Tantramar youth need a place to hang out, says Michael Freeman, and tonight at the Sackville Commons, they will have just that, at an all-ages open mic and show, featuring local garage rock band, Reclaim the Vents.
Freeman is six weeks into his new position as youth strategic coordinator for the United Way’s YOU Turns program, based out of Tantramar Regional High School. CHMA spoke to him about his new role and the upcoming show.
Freeman’s job runs the gamut from helping youth connect with resources to help meet their basic needs like housing, food and health, but also to help provide some opportunities for enjoyment. “Fun is restorative,” says Freeman. “It’s a human right, it’s developmentally necessary.”
Freeman says he has heard youth expressing the need for spaces to hang out. “From my point of view, I think it’s crazy that a community of our size doesn’t have a youth centre,” says Freeman. “And so the hope is, we’re working with the Sackville Commons, and we would really like to, over the next year or so, develop a youth drop in space where people can come in, hang out, engage in programming, get some food, and do those kinds of things.
“But to get the ball rolling, we’re thinking, let’s have some events, let’s have some open mics and coffee houses, some concerts,” says Freeman. “We’re starting to see more concerts in Sackville now. It’s great. But there are not a lot of concerts that you can go to if you’re 14, or in that zone, or if you just don’t want to be around drinking.”
Tonight’s show features Reclaim the Vents, a band made up of Tantramar Regional High School students. Freeman credits TRHS music teacher Tanya Dunlop with introducing students to basic rock instruments during the pandemic, when wind instruments suddenly became problematic. “It’s so cool to see something updated and relevant, that kids really feel good about,” says Freeman. “And that they can carry into their community and do in the summer.”
Tonight’s event is at the Sackville Commons on Lorne Street, and doors open at 6:30pm. Cover charge is $5 for youth $8 for adults, and free for anyone who’s performing, but Freeman says no-one will be turned away for lack of funds: “We just want people to show up and have a good time and be together.”