Agoura High Battle of the Bands opens to the public

Agoura High School's annual Battle of the Bands will be open to the general public this year, according to student organizers.

Senior class officer Michelle Silverman said the popular fundraiser will showcase the musical talents of students at the school. In previous years, only the school community was invited to watch the battle for the distinction of being voted best band and winning prizes.

"We want every member of our community to be invited, especially elementary and middle school students so they can see how much high school has to offer aside from academics," Silverman said. She said the show will be conducted in a "safe, concertlike atmosphere" for younger children.

Hayley Alcroft, a member of last year's winning band and this year's house band, Hede, will host the show. Besides Alcroft, members of Hede are Darren Dahl, Daniel Gootnick and Myles Morgan. Another participating band, Gingerbread Jailhouse, will feature Theo Kokiousis, Jason Steinberg, Jordan DePalma, Tess Kokiousis, Nicole Natalia and Alex Nealson.

The band Kugel is led by Josh Bachner, and Mac Miller is the leader of The Sheds. "There is great variety in the bands, and they will be playing an array of various types of music," Silverman said.

The winning bands from each night will face off in the final show, and first and secondplace winners will receive prizes donated by Line 6, a music supply store.

The bands will be judged by a panel of music teachers, Silverman said.

Profits from the event will go toward making the school's senior prom at the Doubletree Hotel in Santa Barbara "as amazing as possible," Silverman said. The money will also support the senior brunch and senior picnic at the end of the year.

Silverman is one of several class officers working on the event. Other class officers are Rocky Trombetti, Leiann Bahar and Naomi Elman. All members of the student council helped with the event, including teacher advisers Dennis Ritterbush (science), Russel Stephans (math and physical education) and librarian Jill Cope.

The Battle of the Bands will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 23 and Fri., Oct 24 in the school's "G" building. Food and drinks will be sold before the show and during intermission. Wristband tickets, priced at $5 for AHS students who present their Associated Student Body card and $7 for everybody else, will be on sale at 6:30 p.m.