Grrrls to the Front charity concert brings local bands to Amherst College

The Grrrls to the Front benefit concert at Amherst College on March 27 raised roughly $1,500 for Rosie's Place, the Palestine Children's Relief Fund and the ACLU, and featured local bands Sapien Joyride, Film and Gender, and Total Rêve.

On Friday, March 27, students from the Five Colleges gathered at the Marsh House at Amherst College for a Grrrls to the Front charity concert organized by Julie Evers. The concert was inspired by the 1990s Riot Grrrl movement and aimed to create an inclusive space for women and other genders at punk shows. Local bands Sapien Joyride, Film and Gender, and Total Rêve performed sets that mixed covers and original songs. The event included sales of screen-printed shirts, stickers, vendor prints, a raffle haircut and free community-made zines and art. Event details: - Date and place: March 27 at 8 p.m., Marsh House, Amherst College, attended by students from the Five Colleges. - Organizer and purpose: Julie Evers organized the show with influence from the Riot Grrrl movement to foster a more inclusive, welcoming space for women and other genders at punk concerts. - Funds and beneficiaries: The event raised roughly $1,500, with donations going to Rosie's Place, the Palestine Children's Relief Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union. - Fundraising activities: Most sales came from screen-printed shirts; additional contributions came from stickers, buttons, tarot readings, other vendor sales and a raffle haircut, while zines and art were shared freely. - Atmosphere: Moshing took place but was described as openly welcoming to all genders, with a focus on nonaggressive participation and mutual support. Summary: The concert combined music, community art and small-scale fundraising to support three nonprofit organizations and to spotlight bands that center inclusivity. Performances included a mix of covers and originals and the bands were involved in selecting beneficiary causes. Undetermined at this time.