Scheduled performer Mark Cassidy was forced to cancel his UB concert this past Wednesday, as he was unable to obtain a work visa, according to Jennifer Wantz, assistant director of Student Activities.
However, Student Life and the Student Association decided to make the best of the vacant space in the Student Union Lobby. They used the opportunity to promote an AT&T contest for a free Dave Matthews Band concert.
The impromptu setup featured screenings of Dave Matthews Band - The Central Park Concert. Also, Special Events' laptops were made available for students to register or cast votes online inviting the Dave Matthews Band to UB.
A combined effort was made by several departments on campus in an attempt to get students to bring "The World's Largest Pep Rally" to the University at Buffalo.
The University continues to rank in the top six of over 100 colleges trying to win the free concert as part of AT&T's college football promotion.
AT&T blue room's latest list of rankings registers the US Military Academy, US Air Force Academy and US Naval Academy as the top three schools with the most votes.
"We have to beat the military academies. They are in it to win it," Wantz said.
According to Wantz, giving students immediate access to the Web site where invitations to the band may be sent will really help bringing in votes.
"Having computers here is going to help. All of them are currently full and people are voting," Wantz said.
Clare Paniccia, a freshman biological sciences major, wanted to help with the event in any way she could. She handed out flyers for the occasion.
"I love Dave Matthews and I want them to come really badly. I vote everyday. I try to get 50 votes in when I have time," Paniccia said.
According to attblueroom.com, AT&T will accept entries of online essay, photo or audio invitations, as well as text messages of "DMB" to "959" using an AT&T wireless handset, among other methods.
Paniccia said that she finds the essay method of voting easier than others.
"I do it by the essay voting," Paniccia said. "I think that is the easiest one to do, especially if you are pressed for time."
According to Wantz, a brief meeting was held with the offices of Special Events, Student Life, and the Student Association to discuss what would happen if UB won the free pep rally.
She believes this is a very possible feat for UB to achieve, with the University having been in the top six since the competition started.
"We only have to provide the venue. They will even cover the cost of running the venue - it will be set up like the Dalai Lama," Wantz said.
According to Wantz, the football team, marching band and the coaches will all be invited to take part in the pep rally. The football stadium is where the concert will be held if the University wins the contest, because it can seat 27,000 people.
Marc Rosenblitt, SA entertainment coordinator, said that this is the first time in recent memory that several departments that provide concerts are working together.
"Everyone should vote. This will be great thing for UB - we have a real shot at this," Rosenblitt said. "It would be a great show for the University and would be free for all students."
Many students already vote numerous times a day to help our university ascend in ranks.
"I started voting today and have already voted about 30 times. I'll finish the 50 tonight," said Eliane AbouJaoude, a sophomore biomedical sciences major and member of SA's promotional staff.
According to Wantz, the concert would be free to all UB students and will take a combined effort to bring Dave Matthews Band to the University.
The official rules state that the contest, which started on Sept. 1, 2007, will end at midnight on Oct. 15, 2007.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
