Philanthropic students on the UI campus will get a chance to see Howie Day this year, 10,000 Hours Show officials said Wednesday.
The concert, which will take place on April 11 in the IMU Main Lounge, will be the group’s seventh show, 10K staff said in the dramatic lighting in the basement of Atlas World Grill, 127 Iowa Ave., amid hors d’oeuvres and OK Go’s song “Here It Goes Again.” The performance is free for anyone who volunteers at least 10 hours. Performers in previous years have included Girl Talk, OK Go, and Jack’s Mannequin.
Day hit stardom with the tune “Collide,” which nabbed the No. 20 spot on the U.S. Hot 100 chart in 2004 and received frequent radio airplay. The singer/songwriter has released three albums, taking six years before dropping his latest record, Sound the Alarm.
Though Day doesn’t have a plethora of records behind his name, he has toured extensively. After the release of his best-known album, Stop All the World Now, he spent five years on the road. He became known for his live show — playing acoustic guitar and using a wide range of samplers and effects pedals.
This year was the first that volunteers were able to help decide who performed at the 10K Show, said Kristin Fuhs, the executive director of the organization. Volunteers could vote on the 10,000 Hours website for their top pick among Ben Kweller, Day, and the Flobots.
“The votes played a large part in it, but the votes were a little inconclusive, because Ben Kweller and Howie Day were really close,” Fuhs said.
Though it may seem as though the most difficult part of planning the concert has been decided, a lot of the work is just beginning for the 10K staff, which consists of approximately 30 students.
Larry Hau, the executive director of 10,000 Hours, said his job requires a lot of organizing.
“Mostly I manage volunteers, and a large part of my job is planning the concert,” said Hau, who like most of the organization’s staff, didn’t know whose name would be announced Wednesday.
Laura Formanek, the group’s executive director of marketing and public relations, said a very small number of people on staff knew who would perform before it was officially announced.
In addition to online voting, 10,000 Hours staff also rolled out new incentives this year.
The 10,000 Hours Exchange will provide an opportunity for volunteers to choose which of Iowa’s 10K concerts they attend. In addition, students who volunteer at least 20 hours can bring a friend to the concert under the “20 Hours Opportunity.”
To promote this year’s event, the 10K staff plans to perform Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance on the Pentacrest.
Hau emphasized the 10,000 Hours Show is part of a greater purpose.
“I think it’s really cool to see our work,” he said. “I mean, yes we have a concert, but our organization is to promote volunteering.”