Entertainer Jesse McCartney will headline the Music Takes Action lineup on Saturday,
March 30, as Ferris State University’s Music and Entertainment Business students support
the annual benefit concert beginning at 7 p.m. that evening in Jim Wink Arena.
MEB students Alyssa Bala, a junior from Clinton Township, and Taylor Funari, a junior from Cleveland, Ohio, are the event’s co-coordinators and said they used social media channels to announce McCartney’s appearance in late January.
“Most of our audience will remember Jesse from his work on soundtracks for the Disney Channel, with hits like ‘Beautiful Soul’ or ‘Leavin’,’ or as a cast member on ‘All My Children,’” Bala said. “He has developed as a popular music artist, with a number of hits over the years. We expect that his appearance will bring in a female-skewed audience for Music Takes Action.”
An announcement for the remainder of the show’s lineup is possible before Friday, Feb. 8. Organizers made tickets available to Ferris students as of Monday, Feb. 4, at the Entertainment Unlimited office in the Center for Leadership, Activities and Career Services in the University Center. Bala said ticket sales begin each day at 9 a.m. in University Center, Room 121, with sales continuing to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6 and Thursday, Feb. 7, then until 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8. These tickets are $5 apiece. Students need a valid ID to purchase one ticket and can pay by cash or credit card.
“We want to give the university community the priority for the first week of sales,” Bala said. “We are happy to offer our show to a larger audience, for those who are interested in Jesse McCartney and the rest of our lineup.”
Beginning on Monday, Feb. 11, tickets will be available to students and the public for $10 apiece, at the Ewigleben Sports Complex Ticket Office or online through Star Tickets. Ticket office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13 and Wednesday, Feb. 20 with the office also open on Saturday, Feb. 23, starting at 12 p.m. Meet and greet tickets are also available for $40 as of Monday, Feb. 11, through the CLACS office or a credit card purchase mechanism on the Music Takes Action Facebook page.
Funari said Music and Business Entertainment students receive the opportunity to develop their skills by accepting assignments which expose them to various duties and responsibilities.
“Both Alyssa and I have been involved as volunteers supporting MEB productions, such as ‘On The Rise,’ where we featured an independent band, ‘Michigander,’ and blues/rock performer Jake Kershaw, in the last academic year,” Funari said. “Our current coordinator roles give us a good idea if we wanted to pursue careers in concert promotion, or artist representation.”
Bala said Music Takes Action is structured to benefit a charitable cause, and this year the group chosen to receive the support is “i understand, (love heals),” an Ada, Michigan-based nonprofit organization.
“Their focus is on providing support to those who have been affected by suicide, or those who are living with mental illness,” Bala said. “They distribute mental health care packages and host monthly educational awareness events in a variety of West Michigan communities. We are honored to support this cause with proceeds from the Music Takes Action event.”
Entertainment Unlimited, the campus programming board at Ferris, is the sponsor for
Music Takes Action. Anyone with a disability who needs special accommodations to attend
the event should contact the Entertainment Unlimited office at (231) 591–2610 or by
email at least 72 hours in advance.
PHOTO CAPTION: Singer, songwriter and actor Jesse McCartney will perform in Ferris
State University’s Jim Wink Arena Saturday, March 30 in the fourth annual Music Takes
Action concert, with the show beginning at 7 p.m. (Photo credit: Alex McDonell)