Company of Thieves to perform for IU Timmy Foundation

The IU chapter of the Timmy Foundation has booked three bands to perform a benefit show Thursday for their partnering organization, Pop Wuj, in Guatemala.

Company of Thieves, Busman’s Holiday and Rodeo Ruby Love are the bands set to perform at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater box office or online at www.buskirkchumley.org.

The Timmy Foundation tries to travel every other month to Guatemala and Ecuador to work with local organizations to set up medical programs in rural villages.

“The funds from the show will be used to run a low-cost clinic and pay salaries, provide medication and go towards an endowment fund to promote sustainability within the organization,” said senior Amanda Steinken, who serves as the IU Timmy Foundation Bloomington Fundraising Chairwoman.

Steinken and IU Timmy Foundation President senior Gaby Cheikh began organizing benefit concerts for the Timmy Foundation and its partner organizations three years ago. 

Cheikh ran into Company of Thieves’ lead singer, Genevieve Schatz, at a show in Indianapolis and created a partnership with the band. This will be the Company of Thieves’ fourth show for the Timmy Foundation.

Rodeo Ruby Love and Busman’s Holiday have also performed benefit shows for the foundation in the past.

“Bloomington has a great scene of local music,” Cheikh said. “Everyone knows everyone and helps each other, and they appreciate what we’re doing.”

In previous years the Timmy Foundation’s shows have been in Alumni Hall and at The Bishop. This year’s show will be at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater for the first time, courtesy of a grant from the Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District.

“The grant has enabled us to put on a show at the Buskirk bigger than we’ve had before,” Steinken said.

In addition to benefitting Pop Wuj, the show will have more than 20 organizations in the lobby advocating their causes and enabling the community to learn more about getting involved.

“A lot of people miss out on things to do locally,” Cheikh said. “This is a great opportunity for students to get involved without having to spend a ton of money.”

Kyle Kammeyer, guitarist and vocalist for Rodeo Ruby Love, said he hopes people look into what the Timmy Foundation does and that he hopes for a great show.

“We all have different stances and beliefs, but we can all agree on improving the lives of others that are less fortunate,” Kammeyer said. “The Buskirk is Bloomington’s darling — it brings the best shows and is the place to play. My fingers are crossed.”