SPC needs funds to bring Ziggy Marley

By Gus Bode

Student Programming Council is sending out a plea for financial support to bring Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers to campus for the Spring Thing.

Confirmation of Marley rests on the ability to amass the money needed to pay the band.

“If we don’t get the money, we won’t get Ziggy Marley,” said Andrew Daly, an SPC member who developed the spring event. It is pretty cut and dry right now, we have to have the money.

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SPC is $5,000 short of its goal Daly said. It has raised almost $10,000 in the last couple of days.

The chances of getting Marley for April 25 look good so far, Daly said.

If the money is collected, the Spring Thing would be moved from the original date of April 18 to April 25, the same day as the annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. This is the 25th anniversary of the regatta.

Marley is scheduled to perform in Peoria the evening of April 24 and is scheduled to perform in Texas April 26. SPC has a bid in to get the group here April 25.

The event, depending on the amount of money raised, will feature a free outdoor concert and possibly a comedian, novelty games and concessions, Daly said. Registered Student Organizations and Carbondale businesses are invited to get involved.

Any organization that wants to volunteer, no matter how much money they have, is welcomed, Daly said.

The festival will be an alcohol-free event, though, because of the University’s alcohol policy, which prohibits University-affiliated organizations from sponsoring an event where alcohol would be sold.

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Daly said SPC has raised about three-fourths of the money itself. Several other groups, including the Inter Greek Council, the Intra Fraternity Council and the Pan-Hellenic Council have contributed. WCIL and 710 Bookstore also donated money for the event.

The Carbondale City Council donated $2,000 to SPC at its meeting Tuesday evening. The donation is contingent on booking Ziggy Marley.

SPC hopes to involve other RSOs and is contacting them now.

Daly said SPC thought Marley would be one of the most diverse groups appealing to a diverse audience it could bring to campus.

This is an idea that was sort of dropped in our laps Daly said. We need the money as soon as possible though. We have to have the bid in for Marley by the end of this week, and we can’t do it without the money.

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