Five Penn groups, one good cause

The troupes' performance raised money for the West Phila. Cultural Alliance. Mixing entertainment and a good cause, five of Penn's performing arts groups headed into the "Wawa West" on Saturday night. Some of Penn's most well-known singing and dancing troupes performed together for fellow students while raising money for the West Philadelphia arts community. Hosted and organized by Mask and Wig member Josh Slatko, a College senior, the event featured performances by African Rhythms, Off the Beat, Onda Latina, Without a Net and Mask and Wig. The event was sponsored by the Undergraduate Assembly, the Performing Arts Council and the Tangible Change Committee, a group of student leaders promoting non-alcoholic programming on campus. The groups each kept their acting, singing and dancing routines brief so that all five could perform. Slatko said Mask and Wig sought to have a variety of popular and talented performers -- combining singing, dancing and comedy. While entertaining the audience with dance and music, the groups also tried to educate Penn students about the importance of community service and participation in the arts. Penn donated about 50 tickets to local elementary school students. The children were able to participate in the show, yelling out improvisational commands to the actors in Without A Net. "I think that the Penn community liked the idea of a charity function," Slatko said. "People appreciated what the show was about." The proceeds from the evening were donated to the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, an organization that encourages participation in the arts through educating residents of the West Philadelphia community. The WPCA, which was founded in 1984 by its executive director Francis Aulston, makes art available to local residents through exhibitions, concerts and interactive education. A large part of the program is the administration and maintenance of The Paul Robeson House Museum and Library -- the last home of Paul Robeson, the legendary African-American scholar, athlete, singer and activist. Aulston and the WPCA have had a 15-year history with Penn, working with graduate students in urban development as well as undergraduate volunteers for Civic House. The WPCA hosts the Greening Program, a community service project run through Civic House that tries to clean the streets of West Philadelphia. The proceeds from ticket sales will help to kick off an endowment and scholarship program, which will enable young students from Philadelphia schools to receive an education in the arts. "I think that this is something that should happen in the future," Slatko said. "All it takes is a couple of people in the performing arts community who want to [raise money for a cause]," Slatko said. Aulston also addressed the audience during the intermission of the performances. "This event will help us continue the work of the Robeson legacy for generations to come," Aulston said. "Robeson believed children were the future of our democracy. People coming together in an arts event like tonight is what will make peace become a reality."