November is finally here and the ladies of Tri Sigma could not be more ecstatic. This month they will host a battle of the bands in order to fundraise for the national Robbie Page Memorial.
Rockin for Robbie will take place Friday Nov. 12, in Alumni Hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show is set to start at 6:00 p.m. sharp.
The Sigma Sigma Sigma ladies will be selling tickets for $5 outside the Market Place all week. Along with the tickets, they will be selling Rockin’ for Robbie T-shirts for $5. T-shirts will also be sold at the doors the night of the event for $7. Half the money being raised from this event will go directly to the Robbie Page Memorial Fund, and the other half will go locally to the Gillette Children’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minn. in support of their research and rehab facilities.
The Robbie Page Memorial fund promotes play therapy for children. Play therapy is an alternative form of rehabilitation for children. It is used for both long and short-term rehab where there is a mental and/ or physical condition being treated.
With this being the national philanthropy of all 98 collegiate chapters of Tri Sigma, it is one of the Sigmas’ biggest events of the year. This chapter is one of the contributors to the cause. The Robbie Foundation was started in memory of the son of a Sigma president, Robbie Page, who died at an early age from bulbar polio in 1951. The hospitals benefiting from the memoral fund are based in Texas and North Carolina.
The fundraising for this foundation is a tradition by the Eta Theta chapter of Tri Sigma, established here at Gustavus in 1998. This will be their first time doing such a large production for the foundation, and they are hoping to make it an annual event. “We have had amazing success with sponsors, and that’s why we are able to put on such a large event,” Senior Management and Mathematics Major Kelsey Manning of the Tri Sigmas said.
The Tri Sigmas will be tabling and collecting change for your favorite band. To fundraise make sure you cast your vote by emptying change into the jar of your favorite band. The winning band at the end of the night will get a cash prize, as well as a recording session at Two Fish recording studios located in Mankato, Minn.
“It has been a learning experience and also been fun to learn about the different musical lingo,” Senior International Management Major Kate Pearson of Tri Sigma said.
Rockin’ for Robbie will consist of seven bands total: No Thanks to You, Flash Bandango!, Foreman, Polis, Moe Merkin and the Electric Pussy, Down to Funk and Summer says Hello.
“When I heard about the Rockin’ for Robbie battle of the bands, I thought it was a great way to host a fun, concert-style event, while supporting a great cause. It’s always fun to play, and what better excuse than to participate in a fundraiser while doing so?” Senior Management and Health Fitness Major Keith Linne of “No Thanks To You” said. They have been together as a band for eight years and they enjoy playing in front of new crowds.
The bands will each get a chance to showcase their talent for a 30 minute set. The kinds of bands range from pop rock to zombie rock. There will be a wide range of performers coming from St Peter, the twin cities and Northfield, Minn. Acoustic Covers are performing during the tallying of scores. “This event is an opportunity to use our music for a truly beneficial cause. When it comes to the music scene today, shows like this that actually help others are when the power of a concert/live music really shines,” First-year Joey Verschaetse of Polis said. “We are looking forward to seeing Gustavus dance! We want to enlighten them to the funk,” Joseph Walker of Down To Funk said.
The band Foreman from St. Olaf is excited to share their music with the Gustavus community. “Music is a gift, and it brings people together. No matter their background, just about everyone identifies with some form of music,” Wesley Olson of Foreman said.
The Sigmas hope this will be a memorable event and hope for a good turnout.