2008 Woodie Awards
Special Olympics benefits from local rock show
By: Dillon Thorne
Issue date: 1/9/08 Section: News
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But making a profit never was the point.
The band, made up of CMU students, organized the performance to benefit Special Olympics Michigan.
"We are not making any money off of this and Rubbles isn't making anything either," said Macomb senior Joe Wezner. "It's all going to the Special Olympics."
The band will be play at Rubbles, 112 W. Michigan St. The doors will open at 9 p.m. and the band will take the stage at 10:30 p.m. and play until close. There will be a $5 cover with all proceeds going to Special Olympics Michigan.
The band also will sell CDs for $3, with that money also benefiting Special Olympics Michigan. The CD will include three original songs recorded by the band.
Suzanne Gareiss, activity coordinator of Special Olympics Michigan, originally asked the band to play at the Special Olympics Michigan State Winter Games, but the band decided to go a step further and set up tonight's show.
"We have talented students everywhere on campus and without bands like The Guise, Special Olympics wouldn't exist," Gareiss said.
The band said they also may play at this year's winter games, but the decision is not final yet.
"We'd be playing maybe like in the cafeteria for the athletes in-between their competitions, kind of like lounge music," said Sterling Heights senior Xhafer Husen said.
The band is not expecting to raise a lot of money. Its goal is about $150, but hopes to raise up to $300.
"We know college students are poor," said Troy senior and band member Shawn Verbruggen. "If they can pay $5 at the door and maybe a little donation after that, that'd be great. If half the people that told us they were going to show up do, we should be OK."
The band has been together for about five years and has played benefit shows in the past. They played a benefit for Gilda's Club in October to help raise money for support of people with cancer.
The band members promised an array of music for everybody in attendance.
"We play everything from (Marilyn) Manson to Elvis," Husen said. "Chances are if you go to one of our shows, you'll hear something you like."
The band mostly plays cover songs with a few originals, but the majority of its music was described as alternative rock. The members said they play just about everything.
"We don't like to be classified," Verbruggen said. "It's a show for everyone - like our Web site says for influences, we are what we listen to - you can hear the Foo Fighters or Johnny Cash when we're onstage."
For additional information on the band The Guise, you can visit their Web site at myspace.com/guiseband.
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