Are you ready to go back in time?
The Third annual “Rock the 80s” concert will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 21 at The State Theatre in downtown State College.
The concert will benefit the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund.
There will be a dozen local bands performing hits from the decade that featured big hair, big ballads and great music.
As it has for the past two years, it’s happening for a great cause. Tickets for the show are just $34. Every cent generated goes to the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund.
According to the fund’s executive director, Norma Keller, tickets for the show are going fast.
“Ticket sales are going very, very well,” Keller says. “There are still tickets left, but they’re going fast.”
Once again, there will be a pre-concert reception at Indigo night club from 5 to 6:45 p.m. The reception includes beer, wine and other beverages as well as an array of appetizers. Tickets are $65 and includes a seat to the concert.
“Having the reception at Indigo is convenient. It’s a very short walk to the State Theatre. We’re excited about having the reception there,” Keller says.
Keller attended the show for the first time in 2014. She says it was an amazing display of local talent. She expects more of the same this year.
“I was astonished. It really is an amazing event. The people that go there love it. There were people standing and dancing for three hours. They absolutely love it,” Keller says. “The bands go non-stop for all three hours. They donate all of their time. It’s really a pretty amazing event.”
This year, the bands taking part include: The J.R. Mangan Band, Long Afternoon, Mr. Hand, Tongue in Groove, Screwdriver Sally, Velveeta, The Insomniacs, Spider Kelly, Cone of Silence, The Feats of Strength, Frack Water Jack and Natasha.
According to Keller, the show wouldn’t take place without sponsors.
“The sponsors are very happy to be able to make a difference for local cancer patients. We’ve had a good response from sponsors,” Keller says.
Last year’s “Rock the 80s” show raised more than $17,000. This year, the goal is $20,000.
“I think it’s within reach,” Keller says. “We have about as many sponsors as last year. We’ve got about $8,000 in sponsorship. I think we are well on our way to reaching that $20,000.”
According to Keller, there are plenty of people in Centre County who need the help that the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund provides.
“Each cancer patient can apply up to four times per year for funding. It’s used for the most basic expenses — rent, utilities, food, gas to go to cancer treatments. When you have cancer, you are often devastated by the additional expense. It’s an enormous stressor to have bills that go unpaid because you have cancer,” Keller says. “Our goal is to alleviate some of that stress so people can focus on their treatment and recovery. It makes a huge difference.”
In 2014, the Bob Perks Fund distributed more than $30,000 to local fuel companies to pay heating bills of cancer patients. Three of those oil companies — Ingram Fuel of Lamar, Logan Valley Oil of Bellwood and R.H. Dotts Energy of Glen Hope are helping to sponsor “Rock the 80s.”
Last year, the Bob Perks Fund distributed more than $200,000. That was a $29,000 increase over the previous year.
“That’s a huge increase,” Keller says. “It makes our fundraisers all the more important. It’s critical for the cancer patients and it’s a huge challenge for us.”
Keller is passionate when she talks about the Bob Perks Fund.
“I’ve seen the impact of cancer on families. To see families wondering how they’re going to pay the rent or put food on the table while the person is very, very ill, it’s a terrible emotional strain. Having the Bob Perks Fund to alleviate some of the strain is of great magnitude,” Keller says.
Anyone who will be attending the “Rock the 80s” concert are encouraged to dress like they’ve traveled back in time.
Click HERE for more information about the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund.
IF YOU GO
What: Rock the 80s Concert
Where: The State Theatre, State College
When: 7 p.m., March 21
Tickets: www.thestatetheatre.org
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