Story and Photographs by Lorna Oppedisano

P.I.E. vice-president Ryan Whitman and president Caitlin Moriarty

The end of the semester has finally come. The light at the end of the tunnel is visible. With the last few weeks coming to a close, what will you do with the last of your free time and money?

Syracuse University organization Play It By Ear, also known as P.I.E., offers a break from all those late night cram sessions and an alternative to the usual partying.

(nut graph…)

P.I.E. is hosting their last event of the semester, a concert to raise money and awareness for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, on Thursday, March 6 at Funk ‘n’ Waffles. The concert will provide live music from 7 p.m to 9 p.m., and admission will be five dollars, according to P.I.E.’s founder and president Caitlin Moriarty.

P.I.E. is a non-profit arts advocacy organization founded in October of 2009 by Moriarty. According to the group’s Facebook page, P.I.E.’s “purpose is simply to bring people together to enjoy live music and other social and artistic events while raising money for great causes.” Each year, P.I.E. picks a focus charity to dedicate their efforts to, the Facebook page reads, and the cause for 2010 is the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

However, this semester, P.I.E. has not limited their endeavors to this one cause. At the start of the semester,  P.I.E. held a concert at Funk ‘n’ Waffles to benefit victims of the Haiti disaster, raising over $1000 for the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, according to P.I.E.’s Facebook page.  Many people view this concert as a success.

“It was huge,” said Liz Lewis, SU sophomore. Lewis was one of the artists to play at the Haiti benefit concert. “It had a great vibe. I had a lot of fun, and there were a lot of talented people.”

Lewis is among the artists scheduled to play at the up-coming event as well. Moriarty named Lewis, Sarah Detweiler, Priya Mahendra, P.I.E.’s vice-president Ryan Whitman, and Moriarty herself as the artists who will donate their time and talent to the cause.

This is not the first concert event P.I.E. has put on at Funk ‘n’ Waffles. Moriarty said this is due to Funk ‘n’ Waffles’ great attitude and willingness to help. Using a venue on campus costs a lot of money, said Moriarty.

“Funk’s just like, ‘Bring people in and play!’,” said Moriarty. “They’re so helpful.”

Moriarty said Funk ‘n’ Waffles co-owner Adam Gold is accommodating, and she loves bringing them business.

Although the music of the event lasts a mere two hours, the planning process is much longer and more involved.

According to Moriarty, organizing an event begins with a great deal of brainstorming. After the conception the ideas, the next step of the process is promotions, said Moriarty.

“This is where I sometimes fall short,” said Moriarty.

The campus is filled with thousands of students that P.I.E. does not have the capacity to reach, said Moriarty. Apart from that, Moriarty pointed out the fact that P.I.E. does not have a large budget, as one hundred percent of each show’s profits are donated to the designated charity.

“Every cent I make, I give away,” said Moriarty.

This makes P.I.E. dependent on channels of communication such as word of mouth, Facebook and Twitter, according to Moriarty.

The final steps of putting together the benefit show include deciding what kind of artists and audience would be best for the concert, said Moriarty.

“And then hoping everything falls into place,” said Moriarty. “They usually do, which is nice.”

Moriarty said her hopes for the final benefit concert of the semester are not as high as those for the Haiti benefit show. Moriarty pointed out that this cause does not have the same response as the Haiti, nor is P.I.E. teaming up with campus group Artists on the Brink, who can offer more channels of promotion. The timing of the up-coming concert is also an issue, said Moriarty.

“To be honest, it’s smack in the middle of finals,” said Moriarty. “With any allowance from parents gone, people are pinching pennies until they get home.”

Moriarty expects this concert to be much smaller and more intimate, she said.

Some people have more optimistic hopes for the turnout of the benefit show.

“I think that the event will go really well, as there are so many talented people in this campus looking for chances to perform, as well as an equal number of people who want to hear performances,” said Mahendra, SU sophomore, in an e-mail interview. Mahendra is one of the musicians scheduled to play at the event.

Whitman, P.I.E.’s vice-president and musician, also has high hopes for the turnout.

“I think it will turn out really well,” said Whitman. “A lot of people know about it because of Haiti [benefit concert].”

The cause also has potential to bring people to Funk ‘n’ Waffles that night.

“I would [go] because it’s for a good cause,” said Jeffrey Kuffour, SU sophomore.

Many students’ families and lives have been in some way touched by the effects of cancer, and appreciate such an event.

“As a person who’s had a family member affected [by cancer], it’s good to see a concert that benefits cancer research in any form,” said Alex Brewer, SU sophomore.

After this semester comes to a close, P.I.E. plans to get more involved in the greater Syracuse community in the fall, according to Moriarty. As far as charities to support, Moriarty said that the Make a Wish Foundation comes to mind. Moriarty said she would like to speak about P.I.E. in local public schools, as well as get P.I.E.’s business plan into place for the future.

As for this semester’s closing concert, however, Moriarty is looking forward to the night of May 6, she said.

“It’s a nice chance to get together with friends before we go home for summer,” said Moriarty. “And eat waffles as always.”

The multimedia project… I’m actually having fun with it! I like incorporating audio/video/etc. into a piece. It gives it a lot more flavor and personality. Plus, the general public is probably more likely to look at something with pretty pictures rather than just some words. In terms of interviews, I’ve done two, and both have been great. I’m looking forward to going through them and putting together the story and audio components.

The profile piece… I’m excited for this one too. I’m considering contacting Dan Creahan, founder of the local O’ Morning Records. He seems like an interesting guy, not to mention I’d love to hear the story of how he founded the company, and what’s in its future.

The student response to the announcement of Drake’s up-coming show? A blank stare.

“I’m not really familiar with them,” said Courtney Shevenell, an SU sophomore.

Shevenell explained that she probably won’t attend Block Party unless the concert proves popular among her friends.

Shevenell isn’t the only student who is unfamiliar with Drake’s music. Kara Kieffer, an SU junior, also said she didn’t know who Drake was when University Union made their announcement.

“It’s a pity,” said Kieffer. “I was pretty excited about last year’s act.”

Kieffer said she would have enjoyed a different musical genre.

“I really wanted Modest Mouse,” she said. “Pretty much everyone but Drake, I would go see.”

Along with the response of a blank stare, some students’ response is a tad harsher, taking the form of an annoyed sigh and sad shake of the head.

“I can’t stand Drake or any mainstream rap,” said Paarth Mukerji, an SU junior. “I’m a diehard rap fan … Drake is one of those guys who brings the industry down.”

Mukerji explained that he would prefer to see a performer that a lot of college kids can identify with. He said he would want to see someone “who’s not a sellout.”

“They’re not my favorite, but [I would like to see] someone like OneRepublic or Daughtry or Adam Lambert from American Idol,” said Mukerji.

But do not lose hope yet, Mukerji – University Union is still to announce the second act.

Some students will wait until this announcement to decide whether they will attend Block Party this year. One of these students in Melissa Kakareka, an SU junior.

Kakareka said she knew who Drake was when she heard the initial announcement, but is not really a fan.

“I’m not sure [if I’m going],” said Kakareka. “It depends on the other act they’re going to announce.”

This second act is going to be announced when tickets go on sale, according to Deniece Holley, co-director of concerts at University Union. Holley said this date might be March 8, or when students return from spring break.

“We’re [in the stage of] talking about production [with the second act],” said Holley. “They’re bringing a lot of stuff.”

According to Holley, Drake was not the student body’s number one choice for the headlining act. Holley said that University Union posts a survey online, open to all students, in which the students get to choose which bands they would most like to see as headlining acts.

“I think Weezer was the number one choice … They’re the biggest name in terms of longevity,” said Holley. “But he [Drake] was second.”

The most enjoyable part of the planning of Block Party this year was reading what the press had to say about the choice of Drake, said Holley. According to Holley, most of the press response has been favorable, saying that booking Drake is a good choice.

In terms of student body response, Holley said students who do not like Drake are still waiting to see the middle act. More often than not, people are going to go, she said, because student tickets are going to be $15 and the concert will be held on a Friday rather than the Sunday, the day Block Party has taken place in the past.

“I’m happy with people saying they don’t particularly listen to or like [Drake], but that it’s a good choice,” said Holley. “You can’t please everyone, but we try.”

-Story by Lorna Oppedisano

But hopefully when the second act is announced, the response will be more positive!

Article number three to come soon!

Side note – I know that posting a million posts now doesn’t make up for my lack of posts in the past few weeks, but I just want to get all this stuff up here.

Shhh… It’s a Musical Surprise

There is a secret hidden deep within the lower levels of Schine Student Center. As the student body passes unknowingly above, plans are being formulated. Within weeks, the secret will be revealed to the masses – the headliners of University Union’s annual Block Party concert event will be announced.

Each semester, campus organization University Union, UU, is responsible for bringing national recording acts to SU campus. Students have two main events to look forward to each year – Juice Jam in the fall and Block Party in the spring. This year’s Juice Jam, which took place in September, was headlined by Girl Talk, with supporting acts Jack’s Mannequin and The Cool Kids. It was one of the most successful UU concerts to date, said Deniece Holley, co-director of concerts for UU.

According to Holley, Girl Talk was the perfect headlining act.

“We thought Girl Talk from the beginning [stages of planning]. He’d played everywhere but here,” said Holley. “He would attract a lot of people. Sorority girls, people who go to People’s Place, hipsters… a plethora of different people.”

Holley’s intuition about Girl Talk was right on. This year’s Juice Jam attracted more students than any previous year, according to Holley, possibly due to the headlining act.

“I love Girl Talk, so it was great,” said Steve Darby, SU freshman.

Girl Talk’s unique concert antics of covering the crowd with rolls upon rolls of toilet paper and confetti, along with welcoming some students to the stage to dance, grabbed the interest of students.

“I liked Girl Talk … It was fun and interactive,” said Karly Bader, SU sophomore.

For some students, Juice Jam is one of the best things about the fall semester.

“It’s something you look forward to, [when you are] going back to school,” said Peter Zona, SU junior.

While the concert itself only lasts one Sunday afternoon, the planning process behind the event is longer and more involved than one might guess.

“We started looking for acts in April,” said Holley.

According to Holley, a survey is sent out to students with a list of possible headlining acts, as well as smaller supporting acts. UU books the acts for Juice Jam ultimately based on the responses from the survey.

“It’s up to you [the student body] to fill it out,” said Holley. “People who are filling it out, kudos, you get a say.”

Once the results are in, the process of negotiations with bands’ agents begins, according to Holley.

“We ask if they’re available … and negotiate pricing … It lasts up to two weeks, sometimes more,” said Holley.

Once the bands are secured, UU’s advisor goes over the contract with the agent, gets it signed, and then they advance the show with the bands’ tour managers, said Holley. According to Holley, UU handles everything from production meetings to hospitality meetings for catering.

“You really are a concert promoter. You get hands on experience,” said Holley. “We’re lucky.”

After the bands are booked, the promotion process begins.

“The promo [department] … they’re great. They’ve got creative ideas,” said Holley. “We don’t get funding for promo, so it’s really guerilla, grassroots marketing.”

It could be due to this style of marketing that some students hear about the concerts. Kate Breen, an SU graduate student new to the campus this year, is one of those students.

“I haven’t really heard about any [concerts],” said Breen. “Maybe they should do some kind of e-mail blast, send e-mails to new students.”

While the promotion is done in grassroots style, the survey is available to any student through e-mails or UU’s Facebook group, according to Holley.

“I wish people understood that we do care and aren’t just doing what we want,” said Holley.

After the months of planning, meetings and promotion, the day of Juice Jam arrives.

The day of the show is crazy, according to Holley. Although the doors of the show open at noon, the UU staff is there from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., said Holley.

“We had to buy 100 rolls of toilet paper the day of the show [for Girl Talk’s set],” said Holley.

The planning process for this semester’s concert, Block Party, was just as crazy as the process for Juice Jam, according to Holley.

“It started the week after Juice Jam,” said Holley. “It was the same song and dance, for the lack of a better term.”

Another survey of possible headlining and supporting acts was sent out to the students, according to Holley.

“Ludacris, MGMT, Weezer, Vampire Weekend [were some of the acts listed on the survey],” said Holley. “[Some of the possible supporting acts were] Cobra Starship, 3OH!3, Passion Pit, Pitbull.”

Once again, the UU’s list was in agreement with the thoughts of the student body.

“This semester I’d like to see Vampire Weekend or Death Cab for Cutie,” said Allison Mariotti, SU freshman.

According to Holley, the UU usually has a good idea of what bands the student body wants to hear.

“Our gut instinct is usually the number one choice,” said Holley. “We are right on, we do know what the student body wants.”

Because of UU’s professionalism, experience and success in booking acts, getting bands to stop at SU campus on their tour usually is not a problem, according to Holley.

“Syracuse is one of the schools in the list of school they [touring bands] want to go to,” said Holley.

According to Holley, the artists playing at Block Party are usually announced after spring break. This year, however, things will be different.

“[We will make the announcement] maybe a little earlier [this year], probably in the next two weeks,” said Holley.

Block Party is usually on a larger scale than Juice Jam, said Holley, because the Dome does their own production for the concert. Also, while Juice Jam is a student only event, Block Party is open to the public.

Although the secret acts of Block Party have yet to be revealed, Holley is excited about it this year, which is a rare occurrence, she said.

“This is the first time I’ve been excited … [The bands playing are] predicted to be huge,” said Holley. “It’s gonna be good.”

I’m going to post my first two stories now, in this post, and another, and I promise to update more often.

Here it is folks…

Beat Article #1:

Syracuse Music For Haiti

Picture this:

It’s Friday night on Syracuse University campus. Students are tightly packed into a dimly lit basement room. Two speakers hang precariously from the ceiling, filling the room with music.

Is this a raging party? Think again.

This is SU music at its best, raising money and awareness for the Haiti disaster.

SU organizations Play It By Ear, also known as P.I.E., and Artists on the Brink presented the Haiti Relief Benefit Concert to a crowded Funk ‘n’ Waffles on Friday. SU student musicians, as well as a few acts from surrounding areas, donated their time and talents to the cause.

“I love music and performance, and I want to give back,” said Ryan Whitman, an SU sophomore. Whitman is the vice president of P.I.E..

Students and community members filled the small venue in what appeared to be near record-breaking – and possibly fire code-breaking – numbers. As the first artist, SU student Erica Scarano, took the stage at approximately 7 p.m., the room was so packed that people resorted to sitting on the floor at Scarano’s feet to enjoy the music.

Each audience member was asked to donate at least $5 upon entering Funk ‘n’ Waffles. In return, they  were invited into an evening of good company and music, as well as the opportunity to help those in need in Haiti.

“It’s a good cause … Despite the music, good or bad, give the money,” said audience member Ross Indyke, an SU sophomore.

The group that initially organized this effort is Play It By Ear. According to its Facebook page, “Play It By Ear (P.I.E.) is a non-profit, arts advocacy organization … The purpose is simply to bring people together to enjoy live music and other social and artistic events while raising money for great causes and at an accessible price.”

According to Whitman, the organization was going to focus its efforts on raising money and awareness for breast cancer this semester. After the Haiti disaster struck, the idea of the benefit concert was put forth by P.I.E.’s founder, Caitlin Moriarty, Whitman said.

“As soon as I got back this semester, Caitlin sprung into action,” said Whitman.

Moriarty, an SU sophomore, explained her inspiration for both P.I.E. and the benefit concert.

“I wanted to use music and arts to make a difference. I love all forms of art. Music is a selfish industry at times, and I wanted to use it for a better purpose,” said Moriarty.

Moriarty explained that all the proceeds made from the night’s concert would go directly to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.

“My first instinct was [to donate to] Red Cross, but that goes to a sum pool, and we wanted 100 percent [of the proceeds to go to Haiti]. So I called the secretary [of the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund], and talked to a real human being.”

After the idea for the Haiti Relief Benefit Concert was conceptualized, Artists on the Brink contacted Moriarty, she said. Artists on the Brink is a subdivision of University Union Concerts, the programming organization for the undergraduate population at Syracuse University, according to the University’s Web site.

“We wanted to reach out and put all our support and effort into making the show better,” said Jonathan Groffman, an SU sophomore and co-director of Artists on the Brink. “We wanted to be involved in doing something for Haiti, so we reached out and collaborated.”

The artists who lent their talents for the night were mostly SU students, as well as a group from the State University of Cortland, and headlining artist, Drink Up Buttercup, hailing from Philadelphia. Many audience members were drawn to the benefit due to the smaller acts, including locally known student musicians Aaron Gittleman, Liz Lewis and Keith Smith, all of whom have previously played on campus.

“This is more homegrown [than larger benefits]. A few bands are from far away, but a lot of people know these faces,” said Ben Friedman, an SU sophomore and co-director of Artists on the Brink.

Moriarty said that many of the performers were friends from music school, all kind enough to play for free.

One of the first artists to perform was Johna Kesten, an SU sophomore.

“Caitlin told me about the organization. I wanted to get involved, and tonight seemed like a good time to join,” said Kesten. “It’s great!”

For the first few acts, most of the musicians wooed the crowd with acoustic jams, along the lines of what one would expect from a coffeehouse. By 9:30 p.m. however, the atmosphere was changed. When local SU artists Nate Stein’s Band took the stage,  the mood of the room was transformed to that of a small underground nightclub.

According to approximations from members of P.I.E. and Artists on the Brink based on an event page created on Facebook, the groups expected about 200 people to attend the event. In an e-mail correspondence, Moriarty confirmed this number.

“We had about 200 people show up and I will proudly be writing a $1,000 check on behalf of Play It By Ear within the week to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund,” said Moriarty.

Even the audience members were impressed with the turnout.

“This is the most packed I’ve ever seen Funk,” said Irina Dvalidze, an SU sophomore. “It’s for a good cause, this is a good response.”

Considering the relatively small size of Funk ‘n’ Waffles, this high attendance was quite a feat. According to P.I.E. members, it was the perfect venue for the event.

“There is live music played here,” said Whitman. “It’s a fun place to come, with good atmosphere.”

“It’s really student friendly,” agreed Moriarty. “Adam Gold [Funk ‘n’ Waffles owner] is always helpful.”

As the night winded down, the venue began to empty. After Drink Up Buttercup cleared the stage, it was clear that the benefit had been a success.

“It was really good! A lot of energy and great performers,” said Moriarty.

- Story by Lorna Oppedisano