Rockhurst Sentinel

Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: News

s heard of "The Big Event" by now - either by the musical hinting of the Bell Tower, the e-mail announcement or by general campus buzz - and it's a pretty safe assumption that everyone had about the same reaction:

"WHAT!! Someone I've actually heard of is coming to Rockhurst?!?"

That's right! Ben Folds kicked off another tour of college campuses February 29, and this time Kansas City is on the schedule.

"I've been a fan of Ben Folds since high school," comments junior Kevin Becvar. "I have seen some people play the piano, but no one plays it with the same energy as Ben."

Preparations for "The Big Event" started way back when the Rockhurst student body participated in a survey about who they'd like to see perform at Rockstock. (Those surveys with all the big names we all knew would never come to Rockhurst? Yeah, those.) Ben Folds topped the survey results. SAB took action.

"We started talks with his agent," explains SAB president Kevin Goodwin, "And it looked pretty shaky that he would be able to come to our campus for Rockstock. Then the agent said that UMKC was also looking to book. If we both went in on it together not only would we both save money, but our chances of getting a date booked with him would increase."

"The Big Event" will be Saturday, April 5 at UMKC's Swinney Recreation Center. The doors will open at 6:00, and the show starts at 7:00. Tickets went on sale March 3 at 8 a.m. With only 1000 tickets available to over 2000 students, the diehards lined up outside the SAB box in Massman Hall late on March 2.

Freshmen Aly Baldree and Amanda Imo found themselves at the front of the line. "We've been here since 10:30 p.m. My favorite thing about him is the way he plays the piano," commented a tired Baldree.

Around 20 students had gathered by midnight to gain the elusive free ticket, valid only with a Rockhurst I.D.

Excitement kept the weary awake and maybe a bit delirious.

"Ever since I was in the womb, Ben Folds serenaded me," explained sophomore Camden Civello. "I've been feeling nostalgic and needed to quench the thirst inside me for Folds."

Civello and his friends waited along the stairs, using the line time to do homework. Though they believed "The Big Event" took away from the specialness of Rockstock, they agreed they would take a free Ben Folds concert any way it came. Becvar put the joint school concert into perspective.

"He'll (Folds) be across the street. It's fine."

Opening for Ben will be Black Violin, a classical hip-hop act. The band, composed of two classically-trained violinists, is "worth the show themselves" according to Trey Malone, an SAB member on the committee responsible for booking and planning the show.

They've toured with Linkin Park, performed with Alicia Keys at the Billboard Awards and recorded with Jessica Simpson. For more info about Black Violin, or to check out some of their music, hit up their website at www.blackviolin.net.

Because of the collaboration with UMKC, the Ben Folds concert is NOT a part of Rockstock. Rockstock is May 3 at Rockhurst. Stay tuned for information about who will be performing!

If you have yet to get your ticket, check availability for "The Big Event" at the SAB box.

Then get stoked for Ben Folds!!!

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