By: Aaraksh Siwakoti
“We won’t leave it, all in our hands,” the crowd shouted, dancing, as Rich Aucoin sang the lyrics to “It” during his charismatic and charming performance.
In an unorthodox show involving movie projections and a rainbow parachute, Rich Aucoin’s vocals and electronic beats entertained students at The Observatory on Feb. 12 in support of the Spread the Net campaign.
The Walkervilles opened up for Aucoin with an energetic performance. A fairly new band, this was their very first show performing live together. Any nerves that might have been there before were no longer apparent during the show.
The trio set the tone for the rest of the night. Rich Aucoin carried the momentum and energy from the Walkervilles’ set and continued to entertain the small, but loyal crowd.
“It was absolutely amazing,” said Samantha Billings-Turner first-year crisis management/human psychology student. “The energy he (Rich Aucoin) brought out in the crowd was one of a kind. It was such a great show.”
Aucoin, who is not a stranger to charity events, was asked to come and support Algonquin’s Spread the Net campaign and was more than happy to, he explained in an interview he Times after the show.
He has been involved in many different charitable events in the past; during one of his multi-city tours across Canada, Aucoin bicycled between gigs to raise money for the Childhood Cancer Society.
He even ran half-marathons during one of his solo tours in support of the Canadian Cancer Society.
“I like doing shows that are fundraisers because it’s such a win-win: it’s a fun time for everyone,” said Aucoin about participating in benefit shows. “I think it’s just good to be always doing stuff like that.”
Rich Aucoin put on an enthusiastic show, which involved him syncing his music to movies playing in the background. He involved the crowd between every song by getting them to chant lyrics before each one.
Aucoin even brought out his iconic multi-coloured parachute during the set, which the crowd danced under alongside him. The support for the night was small but not meaningless, according to Aucoin.
“If everyone just made a small effort you’d be surprised. I think it’s easy for people to not think about the volume of what can happen when a whole mass of people get together on something,” said Aucoin when asked about people getting involved in charities. “Sometimes all it needs is a little spark.”
Rich Aucoin advised people who throw parties to do it for a charitable cause, get people to pitch money and give it to the charity after the night is over.
“That way you keep the cops and neighbors at bay and at the end of the night, everyone feels good for helping out a cause,” he said. “Help people with your partying more.”