Amidst the rainy weather, live music and the distinctive scent of coffee filled the air as Auburn's University Program Council hosted the annual War Damn Coffee Jam on Nov. 20th.
The outdoor concert, with live music performed by Devin Kennedy, lasted from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in front of Samford Hall. The UPC's yearly event offers an opportunity for students to socialize and relax with warm coffee and hot cocoa.
This year's event marked the concert's return to Samford Lawn where it is traditionally held, after last year's event moved inside Langdon Hall due to inclement weather. This year's event also saw a day filled with torrential downpours before the event, but rainfall ceased just in time for the festivities to begin.
Cole Wheeler, senior in professional flight and president of the UPC, helped bring the event to fruition. Wheeler hoped the event allowed students to get out and experience live music on Auburn's campus.
"We had a rocky start with the rain, but we didn't let that slow us down," Wheeler said. "We got everything set up and we're really excited, people seem to be coming in still, so it's going to be good."
Students attending the event had numerous activities to make braving the rain worthwhile. This included live music from multiple bands, with a performance from Devin Kennedy, a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Los Angeles known for his hybrid of alternative and R&B music. Kennedy has over ten million independent music streams and his new album, "In My Imagination," was released this past June.
Kennedy's performance took center stage on the lawn as music serenaded Auburn throughout the evening. Students gathered to watch saw a surprise appearance from Aubie the Tiger dancing in the moonlight to Kennedy's melodies.
Other activities included free coffee, donuts and hot cocoa from tents set up around the main concert area. The environment allowed attending students to socialize and meet new people in a relaxed and unique setting after classes concluded for the day.
Sydney Jaffe, senior majoring in finance and director of live entertainment at UPC, was also a key part of the event.
"The committee and leadership of UPC, they worked really hard out here setting up," Jaffe said. "There's a lot of great music, we have two bands playing tonight, and it's a great chance to come out and meet people."
The festivities began to wrap after the close of Kennedy's performance at 9 p.m.
War Damn Coffee Jam is one of the many signature annual events held by the UPC and enjoyed by the Auburn student body. This year was no different, as even through the rainy weather, a large sum of students attended.
Wheeler hopes this tradition keeps going.
"It's been six or seven years since we started [War Damn Coffe Jam]," Wheeler said. "It's awesome. I'm glad to have it back on Samford Lawn this year, it's a great tradition, everyone loves it. Definitely a fun one we are excited to keep going."
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