Text-message contest, bands, games all on deck for 1st-time youth event

A text-messaging contest, rock-climbing, games, prizes and a battle of the bands are highlights of Rock the Cause - the first major event hosted by the newly formed Alexian Brothers Youth Board.

Rock the Cause takes places 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Arboretum of South Barrington, with Chicago alternative rock band Holding Mercury headlining at 8 p.m.

The event is free, but wrist bands can be purchased for $10, which will provide access to all activities and a raffle ticket with which participants can vote in the battle of the bands. T-shirts and design-it-yourself unisex bracelets are available for an additional $10 each.

Raffle prizes include two tickets to an upcoming "American Idol" taping in Chicago.

Four bands have been chosen to perform 20-minute sets each and vie for a $500 prize for the band that wins the most votes. The bands and their performance times are:

• 4 p.m.: Cook Street, made up of Barrington High School students.

• 5 p.m.: Chasing the Skyline, Bartlett High School.

• 6 p.m.: Freshmen 10, Fremd High School.

• 7 p.m.: Valencia, formerly known as C is for Cookie, Barrington High School.

Rock the Cause, co-hosted by the Arboretum of South Barrington, will contribute a portion of proceeds to Alexian Brothers Pediatric Services, which is planning a new children's hospital at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates.

The Alexian Brothers Youth Board was established about a year ago by a group of teens looking for philanthropic outlets. It now consists of 42 youths from the Barrington area, as well as Bartlett, Elgin, Schaumburg and other communities.

Rock the Cause will take place across from American Eagle and Pinstripes at The Arboretum of South Barrington on 100 W. Higgins Road, between Route 59 and Bartlett Road. For more information visit, ShopTheArboretumSB.com or call (847) 426-6200.