By Megan Lester |
KDUP event coordinator George Brockett thought the Spooky Showcase, a concert at a student’s residence, was all set to go on Oct. 25. The concert was a competition to determine the opener for KDUP’s Nov. 15 show featuring Portland-based band Nurses.
“It’s a party being put on by the house…we’re promoting it for the music only,” Brockett said of the event.
However, hours before it was to take place, KDUP withdrew its support from the concert.
Apparently, KDUP had not followed proper procedure to support the event.
“[The showcase] is a cool idea for an event, had we gone through the different stages to kind of create it,” said Director of Student Activities Jeromy Koffler.
But despite the last-minute cancellation, the show persevered. It featured student bands The Randy Jacksons and Secret Sauce, and student DJ, DJ Fixie.
However, the students had a few hurdles to clear. Because KDUP pulled support from the event, the Spooky Showcase was prevented from using KDUP’s PA system, which was already set up for the event.
“After we found that out it was just like a scramble to find a PA,” senior Brendan Rice, who hosted the concert, said. “Eventually we did, but it was incredibly stressful. I don’t think the administration gave two thoughts to all the work that went into this event….”
Koffler, however, did give thought to the necessary regulations for events like the Spooky Showcase.
“It’s not a University sponsored event – why would someone want to use University equipment?” Koffler said. “I think it was important for KDUP not to have sponsored that event because they hadn’t gone through the full proper procedures and protocol to get an event like that approved.
“For them to have loaned their equipment to a house party would have been an inappropriate use of University resources. I don’t think students who want to throw a party on North Willamette Blvd. would go to media services and say, ‘Can we borrow your PA?’”
KDUP General Manager Katie Husk, a senior, conceded that KDUP did not follow proper procedure for an event where alcohol would be present.
“On a level you could see it as our fault,” she said, “because you’re supposed to go through certain channels when you put on an event for anything that can be school affiliated. We were just interested in doing something simple — we have the equipment, why not let bands play?”
Brendan Rice, who hosted the Spooky Showcase at his residence, was one of the musicians frustrated by the sudden cancellation of the event.
“They weren’t ok with having an unregulated event that was associated with KDUP…my problem with that is we’ve done these events before and have had no problems,” Rice said.
The big question remaining for the student artists, however, is who will be opening for Nurses, who will play in the Terrace Room.
“We’re just going to have to come up with a different way to pick who's going to (open for Nurses),” Husk said. “Maybe we can put a vote on Facebook or survey monkey or something.”
KDUP plans on choosing an opener for the concert this week.
“Our Nov. 15 show is through the proper channels and all that,” Husk assured. “It’s going to be on the school premises.”
Despite the last minute issues, UP students said they enjoyed dancing to DJ Fixie, The Randy Jacksons and Secret Sauce.
Senior Sarah Letendre said, “I really enjoyed the event. The two bands I saw had very different styles and it was cool to see them showcased together….”
