Off-campus student group promotes SCU artists through music events
By Claire Cudahy
On Saturday night, approximately 450 Santa Clara students dressed in an array of plaid and neon filed onto seven buses parked off campus near Lafayette Apartments.
A short bus ride to Palo Alto and the mob of buzzing people made their way into Club Illusions for a Leve1 experience.
The occasion, Don't Bring Sand to the Beach II, is the second annual event put on by Leve1 Events, a self-described "off campus student organization founded by current Santa Clara University Students . . . dedicated to bringing unforgettable events with the most talented artists."
Inside the venue students were greeted by a large dance floor leading up to a raised stage where speakers towered like sky scrapers and hundreds of cords intertwined like vines.
As the first busload of people walked in, DJ Atlas, also known as Santa Clara Sophomore Raymond Jacob, started spinning and people began to spill onto the dance floor.
A giant screen projected visuals as a light show grooved to the music. From 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. a lineup of seven electronic music artists took the stage, and the crowd never wavered with their all out enthusiasm.
With a production cost of over $10,000, a sold out venue and the return of Santa Clara alumni RPT—a crowd favorite, the night was a success.
Saturday also marked the one-year anniversary of Leve1 Events. Though the concept for the company was originally established by Chris Evan, also known as LG and one-half of the DJ team Intelligent Design, SCU Juniors Rick Choi and Parker Johnson have taken over as co-directors as of Summer 2010.
Evan's first Leve1 Event was Don't Bring Sand to the Beach in Santa Cruz, for which he enlisted the help of Choi and Johnson.
After multiple cancellations of venues and changes of plan, the event finally pulled through with great success.
After the first event, Choi wanted to expand Leve1's involvement in events. To do that, he looked at what he didn't like to deal with when going to concerts or events, namely, transportation and lodging.
Now Leve1 Events offers these options to their ticket-buyers without the hassle and with the added bonus of group rates and discounts.
What began as three friends working for the love of music has now expanded to include about 30 promoters—but the message hasn't changed. "Leve1 Events is formed with Santa Clara students who love music and enjoy to spread their love for music. So, providing an environment for others to enjoy music was our primary goal," said Choi.
In fact, Leve1 Events and its promoters don't make any money for their work; any profit is either donated to charity or used to enhance the events.
Leve1 Events is a prime example of doing something for the love of it rather than the monetary gain—a dying practice in our capitalist society. Siobhan Curley, a promoter for Leve1 Events, praises the collective dynamic of the company.
"Everyone has something to contribute and regardless of your standing in the organization," said the Santa Clara senior. "if you have a good idea it has just as good of a chance of being produced as anyone else's ideas."
After the success of the sold out DBSTTB II, Leve1 Events has already received offers from venues and other companies for more events.
So what's next for Leve1? According to Choi, organizing housing and camping for Coachella Music Festival in April and another Leve1 Event in the spring is on the horizon.
Given the bad press electronic music events and raves have received, Leve1 continues to work towards creating a safe partying experience.
"Leve1 is all about partying and having a great time, but our number one priority is making sure all of our supporters and friends are safe while doing it," said Curley.
Leve1 Events, its promoters and resident DJs—almost all current Santa Clara students-- have found a way to use their passion for music to fuel fun while gaining priceless experience and knowledge in running a successful business.
Claire Cudahy is a junior english major.