Most people do not realize it is possible to run a vehicle on vegetable oil, but the non-profit organization Oberlin Design Initiative certainly does. ODI is currently collaborating with Full Circle Fuels on a number of environmental projects in Oberlin that benefit the community.

Last Saturday, ODI held a benefit concert at Fairchild Chapel in support of these projects, one of which aims to convert all Oberlin school buses to run on biodiesel. ODI is ultimately working toward their vision of community-based sustainable development.

The concert featured three a cappella groups, ensembles who volunteered their talents in support of the environmental cause. Second Wind sang first, a group comprised mostly of Oberlin College staff and alumni. They sang many great doo-wop tunes, including “In The Still of the Night,” which the audience really enjoyed.

Untempered Harmony sang next, gracing the audience with a completely different kind of singing. Untempered Harmony sings Shape Note songs, an old tradition from New England, originally composed and performed by totally untrained individuals.

They sang a number of Shape Note songs as well as a few Appalachian songs and those from other genres, which all contributed to a complete and diverse repertoire, but also a very long set. Untempered Harmony truly embraced the purpose of the concert by selling CDs of their music and donating all proceeds to ODI.

After a brief intermission, Nothing But Treble, probably the best-known group in the concert, performed. They sang a full set of songs including “Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy” by Queen, “Glory Box” by Portishead and “Dream A Little Dream,” during which the tired children in the audience lit up. Nothing But Treble gave a fantastic performance and, by standing lower on the steps, really included the audience.

Overall, it was great to see the various a cappella groups Oberlin has to offer, as many people do not realize that these groups even exist. The various ages of the performers were reflected in the audience, with people of all ages coming out to support ODI. Suggested donations were five dollars for students and ten dollars for adults. According to first-year Patience Merritt, who volunteers with ODI and worked the table at the concert, the event brought in over $400.

Keep an eye out for upcoming ODI benefit events, including a dance marathon at the ’Sco.