prompt the Baton Rouge international community to donate time, money and talents, to tsunami victims.
The ICC and the International Student Association will host a “Sounds of Healing” concert this Saturday. The concert will feature musical performances by University professors and a silent auction to benefit the families of the 200,000 people killed and the millions left homeless after December’s tsunami.
Francisco Aguilar, president of the ISA and the ICC governing board, said, “The concert started as my idea back in January, but I got a lot of ideas from the ICC board.”
Aguilar said he did not want to simply ask for money for the victims of the tsunami. He wanted to have involvement from the University’s community as well.
“The concept of this benefit was to have as much community involvement as possible, which is why we are having the silent auction,” Aguilar said. “People have donated items from their native countries, and those who didn’t have things to donate have offered to donate their services instead.”
Aguilar said these services will include language tutoring, baby-sitting and cooking traditional recipes for winners of the silent auction.
“The message is that we are supporting the victims by giving a little of ourselves to help relief efforts,” Aguilar said.
Aguilar said he thinks it is important that Americans remember the rebuilding of southeast Asia as a long-term effort.
“People from almost every corner of the world died that day,” Aguilar said. “But hopefully, the worst part is over. Now, it’s time to start the healing process.”
Richard Vlosky, renewable natural resources professor, said he will be playing guitar in front of an audience for the first time in 25 years for Saturday’s concert.
“Francisco Aguilar approached me, and before thinking, I agreed to do it,” Vlosky said. “I am really excited to be invited to do this.”
Vlosky, who serves as an advisor to Sarvodaya, a Sri Lankan-based charitable organization, said southeast Asia is an area of the world that is “near and dear to my heart.” He said he wanted to help in any way he could.
“We often forget these kinds of things when they become yesterday’s news. It’s just human nature, I guess, that makes it fade from our consciousness,” Vlosky said. “I am glad the ISA and the ICC are keeping the victims of the tsunami out in the forefront of the University’s concerns.”
Vlosky said he will be performing six songs, including some he penned himself.
“I plan to dedicate a song I wrote in high school called ‘The Deluge’ to the victims of the tsunami,” Vlosky said.
The concert will also feature the music of Drifthouse, Celtic Gumbo and Smithfield Fair.
“I hope the music by the four bands gives the people in the audience a sense of community for this common cause,” Vlosky said. “I encourage people to take a little time out of their Saturday to interact with the international community and also listen to some great music.”
Aguilar said he hopes people come out and have a great time while doing their part to help the tsunami victims.
“If someone needs a hand, and if we have two, I am sure we can provide some help,” Aguilar said.