By CLAYTON PARK

When the sound system for the main stage at the Fremont Fair unexpectedly blew up on Saturday, June 22, the fair's organizers frantically began searching for another nearby venue that could host the day's headlining show by The Posies.

Fortunately, they didn't have to look far.

Just a half-block away, the Fremont UNconventional Centre was preparing to hold a "Block Party" that evening to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the nonprofit performance hall.

FUNC organizers Dwayne Edwards and David Moore quickly agreed to allow the fair to move The Posies performance to their indoor stage. The show, which was arranged and set up in less than half an hour, drew more than 700 people and was generally deemed by the crowd to be a smashing success, despite a few technical glitches with the sound.

The Posies' show was what Edwards likes to describe as a "happening," which is essentially what FUNC is all about.

In the past year, FUNC has hosted hundreds of events, ranging from punk rock concerts and performance art shows to fundraisers for nonprofit groups and private corporate parties for the likes of Microsoft and Starbucks.

With regards to the eclectic shows that FUNC has hosted, Edwards says of himself and his partner Moore, "We may not understand, appreciate or like what's performed, but that's inconsequential. Our mission is to make things happen."

Edwards, 42, and Moore, 38, are former software entrepreneurs who for several years ran a company called Digital Alchemy. They decided to close their business and sell off its software to launch FUNC because "we wanted to give back to the community. Fremont is our neighborhood." He added that while Fremont - aka the Center of the Universe - is known for its thriving arts community and hip shops and restaurants, it was generally lacking in terms of live music venues, particularly in terms of punk rock and edgier music.

Edwards and Moore also wanted to be able to provide a venue that could be used to benefit nonprofits, particularly in light of the slumping economy.

One of the biggest highlights of the past year for Edwards and Moore came this past March when a nonprofit group originally called Books for Nepal, but which later changed its name to Rooms to Read, became FUNC's first official repeat customer.

Books for Nepal was one of the first nonprofit groups to rent out FUNC's performance space to hold a costume theme party in June 2001 that raised several thousand dollars to benefit the group's efforts to supply books to Third World countries. Earlier this year, the group rented the hall again for another theme party that raised even more money.

Edwards said he and his partner try to encourage other groups interested in holding events at FUNC to benefit nonprofit groups by offering discounts if they will donate a portion of their proceeds to help an officially designated charity.

FUNC's growing popularity - the 3,000-square-foot hall currently hosts an average of 22 events a month - has prompted Edwards and Moore to look for a larger space. They have begun negotiations to lease the former Redhook Brewery Building across the street, which would be eight times the size of their present digs. If all goes well, they could move in by this fall.

"We're hoping to have an art gallery and a permanent theater, which would make FUNC true community center," said Edwards.

FUNC also puts on several events of its own, including a monthly "Punk at the FUNC" show, which is held every third Thursday, beginning at 9 p.m., and an every other week event called Spin Jam, and, coming soon, a monthly rock 'n' roll show that will be held every second Wednesday, starting in July. FUNC's parking lot also serves as the regular home of the Outdoor Cinema series, which kicks off the evening of Saturday, June 29, with a showing of "Grease," along with a live rockabilly concert.

On Friday, July 26, FUNC will also host the "American debut" of a band from London called The Speedles, which performs Beatles tunes in sped-up punk rock fashion.

The band features lead vocalist "Johnny Stallin," guitarists "Lenny Best and Harry George," bass player "Saul McHartley," and drummer "Bingo Marrs." "I was in London on vacation last year and saw these guys play at a small club," said Edwards, who deciding to look into the possibility of bringing them to Seattle to perform.

Doors for the show open at 9 p.m., with Seattle punk band Hot Rod Lunatics performing an opening set. The cover charge is $8 per person and is sponsored in part by Vox and Absolut Vodka.

The Fremont UNconventional Centre is currently located at 160 N. Canal St. For more information about FUNC, visit the group's Web site at seattlefunc.org.