The Help for the Homeless club put on a benefit event on Oct. 15 in the Mustang Center. The event featured a hypnotist and live musical performances. “I expected about 50 people and that’s about how many showed up.” Courtney Haller, club president said, “It was a huge success.”
The first act was comedy hypnotist Marsha Starr, who hypnotized students right out of the audience. Junior Oliver Martin said, “It was like nothing I’ve ever felt before. At first I felt drowsy. I knew something was happening but I couldn’t control it.”
“It was frustrating because the hypnotist didn’t show up so I had to call another hypnotist a few minutes before the show,” Haller said. Starr had many people doing funny stunts such as Latin dancing and juggling invisible chainsaws.
The event had two musical acts. An Encinitas native, Cindy Santini, sang and played guitar as her friend accompanied her with ukulele. The musical act was cut short because of time, so the last act could play.
The last act was a metal band made of SDA students called Apotheosis and many teen metal fans showed up to support the band. The band was just getting started when Haller had to end the concert early because of the noise was interfering with the Intrepid Shakespeare Company “Romeo and Juliet” show that was going on in the nearby theatre. Senior Nick Kontje, a member of Apocalypse, said, “I thought it was a bit disorganized and I wasn’t satisfied because my band act was cut after only two songs.”
The metal fans that went to support the metal band were also disappointed. “I was really mad; I wanted to see them play longer,” sophomore Nico Poalillo said. Other students were more sympathetic. “I thought it was unfortunate but very understandable,” Martin said.
The benefit event was a way to raise awareness and money for the homeless in San Diego. “The hypnotist helped a good cause,” said Kent Oman, junior.
“I thought the evening went well and a lot of people asked about my club. I felt grateful to have the club,” said Haller.
Haller hopes to plan another event in the future to raise awareness and money for the homeless.