By Bob Halady
News Editor

The attendance for this year's fall concert, featuring Ani Difranco, fell 55.5 percent from last year's event, according to numbers provided by the office of student activities.

Approximately 1,470 people attended the Oct. 28 concert by the folk-rock artist. In fall 1998, The Tragically Hip drew 3,300 people.

"We're always looking for more people," said Steve Plesac, director of student activities. "When you consider different factors, like the style of music she played or the area we're in, we didn't do too bad."

The Campus Activities Board sold a total of 1,263 tickets, Plesac said. He said the ticket office sold 667 $10 tickets to students and 596 $18 tickets to the general public, for a gross of $17,398. Plesac refused to disclose the amount DiFranco received.

The remainder of the audience received tickets through promotions or by being on the singer's personal guest list, he said.

Plesac said 3,700 people attended the spring 1997 Bob Dylan, 3,300 saw the the fall 1998 Tragically Hip show, and 3,350 people bought tickets for the canceled Goo Goo Dolls concert in May.

He said although all three shows sold out, the size of the stage can affect the amount of space available on the floor. He estimated capacity for the DiFranco concert at 2,400.

During the concert, DiFranco addressed the crowd several times about the ROTC presence on campus. She said when she stepped off the bus by the Reilly Center, ROTC members were practicing. She also criticized the university for storing guns in the center. An ROTC representative said the organization keeps weaponry in the Security Services office in Robinson Hall.

"She said the university disrespected her because there were guns on campus from ROTC," said junior Amanda Pena, who attended the concert. "If it was that important, she should have checked it out ahead of time."

"I wasn't offended. It's her opinion," said junior Janelle Hoeflschweiger.

Plesac refused comment on DiFranco's statements.

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