Youth centre kicks off monthly open mic next Thursday

Lisha Van Nieuwenhove

Since moving away from downtown when the culvert project began, the Uxbridge Youth Centre has perhaps gone a little off the town’s radar. Now it’s planning to take centre stage again as it launches something “exciting, and your kids need to know about it!”

Young people ages 11 and up to 20 are invited to participate in the inaugural UYC Open Mic Night, next Friday, April 24, from 6 - 8 p.m., at 75 Marietta Street.

UYC board member Jeffery Ross emphasizes that this not just for performers.

“Whether a kid wants to get on stage, help run the show behind the scenes, or just be part of a great crowd supporting some seriously brave and talented local youth — there is a place for them here!” says Ross.

He also says that the nights (yes, there are more planned!) are meant to be a safe space that can feature any kind of performance - jazz, rock, rap, even poetry.

“It’s not a bar or a night club, it’s low key and judgement free,” says Ross.

“We have performers signed up and they need an audience. Show up, cheer loud, and let these kids know Uxbridge has their back!”

This is the first of what will be a monthly event, and Ross notes the support of Long and McQuade, Springtide Music Festival, and Uxbridge elementary and Secondary School music staff.

To perform or to volunteer at UYC’s Open Mic Night, scan the QR code on the ad on this page or click here to register.