Will Snyder, manager of SoZo, decided he needed to rethink who he allows to perform at the venue after police in riot gear were called to control a party hosted at the site over the summer.

"That made me want to clear all the performances we have at SoZo's," Snyder said. "We want musicians to think a little bit outside themselves."

Snyder said the SoZo, 256 E. Beaver Ave., will shift its focus to include more philanthropic events, even after the venue's partnership with local promotion agency Nittany Booking was diminished after the graduation of the company's owner this past spring.

Snyder is not only looking for inspired artists but also working with booking agents to find charity events in need of a space.

When Altoona-based band On The Run wanted to perform at SoZo, Snyder said he decided the band should put on a show that would help benefit someone in need.

On The Run decided to hold a concert benefiting cystic fibrosis in support of Mike Keller, a friend of the band, bassist Tyler Miller said.

The $5 cover for the show will go to 65 Roses, a charity that funds research and improves the quality of life for those with the disease.

"I think a lot of people don't know anything about the disease," Miller said. "This is something they have treatments for, but they don't really give money to find better treatments ... There's a lack of awareness, really."

Keller, who is the drummer for local hip hop group Audio Imagery, will talk about cystic fibrosis and his experiences with it during the concert, Miller said.

Keller said doctors discovered he had cystic fibrosis when he was only three months old and told him he wouldn't live past the age of 12.

Now, at 26 he's lived more than twice as long as doctors had originally projected.

Cystic fibrosis is a disease that affects the lungs and pancreas because of the overproduction of mucus membranes.

Keller said many people who are unfamiliar with the genetic disease think he suffers from a bad cough.

"They act as if you're contagious, and that's not the case at all," he said.

Though he may not have the same life expectancy as his peers, Keller said it's pointless to dwell on something no one has control of.

"Realistically, everybody could be gone tomorrow," he said. "It's about taking precautions so you can live to that expectancy and beyond."

Miller said the push to have more charitable shows at SoZo is a really cool idea, and something that will make a difference.

Miller said he was not surprised SoZo would push for more charitable involvement from the bands performing at the venue, and interns from South Hills School of Business & Technology are helping Snyder book more bands with a charitable mindset.

"I wouldn't say that I'm surprised, but they didn't have any real marketing staff before. [SoZo] has always wanted to have benefit stuff there ... I'd say it was only a matter of time," Miller said.

Keller said he admires Snyder for trying to make the community a better place and having a music scene that gives back.

"Not only is he a supporter of local musicians, but he gets to do all those things with [SoZo]," Keller said. "I think it's fantastic."

Snyder said his venue teaches young musicians how to perform and educates young people how to lead better lives.

"It's an institute," Snyder said. "We like to challenge students to learn and think outside themselves."