Ben Folds, Guster to perform at Block Party 2009 at SU on April 26

Ben Folds, Guster to perform at Block Party 2009 at SU on April 26March 18, 2009Helen Koutsourades

Rocking Syracuse University with the annual Block Party concert, University Union will feature musical performances by Ben Folds, with special guest Guster, on Sunday, April 26, at 7 p.m. in the Carrier Dome.

“Ben Folds and Guster are incredible live performers,” says Kelly Bertog, director of concerts for University Union. “Time after time they are hailed by critics and audiences for their ability to reign supreme as talented musicians and stage innovators. Welcoming them to Syracuse University will add to a long list of talented performers ending the school year with just the right touch via the Block Party concert.”

Tickets for SU and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students will be available for presale, priced at $15 (plus a $3 convenience fee when ordered online for the presale). Student presale will begin Thursday, March 19, at 9 a.m. and end Monday, March 23, at 9 a.m. Presale tickets will be offered at http://www.suathletics.com. Click on TICKETS and select “Block Party Student Presale” from the drop-down menu; student presale buyers will need their nine-digit SU/ESF student I.D. number to gain access. Students are allowed to order one time with a limit of six tickets each. MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express will be accepted for online presale orders. Student presale tickets must be picked up in person with student I.D. at the Carrier Dome Box Office. The student presale opportunity is offered by UU.

After student presale, all remaining tickets for this all-ages show will go on sale for students and the general public at the price of $25, plus any processing fees for online purchase. These tickets will be available starting Friday, March 27, at noon at the Schine Box Office, (315) 443-4517, and at 10 a.m. at the Carrier Dome Box Office for students and at all Ticketmaster locations, http://www.ticketmaster.com and 1-800-745-3000 for the general public.

SU student tickets ordered online must be picked up at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B) on Tuesday, April 7, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Wednesday, April 8, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., or Thursday, April 9, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (student’s valid SU I.D. required).

Please note that bags, as well as cameras and/or recording devices, will not be permitted inside. There will be no re-entry.

In addition to Block Party, the Bandersnatch Music Series, a musical subdivision within University Union, is presenting hip-hop artist WALE with The UCB Go-Go Band and a special guest to perform live on Wednesday, April 1, at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.) in the Schine Underground. Tickets are now on sale at the Schine Box Office.

Best known as a leading figure without the trio Ben Folds Five, Ben Folds is a singer/pianist who has been on the music scene for more than a decade. Folds has played with notable musicians such as Dave Mathews and Beck, performed on “Late Nite With Conan O’Brien,” and released a number of critically acclaimed albums. Fold’s latest album, “Way to Normal,” was released in 2008.

Developing a highly successful following with a unique acoustic guitar sound, Guster hit the East Coast music scene in the late ’90s and hasn’t stopped playing since. The Boston trio continues touring and provides an earthy musical performance that has captivated audiences across the world. In 1997, Guster was named Best Live Act at the Boston Music Awards. In 2006, Guster issued its fifth album, “Ganging Up on the Sun.”

University Union is a recognized student organization that provides large-scale programming for SU and SUNY-ESF undergraduate students.

For more information, contact University Union Public Relations Chair Helen Koutsourades at (845) 494-0623 or Press.uu@gmail.com.