_{What is Winter Wonder Jam?}

_{On Feb. 21, 2015, Hamline University will be hosting the Second Annual Winter WonderJam in their very own Anderson Center. As an idea that originally derived from the brains of fellow students, Winter WonderJam has evolved into a bigger and better showcase of both local and countrywide musical talent. At last years’ show, HU Radio collaborated with the Hamline University Programming Board (HUPB), in order to bring in local hip- hop artists Konstant Movement and Brother Ali. This year, the groups decided to once again collaborate, but decided to switch up the talent, giving all who attend a variety of rock (Step Rockets,) indie-pop (Smallpools), and hip-hop (Yonas). Doors for the concert will be opening at 7:30pm, all guests can either get their tickets prior to the event, both online at http://winterwonderjam.brownpapertickets.com or in person during tabling held in the Anderson Center, or at the event itself. Tickets are currently on sale until the day of the event with a cost of $5 for all Hamline students and $15 for all outside guests.}

_{Who is Hamline bringing to this years WWJ?}

_{Winter WonderJam is going to be featuring three fantastic artists at this year’s concert. As the opener, opener—or the appetizer—a local band, The Step Rockets will perform their own unique style of music that “explores psychedelia, pop hooks, and worldy grooves, and possibly the moon,” as stated on their Facebook page. This foursome hails from just up the road in Minneapolis and is most well known for their song “Kisser.” The band has released several songs and music videos since their formation in 2012, and is set to release a new song and video on Feb. 7, just weeks before WWJ. Next, guests will be treated to Yonas, a New York born and raised hip-hop artist. In 2009, he released his first EP, winning a Billboard Songwriting Award for his single “Banga.” Yonas has performed with many other notable musicians such as Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Juicy J, and Timeflies, and had a single featured in the 2013 motion picture The Place Beyond the Pines starring Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper. And last but not least, WWJ features the indie-pop band, Smallpools, as their main act. Another quartet that began relatively recently in Los Angeles, Smallpools quickly rose up the charts with their debut single “Dreaming” that was released in July 2013. The band has toured with Two Door Cinema Club, Walk the Moon—recently showcased this past fall at the U of M—and Neon Trees. In 2014, two more singles were released by the band and there has been talk of them releasing another full album in the very near future.}

_{What makes Winter Wonder Jam so wonderful?}

_{“Winter WonderJam started out as me and Charlie seeing a campus need. Hamline did not have a large concert. So we decided to speak to a few different people and get the ball rolling,” claimed Racey Rodne, a third year student, DJ for HU Radio, and one of the brains behind the creation of WWJ. In much the same way, Charlie Shafer, stated that their mutual passion for music prompted them to take HU Radio’s influence on the student body and expand it on a much larger scale. It seemed that once they started this ball rolling, it just couldn’t be stopped. There is so much work that goes into the creation and facilitation of WWJ. Little known to students, the planning for the Second Annual Winter WonderJam began only just about a month after the previous years’ concert ended. Though the idea behind this epic concert started with Charlie and Racey, there are many other roles involved. These range anywhere from Lacey Squier, the Coordinator for Student Activities, and Carey Otto, the Associate Director of the Anderson Center, to students from both HU Radio and Programming Board who hold positions on the planning committee of WWJ. Rodne explains, “The board positions range from project manager to artist hospitality to volunteer coordinator. Each position is uniquely important to the success of Winter Wonder Jam.” These positions and all board meetings are conducted on a volunteer basis only, though these same people, along with a survey taken by the student body, are responsible for selecting the artists.}

_{“This year me and Racey are focused more on the production side of the event. Racey works for Allied so he has a huge impact on how the Anderson Center will look after being completely set up and decorated,” stated Charlie. With the connections established, the Anderson center will be tricked out with a variety of lights and other effects, including giant snowflakes graciously donated by Hamline’s theater department.}

_{Everyone involved in the production of this event sincerely hopes that WWJ continues to get bigger and better every year. They are all extremely proud of the work that they have put into past, present, and future concerts. “I want Winter WonderJam to always be a huge, exciting event that Hamline students can consider as an event just for them,” concluded Charlie, though the same could be said for any other member involved in putting on what is sure to be an impressive concert.}

_{For more information about Winter WonderJam (WWJ), including links to music by the performers, updates, and much more, everyone is invited to explore Hamline University Programming Board’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/hupb11 and HU Radio’s at https://www.facebook.com/hamlineradio . Both groups post to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, so keep your eyes and ears open for more to come!}