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Anthropolooza: Rocking for a reason
By Spencer L. Shroyer
Northern Light
Most student clubs stick to selling brownies and Rice Crispy treats to raise the money needed to pursue their endeavors. The anthropology club decided to host an all-ages rock show. After selling only 20 tickets before the show, around 135 people turned out for Anthropalooza, a concert featuring featuring Mike Gorder, the Ambition, Stuck in Reverse, Rebus and Jeb. All the money generated by the event went to the University of Alaska Anchorage's anthropology club.
“A music event is ultimately cooler than a bake sale,” said J.J. Tranquilla, club member and Stuck in Reverse lead singer. Tranquilla was able to talk the bands into donating their time for the event, allowing the $7 cover charge to go directly toward the club. They plan to use the money to bring speakers to the university and also to help cover the costs of getting members to the annual Alaska Anthropological Association meeting.
“This year's conference is in Whitehorse and the money will help send members up to present at it,” said Cynthia Blechl, the anthropology club's president.
Blechl was surprised by the amount of attendees the event generated, and said there may be another Anthropalooza to look forward to next year.
“Unbelievable turnout. It far exceeded our expectations. Now that the club has seen how successful this show was, I think they make it an annual event,” Blechl said, “These kids are a lot of fun.”
The kids were a big part of the equation for Tranquilla, too. Tranquilla said the under 21 crowd doesn't have as many opportunities to see local music as their bar-hopping elders, and he would like to expand the concert by working with other clubs.
If the concert does increase in size it will have a solid foundation to build from. The diverse concert line-up spanned from Mike Gorder's mellow acoustic set to Jeb's rocking ode to excessive drinking “Binge.” In between was the Ambiton's New York-style rock impromptu free styling by Stuck in Reverse, and Rebus's bass driven rock jams. The variety of styles complemented the anthropology club, a group built around the diversity of different sub-fields. Sociocultural anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology and anthropological linguistics are all embraced by students in the club.
In the end, the concert gave some local bands a chance to expose their music to a larger audience and raise money for a good cause.
“Anytime any UAA academic club asks us for support, we're there,” said T.C. Ottinger, the Ambition's lead vocalist and bass player. Ottinger said that with the university's current financial state it seemed natural to help rocker and fellow initial user Tranquilla.
“The budget cuts are killing everybody,” said Ottinger “I'm glad J.J. asked us to play.”
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