On Oct. 12 and 13, the Smith College campus will be buzzing with excitement. At these times, artists like Amanda Palmer (of the Dresden Dolls), Betty, and JD Samson and Johanna Fateman of Le Tigre will be gracing the stage of John. M. Greene Hall. The occasion is The Smith College Alliance for Alternative Rock’s (SCAAR) 1st Annual Fall Music Festival. SCAAR is a new organization on campus that strives to create a forum for people who are genuinely interested in music.

“I thought SCAAR could be a great group, not only for people who have an interest in music but also for musicians and for people interested in music production who want to learn how to put on a show,” said Elizabeth Willis ‘09, founder of SCAAR. The organization was inspired by the Harvard College Alliance for Rock and Roll (HCARAR) and, like its affiliate, advocates networking between musicians.

One of SCAAR’s goals is to create a common ground for on-campus musicians to foster their musical connections. Another of SCAAR’s goals is to put on shows that feature alternative and independent musicians from the Smith campus and beyond. The Oct. 12 and Oct. 13 shows will be the first of these events. The artists will be spread out over the course of the two evenings.

Musicians performing on the first night include: Mook, Noah Harris, Amanda Palmer (who will be releasing her first solo album next year), MEN, a group created by two members of Le Tigre and Natti Vogel, a New York artist managed by Willis herself.