Spring Break
Jason Mraz to perform
Emily Zulz/Activities Reporter
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: News
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After compiling a list of names, the UB concert committee narrowed the list down to just Ben Folds and Jason Mraz.
With only one weekend to work with, Ben Murphy, a senior communication studies major and UB concert coordinator, said Mraz was the best option as far as price and dates.
Folds was already booked during UB's only available date, said Sheila Hurley, a freshman pre-nursing major and UB concert elect.
Folds will be performing at Gonzaga University on April 25 - the day of the Mraz concert.
The concert committee had problems early in the semester with possible artists falling through and a limited amount of dates.
Both Murphy and Hurley were glad to finally lock in what artist was coming.
Ceci Brinker, director of student life, said the UB students were relieved but had not been panicking.
"I think the students were really confident that we would get something," Brinker said. "They just wanted to make sure they got something that was quality."
The concert committee researched student interest and Murphy said it seemed like a lot of students liked Mraz.
He said the committee looked at Facebook match-ups and saw that a lot of people had Mraz listed in their favorite artists.
Murphy said students on campus are looking for entertainment value in music artists, which Mraz has.
"I think personally that students here, I mean, a lot of people are open to musical talent, you know, not just someone who kind of goes up there, plays exactly what's on their CD and then gets off stage," Murphy said.
Murphy said Mraz has this quality. Mraz plays guitar and brings a band with him.
Murphy said he has heard that Mraz puts on a quality live show.
Murphy and Hurley watched performances of Mraz on Youtube.com to see how he performed live.
"I think it was an energetic show and it seemed like fun," Hurley said.
Murphy said he wants the audience to feel like they are interacting with the show.
Brinker said it's nice having someone the caliber of Mraz performing.
"We've heard very good things about him in concert," Brinker said.
Mraz will be bringing two opening acts with him - another band, Bushwalla, and a comedian/magician, Justin Kredible.
Murphy said the comedian/magician was random for an opening act but thought it would appeal to children and more of the community.
"I think for a place like Charleston it's a good deal to get an opening act who can kind of incorporate the crowd at the beginning that's there," Murphy said.
Murphy said comedy and magic are always fun to watch.
"There's always a good turnout at (UB) comedy shows, too," Hurley said.
Brinker said with two opening acts, students are able to get more for their money.
The show is the Friday before finals, in Lantz Arena. Tickets are $10 for students and $12 for the general public. Tickets go on sale March 24 for students and April 1 for the general public.
Murphy said the concert committee was able to have the tickets at such a low price because their budget this semester allowed it.
The committee starts with the student-fee budget and subtracts costs from the shows previous in the year.
Murphy said UB had a really successful show and a show that did not do as well.
He said the committee tries to end in a surplus, or at least not go into the negative. Murphy said the committee looked at the budget and saw a ticket price of $10 would be both reasonable for UB as well as the students.
Tickets for the spring concert generally range between $10 and $20.
"$10 is a really big bargain for an established name like Mraz and two opening acts too at the same time," Murphy said, adding that shows in Champaign can cost $40.
Mraz is costing UB $50,000, which includes travel and both opening acts. This does not include the extra costs with sound and lighting.
Murphy said he felt like UB got "a good name for a good price."
What: UB Spring Concert
Who: Jason Mraz
When: Friday, April 25
Where: Lantz Arena
Cost: $10 (students); $12 (general public)
Tickets go on sale March 24 for students, April 1 for general public
Emily Zulz can be reached at 581-7942 or at eazulz@eiu.edu.
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