Saturday night: Charity jams

The holidays always bring a spike in musicians, artists, business types, and everyday folks sending some cash to the needy, but two shows in Madison tonight do it with a distinctly emerging-economy bent. Decider sized up both events’ ambitious missions, and how well they might harness the consciousness-raising power of hand percussion.

Jam Against Genocide at Club 770 (CANCELED)
Organization: It's a benefit for Action In Sudan, a group of UW students spreading the word about the ethnically motivated slaughter in Darfur, raising money for relief efforts, and lobbying politicians to oppose the Sudanese government's human-rights violations.
The music: Appropriately, headliners This Bright Apocalypse draw a lot of inspiration from African music. Bassist-drummer-singer Luke Bassuener recorded some musicians while volunteering in Ghana over the past few years and sampled some of those performances on the Madison band’s recent album Asumaya. The influence of post-punk groups like Gang Of Four and Jawbox supplies some visceral punch on tunes like “Slogans For A Savannah.” Chicago power trio The Interiors shares the bill with a more straightforward rock sound, but also incorporate the occasional hint of Afrobeat and reggae amid the blues and pop base.
Statement of urgency: From Action In Sudan’s history page: “The fighting in Darfur continues and scenes as described above and many much worse are far too familiar to the Fur people and other tribes living in the region. The conflict is further complicated as the tensions between the North and South become heated once again. Early this year, fighting between different groups within the janjaweed began to intensify as well. This change only serves to increase the bloodshed. The conflict continues and little is being done internationally.”
Hand percussion? Yes. Expect all three members of This Bright Apocalypse to open their palms at one point or another and take on extra drumming duties. They get bonus points for their use of the mbira, an African thumb piano.
Cover: $5

Madison For World Health Concert at Majestic Theatre
Organization: Local non-profit Madison For World Health aims to fight the spread of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, hooking up with the locally focused AIDS Network and the more international Global Fund.
The music: In contrast to the feisty bands jamming against genocide, this lineup’s a little more suited to your average deep-pocketed philanthropist. Granted, local rapper Rob Dz brings a good measure of funk and righteous agitation to the bill. Beyond that, the show’s gentler pop sounds arrive courtesy of folks like Mark Croft and Amy Curl And Dan Kennedy, along with the jam-rock of BuRP and a couple of choirs.
Statement of urgency: Coordinator Len Mormino explains on the organization's website: "I was watching Oprah. That’s how this project started. What a cliché. Bono was releasing an amazing campaign on her show to help those with AIDS, Malaria, and TB around the world, and I was in awe of the devastation so many of my brothers and sisters so far away are experiencing every minute that goes by."
Hand percussion? Local ensemble Atimevu is almost nothing but. Coincidentally, the group digs into the folk music of Ghana with djembes, dunduns, and other drums and instruments native to West Africa.
Cover: $15