By Travis Gettys
Enquirer contributor

NEWPORT - A group of activists and musicians gathered Friday at the Southgate House to promote a single election issue: Anybody but Bush.

Imperial Circus, a concert sponsored by the Cincinnati-based group Band against Bush, drew more than 350 people for a benefit to raise money to vote President Bush out of office and raise awareness for third-party candidates.

"We're trying to show people, 'Look at all this stuff that's out there - you don't have to take part in the status quo,'" said Band against Bush co-founder Brandon Wheeler.

Nineteen bands, two comedians and Green Party vice presidential candidate Pat LaMarche were among the performers and speakers who shared two stages. Representatives from Rock the Vote and the Campbell County clerk's office registered voters before the concert began.

"We're trying to keep the event as open-minded and non-partisan as possible," said Wheeler, who described himself as a political independent who leans right.

Proceeds from the concert will be donated to the American Civil Liberties Union and activist groups such as DemocracyNow! and Take Back The Media, who provided multimedia presentations between performances.

A five-minute video presentation questioning Bush's actions the morning of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks opened the event.

"I really feel very strongly that the country, under George Bush, has gone in the wrong direction in every way," said Bill Hutchinson, a Korean War veteran from College Hill.

Republicans downplayed any significance the event might have in a region that Bush carried in 2000.

"You've got your fringe groups that are going to claim to represent more people than they actually do," said Kenton County Republican Chairman Greg Schumate.

Southgate House and concert promoters received several complaints before the event.

"We got some angry phone calls and e-mails," said bartender Sharon Bresser, adding that one caller suggested that the Southgate House be moved to France.