For Table Ten, playing in support of Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon is not only a way to give back but also a way to keep up the spirits of a fraternity which the group has close ties.
At 7 tonight, Sigma Tau Gamma will hold a benefit concert to kick off it's first canning weekend. Local bands Table Ten and Shelbyville will play at the fraternity's house, 500 S. Allen Road.
"It's really about building anticipation," said organizer Vince Paventa, a member at Sigma Tau Gamma. "We want to raise money and build spirit."
Entry is $5 and food will cost $1. Sigma Tau Gamma philanthropy chairman Jim Smith said he was involved in Thon last year and knows what it does for the families and children it assists.
"You just get a good feeling whenever you get involved," Smith (junior-kinesiology) said.
Table Ten was asked to play because of it's special relationship with the fraternity -- guitarist Josh Corcoran is a former president of Sigma Tau Gamma.
"They are great guys," Paventa (junior-advertising-public relations) said. "Always enthusiastic about Thon."
The band has been involved in the charity for some time, band members said.
In fact, two of the band members danced in Thon last year, Corcoran (senior-communication arts and sciences) said .
"Basically, we want to be able to take all these people who come out for Thon, to come together and play music and show these people a good time." Corcoran said. "Let them go into the weekend energized and do their best work for Thon."
The fraternity hopes the event will be the beginning of a successful fundraising effort, Smith said. The members are aiming to raise $80,000 for this year's Thon. As for Paventa, he's hoping the concert will start the weekend off right.
"Thon is really something all of Penn State comes together for," he said. "We're going for a positive, uplifting atmosphere to build spirit and enthusiasm to kick off canning with a bang."
The fraternity wants everyone to have a good time, but those who attend shouldn't forget what the concert is for, Smith said.
