On Nov. 20, SGA announced its big surprise. It’s the first ‘Local Hearts Concert,’ which is set for Feb. 15, 2024, and will feature ETSU students and local performing artists.

Secretary of Exterior Relations, Macy Strader, along with Cater Warden, director of Student Activities and Organizations, have been working hard all year to figure out what the students are interested in and how to accommodate them. Through various polls for the fall and spring concerts, booking talents and more, Strader has come up with a concert of her own.

“The idea for the local concert came from a mixture of my passion for planning fall and spring concerts and getting to know several artists on campus,” said Strader.

The planning process has been challenging nonetheless when it comes to funding, finding a venue and the general aspects, but Strader is eager and determined to make her own creation come alive. There has been positive feedback and help from SGA, Michelle Byrd, Carter Warden and the artists who’ve applied, which has made the process smooth and exciting.

(Contributed/etsusga Instagram)

The Local Hearts Concert is a part of SGA’s mission, which is to “improve the quality of life of the people of this region and beyond.” This concert gives students and local artists the opportunity to showcase their talents which could help them gain recognition and exposure.

“Art specifically is a way of sharing our inner thoughts and emotions with the world in a way that can be interpreted differently depending on how people connect to it. Especially now, in this era of fighting to maintain our livelihood as creatives, it’s more important than ever to provide a platform for artists to create this connection with community,” said Strader.

Strader, alongside SGA, believes that this will improve the campus and community because every talent deserves to be celebrated. There is hope that this will become an annual thing, but as for now, SGA is eager to put on this concert and see an impact.

“My hope is that you’ll find your next favorite artist at Local Hearts,” said Strader.

For more information, go to @etsusga on Instagram. The link to apply is in the Instagram bio, which applications will open on Jan. 1, 2024, go apply and let your talents be heard.

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