Coffee and a Tune: YMCA Open Mic Sessions

Local musician and YMCA Youth Social Strategy Officer Craig West is organizing an Open-Mic Coffee House for young musicians at the YMCA this Friday night.

Although West is usually known as a performer of original music, either solo or with his band Startlefish, this occasion will see him working behind the scenes to facilitate an environment that will allow young musicians to perform and listen to music.

"There were not a lot of places in town for young musicians to play music," obseves West. "The YMCA in Orillia had some success running these youth coffee houses, so we thought we would try it and see what happens."

West says that the YMCA will be organizing Youth Coffee House Open Mic nights once per month, held on one of the YMCA's regular Friday teen nights.

One of the City's most-established youth rock bands, Rock on Wood (pictured above), has agreed to take on the role of 'house band' at the events, breaking the ice and getting the other musicians warmed up.

The cost is free to YMCA members and $3.00 for non-members.

For more information call 949-3133 or visit www.saultyouth.com