Monday marks the official open house for Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities (YEAH), an organization that provides a creative outlet and hangout for local kids from 10 through 17 years old.
Like a Rocketown for Murfreesboro, YEAH has an artistic purpose. Southern Girls Rock and Roll Camp, Rock Blok and The School of Recording all stemmed from YEAH. The organization was founded in 2006 with the help of MTSU alumna and founder of Southern Girls Rock and Roll Camp Kelley Anderson.
YEAH previously held shows at The Vine, but now it will be open at 114 S Maple Street seven days a week, offering a variety of programs and workshops within the arts.
For $20 each month, kids can gain membership to YEAH, which grants access to the recording studio, one-day workshops, library, computer lab, tutoring services and all-ages music venue.
“YEAH is the only place where kids can enjoy a safe and supportive environment where they can learn all of the arts in one building seven days a week that's drug, alcohol and tobacco free.” says Meredith Kotas, YEAH publicist. “Plus, it's cheap enough for any kid to join.”
While YEAH offers an abundance of classes to learn and practice performance, language, visual, digital and motion arts, it also serves as an afterschool hangout for kids. The building’s lounge is equipped with a foozeball and pool table, and all facilities are open and available to them with the $20 membership.
YEAH will be open every Monday through Friday from 3-9 p.m., on Saturdays from 12-10 p.m. and on Sundays from 1-5 p.m.
Open house will run from 12 a.m.-9 p.m. and feature free tours of the establishment as well as live performances from some of the volunteers at YEAH, which include MTSU students. Some volunteers include Jimmy Mansfield, King D, Taylor Gibbs, Hannah Sheehan, Liz Hunt and Kelly Malone.
Many local bands are pitching in to get YEAH off the ground and to a great start. Performances have been lined up through December, including Shoot the Mountain, Tristen, They Came With Sirens and Greater Than. There will also be a Dec. 12 benefit show for YEAH with Murfreesboro punk-country act Those Darlins.
There are ample opportunities to help out YEAH apart from donations. A flyer found on YeahInTheBoro.org presented in Barnes & Noble Nov. 16-21 will donate a percentage of the proceeds to YEAH and information on volunteering can also be found through the Web site.
YEAH brings the joy of music to children
Published: Monday, November 2, 2009
Updated: Monday, November 2, 2009
Be the first to comment on this article!