Tonight: Music with a mission

As Fast As, Jacks Wild and Steiners to play Frequency for cause

Zach Dionne

Issue date: 10/19/06 Section: Style

For those about to vote, we will rock you. Tonight, all corny juxtapositions of AC/DC and Queen song titles aside, UMaine Rocks the Vote will be held in the North Pod of Memorial Union from 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. Matthew Small will host the event.

With elections coming Nov. 7, student voting participation is encouraged with an entertaining and original concept.

"UMaine Rocks the Vote is about raising awareness about the power of the student vote on Nov. 7," said Rep. Emily Cain, who is running for re-election as Orono's representative in the Maine Legislature. "We hope to register hundreds of students to vote at the concert and educate students about what's on the ballot this fall."

The hotly debated Taxpayer Bill of Rights, frequently referred to as TABOR throughout headlines statewide, is question No. 1 on this fall's ballot.

UMaine's premiere male and female a cappella groups, The Steiners and Renaissance, respectively, will begin performing at 7 p.m. At 8:45 p.m., Portland rockers As Fast As will take the stage. As Fast As features former Rustic Overtones keyboardist Spencer Albee, who handles vocal duties as well as occasional guitar and ukulele contributions.

Local group Jacks Wild will close out the night at 10:30 p.m.
DEUCES WILD - Jacks Wild will be one of the bands performing at Rock the Vote tonight.
DEUCES WILD - Jacks Wild will be one of the bands performing at Rock the Vote tonight.
"Students will have the opportunity to register to vote, meet candidates, and get information about ballot questions. I hope students will leave the event feeling empowered to vote," Cain said, adding that she hopes students will feel "confident that they know what and who they are voting for Nov. 7."

Representatives from the Democratic, Republican and Green parties, the Progressive Student Alliance, Opportunity Maine and other groups will be present.

"I want students to know they can get information from all of these groups and ask [them] questions now, so they don't hesitate to vote this year," Cain said.

A free event, UMaine Rocks the Vote will combine a fun night at the Union with great live music and a variety of opportunities to prepare, learn, and ask questions about the upcoming election.

"I'm looking forward to emceeing [UMaine Rocks the Vote] because I want all students to know about their right to vote locally on Nov. 7," Small said. "Our generation has the opportunity to address important issues in Maine and America. Voting is a great way to start that process. I hosted this event two years ago and had a great time. We have some excellent bands and groups performing."