Rock the Cause is really working hard to be a role model for College students. I am glad they have found their voice.

- Kent Linder, Development Director, Open Arms of Minnesota

How many times have you found yourself conversing with friends and had them drop the name of a website, telling you that it’s “one of the coolest sites on the web”?  Of those times, how often did you follow-up later on and actually visit that website?  Taking things one step further, once you were on that website, how much time did you spend poking around, really figuring out what it was all about?

We humans can have particularly fickle attention spans, and when given the option, we’ll often choose summary over depth of writing.  Yet who can contest that digging deep into a website can be a gold mine for education, enlightenment, and enjoyment if we only spend the time and attention needed!?  Well, I’ve done just that with a little site called irockthecause.org, and however much I would prefer you pay the site a visit yourself, I know there’s a chance that won’t happen.  So, I’m going to begin summarizing, and at any time you feel like leaving here and heading over there, you’ll be most welcome (but, come back later if you have the time.)

Some things I learned about Rock the Cause

Did you know?

• Rock the Cause is a non-profit organization that works to create a positive, life-changing experience through the power of music and community. They do this by organizing, marketing, staffing and promoting music events for local and national non-profit organizations.
• Rock the Cause cultivates deep professional and working relationships with artists that care about making a difference in their communities.  Some of these artists include The Alarmists, White Light Riot, The Doughboys, The Debut, Crash Street Kids, The Melismatics, Maudlin, All The Pretty Horses, and many others.
• Rock the Cause seeks out sponsorships from companies, organizations, and media outlets to get them involved in supporting the arts and non-profit causes in Minnesota.  Some of these include Pepsi Bottling Group, The Minnesota Roller Girls, the United Way Emerging Leaders Program, and many more!
• Perhaps even more importantly, Rock the Cause cultivates meaningful relationships with Minnesota non-profits to aid them in achieving their philanthropic goals.  Current partnerships include Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities, Open Arms of Minnesota, Free Arts Minnesota, Minnesota AIDS Project, the Hope Center, and Clare Housing Partners in AIDS Care.
• The Rock the Cause team is comprised of no less than 9 staff members.  The RtC Board of Directors currently has 13 occupied seats.
• For those people who are interested in outwardly expressing their enthusiasm for rocking the cause, a seemingly bottomless vault of swag options are available!  Find it HERE!
• You don’t need more email spam in your mailbox, but everyone needs thoughtful correspondence that offers them opportunities to make a difference in the world around them.  RtC’s emailing list has you covered.  Go sign up!
• And last, but certainly not least, Rock the Cause offers free album downloads from some of Minnesota’s hottest bands and artists.  All that is asked in return is the submission of your email address so RtC can keep you informed on what’s rocking and rolling in the non-profit sector of your community.  Currently, Denial by local rockers Stellar Vector is being offered.  Go get it!

And if all this isn’t enough reason for you to swing by the Rock the Cause website and get involved today, then don’t take it from me, take it from Mike Schwandt of White Light Riot.  He knows what he’s talking about.

One of the first things that really struck me about Rock the Cause was how truly passionate an organization they were from the beginning.  I remember Scott Herald reaching out to us years ago for the first ever Rock the Cause event to raise money and awareness for Watershed High School, a school dedicated to the arts and developing creative minds.  His enthusiasm for this project got us excited, and we knew that this would be an organization that really had some legs.

As the years have gone by, we’ve been fortunate to help out in many ways and contribute to many of the outstanding benefit shows for the partnering non-profits.  We are extremely proud to be a part of the first show with national partners Big Brothers Big Sisters.  For such an important event, we saw it as a great opportunity to finally perform the show we have always wanted, all Spinal Tap.  Hopefully everyone in the audience will feel the same way!

- Mike Schwandt of White Light Riot

[audio=http://borangutan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/02-Atomism.mp3]

“Atomism” by: White Light Riot

Links

White Light Riot – Website / Myspace

Rock the Cause – Website

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities – Website / Become a Volunteer

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posted January 27th, 2010 at 3:17 pm MN Rock Rock the Cause, Stellar Vector, White Light Riot