A beloved philanthropy event is set to return to State College next month.
The “Rock the ’80s” benefit concert will take over the State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave., on Saturday, Feb. 11. The 11th annual event will raise money for the Bob Perks Fund, which works to ease financial burdens for local cancer patients and their families.
This year’s concert will kick off at 7 p.m. As always, participating artists will take the stage to perform hit music of the 1980s while guests dance the night away — all for a good cause, of course. Dressing in ’80s-themed attire is optional but encouraged.
State College-area radio personality Jeff Brown will host the concert and serve as the “on-stage traffic manager” for the program’s 50-plus musical performers. According to the State Theatre’s website, this year’s “Rock the ’80s” lineup includes:
Before the concert begins, guests can get the party started with a “Totally Rad Reception” at Kish Bank’s Expect More Store at 114 S. Allen St. From 5 to 6:30 p.m., those 21 and older can enjoy complimentary beer, wine and appetizers.
Tickets for this year’s “Rock the ’80s” concert are available online. Reserved tickets start at $40, while packages that include admission to the pre-concert reception cost $60.
February’s concert serves as a major fundraiser for the Bob Perks Fund, which has raised more than $120,000 since “Rock the ’80s” started in 2013. The fund, founded in 2006 in memory of State College native and Penn State graduate Bob Perks, helps local cancer patients who can’t work or afford basic expenses while they receive treatments and work toward recovery.
Complications from the COVID-19 pandemic the concerts to move online in 2020 and 2021.
“Many local nonprofit organizations are dependent on successful fundraising events to maintain their mission, and the Bob Perks Fund (BPF) is no exception,” the organization said in a statement. “BPF relies heavily on the success of their two major yearly events to ensure every dollar raised is a donated dollar to help local cancer patients.”
Since its founding, the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund has raised and distributed more than $2.3 million for cancer patients in Blair, Centre, Clearfield and Huntingdon counties, the organization said. More recently, the fund has expanded its services to aid eligible patients in Mifflin and Juniata counties, too.
For more information on the upcoming concert, visit the State Theatre’s “Rock the ’80s” event page or head to the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund’s website.
