DeKALB | Tonight’s the night to rock The House!

CONTACT Communications Group, a division within NIU’s Public Relations Student Society of America, will host Rock the House for Hope at 5:30 p.m. at The House Cafe, 263 E. Lincoln Highway.

The event will feature live music from five bands, free food and pop until 7:15 p.m., a 50/50 raffle and prize giveaways throughout the night. Alcohol will be available to those 21 years of age and older for an additional fee.

“Last year, we did a bowling benefit at the Huskies Den to help out victims of Hurricane Katrina,” said Brittany Meier, PRSSA’s senior account executive. “This year we wanted to go in a different direction. The House already had that night’s bands booked and said we were welcome to hold our event there that same night, free of charge.”

Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the door or in advance through any PRSSA member. All proceeds will benefit Hope Haven, a homeless shelter in DeKalb.

“We serve almost 100 people a night and provide over 25,000 meals a year to DeKalb’s homeless population,” said Lesly Wicks, Hope Haven’s executive director. “If it wasn’t for the support we receive from the community and area churches, we wouldn’t be where we are today. They are our backbone.”

John Ugolini, Kickstand Productions production manager, handles all the bookings at The House and said to expect a “very catchy and slick pop rock” style from the event’s scheduled performers.

The event will last until midnight, featuring the bands Field Trip, From Here on After, The Rikters, Last Fast Action and Treaty of Paris. Each band will be available for a “meet and greet” afterward, Ugolini said.

“We received over $400 worth of donations in food and giveaways from area businesses for this event,” Meier said.

Prizes include a 60-minute massage from Studio One Salon and Spa, a candy-filled gift basket from The Confectionary, Dairy Queen blizzard cakes, free game passes from Mardi Gras Lanes and gift cards from local restaurants and businesses.