arts briefs

Small Town Records, a subsidiary of the Duke University Union, will hold its first annual CD release party today at Alivia's. The event will feature performances by Small Town rock bands Smooch and the Big Hug and Stella by Starlight and hip-hop artist Mike Posner. In addition to the bands, Small Town Records will be giving away free T-shirts and compilation CDs and have an open bar.

"The compilation is the tool that allows us to publicize student bands," said Colin Tierney, the Small Town Records co-founder. "It allows the bands to get a little bit more publicity in a powerful way. It's a huge whirlwind effect that helps promote the bands and create awareness of DUU, who funds us."

In the future, Tierney hopes to put out more than one compilation, and the group is in talks to make an a capella compilation. For now, Tierney said he is satisfied and excited about tonight's event.

"It's all about bringing more music to Duke," Tierney said. "This is something we've been looking forward to for a long time."

As part of Global Health Week, alternative-rock band Calisus is performing on the Bryan Center Plaza this Saturday at 4 p.m. in an effort to promote hepatitis B awareness. The event is a benefit concert for Team HBV, a campus group dedicated to raising awareness of hepatitis B and liver cancer. The group is a subsidiary of the Asian Liver Center, located at Stanford University. The performance is the grand conclusion to Global Health Week at Duke. The band will also be giving away free T-shirts and CDs.

Calisus is fresh off of a nine school tour in California promoting the cause at other college campuses. "They are looking for a way to promote a good cause and get the word out about their music," said Lucy Gong, Team HBV president. "They feel ours is particularly worthwhile." The group is supported by California State Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, who has recently authored a bill to urge Asian Americans everywhere to get tested and vaccinated for hepatitis B.