While the auditorium at Hanna Boys Center is a far cry from a dusty warehouse on Eighth Street East, the teen-run music venue, “The Shop” returns to Sonoma this Saturday, March 12 with a reggae dance party from 7 to 10 p.m.
The drug-and-alcohol-free Reggaeton evening for teens 14 to 18 years old will feature local artist, DJ Cali. The event is a collaboration between Teen Services Sonoma and Hanna Boys Center.
“Although it closed nearly four years ago, nothing has replaced it,” said Teen Services Executive Director Cristin Felso. “People continue to talk about what it provided for youth here in the Valley. At a recent meeting with Hanna Boys Center, we were discussing ways to partner to give teens positive outlets with meaningful engagement, and we hit on the obvious answer: resurrect the Shop.”
Originally founded in 1999 in a dark warehouse on the outskirts of Sonoma as a senior class project for budding garage bands, the Shop became a popular teen music venue. It was run by teens for teens, hosting live bands, open mics, music competitions and interactive cult movie screenings. Every weekend the teens worked the door, ran the sound-board, managed the stage, sold concessions and booked bands. The Shop gave local kids a much-needed outlet of their own in a city that caters mostly to adults and tourists. “It offered youth a safe outlet where they could express themselves and feel a sense of ownership,” added Kelso. Sonoma Valley High alum Jose Garcia, 22, now works as a professional DJ (DJ Cali) but he worked his first gigs at the Shop. He estimates that 100 to 150 of his classmates would show up to dance. “It was something fun to do instead of just hanging out of going to a movie,” he said.
After more than a decade, the Shop closed down in 2012 after two of its key organizers passed away: John Randall and Niels Chew.
While Hanna’s new, state-of-the-art auditorium has a completely different look and feel than the grungy warehouse, the Shop will again be run by a board of directors of teens (both boys and girls), ranging in age from 15 to 17 years old. “The group will steer the new venture on their own terms,” said Kelso, however, the new board has committed to The Shop’s own Code of Conduct which states that drugs, alcohol and aggressive behavior will not be tolerated.
Garcia will be back as the DJ and he said he was happy to donate his time.
While the Shop is teen-run, a number of adult volunteers will serve as chaperones and offer logistics assistance if necessary.
“Security and safety for the teens is paramount,” said Hanna Executive Director Brian Farragher. “Hanna’s own campus security will be on hand all evening, but keeping a very low profile.
Felso added, “We’ll also be offering Teen Safe Ride on the event night. Kids can get vouchers from us at the event for a free, safe, taxi ride home.”
Future dates have not yet been determined. The March 12 event is a one-time test to see if the program is still viable given its new location and the millennial generation.
Contact Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.
UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: