Tonight Amnesty International will host Jamnesty, a benefit concert to raise money and awareness for Amnesty International's Stop Violence Against Women campaign, at Tall Shiva Hookah Lounge, 224 W. College Ave.

The concert will feature five local female-fronted bands and solo artists, poetry readings by local activist Dora McQuaid and a sexual violence photography exhibit by Lindsay Keiter, said Jamnesty Coordinator and Secretary Loren Heinbach.

On the roster are solo artists Darcie Minor, Bridget Beaver, Lorena Chacon and Gina Riggio, as well as guitar duo Deb and Eric.

The all-female, a capella group Savoir Faire will perform a number of vocal arrangements, Heinbach (sophomore-biobehavioral health) said.

There is a $3 cover charge, and the show runs from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Proceeds will also benefit local women's shelters.

The Penn State chapter of Amnesty International hosts Jamnesty concerts every year to address specific human rights issues, Heinbach said.

However, this is the first time women's rights has been the focus, she added.

"Through the eyes of Amnesty International, violence against women is a violation of human rights," Heinbach said, adding that the Stop Violence Against Women campaign is a national priority this year.

Proceeds from tonight's concert will be divided between Amnesty International campaigns as well as local shelters for battered women, Heinbach said.

"It's important to address violence at home, and we will go as close to home as possible," she said.

Poet and educator McQuaid knows firsthand how devastating the effects of domestic and sexual violence can be.

A survivor of relationship violence, she has made a career out of advocacy for women's rights and nonviolence.

"Violence against women doesn't get a whole lot of media attention. People don't know how bad the epidemic is," she said, adding that the issue of partnership violence is clouded by myths.

"Most people don't want to believe that partnership violence can happen in any age group, race, religion or social bracket," McQuaid said. "People want to insulate themselves, to believe it only happens to people who aren't like them, but partnership violence occurs in every bracket across our society."

McQuaid said that audience members who are moved by her readings often approach her to talk.

"People are grateful because they are often unable to articulate their own experiences. A lot of people stay silent," she said.

For guitarist and songwriter Bridget Beaver (freshman-Japanese), being part of Jamnesty means celebrating women's accomplishments in the arts.

"It was hard for women to break into the arts and be taken seriously as musicians," Beaver said.

Although her lyrics are more personal than political, Beaver says her presence as a female solo artist will help the campaign.

While tonight marks Beaver's debut at the Tall Shiva Hookah Lounge, the lounge has been a familiar venue for previous Amnesty events.

"It's a very progressive venue and very willing to donate space to a good cause," Heinbach said.