In a major collaboration of student organizations, the Notre Dame Office of Student Affairs and Student Activities presents The Show 3.0 tonight at the JACC, featuring the music of Jason Mraz and Talib Kweli.
Mraz has consistently graced the Top 40 pop charts since releasing his debut single "The Remedy" in 2002.
A San Diego coffee-house performer turned national pop star, Mraz released his second album Tuesday. Mraz will continue touring for another month and a half after his South Bend performance.
Though not yet a headline artist, Talib Kweli is slowly but surely making his way into national prominence in the music industry.
He has recorded and toured with big name rap and R&B artists Mary J. Blige and Kanye West, and his music has been likened to that of The Roots and Jurassic 5.
The concert's committee found the two artists to be a logical choice for the student body, said Jimmy Flaherty, chairman of The Show 3.0. An electronic survey was offered to all students this past spring in order to gauge student interests. Pop, rap and hip-hop genres all fared well.
"Both [Mraz and Kweli] are unbelievable major market artists," Flaherty said. "They are a great compliment to each other."
Besides, said Flaherty, for only $10, "It's the best deal going."
The committee hopes to build upon the success of last year's event. The performance of the Black Eyed Peas and Guster attracted a record 4,000 people in attendance.
The 35-person committee has been working since February to bring a major, top-quality production to the student community.
This year's committee made a concerted effort to reach out to the Saint Mary's and Holy Cross student bodies, and increased publicity through the Notre Dame class councils.
To encourage participation, the committee members teamed up with the Athletic Department to create a campus wide campaign advertising both the football scrimmage and concert.
"It has been an eye-opening experience because it is a campus-wide collaboration," Flaherty said. "It is symbolic of what Notre Dame student activities are."
