Uncertainty surrounds musical activities planned for Veishea 1997, for now.

Government of the Student Body allocated $15,000 worth of funds last year on Feb. 21 to bring a national headliner band to Veishea for Musicfest ’96, but nothing panned out. Students were left believing the money would be used for a national act for this year’s Veishea.

Daniel Faidley, Veishea co-chair, said he doesn’t want to build up publicity for a big act if one is not on the way for Veishea ’97, but, “We’re making a lot of entertainment plans right now and are finalizing those plans.”

Faidley said there will not be a Musicfest ’97 this year, but, he said, the word “entertainment” encompasses more than just music. No other statements will be made, he said, to avoid the confusion and disappointment that followed last year’s hopes for headliner music groups.

Faidley said GSB planned to co-sponsor the event last year. But the money set aside by GSB for the event was only for the cost of the musical act and did not include expenses for the fences, security and bleachers and other necessities required to put on that type of event.

Adam Gold, GSB president and last year’s Musicfest director, said Veishea officials decided against bringing the band Fishbone to play last year because of the lack of funding for the necessary resources, combined with the lack of time needed for planning.

Faidley said the reason Musicfest is a no-go this year “is because the event as we have had it in the past has never been very well attended,” and because of risk and cost.

Faidley said the final decision was made by the Veishea Executive Committee.

He said they will have local bands playing at Taste of Veishea on the corner of Welch Avenue and Chamberlain Street.

Veishea will take place April 18, 19 and 20.

By the time spring break rolls around, Faidley said he hopes to have entertainment plans finalized. After definite plans are made they will be announced.

Dave Newton, Maintenance Shop director and an Iowa State student, said he contacted Veishea in November and offered his services and resources to the executive committee to make Musicfest happen.

However, he said the committee finally rejected his services after three months of ongoing phone calls because it did not want to have big shows that may add risk to the celebration.

Newton said he had been talking to The Freddy Jones Band, Semisonic, Matthew Sweet, the Indigo Girls, Violent Femmes and They Might be Giants.

“I was very much disappointed because of the time and effort I put into calling people, and I put into organizing my staff and these guys did not want to take any risks on bringing anyone to town,” Newton said.

He also said he thinks people need more activities during the festival because “the last couple of Veisheas have been a bunch of people wandering around aimlessly trying to find something to do.”

The Maintenance Shop is trying to plan activities for people who are not greek, underage or are bored with the festivities on Welch Avenue.

He said they are showing the Rocky Horror Picture Show and a band on Friday night. He said he is also attempting to schedule a big band Saturday evening, but said he has “no guarantees.”

Whether a big band plays Veishea, students and guests will find something to do in Campustown at Taste of Veishea, Rock the Rec and the activities the Maintenance Shop schedules. Faidley said there will not be Terrace Music this year due to low turnouts last year and high costs.