Fraternities book Yellowcard for Little 500 concert

Alpha Tau Omega and Acacia fraternities are teaming up to host the band Yellowcard on April 20 during Little 500 weekend. \nTickets will be on sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the ATO house, 720 E. Third St.. Tickets are $20 in advance, and $25 at the door. \nIn addition, tickets can be purchased through Star Tickets Plus by phone at 1-800-585-3737; at all Meijer stores; and online at www.starticketsplus.com.\n“It’s a good choice,” said graduate student Maureen Hattrup. “It’s similar to O.A.R., but both bands offer something to like.”\nYellowcard, a pop-punk band from Jacksonville, Fla. is best known for its 2003 album “Ocean Avenue.”\nRepresentatives from both fraternities said the proceeds from the concert are going to the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington, an effort from both of the fraternities for their spring philanthropy. Bloomington radio station B97 is presenting the concert.\n“We’ve had a good, positive relationship and we’re doing something official,” said Doug Rosenstein, president of ATO.\nOriginally, the two fraternities were going to bring band O.A.R., the only other group they seriously considered bringing, said A.J. Rich, director of special events for ATO.\nIn the end, things did not work between the fraternities and O.A.R., and Yellowcard worked best for the two fraternities’ purposes, Rich said. Along with Yellowacard’s set, there will also be performances by local Bloomington acts, yet to be announced.\nO.A.R. is coming during Little 500 weekend, sponsored by the Union Board. The band will come to campus on April 20 to the IU Auditorium \nat 7:30 p.m. \n“I’m not very familiar with them,” sophomore Katelyn Holsclaw said of Yellowcard. “I’ve heard a few songs, and they seem like a good band.”\nEven though Holsclaw said she probably won’t attend, she thinks the music groups brought to IU offer something for everyone.\nRosenstein said the enthusiasm for Little 500 also plays a role in the concert selection.\n“One reason we really liked Yellowcard is because they are really energetic and it is the night before the Little 5 (men’s) race,” Rosenstein said. “It will serve as a pre-race pump up for everyone, very entertaining, and a great time for the whole \nLittle 5 week.”\nLast year, rap artist Young Buck, performed, Rich said.\n“We just thought that in the past, we have done rap groups and they haven’t been as successful,” Rich said. “This genre of music would accept a lot more of the student body.”\nFor the event, both of the parking lots between the two houses will be combined, containing enough room for about 5,000 people, according to an event press release from \nthe fraternities.\n“We expect that there should be a pretty good turnout, as Yellowcard has been on the TV, radio and a lot of people have heard of them,” Rosenstein said.\nBoth Rosenstein and Rich emphasized that the concert will be promoted not just for other fraternities and sororities, but for the residence halls as well.\nRich said that the women’s champions from Friday’s race will be honored at the concert and riders for ATO and Acacia fraternities will receive a send-off.\nFreshman Joe Mutton, who said he has not yet witnessed a Little 500 event, said he appreciates the diversity of music coming to campus, but “something a little more energizing,” would be his pick for the weekend.\nSenior Michael Franklin said he likes Yellowcard and approves of the music choices brought to IU.\n“I think the music choices are diverse,” he said. “It’s Little 500, students are always out and they will look for any excuse to go out.”