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Eight years ago, Dr. Thomas Sovik began backing up his rants about Elvis and Patsy Cline by showing his students flashy memorabilia of the figures they discuss in MUET 3020, "Popular Music in American Culture."

"They began as the vehicle to get students down to the Hard Rock," said Sovik, a College of Music professor. "And then it exploded into what have become massive block parties."

Every November and April of each semester, the Hard Rock Café allows Sovik's students and their friends to take over the place for a night of rock music education. The attendance has exceedingly grown to about 600 to 700 students and guests. Brad Skistimas of Five Times August, RedTag and Strutmore will perform at this semester's event.

"We have performed at Hard Rock Cafe several times in the past," said Brian Bixler from the group Strutmore. "It is a great venue with lots of history behind it, so we always enjoy shows out there." Strutmore will also let its fans in on tunes from its upcoming CD.

Students from the MUET class get up on stage and sing with the bands, performing blues texts they wrote for extra credit. Award prizes are given out and volunteers will be raffled off as dates for those who could not find a date for the event. Even Sovik will get up on stage to join in on the fun.

"It's more than just a free concert with three free bands...it's an adventure," Sovik said. Skistimas will be performing solo acoustic guitar at the Hard Rock Cafe.

"I've never played at the Hard Rock before, but I'm looking forward to it," Skistimas said. "As far as what the crowd can expect . . . I think things will get more and more rockin' as the night goes on."

A percentage of the food sales from the Bash will go to scholarships in music education. The party is open to NT students and the general public.

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