Chess and Community will host its fifth annual Rhythm on the River event on Friday, Aug. 23, at Big Dogs on the River.
The event acts as a fundraiser for Chess and Community, a youth organization whose work involves much more than chess.
“Chess is a very small percentage of the work that we do; [it] only reflects maybe about 10 or 15 percent,” executive director Lemuel “Life” LaRoche said. “We also do youth book clubs, we do debates, we do conflict resolution, we do entrepreneurship.”
Most of the fundraising goes toward these programs, which LaRoche said “empower [students] with the skills that they need to continue to be productive leaders.”
“It’s about developing youth leaders — getting our youth to realize that they have a role to play in our society and actually getting them to take on those roles,” LaRoche said.
The event will feature several performances, including spoken-word poetry from LaRoche, a multi-instrumental set from Kishi-Bashi and hip-hop from local artists Linqua Franqa, Squalle and LB.
There will be plenty of other entertainment, too.
“This is a family-friendly event. We’re gonna have food, a lot of games — we’re gonna have some cornhole, some chess, volleyball,” LaRoche said.
There is a $20 suggested donation for the event, which begins at 5 p.m. Friday evening.
“This is really just a way to bring the families and communities together for a fun event,” LaRoche said.