The Dance Marathon committee is kicking off its drive to recruit dancers with pre-marathon events, which begin tonight with a concert featuring Dazy Head Mazy and Charlie Oberg at 8 p.m. in the Maintenance Shop.

Dancers collect donations and participate in the Dec. 1 event to raise money for patients at the University of Iowa’s Children’s Hospital.

Tickets for tonight’s events can be purchased at the Memorial Union for $15, which includes admission to the concert, a mug and a T-shirt. Proceeds will go to the Children’s Hospital of Iowa and the Children’s Miracle Network, said Lisa Nash, Dance Marathon co-director.

Dance Marathon, a nationwide event, has been on campus raising money for the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital since the fall of 1997. The first Dance Marathon was a greek-only event and raised $18,000. The following year, it became a campus-wide event, said John Shertzer, Dance Marathon adviser.

Last year, Dance Marathon exceeded its goal of $100,000 and raised $120,000. This year is the fifth Dance Marathon, and the goal is to have 700 dancers participate and raise $150,000 to $200,000, Nash said.

“We would like to raise more money than last year,” said Nash, senior in child and family services.

In order to reach its goals, the Dance Marathon committees are looking to recruit more dancers. Richard Prestegard, co-chair of recruitment, said there isn’t a deadline for dancers to apply, but said he recommends those interested apply before mid-November in order to raise the required donations.

Each dancer is expected to raise $175 and pay a $25 registration fee.

The registration fee covers food and entertainment during the marathon and includes a T-shirt, Nash said.

Dance Marathon will be from 9 a.m. to midnight Dec. 1. During the 15-hour event, the dancers will be able to interact with the families and kids who have a childhood illness.

“That’s what it is all about, helping out the little children,” said Prestegard, junior in agricultural business.

During the event, the Nadas and Hello Dave are slated to perform.

This is the first year there will be live entertainment along with entertainment from campus groups, such as the ISU drum line and cheerleaders, Prestegard said.

“We usually bring a lot of Iowa State entertainment,” Nash said. “It varies every year.”

Families will take turns telling their stories so participants can directly see who they are helping, Nash said. Throughout Dance Marathon, a candle burns in remembrance of children who fought and lost their battle with a childhood illness, she said.

Dance Marathon allows dancers to help raise money for a cause and see who they are helping, Prestegard said.

“There are some [other] great causes,” he said, “but you don’t get to see what you are raising money for.”