Ecumenical Center Gathers bands for annual benifit concert

Luke Whitley

Fourth Estate

Photo by Matt Becker/Fourth Estate

Mike Casey, Scott Dickert and Tucker Burch playing out on the grass by the university union. Casey will be performing at the Ecumenical Center on Feb. 9.

Music is a message and voice that everyone can relate to. Last year, the Ecumenical Center attempted to deliver that message with a benefit concert that was co-sponsored by Thrivent for Lutherans.

Last year’s benefit raised almost $1,000, with Thrivent for Lutherans matching the amount raised. Its success can be credited to such bands as The Cancer Sticks, Aces Fold and Wrong Answer.

Photo by Louis Deluca/MCT

Thrivent for Lutherans is a non-profit organization that helps other organizations match funds they raise.

This year, the EC will again be hosting their annual benefit concert, Java Jive, on Feb. 9 from 8 to 11 p.m.

The concert is a part of their capital fund for operations and program support. All money raised goes to the continuation of programs at the EC.

This year, however, the EC is looking for musicians that specialize in the acoustic methods and are calling on students or community members to take the reins.

Not specifically just guitar, but they are also looking for singers, pianists, keyboardists or drummers. Any instrument that can be played without the help of a large amplifier will do.

It’s an opportunity for musicians that aren’t known to be heard. In addition, the musicians would be helping an organization that already does as much as it can to help students on campus.

This unique opportunity will allow many students to have the chance to hear and see what the EC does. Additionally, it allows students who may not regularly attend the EC to get involved in some of its activities.

“We have three hours to fill, and have already had a few people contact us with interest. After we get an idea of how many performers we have, it could still leave us with a wide variety with about 15 minutes for each performer,” said Jan Scoville, executive director of the EC. “It was very fun last year. It was a really good time and students stayed until the end.”

With only three bands performing at last year’s event, having more performers will enable a wider variety of music this year.

In addition to more performers, the EC staff is hoping the larger variety will increase the attendance from the 150 at last year’s concert.

The show costs $5, which includes free snacks. Soda and coffee will also be available for an additional fee.

The auditorium will be arranged similar to a coffeehouse, allowing a very intimate setting for students to listen and musicians to play.

The event last year had much success, due in part to the people that were closely connected with the EC. Stephanie Peters helped brainstorm and promote the event and said much of the success was due to news of the concerts spreading through the grapevine.

“We had a student worker whose brother was in the band Wrong Answer and they were one of the bands that we got,” Peters said.

This year, however, she hopes to see more of a diversity in musicians and that more students who aren’t directly associated with the EC or its members will step up and perform.

“We want bigger and broader horizons,” Peters said.

If you are a local band or musician who would like to attend this year’s event, you can contact Jan Scoville at jan@ecumenical-center.org.