“Town & Gown Gala” Aims to Unite Oneonta Community

Event seeks to unify the community, educate about social issues, and fundraise for an injured student.

 ONEONTA, NY – For the Oneonta community, the beginning of the Fall 2014 school semester was marred by an increased number of complaints from city residents regarding student behavior expressed at City Council meetings. Tragedy was also experienced as a SUNY Oneonta student became seriously injured in an assault. Taking place at Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, the “Town & Gown Gala” on November 9th is a community-initiated response that seeks to bring people together, especially Oneonta’s students and city residents.

“One month ago, this event was just an idea that myself and City Council Member Mike Lynch had after a 4th Ward neighborhood meeting,” said Kaler Carpenter, event organizer and pastor of The Redemption Movement. “Since then, it has quickly grown into this amazing event featuring 7 bands and participation from a wide variety of both student and community groups. It doesn’t get any more grassroots than this.”

Beginning at 3 p.m., the free event will take place in the production room at Foothills. From 3-5 p.m., attendees will be able to see performances by local musicians Sunshine Symphony, KJ & Sky, and Heaven’s Back Door, as well as poetry readings from the SUNY Oneonta Slam Poetry Team. Additionally, there will be several community and student groups represented with tables that share information and provide carnival-style games for kids.

Tyler with his Mom Beth. 1-27-13. Credit 27east.com.

Also during this time, there will be fundraising going on for SUNY Oneonta student Tyler Giancola. The SUNY Oneonta Inter-Greek Council will be selling sky lanterns and wax-paper bags to illuminate an outdoor candlelight ceremony taking place at 5 p.m.

Tyler was seriously injured after an assault that took place downtown in the early morning hours of September 14th. Tyler’s injuries were originally diagnosed as critical and required a two-week stay at the Neurological Intensive Care Unit at the Albany Medical Center--a time where he was under sedation and on a ventilator. Miraculously, Tyler is currently on the road to recovery and working with a physical therapist at his home in Westhampton Beach, NY.

Mayor Miller (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)

At the 5 p.m. candlelight ceremony, there will also be words spoken to memorialize Oneonta’s late Mayor, Dick Miller. “Dick would have wanted the event to be successful,” said Council Member Mike Lynch. Mike originally approached Mayor Miller about the idea for the Town & Gown Gala in early October, and the Mayor responded by playing an instrumental role in getting the event off the ground--the kind of roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-it-done initiative that characterized the Mayor’s approach to city government.

 During the 3-5 p.m. casual social mixer, there will also be scheduled speakers raising awareness regarding social issues surrounding these recent tragedies. Representatives from LEAF and the OFO Violence Prevention Program will be speaking. Suicide prevention will also be discussed, and there will be additional tables with information about different social issues.

Kardia

After the candlelight ceremony, the gala will then end on a positive note as a free rock concert kicks off with Albany/Pittsfield-based rock band Kardia--a family-friendly band that just released a new album entitled “Those Who Would Challenge the Sun.” In addition to playing the show, Kardia will be running sound and providing production equipment for the entire event.

El Dred

Additional artists for the rock show include two SUNY Oneonta student bands Bray and Living Proof, as well as El Dred, which consists of local artists Benjamin Ray and Ryan Eldred. Ryan is best known for his popular ska-punk band Catch Twenty-Two, and he has worked with Kaler and The Redemption Movement this past year to headline multiple community rock shows.

For event organizer Kaler Carpenter, putting this together in a month’s time has been, “A whirlwind of reaching out to everyone I know, and it’s been great to work with so many people that are passionate about uniting our city. I believe that a community event like this is exactly what a grieving Oneonta needs right now to lift our spirits and bring people together. Plus, if we’re able to pull together and help this young student in need, then it will all be worth it.”

Organizations supporting the Town & Gown Gala include: The City of Oneonta Commission on Human Rights and Community Relations, Foothills Performing Arts & Civic Center, SUNY Oneonta Inter-Greek Council, The Redemption Movement, LEAF, Student Association of SUNY Oneonta, First Night, OFO Violence Intervention Program, Rock for the Cure, OnMark, Alhpa Phi Omega, BASIC, Campus Ambassadors, EveningWith Design, and more.

Facebook event for the Town & Gown Gala: Click Here.

Additional fundraising efforts for Tyler are being held at Hunt Union on 11-6 and 11-7.

Want to help with event promotion? Join us on Sunday afternoon 11-2 for reverse trick-or-treating! Contact us to RSVP. See the Facebook event page for more information.