Rossland Youth Week--jump into it!
By Liam Barnes
From the Winter Carnival to Golden City Days, Rossland has always had a healthy dose of festivals, traditions, and celebrations of the arts. Next month, a newcomer will join the ranks, but this one won’t be quite like the rest. During the first week of may, Rossland will join Youth Week, a province-wide celebration of society’s often most overlooked members (and not just because they’re short). Mike Kent, our city’s youth action coordinator, has high hopes for the festival.
“It is a week of fun, interaction, and celebration intended to build a strong connection between young people and their communities and to profile the issues, accomplishments, and diversity of youth across the province.”
The idea to include Rossland in Youth Week was conceived at the very first Youth Action Network meeting, attended by thirty five local youth, last September.
“We wrote a Columbia Basin Trust grant proposal and received funds to create programs and activities for Rossland youth, 12-18 years old… each day of youth week a different event has been planned by Youth Action Teams. These YATs consist of Rossland youth who have been contributing their time, energy and skills to make these events happen.”
Youth Week will be broken into eight main events:
Variety Show at the RSS Auditorium, May 1
Youth Week first event kicks off on Thursday and will showcase the talented youth of our city. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for youth, and FREE for children under 4. Presented by the Rossland Summit School Drama Program.
Rossland Youth Art Show at the Rossland Art Gallery, May 2-11
Come to the opening night gala on Friday at 7pm and vote for the “People’s Choice Award” on a wide variety of artistic works, created on everything from tree trunks to sticky notes.
7th Rossland Annual U19 Film Festival at the Miner’s Union Hall, May 3
The legendary West Kootenay tradition continues on Saturday at 7pm, featuring our skilled young filmmakers in the categories of sports, comedy, action, drama and mini clips. Presented in partnership with the Rossland Council for Arts and Culture.
Hands-on Graffiti Art Workshop at the Rossglen Bike Park, May 3-4
Learn from graffiti artist Bryn Stevenson and help design and create Rossland’s first legal graffiti wall on the wall ride at the Rossglen Bike Park on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5pm. Only $40 and includes all materials and supplies. Register now at http://bit.ly/1l1On5q
FREE Warfield-Rossland Bike Shuttles for Youth, May 4
Want to get some spring biking in but can’t catch a ride? No need to fear! Free pick ups from the Warfield Community Centre to the Mining School in Rossland will be running on Sunday. First pick up at in Warfield is at 1pm. Adults riding with youth can shuttle by donation. Provided by Footsteps Eco Adventures.
FREE Parkour and Freerunning Lessons at the RSS Auditorium, May 5
Come and learn to run, jump, vault, and move like a proper human with the Rossland School of Motion on Monday! This free drop-in session starts at 6pm and runs until 9pm.
Movie Night: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty at the Miners’ Union Hall, May 5
A day-dreamer escapes his anonymous life by disappearing into a world of fantasies filled with heroism, romance and action. When his job is threatened, he takes action in the real world embarking on a global journey that turns into an adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have ever imagined. Tickets are Tickets $3 in advance and $5 at the door. Presented in partnership with the Rossland Council for Arts and Culture.
Red Talks at the Miners’ Union Hall, May 7
Seven Summits Centre for Learning, the Youth Action Network and Self Design, are bringing the first annual RED Talks Event to Rossland. On Wednesday, the Miner’s Hall will be host to an evening of guest speakers, spreading and shredding their ideas, research, life experiences and insights, to an audience of youth and community members, focusing on the theme: Life Path.
The doors will open at 6:30, with speakers sharing ideas fromt 7:00 – 9:00. 7 Summits Youth will be organizing a silent auction, a 50/50 Draw, and offering snacks and beverages for purchase during the intermission. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Cafe Books, or at the door. Admission is $10.
Rossland Youth Week is funded by a CBT youth grant and being supported by many community partners and sponsors including the Rossland Council for Arts and Culture, Rossland Recreation, Moustache Metalworks, Cafe Books, the Seven Summits Centre for Learning, Ripple Effect Consulting, DJM Contracting, Art for People, Rossland Summit School, the Rossland Art Gallery, the City of Rossland, Betty Go Hard, Footsteps Eco Adventures, the Rossland School of Motion, and many youth and adult volunteers. Without the contribution of these great supporters, Youth Week would not be able to happen!
You can get involved by contacting Mike Kent at yancoordinator@gmail.com or 250-368-7776.
