Urban Vibe

Issue date: 8/25/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Photo by Phil Thompson/Courtesy of the Greater Des Moines Music Coalition A giant hamster ball entertains the crowd during the Flaming Lips concert on July 4.

Named after the convergence of two main
interstates that meet in Des Moines, 80/35 is a two-day music festival that features national, local, and regional artists.

This year's inaugural event, headlined by The Flaming Lips and The Roots, took place July 4-5 at Western Gateway Park in Des Moines.

Proposed to the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation in December 2007 by the Greater Des Moines Music Coalition (DMMC), 80/35 includes music of all genres, as well as other activities in which ticket purchasers can participate.

Rose Mayo, a junior at Bradley University
in Peoria, IL, who volunteered at the festival, said the atmosphere was "relaxed but energetic at the same time."

"There were a lot of people there for the
music, but there were a lot of people there for the music, but there were also a lot of people there who came just to get off work and relax for the day," she added.

Mayo has been involved with the festival
nearly from the time it was conceived. She
heard about it through her radio broadcasting class at Central Campus while she was still in high school and became interested in helping out after meeting Loyd Ogle, board president of the
DMMC, and Amadeo Rossi, the event's project
manager, she said.

"I decided to volunteer because I thought it would be a good way to meet people and make connections, and it will look great on a resume, especially since it was the
inaugural event and it went over so well."

A lot of volunteers were needed to make the event happen and each received free admission, free food and a free t-shirt. Mayo was helping with public relations months in advance by coming up with press ideas and sending out flyers.

During the event, she worked at the merchandise tent, checked people for wristbands and worked at the will-call
section for tickets. The best part of being involved with the festival, Mayo said, was "that so many people turned out
and really helped put this on the map right from the start."

Next year, she plans on being more involved in the planning process.

As for the performances, the Flaming Lips concert was number one for her.

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