UF students will soon have an uncommon opportunity.
Accent Speaker’s Bureau and Black History Month are bringing actor, singer and musician Common to the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m. Thursday.
Accent chairman Daniel Landesberg said he thinks the show will appeal to everyone.
“Common is an actor, philanthropist, rapper,” the 21-year-old UF telecommunication senior said. “He’s a cool guy, interesting person and an entertainer.”
The artist will be speaking, performing songs and holding a Q-and-A session. Common will be paid $38,000, which Landesberg said the artist might donate.
Landesberg said Common will be talking about his experiences as a black man, the causes he believes in and probably the entertainment industry.
Students can pick up two free tickets per Gator 1 Card starting at noon Wednesday at the Phillips Center box office.
The remaining tickets will be distributed to the general public at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Marlene Azer, a 20-year-old UF psychology sophomore, said she saw Common perform on MTV for Black History Month.
“He’s a powerful person,” she said. “He can grab people’s attention.”
[A version of this story ran on page 5 on 2/10/2014 under the headline "Common to speak, perform Thursday at Phillips Center"]
