While most students are focused on impending exams and their summer plans, members on the Executive Board of "The Show" are thinking ahead to next fall's concert.Last year's concert featuring Black Eyed Peas and Guster drew a record 4,000 students from Notre Dame, Saint Mary's and Holy Cross to the Joyce Center.Members of the committee are aiming for 6,000 students for "The Show, Version 3.0," to be held Friday, Aug. 27th. "We really want to build upon last year's success to solidify this as a campus tradition," said Jimmy Flaherty, Chairman of "The Show."The committee is looking at a variety of bands, from rock to hip-hop, country to top 40.A survey will be sent out within the next week asking students for their input on the band selection. Flaherty hopes this will enable "The Show" to appeal to students' varied tastes, as well as boost attendance."Last year's show was extremely diverse in genre with the Black Eyed Peas and then Guster," said Flaherty. "I think ND/SMC/HCC students showed their enthusiasm for that bill with a record attendance."The committee will select the bands by July 1. They will be posted on the website of "The Show," www.nd.edu/~theshow.Plans for "The Show" have been well underway for several months. "The committee was hired in early February after receiving record applications in January," said Flaherty. "Since then we have been meeting weekly, making decisions on logos, name, band lists, surveys, and fundraising."The focus will be on creative advertising, especially in Notre Dame dorms and at freshman orientation, as well as reaching out to Saint Mary's and Holy Cross students.Flaherty says that it is not difficult to attract big-name bands to campus, particularly because the location between Chicago and the east coast makes Notre Dame a convenient stop for major tour routes.Recruiting bands depends on both timing and finances. Flaherty says that it is much cheaper and easier to get bands who are touring in the area at the time. Funding for "The Show" comes primarily from the Notre Dame Office of Student Affairs and Notre Dame Student Activities Office.This year, the committee has been restructured to increase efficiency and outreach abilities. Three vice-chairman oversee groups of finance, marketing and production and liaisons from Saint Mary's and Holy Cross represent their respective student bodies.The support of the schools' administrations is also vital to the concert's success."I can't speak enough about the administration's support," said Flaherty. "Dr. Moss andBrian Coughlin, on behalf of their respective offices, have full faith in this event."We have also had tremendous support from the Saint Mary's administration in the past and are looking forward to continuing that relationship this year as well as building one with Holy Cross."Next year marks the third year of "The Show," and the fourth concert of its kind. Flipstock 2001 was the first fall concert, featuring SR-71, Nine Days and They Might Be Giants. Pleased by the concert's success, Office of Student Affairs with the Student Activities Office assumed its production. In 2002, The Show featured Better than Ezra and The Parliament Funk.
