Homecoming Parades Into Bloomsburg

When former Bloomsburg University President, Jessica Kozloff left the university in 2007, Kozzfest went with her. Now after a one year break, Kozzfest, the annual concert that brought in lesser known local bands and artists is back, but with a new name; Bloomapalooza.

            On Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the amphitheater outside of the Scranton Commons, Bloomapalooza will entertain the campus to the tune of several local and regional artists and bands. Admission to the event is free of charge and will be held rain or shine.. 

            BU’s radio-station WBUQ 91.1FM will be co-sponsoring the event along with Harry’s Grille. WBUQ will be covering the show, and steaming the concert live through the airwaves. Some of the artists and bands who have been brought in to play include Evro, OurAfter, Cody Sassaman, and JD Eicher and the Goodnights. 

Anyone who has an ear for rock ‘n’ roll music should plan on attending the first annual concert. This years bands, compared to bands who played at Kozzfest in the past, carry higher profile names to stir up a buzz on campus.

            All of the bands scheduled to perform describe their style of music as rock, but have tweaked and fused the traditional rock sound creating alternative rock, pop rock, or indie rock music. 

Each band has been on tour before, so this will not be the first time since karaoke night that they’ve played. The Philly-based band, Envro, has been touted by regional magazines such as “Play Philly Magazine” and “Philly EDGE.” They were described as a “local Paramore,” because of lead singer, Janelle Korkus’s voice has been compared to that of Hayley Williams of the popular pop/rock band.

Not many bands playing this years’ Bloomapalooza, or just in general have gotten the chance to open for a band like Coldplay, but JD Eicher and the Goodnights are on that short list. The band from Pittsburgh, Pa., describes their sound as indie and alternative rock according to their website. They’re making their debut appearance in Bloomsburg for this Thursday’s show.

            OurAfter will be bringing their alternative-rock sound to the amphitheater while continuing on tour.   The band from near-by Scranton has also been highlighted by the regional media, such as The Scranton Times, Weekender Magazine, and Garageband.com according to the bands website.

            Having just made an appearance on the “Free stage” at the Bloomsburg Fair last week, Cody Sassaman will once again be performing his pop/rock style music for the Bloomsburg community.   Sassaman, a Tamaqua, Pa., native will continue the rock ‘n’ roll trend of the day.

            For more information about the bands, check out their MySpace’s or websites, and for more information about Bloomapalooza, contact Kelly Barnett, the Program Director.

In case of inclement weather however, the show will be moved inside to the Kehr Union Ballroom