Rock artists Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe are scheduled to play at the San Jose Civic Auditorium April 16.
Bill Graham Presents and the Associated Students Program Board are cosponsoring the concert. The Bill Graham organization approached the program board with an offer to
sponsor the concert and the board agreed, A.S. Program Board Adviser Ted Gehrke said.
Gehrke, who has been the adviser for 15 years, said that he does not recall the program board sponsoring an event with Bill Graham Presents.
"I hope that things like this happen in the future and in the future of the REC Center," he said.
"Elvis Costello wants to play on or near a college campus." said Roger Clark, director of public relations for Hill Graham Presents. "He wants it to be a college crowd."
Costello, who is also scheduled to perform at the University of California at Davis April 15, did not want to play in San Francisco because he had played in the city in October, Clark said.
Costello had been promoting his latest album, Blood & Chocolate with his three San Francisco performances at the Warfield Theater.
In San Jose there aren't many good places to play. Clark said.
The Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View is the main venue for acts in the South Bay and acts are usually booked there first, Clark said.
Because Costello specifically requested to play for a college audience and because the San Jose Civic Auditorium, which is close to SJSU, was available, it was a natural choice. Clark said.
"Elvis draws really well from colleges," he said. "He has a really good following. His college appeal is obviously still strong."
The program board will receive $500 for its participation, so there is no chance of lost revenues with the concert, Gehrke said.
"It's an absolutely no-risk deal," A.S. Program Board Director Verda Alexander said. "The benefits are obvious.
"I think it's great that Bill Graham wants to program in San Jose and with us," she said.
Alexander said she believes the show will do well.
"It will appeal to students at San Jose State," she said.
Tickets are $20 for general admission and were available at press time at BASS ticket outlets. "But tickets are going fast," Clark said.
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