All posts in: All-Ages Movement Project

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22 Aug 2011

21 and Young

Up until I was 21, I was so angry with the world for not allowing me to see some of my favorite bands perform at venues in Seattle. That lead me to becoming a huge advocate for all-ages shows and I still am today. Since I’ve turned 21, I’ve only been to two 21+ show, which was during Capitol Hill Block Party, and while I enjoyed the performance by Cults and Campfire OK – I’ve realized that it really doesn’t make too much of a difference whether you are 21 or not. Just let the under-age crowd enjoy the music that they love.

I’m so glad though that there are many organizations that recognize the need for change in this. I have previously mentioned the Seattle-based All-Ages Movement Project before and now today, Vitamin Water is sponsoring a show in Philadelphia that is STRICTLY for the under 21 crowd only. Previous years have brought out The XX, The Strokes, Bloc Party,  LCD Soundsystem, Cut Copy and many more.

Check out the lineup for their August 28th show here!

Source

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04 Nov 2010

Refresh Everything

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGo4n7Eicpc]

Now that I have planned out your entire weekend for you, I want to bring up something that is actually pretty important to me. Earlier this summer, SuChin Pak visited the Vera Project in Seattle to film a segment for the Pepsi Refresh Everything Project which gives funding to those with great ideas.

SuChin was here to learn more about the all-ages movement project and visited one of Seattle’s most popular all-ages venue The Vera Project. That day for filming, they hosted a show with one of my favorite local Seattle bands Minus the Bear. For more information on the event, check out my previous post.

The All-Ages Movement is a growing network of about 200 organizations all over the country that connect young people to the music they enjoy. Believe it or not, some shows are still 21+ even in Seattle – which is still shocking to me. Why put an age limit on shows? Why are some shows and some music just for adults? I went to my first concert when I was seven years old and have been attending for 13 years now. I can’t imagine what my life would be like if I were prevented from going to concerts. It was after attending so many shows that I realized how much I was willing to dedicate my time, efforts, and passion to this type of community here in Seattle. Music should be shared and experienced for everyone and it is hard for young adults to have this kind of barrier put in front of them. I’m almost 21, which means that this will no longer apply to me, but it is something that I care very much about because there will always be those younger than me who will be shut out because of this rule.

The funding through the Pepsi Refresh Project has allowed the All-Ages Movement Project to publish their book called In Every Town. For everyone that has ever wanted to break out into the music industry, this is the book for you. Inside you will learn how to put on a show, how to put on a festival, and how to put out a record all by yourself! The book covers all of the bases. The most wonderful thing about the All-Ages Movement Project is that we are a community of supporters. There are plenty of people out there who will always tell you that your ideas are unrealistic or that something is too big to accomplish. You can do it. It is possible. Do it more than once to rub it in their faces!

Congratulations AMP!

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20 Jun 2010

All-Ages Movement Project

The All-Ages Movement Project won the $50,000 prize in the Pepsi Refresh Everything campaign earlier this year. As a result, The Vera Project in Seattle hosted a show today from 1-3:30 PM featuring Zephyrs, Naomi Punk, and one of my favorite Seattle bands of all time Minus the Bear. MTV productions were also be present along with Suchin Pak to record footage for a special MTV presentation that will air at a later date.

The All-Ages Movement Project exists in local venues that showcase hip-hop, indie, and punk music. These venues are open to all young individuals of all ages who enjoy seeing live music and performing music. They offer opportunities to learn new skills through internships with the venues, showcasing their art in shows, and recording music through their own recording studio. I have been involved with the all-ages movement since I was 15 years and old and I cannot even begin to express how much it has done for me and the impact that these venues have had on the local Seattle music scene. These venues include the Kirkland Teen Center, The Old Redmond Firehouse, Ground Zero Teen Center in Bellevue, and The Vera Project.

What Seattle bands have had their start through all-ages teen centers?

  • Death Cab for Cutie
  • Common Market
  • Brite Futures (formerly known as Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head)
  • Danger Radio
  • The Scene Aesthetic
  • Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground
  • Minus the Bear

At the end of the show, I had a few minutes to catch up w/ MTV correspondent Suchin Pak who filled me in on the Pepsi Refresh Project.

Basically the project has $1,300,000 that they give away to people with great ideas and the All-Ages Movement Project won their $50,000  grant back in February so they’ve been traveling for three weeks visiting their recipients and documenting footage to be shown on channels like MTV, VH1, Comedy Central etc. Seattle was their last stop!

To learn more about the project click here

To learn more about the all-ages movement click here