Students grouped around a turntable in the middle of DUC Theater as a disc jockey was spinning records.

Some people stood, nodding their heads. Others grouped together, their individual dances merging into one.

All were promoting the cause of the Invisible Children.

Students Against Monotony, Invisible Children, Americans for an Informed Democracy teamed up to put on the Thanksgiving Festival, Jubilee, Etc. last night.

The festival was planned by Students Against Monotony, a new organization that is dedicated to the blending of social activity and humanitarian efforts and embracing cultures and the world, according to the organization’s Facebook group.

“We had the idea of having a festival,” said Kristen Houser, president of the organization, “But we wanted it to benefit an organization.”

The organization the group decided on was Invisible Children, which is also new to campus.

The festival was originally supposed to take place on the lawn in front of McLean Hall, but was moved to DUC because of rain.

It included live bands, poetry readings by Greenhouse Poetry Inc. and merchandise tables featuring Invisible Children T-shirts and DVDs.

All performances were done for free.

Adam Henze of Greenhouse Poetry Inc. said benefiting Invisible Children is important to him, and he was happy to perform when Students Against Monotony asked him.

Proceeds from the event will go toward Schools for Schools, a program sponsored by Invisible Children.

Schools for Schools is designed to make students across the world think of creative fundraising ideas to help rebuild war-torn schools in Northern Uganda.

Western supports Lacor Secondary School, which is one of the 10 schools helped by the program.

Alexander Fortson, the president of Western’s Invisible Children chapter, said that the sole reason a chapter of Invisible Children exists at Western is to support the Schools for Schools program.

So far this year, Western has raised about $300 that will go to Lacor. The money will be used to refurbish of current structures and the building of additional educational structures.

Americans for an Informed Democracy is also involved with Invisible Children.

Smaller organizations such as Students Against Monotony and Invisible Children have some of the same goals, said Charlie Harris, a member of Americans for an Informed Democracy’s steering committee.

“If we work together, we make the things we do into huge events and make a bigger impact,” Harris said.

Reach Danielle Bullock at news@chherald.com.