STATE COLLEGE — While attendees of the 13th annual “Rock the ’80s” benefit concert at the State Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 15, can expect the usual mix of nostalgic MTV-era rock and pop music that has made the event so popular, this year’s show will also feature an element of romance.
“In honor of Valentine’s Day weekend, all of the bands are going to play either a love song or a breakup song as part of their set,” Cindy Brown, executive director of the concert’s beneficiary, the Bob Perks Fund, shared.
Bands slated to perform include “Rock the ’80s” veterans Anchor & Arrow, CRUSH, The Extractors, Genuine Red and the Issues, The JR Mangan Band, The Long Afternoon, Skoal Brothers and a newcomer to the event, Coal Aly Band.
Audience members are encouraged to dress in 1980s-themed attire and to sign up for the costume contest in the State Theatre lobby before the show. Gift cards to local establishments will be awarded for best individual and best group costumes. The 2024 contest included a ZZ Top look-alike, a detailed Olivia Newton-John “Physical” costume and a large group of people dressed in costumes from the 1987 movie Spaceballs.
While the event is always filled with fun and laughter, it has a serious goal.
“‘Rock the ’80s’, along with Night at the Races in May, is one of our two signature fundraising events,” Brown said. “So we hope that we can raise $25 to 30 thousand that night to help as many cancer patients as possible.”
Founded in 2006 by Doreen Perks in memory of her departed husband, the Bob Perks Fund allows patients in Centre and surrounding counties to apply for grants to help with basic living expenses every 90 days while undergoing treatment.
Brown said 2024 was a record-breaking year for the organization, both in terms of the number of applicants (464) and the amount of money paid out to patients ($376,000). The dollar amount increase was partly due to a 2024 change in policy, Brown said, in which grant amount limits were raised from $750 to $1,000 to keep up with inflation.
“We wanted to continue to prevent evictions and utility shut-offs and food insecurity — all those things that happen when you are a cancer patient receiving treatment and you can’t work anymore because you’re not feeling well enough to work,” she said.
“Rock the ’80s” admission is $40 per person. In addition, a pre-event “Totally Rad Reception” will be held at the Kish Expect More Store at 114 S. Allen Street from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Admission to the reception is an additional $20. Tickets are available online through the State Theatre website.
“We encourage everybody to come and have a really fun time for Valentine’s Day weekend. Bring your sweetie and enjoy the ’80s music,” Brown said.
