Queen’s Law students opened their hearts and wallets on February 14 for Lawlapalooza at Trinity Social. The annual charity event featuring musical performances by law students raised over $4,000 for Joe’s M.I.L.L., an instrument lending library in Kingston.
It’s a chance for students to see a different side of their colleagues and learn about their lives outside the classroom, hear rock music and to show their support for the broader Kingston community.
“Lawlapalooza allows the hidden talents of Queen’s Law to flourish on stage for the enjoyment of fellow students and the support of an important cause,” said Jordan Davis, Law’20, a guitarist and singer with Rocket Sauce.
Lots of practice goes in to make the event a success. “Half the fun of Lawla is practising before the show. You get to jam with some excellent musicians, see what songs work well and which ones don't, and have a lot of fun,” said James Dilworth, Law’19. Dilworth performed in two bands, Uncivil Procedure and Alarming the Queen.
Performers at the sold-out event had an audience of more than 200 students happy to sing away the February blues to original songs and classics like Don’t Stop Believin’. “I had major butterflies the days leading up to Lawla. But once I got up on stage with the crew – seeing all of my friends front and centre, screaming and dancing – all the butterflies flew away,” said Nic Baldwin, Law’20, who also performed with Alarming the Queen.
“The event really highlighted the fact that the Queen's Law community is one big family,” Baldwin added, recalling how performers would chat and congratulate each other throughout the evening.
“The opportunity reminded me that it is important to enjoy your time with during your professional degree – to make the most out of the time you have with peers and enjoy the amazing events this school has to offer,” said Davis.
Queen’s Law students are talented and generous with their time and money. “Lawlapalooza 2018 was an enormous success. This year's performers really stepped up to give us a fantastic show,” said Brendan Smith, Law’19.
The money raised supports the Joe Chithalen Memorial Musical Instrument Lending Library, also known as Joe’s M.I.L.L. The lending library is named in memory of Joe Chithalen, a Canadian musician who played with Kingston bands in the 1990s. It has over 1,000 instruments and resources available to borrow free-of-charge and it relies on community donations and volunteers.
Smith and Stephanie Browning, Law’19, co-chaired the Lawlapalooza organizing committee. The event returns in February 2019.
By Alexander McPherson