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American Idol Winner David Cook at Western | Invisible Children: Rough Cut to be Shown | Wendi Fox: Comedian with a Cause | We Know Jackson to Play at Western

American Idol Winner David Cook Comes to Western

On Tuesday, April 14 in the Heritage Rooms of the University Union, David Cook, Season 7 American Idol winner will promote his debut self-titled album which was released in November 2008. This will be the first time that Cook has been on the road solo since headlining the American Idol Season 7 tour.

Western was chosen as one of only 37 schools nationwide to host Cook in this small venue event. The student-run University Union Board (UUB) sponsors this event for Western students; the concert sold out within the first week of ticket sales!

Ryan Star, Rockstar: Supernova participant will open for Cook at 8 p.m.

Charise Rodgers, student winner of Western Idol performs at 7:45 p.m.

Invisible Children: Rough Cut to be Shown at Western

In the spring of 2003, three young Southern California filmmakers traveled to Africa in search of a story. What started out as a filmmaking adventure transformed into much more when they discovered a tragedy that disgusted and inspired them, a tragedy where children are both the weapons and the victims.

After returning to the States, they created the documentary Invisible Children: Rough Cut, a film that exposes the tragic realities of northern Uganda’s night commuters and child soldiers.

This film, which has been seen by millions of people, has initiated an overwhelming response to help. The non-profit Invisible Children, Inc. was created, giving compassionate individuals an effective way to respond to the situation.

As a non-profit organization, Invisible Children Inc. works to transform apathy into activism by showing the film for free throughout the United States. By documenting the lives of those living in regions of conflict and injustice, their intent is to educate and inspire individuals in the Western world to use their unique voice for change. Currently, there is a regional focus where this film is being shown at several locations over the course of several months.

The documentary film will be shown, Tuesday, April 7 at 7 p.m. in the Billiards Room of the Union and is sponsored by the Issues and Ideas committee of the University Union Board (UUB). This film is the local initiator to a regional rally to be held in Chicago on Saturday, April 25.

Wendi Fox: Comedian with a Cause

On April 9, join the UUB Comedy and Issues and Ideas committees as they present, Wendi Fox: Comedian with a Cause in the University Union Heritage Rooms at 7 p.m.

Using comedy as her backdrop, Fox shares personal stories of high-risk drinking, irresponsible antics and how she managed her personal reinvention. Because of her experiences, Wendi has made a commitment to change the dangerous social climate on college campuses today through humor, examples of personal development, raising alcohol awareness, social respect & responsibility. Wendi is known as the funniest, most innovative, respected, and requested alcohol awareness comedian and lecture artist in North America today.

It turns out that humor really is the best medicine!

Michigan Rock Band, We Know Jackson, to Play at Outdoor Venue

We Know Jackson is a three-piece pop/rock band from West Michigan. On keyboards and lead vocals is Chris Janowiak, electric bassist is Isaac Hansen and drummer is Peter Breithaupt. All three are/were music majors at Western Michigan University. After more than 40 years of combined musical experience, Chris, Isaac, and Pete joined forces and formed We Know Jackson in January 2007. Although classified as a pop/rock band, the influences heard in We Know Jackson’s music range from Phish to Rachmaninoff, and Miles Davis to Hanson. Due to this eclectic blend of influences, there is always a fresh and exciting spontaneity to their music with a touch of goodness!

Join music sponsors UUB along with the Western student band, Storefront Lawyers, who will open for We Know Jackson at the Big Blue Fundraiser for testicular cancer awareness on the grounds outside of the Campus Recreation Center at 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 during Dad’s Weekend!

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