Block Rock rescheduled
Published Dec. 5, 2006
The snow didn't stop music fans from braving the cold to gather at The Blue Note to hear the sounds of Dadbot! during Friday's Block Rock concert, which was postponed to this Saturday due to inclement weather. Block Rock was founded to benefit the Columbia chapter of the Boys & Girls Club of America.
"Tonight is not to benefit the Boys and Girls Club," Block Rock founder Dan Fletcher said. "It's for supporters."
Dadbot!, who was billed for that night's event, agreed to play a free show for fans who still turned out for the concert.
According to The Blue Note employee Pete McDevitt, about 80 people were in attendance for what turned out to be a free show.
The Blue Note was going to run the replacement concert and keep the revenue from the $5 tickets sold, but when fans arrived to the venue Friday evening, they were greeted with a sign on the door reading "Dadbot! FREE."
Fletcher said the decision to have a concert Friday night instead of canceling the show altogether was made jointly by Dadbot! and the Block Rock organizers.
"We made the decision to make it a free show," McDevitt said. "We didn't want anyone stumbling around out in the snow looking for a show or a drink to be turned off by a $5 cover."
Senior Sarah Keeven and junior Jenny Gall were among those in attendance Friday night.
"We came mostly for Dadbot!," Gall said. "We know the band. We're very addicted and very loyal."
Keeven said she had to walk for 45 minutes to get to the show because her car was stuck in the snow.
"But I'm sure it will be worth it, especially since the $5 cover was dropped," Keeven said.
Both Keeven and Gall said they plan to attend Saturday's show, in which Dadbot! will be perform again with Take Heed and Johnny O & the Jerks.
"So, there were rumors that there were sandwiches, or no free sandwiches...what do you guys believe?" Dadbot! member Mark Harrison asked the audience.
The fans responded in a chorus of demands for sandwiches and Block Rock Production Coordinator Todd Sklar emerged from backstage with a bag of homemade sandwiches and began tossing them to the crowd.
Pickleman's was supposed to provide sandwiches for the show, but when it cancelled due to the weather, Sklar made 50 sandwiches himself.
The band performed for less than an hour before Harrison thanked the audience and The Blue Note and left the stage to mingle with the crowd.
"I think we had a great turnout," Sklar said. "It's a true snow day, like fourth grade all over again."
Block Rock was publicized through Columbia radio station KBXR, The Maneater, posters and fliers distributed on campus and in Greek houses, as well as "viral marketing in some of the music communities on campus," Fletcher said.
The first Block Rock event was held at The Blue Note in May and featured Ben Kweller as the headliner. Hockey Night, Somebody Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and Dadbot! also performed.
Kweller was paid $15,000 to perform and the other bands, with the exception of Dadbot!, also received pay for participating in the event. Much of the revenue from the show had to be used in order to pay the music acts.
"Never again will we pay bands to perform at concerts," Fletcher said. "It was very hard to write a check to Ben Kweller."
Each band scheduled for the December Block Rock is performing for free.
Dadbot! member Darin Seal said the band chose to perform at the second Block Rock because "it's for a good cause, of course, and it's a great time. Why do musicians always have to make money? Why not give it to the kids?"
Fletcher said the December Block Rock gives publicity to bands that donate their time and talent.
"We're big on getting their names out there, because of this altruistic behavior," Fletcher said. "For these bands, this is a chance to play at The Blue Note, for a big crowd."
Fletcher said he hopes to make a bigger donation to the club this year.
"For every dollar we receive, $.95 should go to Boys & Girls Club," Fletcher said. "Last time was not nearly that good."
The May Block Rock netted approximately $27,500, and after costs, including paying the bands, the Boys & Girls Club received $1,000 and another $1,000 was put aside to help fund future concerts.
Fletcher said he hopes the fact that people came to The Blue Note to listen to Dadbot! despite the snow and ice will persuade some of the donors on the fence to contribute to the cause.
"It's looking pretty good," he said. "I think we'll have our target made."