Saturday, Oct. 04, 2008

Lt. Dan Band will perform at CSUS

Louder than a box of chocolates, Forrest Gump's beloved Lt. Dan will rock the house at California State University, Stanislaus, on Oct. 25 to help celebrate 50 years of higher academics in Turlock.

Actor, director and musician Gary Sinise -- the star of CBS' "CSI: NY" -- will bring his Lt. Dan Band to the campus to kick off the university's gala anniversary program.

Sinise received an Academy Award nomination for his role as Lt. Dan in the 1994 film "Forrest Gump." He plays bass in the classic-rock cover band that took on that character's name. The group started out as a jam band and eventually branched out to play charity gigs across the country, particularly in support of U.S. troops, including five tours for the USO.

Two programs to aid the military, its veterans and Iraqi children have been set up in conjunction with the Sinise show, according to news releases from the university.

The Modesto chapter of Blue Star Mothers will team with CSUS and Modesto Clear Channel Radio stations to collect food, personal hygiene supplies and wish-list items for troops Monday through Friday.

Donations can be dropped off at the Turlock Wal-Mart on Fulkerth Road from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, or at the Clear Channel offices at 2121 Lancey Drive, Modesto, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Turlock American Legion Riders and the CSU Stanislaus Student Veterans Organization will conduct an Operation Iraqi Children drive Oct. 20-25 to collect school supplies, toys, sports equipment and shoes for children in the war-torn country. Donation sites will be set up at the university campus the week of the concert, according to the news release.

Operation Iraqi Children was established in 2004 by Sinise and author Laura Hillenbrand to help U.S. troop efforts assisting children in that country.

Sinise's appearance at the university stems from a lifelong friendship with CSU Stanislaus theater professor John Mayer. Mayer and Sinise were high school classmates in Highland Park, Ill., and later performed together at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Sinise was a co-founder of that famous Chicago acting troupe.

The 50th Anniversary Inaugural Gala at the university includes a reception and dinner at the Turlock campus. Tickets for the concert are $35 general; $25 university faculty, staff and military veterans; $20 CSU Stanislaus students and available at TicketWeb.com or the campus bookstore

Gala tickets -- reception, dinner and concert -- are $250.

For more, go to www.csustan.edu/50th or call 667-3131.