The Castle was teeming with avid java addicts Saturday night during a coffee house and benefit concert organized by the Mortar Board Senior Honor Society. The event, sponsored by Virgin Records and Revolution Records, drew about 450 people and brought in more than $1,000 -- at least $500 of which will be donated to the West Philadelphia Habitat for Humanity. A number of campus performing arts groups -- including a jazz band, a cappella groups and a dance troupe -- entertained the crowd, which feasted on assorted desserts and bottomless cups of coffee. The charity event's organizers said they were "thrilled" with the success of the showcase, which ran from 8 p.m. to midnight. "We were very pleased with the turnout," said Mortar Board Community Service Chairperson Chantal Dunn, a College senior. "People seemed to be enjoying themselves." And Mortar Board President Ananda Sen, a College senior, noted that the night's proceeds were "far more than any previous coffee house." The showcase of performers began with Penn Masala, the only Hindi a cappella group in the nation. The all-male group incorporated an "Indian Pride" theme into their songs while merging traditional lyrics with modern rap. Following Penn Masala's gig, Chord on Blues, a charismatic group of male vocalists, performed a folio of modern popular songs, including hits by R.E.M. and Sarah McLachlan. A pause in the vocal talents turned the spotlight to the nimble dancers of Arts House Dance, who presented both a ballet and a modern dance performance. When the Penn Jazz Combo took the stage, the performers satisfied the expectations of all jazz partisans in the audience. The group also featured a couple guest musicians, including a trumpeter from the University of the Arts and a scat performer. "I especially enjoyed the jazz band," College freshman Mina Kim said. "There was a lot of feel-good rhythm? and everyone was feeling it." Pennsylvania 6-5000, meanwhile, filled the room with verve with their opening number, "Footloose," performing other songs such as Elton John's classic "Rocketman." Winding down the night's musical festivities, the Penn Jazz Combo retook the stage for an encore. Audience members praised the event for both its musical showcase and its charitable purpose. "I thought it was an excellent show," 1997 Wharton graduate Calvin Chen said. "I think [Habitat for Humanity] is a great cause?.It was definitely worthwhile." Mortar Board, according to Dunn, is "a group of students that are brought together as community leaders and scholars." In addition to benefiting Habitat for Humanity, the society has been working closely with the Ronald McDonald House, she added. "Our national goal this year is 'Learning Across Bounds'," Dunn said. "We are gearing our activities so that they are in some way educational."
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