SPARTA ? First it was FarmAid. And now it’s GeekAid, an afternoon music festival aimed at supporting the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology and its mission to expose technology to troubled youth in hopes it will inspire them to turn their lives around.

Geek Aid Michigan 2006, scheduled for Aug. 19 at the Sparta Band Shell, is an eclectic bandfest that also will highlight rising Nashville star Travis Meadows. It?s sponsored by more than 20 community-focused West Michigan technology companies, including NuSoft Solutions.

?NuSoft is the originator, but it began last year as a grass roots effort to help the Arts and Technology Center get more funding,?? said Keith Brophy, NuSoft president of business operations. ?The organization exposes troubled youth to technology to inspire them and turn their lives around.?

General viewer tickets go for $5 a head. This gets you into the

outdoor concert from 4PM to 8PM to see all bands.

“VIP” tickets go for $30 a head. This gets you into the outdoor concert

from 4PM to 8PM to see all bands plus it also gets on into the

3PM to 345 PM VIP Reception, inside the Civic Center building (next to

amphitheater) with wine and cheese, and at which various parties

including Meadows will share remarks as well as perform a song.

Also, all VIP tickets gain the attendees access to the “VIP Room,” which

is in the Civic Center from 3:45 to 7:00 PM. This room will include an

Italian buffet dinner for them, as well as be where VIPs go to mingle.

There also is a gigaVIP tickets for $100 a head, which includes all of

the above, plus digital picture taken with Travis autographed and

sent in plastic frame to the gigaVIP. Plus gigaVIP is acknowledged from

stage, with some anecdote about why they support the cause.

KIDS 10 and under are free for general admission – concert only, but they must

pay if going to a VIP event.

PLEASE BRING YOUR PAYMENT with you to the event, preferably in check

form, or alternately cash. We will not have the ability to accept credit

card payments.

Food and beverage will be available for purchase in the vicinity,

including beer. Hard alcohol is not allowed in the park per city

ordinance. You may bring your own picnic lunches and refreshments with

you if desired.

Be sure to bring your own lawn chair or blankets for seating! You can

bring a picnic basket if you wish.

In case of heavy inclement rain, the event will be held inside the

adjacent Civic Center. Attendance may be limited to first 150 to arrive

if needed.

To register online, click on GeekAidMich.Com