Arts & Entertainment
McCracken's Eclectic Evening For NOVACO
Jammin Java brings performing arts and charity together Monday night for a great cause
Young amateur artists and charity combine for a good cause at Monday evening at McCracken’s Eclectic Evening for Novaco.
C.J. McCracken, a rising senior at W.T. Woodson High School, organized the event in a joint effort with Novaco, a Fairfax City-based nonprofit organization that provides housing and other service for homeless victims of domestic abuse. A portion of the proceeds from the evening will go towards Novaco’s efforts to help domestic abuse victims.
McCracken’s high school improv team, “The Improvaliers,” is one of the featured acts of the night.
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“I founded the improv team at my school and I started doing charity shows my sophomore year,” McCracken aid. “That was when the Haitian earthquake happened and from then I noticed how great it was to get the community involved and get some acts together and produce art for a good cause.”
Jammin Java is one of C.J.’s biggest venues to date – after three similar shows he has raised a modest but notable $660 for charity.
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“We do these for charity,” McCracken said. “I like doing it and I like seeing suffering decrease in the world.”
Among the musical performers Monday night is Alice Boyars, a member of the Woodson Chorus who was among the 150 students in Virginia selected to participate in the Middle School Honor Choir for Virginia in 2010.
Julian Rosen, a music major at Christopher Newport University, will bring his unique mix of piano playing and beat boxing for the hip hop fans in attendance.
All of the performers, with the exception of Bradley Perrow’s band “Ladies and Gentleman,” are amateur artists and performers, so the charity event gives them an excellent proving ground to showcase their skills.
McCracken will be the master of ceremonies for the night, entertaining the crowd with his humorous sketch comedy in between performances.
“What I’m really trying to do here is show how suffering in the world can be reduced and how easy it is to do it,” McCracken said. “Anyone can do it, anyone can help the world, that’s what I’m trying to show people while also making a difference.”
McCracken's Eclectic Evening for Novaco starts at 7 p.m. Monday at Jammin' Java, 227 Maple Ave E., Vienna. Tickets are $10 in advance, $13 day of.
