Men’s social club Theta hosted “Sketa” for their formal in downtown Searcy April 23 at Citizens Park.
Sketa was a concert that a Theta band performed at, including formal organizers seniors Caleb Young and Jonah Murray.
Murray said there was a lot of preparations that went into the event.
“We chose Sketa to perform because, in fact, we are Sketa,” Murray said. “I am lead vocals and guitar, and Caleb plays the keys and backup vocals.”
Murray said he and Young had always wanted to be in a band.
Along with the excitement of playing in the band, Theta was very excited to be hosting.
“Sketa is something you hear about year-round,” Theta member sophomore Gabe Mahon said. “It starts as a quiet whisper that gradually turns into a shout as the event draws closer and closer.”
Along with Sketa playing the event, there were four other bands that were in attendance. “Four bands played at it,” Young said. “Two were Harding bands. Two were from Memphis.”
Among the bands were Massey Lane, Rivers West, Avon Park and Therealdy. When searching for bands, Young said he tried contacting 20 bands before he found the four that performed Saturday.
“We decided who would be performing in a completely unbiased way,” Murray said. “The four other acts [made] this a great concert for everyone.”
Murray and Young prepared for the events for months ahead of time.
“Sketa has been a works in progress for many months,” Mahon said. “It takes only the best people to plan such an incredible event.”
Some genres that Theta was looking for in the bands was a mix of rock, folk and rap. Young said rock was a necessity to the concert.
This is the second year of the event, and the members have said that they want to make it a reoccurring tradition.
“Theta responds very well to Sketa,” Mahon said. “Being a relatively new club, we are tasked with not only defining what Theta is, but also incorporating traditions and events for the many years to come.”
