There always seems to be a benefit show being played somewhere, whether to help out a third-party candidate or oust a friend from jail. But rarely do these shows aspire to what the eight Valrico teens of the Sudan Relief Committee are attempting to accomplish with the Sudan Relief Jam: the end of the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan. The committee's benefit on Sunday aims to raise awareness (and much needed funds) to aid millions of refugees displaced by the Darfur conflict in Western Sudan — one of the world's deadliest civil wars. But don't let the weighty topic dissuade you; organizers expect a lot of dancing as six bands, ranging in style from African to bluegrass, play for eight full hours. Guest speakers are also planned. Thurs., July 9, 2-10 p.m., Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa, $15 in advance/$20 at the door (proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders), www.sudanreliefjam.org.
This article appears in Jul 5-11, 2006.
