The Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is expected to be at full capacity tonight for a perfomance by Matisyahu.
To celebrate Jewish Awareness Month, UF Student Government Productions teamed up with Accent and the Jewish Student Union to bring the Jewish reggae musician to campus.
The artist will get $28,000 for his act.
The event will consist of the performer’s “insightful words and acoustic music,” said Kyle Calhoun, the SG Productions music and entertainment chairman.
Matisyahu is known for mixing Jewish topics with reggae. His first single, “King Without A Crown,” ranked No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2004.
Instead of the artist performing his usual concert-style show, he will talk to students about recent events such as the tsunami and perform some of his hit songs acoustically.
Rabbi Berl Goldman said this performance is perfect timing, considering the Israeli family that was murdered Friday night in Palestine.
He said he cannot wait to hear the artist’s positive message about caring for others.
He said students called him over the weekend worried because they believe Jewish hate crimes will occur throughout the month.
“Matisyahu’s words bring peace to the Jewish community,” he said.
Accent’s chairman Zack Goldstein said the musician is an Orthodox Jew, a denomination which only 10 percent of Jews in the U.S. practice because it follows strict application of laws found in the Torah.
At 6 p.m., 1,800 free tickets will be given out on a first-come-first-serve basis. The show begins at 8 p.m.
