The campus Green Party’s inaugural Greenfest Saturday in the University Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union will serve two purposes: To give a shot in the arm to Eastern’s skeletal music scene and to generate more funding for the party’s future endeavors.

Kelly Bryan, Green Party member and co-organizer of the concert, along with Green Party President Jeremy Pelzer, said the planning of the event was spearheaded a few months ago by the political party.

The event will feature headlining band tentatively-named Ryan Groff & The Green Jenkins along with bands Empyrean, of Arlington Heights, and Rebekah’s Tape, of Minonk and last minute addition comedy troupe Lunchbox Voodoo.

Bryan said the Green Party ideally would have preferred the concert occur before Election Day Tuesday, but insisted garnering political support for the Green Party prior to the election was not the group’s main purpose in organizing the concert.

“Part of the reason we are doing this is to encourage growth of the music scene here,” she said. “First we talked to bands to see if they could do it. UB is helping with the sound set-up (at the concert.)”

The Green Party is hoping the concert will assist in revitalizing local music’s appeal and that can be done by people carrying the music out into the community, she said.

“General apathy has prevented music from getting outside the bars,” Bryan said. “Part of it (is) apathy and part of it is people just don’t know what to do.”

Since the campus Green Party is a Recognized Student Organization, Bryan said renting the ballroom for the 5 to 9 p.m. concert was a steal at a mere $20. The concert will have a $5 cover charge and all proceeds will go to campus Green Party.

She said the ballroom will not be decked out in Green Party garb. Music and the bands are where the Green Party wants the spotlight to be focused on primarily, not politics or the party, she said.

“We are not going to do a whole lot,” Bryan said. “We don’t want people to be in a tight, compact area. We want to downplay politics. We want it to be open to everyone, the focus is on music.”

Groff, who has been arguably the lone spark plug for Eastern’s idle music scene throughout the last few years, decided he wanted to get more politically involved when approached by the Green Party about performing at Saturday’s concert.

“I voted (Tuesday) and Carl Estabrook was one of the chads I poked out,” Groff said. “Therefore, I guess you could say I support the Party. I’ve never really called myself a democrat or Green Party member. Like I said I just decided to start getting involved and better-read in politics.at least as much as I have time for.”

Bryan first planted the idea of a Green Fest in Groff’s head when she approached him at his own partially self-organized concert Chuckstock in August and mentioned

she and the remainder of the Green Party were groping with the concert idea in an effort to enhance Eastern’s “midget of a music scene,” he said.

“Since I feel exactly the same way and am always looking for new ways to put some musical blood into the veins of Eastern I told her I would absolutely love to be a part of

the concert if they wanted me to be,” Groff said.

Groff, who has been performing solo for the last year primarily for philanthropic purposes, seems to have found a comfortable niche playing with his new temporarily-named band Ryan Groff & The Green Jenkins.

“Jim and Dave (bassist and drummer in the group) are just these kick-ass guys who know exactly what they are doing and love just playing music,” he said.

Bryan and Pelzer were commended by Groff for their efforts and hard work in trying to breathe some life into the state music locally.

“I know Kelly and Jeremy are big supporters of expanding Eastern’s music scene, and I’ve been on that side of the fence since I started college,” he said. “I mean, with my old band (The Last Resorts) and having been a solo guy for the past year or so, my main objective has been to be one of many trying to get big bands here.and just to have music be a staple of this campus.

“I think there have been huge steps, even leaps toward a more musical vibe in Charleston.”

Groff said he is anticipating a successful Green Fest Tuesday and hopes it will be a mainstay on Eastern’s campus.

“I’m so happy that people are making a real effort on music’s behalf in Chucktown,” he said.