Five bands. Four hours. One cause.

The Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance will bring Penn State students the third annual Rock for Choice from 8 to midnight tonight in the Pollock Rec Room.

"The main purpose of Rock for Choice is to raise awareness about pro-choice options and causes for women," said Alyssa Pinsker (senior-philosophy), FMLA president and drummer for one of the performing bands, the Manhandlers. "People come to learn and support the cause, or some simply to enjoy the good music."

The five bands performing are Dr. Zaius Transmission, the Pound Puppies, the Manhandlers, Dialect and Caught Like Fire.

"They are mainly local bands," Pinsker said. "It's a good mix of music. You've got punk rock, indie, metal and '60s garage rock."

FMLA Treasurer Dan Kopp (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies) said numerous bands applied to play at Rock for Choice and many aspects have to be considered in choosing the bands.

"We try to get a variety of music," Kopp said. "It is also a prerequisite that the bands have to support what we do here, they have to be behind pro-choice for women."

Pinsker said she anticipates a night of good music and promotion of abortion rights, although she expects that anti-abortion groups may sponsor protests outside the event.

"It is a controversial subject, and we don't expect everyone to agree with it. There are always opposite opinions," she said. "But I do think that is really important to have an event like this at Penn State, especially with the lack of information available on abortion, clinic access and choices."

Rock for Choice was founded by the rock band L7 and the Feminist Majority Foundation in 1991 to support safe and legal abortion, according to the event's Web site (www.feminist.org/rock4c/ 1_rock4c.html). "The turnout has been pretty positive for the past years that we've held it," said FMLA Vice President Erin Masterson (senior-women's studies). "The concert is not just targeted towards women, but to pass the information on to everyone."

Masterson added Rock for Choice is not just a concert to educate the public about abortion rights, but that it is also an opportunity to allow progressive groups to voice their opinions as well.

"Many organizations, for example the local animal rights activist groups, will have tables and booths to pass out information," she said. "It's just a good way to get information and to educate people about the causes."

Kopp said Rock for Choice expects a promising turnout tonight.

"Many people come to support abortion rights, and unfortunately, some people just come for the bands," he said. "Regardless of the reasons that they come and join us, it's still a great opportunity to educate people about women's right to choose."