Weather 'Rocks' charity festival

Penn Rocks for the Homeless was canceled due to the rain and cold. and Scott Lanman Inclement weather forced the cancellation of the Penn Rocks for the Homeless charity concert last night, and University and Philadelphia Police officials said they had not seen or heard that any state Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement agents were patrolling events on and near campus. But while University Police Capt. John Richardson noted that no undercover LCE agents identified themselves to University Police officers, he maintained that the department was "prepared for anything that might go over as a result of [Penn Rocks] being cancelled." Philadelphia Police Cpl. James Clark also said last night that he was not aware of the presence of any undercover LCE agents in the 18th District, which encompasses the Penn campus. Penn Rocks organizers -- who distributed complimentary T-shirts to concertgoers last night -- explained that the event will not be rescheduled because the bands cannot be booked again. The concert -- which 2,000 people were expected to attend -- would have marked the event's eighth year. "Unfortunately, because of the weather, the sound system couldn't be set up," explained concert director Denise Strum, a Wharton senior. "We appreciate all the people that helped out." The exact financial loss of the cancellation has not been determined, according to Michael Mallin, a College junior and next year's concert director. He stressed that the damage should not be excessive because the event benefitted charity, adding that buying insurance was the primary cost. But the rain did not keep a few disappointed spectators from arriving for the concert. Brian Munser, Tim Thy and Mike Page drove to the city from Abington, Pa., especially for the event. "We did get a free T-shirt, though," Thy said. And the students who had worked all year planning the concert were hopeful about next year's success. "The only thing that ruined [the concert] was the rain," Mallin said. "We're pretty optimistic about next year." But InterFraternity Council Vice President Jason Judd, a College junior and former Tau Epsilon Phi chancellor, said his fraternity would prepare for an anticipated increase in attendance at its party last night as a result of the Penn Rocks cancellation. "I assume that more people will be coming, but at the same time the house can only hold so many people," Judd noted.