The 2010 Costa del Mar U. of Blue Greekfest returns to Tuscaloosa tonight at 7 p.m. with nationally renowned performers Pretty Lights, Slightly Stoopid and Grammy Award-winning Bone Thugs-n-Harmony to raise money for the Gulf cleanup effort.
Proceeds from the show will be donated to the Alabama Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association in order to benefit their efforts in protecting the coastline.
All three artists at this year’s Greekfest have strong national followings, though the styles of music they play are quite different.
“This is the third year we’ve had it, and each year it gets better and better,” said Elliot Rowe, the president of the Interfraternity Council and an organizer of the event. “I’m not expecting anything less from this year’s Greekfest…We have the best lineup we’ve had so far.”
Playing first is hip-hop group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, which consists of members Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, Bizzy Bone, Wish Bone and Flesh-n-Bone.
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony won the Grammy for Best Rap Performance in 1997 for their hit “Tha Crossroads.” The Cleveland-based group has also had success with songs like “I Tried (So Hard),” which featured Akon, and has performed with many other well-known rap artists, like 2Pac, Eazy-E and the Notorious B.I.G.
California-based reggae and alternative rock group Slightly Stoopid will play next. Slightly Stoopid consists of a pair of singers and guitarists – childhood best friends Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald – and drummer Ryan Moran, percussionist Oguer Ocon, saxophonist DeLa and trumpeter C-Money.
The band was signed by the late Sublime front man Bradley Nowell while Doughty and McDonald were still in high school, and the reggae rockers have recorded and played shows almost nonstop since then.
“If you haven’t heard of Slightly Stoopid, I suggest you check them out,” said John Vallas, a sophomore majoring in microbiology. “They’re a very instrumentally talented group with a flair for creating funky grooves and sick guitar riffs. I still jam to their ‘Cronchitis’ album in the shower every morning.”
The headlining act is Colorado-based duo Pretty Lights, known for their upbeat electronic music. Made up of DJ Derek Vincent Smith and drummer Adam Deitch, Pretty Lights are known for party music and have attracted large followings at many schools around the country.
Costa del Mar is sponsoring the event and has arranged for Matt Eastman, the host of television’s “Wanna Go Fishing,” to emcee. Throughout the night, Costa del Mar will be giving away sunglasses and other merchandise.
“They’ve been a big help,” Rowe said. “They donate a good bit of money…they’re just a huge help.”
Tickets are reserved for UA students, but each student may purchase up to two guest tickets. Guests must be with the UA student who bought their ticket upon entry, and all UA students need to bring their student ID card.
The show begins at 7 p.m., with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at www.crimsonartstickets.com. The entrance for the concert is located between the Alpha Kappa Lambda and Zeta Beta Tau fraternity houses. The three groups will take the stage on Friday in the Bryant Hall parking lot, facing down Jefferson Avenue.
For more information about the musical acts, visit www.bonethugsnharmony.com, www.slightlystoopid.com and www.myspace.com/prettylights.
