Fog moves slowly through Theta Chi House’s basement as 25 or more people pack together tightly listening to live music ranging from classic metal to blues rock. It’s sweaty and hot down there but people still dance, headbang or cheer as each of the four bands work their way through their sets.

All four bands, Lamp Shade Betty, Nancy’s Raygun, Cold Pillow and Create, Control are all local and most have an affiliation with Hamline. The audience seemed enthusiastic for each one as the bands held down the basement.

Ben Heaney (‘18), a member of Theta Chi and the planner of the event, mentioned that most of the bands are veterans of the Down in the Basement Concert.

“All the bands except for one of them performed last semester, and I ran that one also so I just got back into contact with them,” he said.

The music, dancing and socializing seemed enjoyable for everybody, but it wasn’t the only reason the show was held. Heaney understands that the show is thrown for a specific purpose.

“Well first and foremost it’s a benefit concert for Relay for Life,” he said.

Relay for Life is an organization that has a primary goal of helping to combat cancer. Gerrit Born (‘17), President of Theta Chi, helped Heaney to make sure there was a place for people to donate.

“Up on the first floor there’s raffles and it’s a little bit of a quieter area for people to be hanging out in,” he said.

The raffle prizes included Magic: The Gathering booster packs from Source Comics and Games, assorted pies from Perkins Restaurant and Bakery, and Create, Control was selling band related merchandise that they intended to give to the benefit as well.

Born believes that the raffles have been a huge help for their goal of raising money for Relay for Life.

“The year I planned it was the first year that we did the raffle, which brought in a huge amount more money than we normally did,” he said.

Friends got to mingle, and people were hanging out all over the Theta Chi house, everyone seemed excited to be a part of not only a concert with local bands but also an event that was beneficial for cancer research. Heaney believes that this Theta Chi event is helpful for the Hamline community as a whole.

“It’s also a tradition to us. It’s something that gets us more into the community and brings the community to us and gives us a better way to interact with people,” he said. “The point of it is to bring people together, do something fun,” he added.

And people certainly got together on Friday night, with attendees trickling in and out throughout the show. The success of Down in the Basement has made Heaney look forward to throwing the event.

“I’d like to make it even more frequent,” he said.

Theta Chi has been doing Down in the Basement for awhile, but Born believes it is more than just tradition.

“A little bit of it is tradition, but it’s also just really fun. It’s fun for us to get to plan, it’s fun for the bands to be there and play, it’s really fun for the people who come too,” he said.

And a fun, positive event seems to be just what Down in the Basement turned out to be on Friday night, as the crowd cheered “F$#% Cancer!” many times during the show.

Down in the Basement isn’t just for Hamline students; everyone is welcome to attend the show. Born and Heaney made sure to get the word out that it is a community event.

“Anyone who wants to come [is welcome],” Born said. “Anyone who likes good music, and who wants to put a stop to cancer.”

Theta Chi’s commitment to community was evident on Friday night; besides the 25 or so people in the basement, others were interacting on the first floor, in the backyard or out on the deck. Born believes that the event appears to be growing.

“Ever since I’ve been here it’s just getting bigger and bigger, which is cool,” he said.

Theta Chi holds Down in the Basement once a semester. Keep an eye out for flyers around campus during the year or check Theta Chi’s Facebook page for more information.