Hanging from almost every billboard on campus are big red posters featuring two folk singers and a grinning drag queen. Barely visible under the flashy title “Rock and Raunch for RAINN,” a few words hint at the cause behind the advertised concert: “RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline.”
When junior Brad Walsh organized the show in June, he had more serious intentions in mind than planning yet another folksy Oberlin rock show. For several years Walsh has worked to raise money for RAINN, which has answered 50,000 desperate calls since singer Tori Amos started the organization in 1994.
“As someone who has survived a threatening situation with a guy here on campus, and as someone who is in close contact with people who work at and for RAINN, I knew the moment I heard of these events that I wanted to help out,” Walsh said, explaining his reasons for hosting the Cleveland area “RAINN BASH” at Oberlin.
“Like it or not, (sexual assault) is an issue on our campus,” he added.

The show will kick-off with singer-songwriter Alexis Antes on the mic. In 1997 Antes represented Cleveland with her distinctive blend of funk, folk and jazz at the Lilith Fair.
“Can I just say, ‘Wow!’?” I have to admit, performing at the Lilith Fair was definitely one of if not the career highlight to-date,” Antes said in a phone interview of the event.
Antes will be accompanied by Victoria Fliegel on the guitar.
Robin Stone and her band are up next. Concertgoers can look forward to watching Stone play at least four instruments, the guitar, bass, drums and cello, during her act. Stone’s multi-talented abilities have allowed her to write richly layered soul/folk songs in their entirety as would a classical composer. She was recently named the Best Folk Act in the Free Times music awards.
Finally, nationally renowned drag queen Paige Turner will take the stage and show off her singing and female impersonating talents. At the end of the night she will hand-out prizes to raffle award winners. The most coveted give-away will probably be a Tori Amos CD of an a capella song she recorded specifically for the event.
“It’s a two-minute thank you song that will be played [at the show], and it’s really touching,” Walsh said.

Rock and Raunch for RAINN will start at 10 p.m. in the ‘Sco. Admission is free with OCID, 5 dollars for outsiders.