Slugs, food and rock ‘n’ roll.
These three words define UC Santa Cruz’s second annual day-long concert and fundraiser event, Rock ‘n’ Roll on the Knoll.
The knoll of choice, a typically serene, grassy hill located behind Stevenson College, will house a mini music festival this Sunday from noon to 8 p.m., complete with about 10 local performers, pizza, DJ sets and face-painting.
Organized by students, with partial funding from Stevenson Housing, the event aims to bring UCSC students from all ends of campus together to celebrate a common interest in music in the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.
Second-year Ira Goldenring was one of the main coordinators of this year’s event.
“A bunch of us organized ourselves into a group to put together the show,” Goldenring said. “Personally, I dealt with booking bands, organizing set times, hanging posters up all around school, that sort of stuff.”
Although Goldenring did not organize the event last year, he and many others wish to recreate the benefit, making it bigger and better.
“It began in the spirit of charity,” Goldenring said. “Students wanted to give back to the community while organizing something that would be fun, free and local for the whole university.”
Second-year Paulie Dellamano helped Goldenring organize the event this year.
“It’s mainly supposed to be a local thing,” Dellamano said.
Last year’s event had a good turnout, with about 300 people attending over the course of the entire day.
“It was very impressive for a first run,” Goldenring said, “but we are trying to get two or three times the outcome of last year to come on Sunday.”
Dellamano discussed new plans to prepare for this year’s event.
“Last year was really last-minute, but this year has been planned out for a while,” Dellamano said.
Dellamano said that although last year’s turnout was not as large as expected, and there could have been more donations, Stevenson Housing agreed to match the amount of money made.
Organizers expect a significant difference in the number of attendees this year, as a result of their increase in advertising and upgrade in entertainment.
Dellamano discussed the new additions to Rock ‘n’ Roll on the Knoll for this year.
“[Stevenson Housing] paid for our whole sound system, which is gonna be legit, and money for food that we won’t be selling, but asking for donations [for].” Dellamano said.
Proceeds from these donations will go to the Santa Cruz Homeless Shelter.
“The concert is free but we are asking for a suggested donation of $5 to $10, which will help to feed and house dozens of people who really need it,” Goldenring said. “Just one dollar can give 30 people a hot meal.”
Dellamano also discussed the process of informing UCSC administration prior to the event.
“We had to notify the police department and CSOs because it’s going into the evening,” Dellamano said. “There’ll be pizza, drinks and probably some other activities going on as well.”
Goldenring also commented on the notification process.
“There’s a lot of paperwork,” Goldenring said. “You have to follow guidelines in a major events policy handbook.”
While following these guidelines, as well as keeping the event drug and alcohol-free, Goldenring expects things will run smoothly.
Regardless of the turnout or amount of money made, Goldenring’s goal is to promote community and cooperation.
“I think it is really cool that Rock ‘n’ Roll on the Knoll is student-run and student-imagined,” Goldenring said. “Students had the idea, and students made it into a reality.”
