Friday nights for SMU students are sacred. After a long week of classes, exams and just plain exhaustion, everyone just wants to have a good time, regardless of what the evening’s activities include. A good way to kick off this weekend is by attending fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha’s philanthropy event at Across the Street Bar. Not only will there be music, food and hanging out with great people, you can support their efforts to benefit the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

Headlining the show will be Virginia Coalition, with musicians Hunter James and Ben Rector to open the performance. Virginia Coalition has past toured with Dispatch, OAR, The Lost Trailers, Sister Hazel and Marc Broussard, and recently came out with its new album, “Home this Year” on March 18. With a reputation among music listeners to play almost any style of music, the band’s style is hard to pinpoint. Fresh from Austin’s SXSW music festival, Virginia Coalition is burning up the Texas music scene.

People on the hunt for new up-and-coming musicians will definitely want to hear openers Hunter James and Ben Rector. Rector made his CD debut in 2007 with “Twenty Tomorrow.” As an undergraduate student at University of Arkansas, he’s managed to cut a CD as well as tour all over Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, and will soon be performing in concerts with Dave Barnes and Andy Davis. Hunter James is a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and has played at multiple Dallas venues such as The Door. Hunter recently completed his debut album, “Live for Today.”

All proceeds collected from ticket sales will benefit the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, which is a world leader in the treatment of pediatric orthopedic conditions. TSRHC strives to improve the care of children worldwide through innovative research and teaching programs, training physicians from around the world.

What could be better than hearing some awesome music while supporting such a great cause?

Tickets for the Lambda Chi Alpha philanthropy event are $10 before the event and $20 at the door. The fraternity will have a booth at the Westbridge in front of Hughes-Trigg this week to sell tickets and provide more information about the event.

Across the Street Bar is located on Yale Boulevard, and the opening acts will start at 7:30 p.m., with Virginia Coalition beginning around 10 p.m. The men of Lambda Chi Alpha would greatly appreciate SMU’s support, and with the appealing musical lineup and festivities planned, Friday night doesn’t look too shabby.