Dayton to host 'Guitar Hero' battle of the bands

DAYTON - When the Dayton Task Force was brainstorming creative ideas for promoting fitness and physical activity in the community, Sal Aquino proposed a Guitar Hero or Rock Bank video contest for teens.

That's when it became apparent that many of the Dayton Task Force members - not to mention their spouses, children and grandchildren - were closet Rock Band and Guitar Hero fans. The group adopted Aquino's idea, and began looking for partners and a venue for the contest.

It turned out that Juvenile Probation Officer Eric Smith is not only a Rock Band fan, but has the equipment necessary to host a Rock Band contest. His colleagues in Juvenile Probation also were interested in the idea, and offered to bring youth bands from Yerington, Silver Springs and Fernley to Dayton for an all-day competition with Dayton teen bands on Monday, Dec. 28.

"This game is a lot of fun, and it makes performing rock music accessible to everyone," said task force coordinator Quest Lakes. "It allows up to four players to simulate the performance of popular rock songs by singing or by playing with controllers modeled after instruments so that they can play the lead guitar, bass guitar and drum parts to songs."

The two groups are cooperating to chaperone the event, and Juvenile Probation has added $250 in addition to a guitar for the winning bands. Dayton Task Force is providing vegetable and fruit trays for the participants to further promote healthy lifestyles.

For more information on the time and location, and to sign up, call Quest Lakes, Task Force Coordinator for Healthy Communities Coalition, at 287-7598. The contest is limited to 10 bands.