Once again, the Rotunda is pursuing its stated goal of being a "catalyst for social change" by promoting arts and culture.
Acoustic Philly - a group of Philadelphia-based professional musicians - performed this past Saturday night in front of a welcoming and intimate crowd, comprised mostly of friends and family members
It was the second year the group had performed at the 4014 Walnut St. venue.
But this time, the group decided "not to do the arts just for the sake of art," as Daniel Collins, one of the musicians, put it.
"It is important to promote people to do something about our world," said Joshua Larson, co-founder of Acoustic Philly. "We want to repeat this next summer and make each festival sponsor a cause."
"It's all about the empowerment of artists," he added.
This year, the musicians helped sponsor immigrant- and refugees-rights awareness.
The $5 ticket fee was put toward several organizations, like Un Dia Sin - Spanish for "A Day Without" [an immigrant] - and the American Friends Service Committee.
"We must do something about it," said Carmen Marcet, a Peruvian volunteer and activist for Un Dia Sin, of the issue.
Marcet has helped coordinate three immigrants-rights rallies since 2006.
"We can cause an impact, especially" economically, she said. "The rallies served to do something educational so people start caring."
Representatives from both groups spoke about their causes and about the status of immigrant laws in Congress.
In addition, they showed relevant short movies.
Philanthropic efforts like those that took place Saturday night have been held regularly since the University converted the former First Church of Christ into the Rotunda in the winter of 2001.
"Arts should be used for social goods," Collins said, "and [these issues are] a big issue for this country."
