Rock bands, real and imagined, to play Friday in fundraiser for Central High's boys soccer squad

Rock fans young and old will be entertained Friday night as Shelbyville Central High's Golden Eagle soccer team sponsors Eaglepalooza 2010, a spin-off of the video game "Rock Band."

Eaglepalooza 2010 begins at 6:00 at Shelbyville Central High School's theater with the doors opening at 5. Proceeds will go to the Golden Eagle boys soccer program.

Each ticket also admits the bearer to an upcoming regular season Golden Eagle home soccer match of his or her choice and that's a $5 value as well.

This event is more than a competition of Shelbyville Central students playing the popular video game, it's also an opportunity to hear some live music from some of the area's most talented musicians and bands.

Eleven "bands" have been selected to compete and each band will have a lead guitar, bass guitar, drums and lead singer.

Throughout the event, special live performances will be featured along with the popular Halftimers dance group.

Special activities will be held in the lobby before the show begins, along with free pizza.

There will also be a costume contest for the best dressed 1980's classic rocker.

"Rock Band," a popular video game, features a band of four playing a rock song on the screen. Game players use electronic "instruments" to try to play along with the music.

The idea was a brain trust of Shelbyville soccer coach Neal Gordon, who was looking to put a little "fun" in a fundraiser for his team.

After a very successful run last year, Eaglepalooza 2010 is being billed as bigger and better the second time around.

"Last year this event was a huge success and a sellout and we feel like this show has got to be even better than last year," Gordon said. "We worked out some technical glitches we had last year, added a house band that will perform in between acts as a filler, and the lighting will be an improved feature."

The event will feature live performances by David Pitner and Danny Hargrove of Absolute Zero, a reunion of 12 O'Clock High along with a mini-concert at the end of the show by 1982 Central graduate Kurt Menck and his band Cold Truth.

12 O'Clock High, a local band formed in the 1980s, features Neil Phillips (lead singer), Todd Roberts (guitar), Jason Farris (guitar), Jay Mantooth (bass guitar) and Mark Kincaid (drums).

Roberts is currently a teacher at Central.

"We're real excited about our live performances and we really appreciate these groups donating their time and talents to help make this a successful event," Gordon said.

This event is being promoted using text messages, blogs and other electronic media.

If you go

Eaglepalooza 2010 will begin at 6 p.m. Friday at Shelbyville Central High School's theater. Tickets are $7 and are available from Central soccer players or coach Neal Gordon, 703-7247.