In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Theta Nu Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity will host an annual S.O.S.: Saving Our Sisters concert.
S.O.S. takes place at the end of October and features performances from poets, musicians, and dancers from Florida A&M, alongside the members of Sigma Alpha Iota.
“Saving Our Sisters is one of two of our major projects every year,” said Chapter President Aria Beckford. “We really hope the new attention we’ve been getting and the increase in campus involvement we’ve had will really bring people out. S.O.S. not only brings awareness to the reality of domestic violence, but it is also a major empowerment to our sisters who may be [experiencing] or may have experienced domestic violence.”
Last year’s theme for Saving Our Sisters was “Queendom: Strength, Courage, & Wisdom.” The show included performances of songs by Erykah Badu, Jazmine Sullivan, Janelle Monae, and Gotye.
“It’s always a good show,” Beckford said. “There’s a lot of excitement that comes with putting a production like this together. We’re also excited for new people, outside of the music department and performance organizations, to see what we’re about as musicians and performers.”
This year’s theme for Saving Our Sisters is “Fearless.” Akeisha Mandela, the chapter’s program chair said that this theme was chosen because the fearless mind chooses to halt abusive relationships.
“‘Fearless’ was chosen as a theme as a representation of the attitude and mentality that is accessed and grows as someone decides to end a domestically abusive relationship,” Mandela said. “This word [‘fearless’] encompasses the power it takes within one to try and turn their life into something better. We capture that within the journey of the show throughout pieces of song, poetry, and dance that strongly depict the course of recovery for a victim of domestic abuse.
Several students like Terrell Jackson are anticipating this year’s recital.
Jackson, a fourth-year FAMU cardiopulmonary science student from Chicago, Ill said, “Last year was my second time attending the S.O.S. recital and I can honestly say it was an experience like no other. The originality and talent that was displayed was phenomenal and brought chills through my body. I’m very excited to see what the Lovely Ladies of Theta Nu bring forth this year.”
Saving Our Sisters is a free event and is scheduled to take place on October 28th at 7 p.m. in the Foster Tanner Music Building Recital Hall.
Prior to the concert, the Theta Nu Chapter will be accepting clothing donations that will be given to women’s shelters throughout the Tallahassee community.