O.A.R. to Headline Freakfest 2008

Mayor Announces Plans to Build on Halloween Success

Madison - Mayor Dave Cieslewicz announced today that O.A.R. will headline Madison's Freakfest 2008 on Saturday, November 1. The Mayor announced plans to build on the success of last year's Halloween event, again partnering with Frank Productions to feature live entertainment. "We're thrilled to have a top music act headlining Freakfest this year, and I'm excited to again be working with Frank Productions, along with city staff, students and downtown stakeholders to continue building on the success of the Halloween event," Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said. "Frank Productions is excited to once again be a part of Freakfest. I think that we all learned a lot of things last year and are thrilled to unleash some new ideas to make this year bigger and better," Fred Frank of Frank Productions said. "We worked very hard to come up with a talent line-up and a headliner that a huge cross-section of partygoers would enjoy and we're looking forward to another great year!" O.A.R. will join Donavon Frankenreiter, The Hard Lessons, Thriving Ivory and The Dollyrots on the Mountain Dew Amp/Z104 Stage at the corner of State Street and the Capitol Square. Freakfest will also feature Natty Nation, Awesome Car Funmaker, The Box Social, the Blueheels and Mighty Short Bus on the WISC TV/C3K/My Madison TV Urban Theater Stage at Gilman and State Street. In addition, an outdoor movie screen at Gorham and State Street will feature Beetlejuice, Psycho and the Rocky Horror Picture Show through the evening. The Freakfest Frances Street stage will feature DJ Will Calder and the Freakfest Costume Contest. "This year, we've got the best line up of talent and activities that State Street Halloween has ever seen," Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said. "I'm confident that Freakfest will not only be safe and fun again this year, but will be a smashing success with record community participation given the caliber of local and national acts announced today." "In the last three years, we've transformed Halloween on State Street into a music festival with costumes. My hope is that we can continue to transform this event from what had been a black eye for the city into something we can be truly proud of," Cieslewicz said. Tickets for this year's Freakfest are $7 in advance and $10 the day of the event. "O.A.R.'s performance is very exciting news both for the event and Madison at large. While the increase in price is regrettable, I think the fact that we are getting such a headliner at this year's event will make this year's Freakfest something that everyone can get excited about," Ald. Eli Judge, District 8, said. Tickets will be going on sale Saturday at the Coliseum box office, Ticketmaster, by phone at (608) 255-4646, online at www.frankproductions.com, or at a number of local businesses including: Mallat's Pharmacy, University Bookstore (Library Mall location), Knuckleheads, Lands End, B-Side, Strictly Discs, Goodwill, and Chin's Asia Fresh. In the coming weeks, patrons can also look for posters in business windows featuring the Freakfest logo that say "Freakfest Tickets On Sale Here" to buy tickets in advance. For more information, check for updates at http://www.channel3000.com/freakfest