Though Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton and Sarah Palin have all spoken at Rec Hall in the past two years, no music performances have taken place at the venue that once hosted artists like Busta Rhymes and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
That will change next weekend, when the Student Programming Association (SPA) brings California piano rockers Jack's Mannequin to break in the remodeled building at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11.
"We wanted to bring it back to where concerts used to be," SPA Executive Director Stephanie Sottung said. "Rec Hall was a new venue, it was still on campus, and it gave us an opportunity to accommodate more students."
The upcoming event will be the largest yet in SPA's three-year history. Sottung said the show will likely resonate with students who like singer Andrew McMahon's former band, Something Corporate.
And they'll definitely enjoy the $5 ticket price, she said.
"They're going to appreciate the opportunity to see such a large artist for a reasonable price," Sottung said.
"I think ticket sales are going to soar through the roof. This is a band that is very well-known with students."
SPA took a poll during the Student Involvement Fair and picked the band based on availability and highest number of votes, said Claire DiGiacomo, SPA entertainment chair.
"With this band, we're getting them at a point where they did just put out an album, so they're more in the eyes of college students," DiGiacomo said. "So far, there is a lot of student interest. I went to class today where no one knows I am the entertainment chair, and students were talking about it."
Jonathan Jick (senior-labor employment relations) said he's been a big fan of Jack's Mannequin since he first heard the songs "Holiday from Real" and "The Mixed Tape" in high school.
"I'm absolutely going to go unless I have work," he said. "I'm not sure how big their fan base is here, but I'm sure it'll do pretty well -- especially since tickets are $5."
The band has a very upbeat and summery feel to their songs, Dennis Dwyer (sophomore-finance) said.
"I think a lot of different people would like them," Dwyer said. "Everyone I know that's heard them likes them."
Tickets go on sale Thursday at 10 a.m. on the first floor of the HUB-Robeson Center.
Collegian staff writer Ricky Morales contributed to this article.
