The Mothership Lands at Relays
Funk Star George Clinton Spawns Some Excitement for Drake Relays 1997.
Des Moines, Iowa (Feb. 12, 1997)--Bringing the Mothership and the Parlimentary Funkadelics, George Clinton will play Knapp Center April 18 for Drake's Relays.
P-Funk was not an easy band to sign at a cost of $35,000. Negotiator Jon Azu (AS2) spent four months convincing the Drake Relays Committee and the Student Activities Board that the show would benefit Drake despite the price tag. "I had to prove the band had sold out other concerts. I also explained how Clinton draws from a large, diverse group of people. This show will pull Des Moines' community and the Drake students together," Azu said.
Not all students are convinced P-Funk can accomplish the task of pulling the community together. Student Jon Richard (P1) said he feels that the university is taking a risk by bringing Clinton to the stage, whereas more popular bands among Drake students would bring a sure success.
Richard said, "I'm not excited because I think the university should cater to more of the students' interests. More students would be in attendance of a band that caters to all the students' likings such as Dave Matthews, making them more energetic and spirited for Drake's big event."
Having seen the Mothership land once before earlier in the year at Iowa City, student Carrie Blumenfeld (JO1) said she believes it was a show like no other. "It was an experience I will never forget. I had never heard of George Clinton before that September day, but feel I experienced a whole new form of music," she said.
First-day ticket sales show that more than 300 Drake students are anticipating the event. Azu said, "We were planning on selling 1,000 tickets over a three-day period. Even more students have been asking how many tickets they can purchase because of out-of-town friends coming in for the show. People are ready to see a happen' show."
Blumenfeld suggested that people listen to P-Funk's music prior to purchasing tickets. "It's a different kind of music than people have heard, and it might determine whether or not they have a good time," she said.
Tickets are being sold all over Iowa in places such as Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Ames and Des Moines. However, Clinton and his band are bringing their own stage and lights, which limits Knapp Center to a 5,000 person-capacity.
Des Moines police, Drake Security and Full Moon Production Security will be working together at this Drake Fest activity to ensure the safety of the crowd. Vendors will be among the crowd awaiting the Mothership's landing.
Awaiting the arrival of Clinton and the P-Funk, Blumenfeld said, adds to the excitement of Drake Relays. "I think that knowing about this concert early on adds enticement to Relays for students. It makes Relays seem much closer and we're excited for it to come," she said.
© 1997 CyberPress Communications, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Drake University 50311.
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