Rhythm of the night

It was an eclectic mix, Thursday, Nov 21, as a hundred or so teens packed the Utata Gallery and Art Centre for pizza, music and art, all part of Street Punk Thursdays official kick-off.

On display in the gallery were original works by Avon View High, Horton and Kings Edgehill students, along with a live art show by Hants County painters Gunter Burr and Ken Spearing.

Some youth came out to admire the art, others for the Alice Stops Time performance, and still more just “because” everyone else was there.

Which is exactly what Utata organizer Ellen Cyr had aimed for. “What really impressed me was the mix of kids,” she noted. “I knew there would be enough kids, but there were some I'd never met before, some just walked in off the street. That’s what this is all about.”

The ‘something for everyone’ is the premise upon which the Utata was built and Cyr wants to extend that invitation to youth every Thursday evening.

In one room, teens were slurping cans of pop while giving the Wii Rock Band Tournament a go; others admired the creative student art work in the gallery; some just hung, listening to the band, mingling and munching Lucky’s pizza. “The kids had a blast,” Cyr said.

“This is not just for those interested in art or music,” Cyr pointed out. “Who cares what others are doing, if you find something you like, we’ll facilitate it.”

Safe environment

In the meantime, teens of West Hants have a safe environment to hang out in; without the pressure of drugs or alcohol, she added.

Drum instructor Dominique Paduala drew out the primal instincts of both young and old that evening with a premier lesson on the djembe drum. Many who had never drummed before found their rhythm that night. The gallery was filled with an intoxicating beat.

“It’s a great release, something I think youth could really get into,” Cyr said.

“It doesn't matter if you think you have rhythm or not,” Paduala added.” “If you have a heart beat you can do this.”

Down the corridor others chose the musical mix of AST, with Tony Wood, who will also host the Thursday night drop-in evening along Chloe Chaytor.

As well, Cyr said they plan to develop an open youth magazine. “Utata will only be the umbrella, the kids will develop and write it, they will be their own judge and jury as to content.”

She pointed out there are many issues facing teens and they need a place to work things out and just be themselves.

“Eventually we'd like to hold forums on different issues kids face today.” Those forums would be designed to allow teens to participate without fear of future reprisals.

“Combined, these kids have more creative ideas than either Catherine or I -- and as a community we need to draw on that.” In the end, Cyr said everyone would reap the benefits.

Street Punk Thursdays is open to anyone aged 13 to18, cost is $5 for non-members. “At some point we'd like to just give them a budget and they can take ownership of the food and entertainment.”

No invite needed, just show up.