Conscious Alliance, a year-old organization on campus, aims to combine music and the arts with raising money for the Northeast Georgia Food Bank.

Tyler Brunam, president and co-founder of the Conscious Alliance chapter at the University, describes the founding of the organization as a fantastic coincidence.

“We are one of the only student-run organizations on campus, but we teamed up with local artist Jeff Wood, owner of Drowning Creek Studios, to gain credibility from the main offices in Boulder, Colo., where the program was founded,” Brunam said.

Conscious Alliance raised over 5,000 pounds of food to donate to the food bank last year, and the organization has grown since then. “Last year we had support from many of the Greek organizations on campus, and this year we hope to spread to the rest of campus,” Brunam said.

“Right now we are on the last week of our food drive against Georgia Tech,” said Amanda Gould, a Greek representative of Conscious Alliance. “We are using competition to raise nonperishable canned food for the food bank. It is a great way to motivate people since we are competing against a rival school.” The food drive ends on Nov. 20.

The event at New Earth Music Hall will help raise money and awareness about the organization.

“There will be two DJs before the bands start,” Brunam said. “Uprise Dub is opening and then we have Big Gigantic from Colorado headlining.”

Since one of the main goals of Conscious Alliance, besides raising money and collecting canned goods, is to use music and art as means for fundraising.

“85 percent of the money raised will go directly to the food bank and the rest will be for us to plan and host other events to raise more money,” Brunam said. “For example, a donation of 10 cans will buy a concert poster.”

Textbox:
CONSCIOUS ALLIANCE BENEFIT CONCERT
featuring BIG GIGANTIC and UPRISE DUB
WHERE: New Earth Music Hall
WHEN: 10 p.m. Friday
COST: $8 advance at Tate, $10 at the door