EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

DATE: 11 a.m. (SpringFest), 7 p.m. (Common concert), Friday, April 17, 2015

PLACE: The Diag and Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor

EVENT: SpringFest 2015, the MUSIC Matters year-end day of festivities at the University of Michigan will feature events such as a live Shark Tank-style pitch competition, a showcase of student-run startups and product launches, a fashion show, a farmer’s market, performances from student musicians and a food truck face-off.

The festival, modeled after South by Southwest in Austin, Tex., leads up to the day’s capstone event—MUSIC Matters’ fourth annual benefit concert. This year, hip hop artist Common will take the stage in Hill Auditorium at 7 p.m. to support a summer camp for at-risk youth.

Common’s most recent project, “Glory” with John Legend, became the theme song for the film “Selma,” and secured awards for “Best Original Song” at both the Academy Awards and Golden Globes in 2015.

“Common’s artistry and ability to integrate art and social justice together so seamlessly make him the perfect artist for MUSIC Matters,” said Jibran Ahmed, MUSIC Matters vice president. “In light of his recent projects, we couldn’t imagine any other artist that aligns with our fundamental initiative.”

SpringFest 2015 will bring back a mashup of over 50 student groups from the innovation, arts, sustainability, music, identity and social justice communities on campus.

“By bringing students together from all corners of campus for an entire day of collaboration, engagement and learning through this outstanding event, with our headlining concert to follow, SpringFest can unify a college campus unlike any other, highlighting the best of the University of Michigan,” said MUSIC Matters president Darren Appel.

Since its founding four years at U-M, MUSIC Matters (Michigan Undergrads Serving In the Community) has brought J. Cole, Ben Folds and 2 Chainz to Hill Auditorium, resulting in a $10,000 gift to Mott Children’s Hospital, $50,000 to endow the Big Thinker’s Scholarship (a student-funded need-based scholarship) and the development of a leadership camp for underserved Detroit youth.

INFORMATION: Tickets for Common go on sale March 26 at the Michigan Union Ticket Office or visit michiganmusicmatters.com.

SPONSORS: College of Literature, Science, and Arts; Office of the President; Office of the Provost; Central Student Government; College of Engineering; Ross School of Business; University Musical Society; Michigan Hillel; LSA Student Government; School of Public Health; School of Natural Resources and Environment; Office of the Vice President for Communications; Center for Entrepreneurship; Student Life; University Health Services; Office of University Development; Ford School of Public Policy; College of Pharmacy; Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs; Engineering Student Government; Law School Student Senate; School of Dentistry; Law School

CONTACT: Marli Siegel, (248) 660-7004, siegelma@umich.edu