The past two weeks have brought some of the worst hurricanes to the United States since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.Writer-in-Residence in Vanderbilt’s English department Amanda Little detailed the wrath of Hurricane Harvey, which touched down in Texas a total of three times, has accumulated almost $180 billion in damage and put one third of Houston underwater. It has displaced 39,000 people.
Now, those affected need help.
To raise money for relief efforts, Little will be hosting an event on Wednesday, Sept. 20, at The Basement East (917 Woodland Street) at 7:45 pm.
The event will be only $10, though extra donations would be greatly appreciated. The suggested donation amount is $50, but the event was created to appeal to the diverse population of Nashville, particularly college students.
Tickets are inexpensive yet valuable, since local music groups Republican Hair and The Music City Toppers will be providing the tunes. As Little said, “the music is going to be incredible.”
Little, who wrote Power Trip: The Story of America’s Love Affair With Energy and has appeared in publications such as Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, has family in Houston. Her and two friends have organized the dance party to begin healing for the Texas communities affected by Harvey and the areas that are damaged by Irma.
Little is also currently writing a book titled The Fate of Food: What We’ll Eat in a Bigger, Smarter, Hotter World to be published by Random House. She strongly believes that “climate change is fueling the fire” of the severity of recent hurricanes. Her determination to combat further damage inspired the dance party.
The importance of this event is primarily to provide relief to Houston and Florida for hurricane damage, but it will also channel into our political climate.
“So many people in this country feel discouraged, it’s a very divided time politically and socially, and it’s really time for neighbors to help and feel capable and repair all this damage that’s not just environmental and geographical, but cultural and political. Dancing and music are a great way to come together,” Little said.
This party is about more than hurricane relief; it’s about uniting Nashville with its Southern neighbors and relieving the opinion divide. An uplifting and music-filled night, the event calls on students 18 and over to come share in the music and dancing for a cause.
Buy your ticket here.
