By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Organizers of the Youth Grind are taking a broad view of the definition of “youth,” although they said plenty of young talent will be showcased at the variety show planned for Saturday night.
“We tried to diversify it more this year,” said Elias Erikson, who is producing his second Youth Grind. “We’ll see drama, videography, music ... we wanted to insert youth art however possible.”
The Youth Grind goes on stage at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi. It is one of a number of youth-related events over the weekend.
Children perform at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi during a Monthly Grind in February 2016. The annual Youth Grind is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
Eliason said this year’s Youth Grind will have acts from high school-age students as well as young adults.
“When you think about it, ‘youth’ is a pretty arbitrary word,” he said. “When it comes to youth, a lot of 60-year-olds have a lot of youth in their spirit still.”
Erickson, a musician himself, pulled in a number of friends and kept his ear to the ground about other acts to feature. He and his friend Doug McClenahan will MC the show, and play a few numbers.
“I thought it would be good to bring in Doug – he has a strong stage presence,” Erickson said. “Doug and I have played a lot of music, not only through church, but across the state and a lot of community events.”
Cedar Pook, a recent Mt. Edgecumbe High School graduate, produces music on his laptop at home, and his music will welcome the audience as they enter the hall.
Another music performer is Tony Lee, an MEHS exchange student from China.
Sitka High student Olivia Wilcox will present a humorous interpretation of literature piece she’s been performing with the SHS drama, debate and forensics team. Fellow Sitka High student Abby Saiz will perform music she has written.
“We’re trying to give people who don’t have a place to share (their work), a place to share it,” Erickson said.
Saiz, who started writing her own songs two years ago, will play the guitar and sing two pieces she wrote, and a cover tune. She said she’s nervous but ready to take the stage Saturday.
Also in the lineup is Rafe Hanson, a Sitka High alumni, who will share the video footage he captured with his drone.
“What he does on the side is remarkable,” Erickson said of Hanson’s photography business.
Leif Van Cise, another SHS grad, also will share some video footage he took in Sitka, around Southeast and other places he has traveled.
“He’s come a long ways,” Erickson said of Van Cise’s skills. “Video editing is an art. It’s something (Van Cise) gets a lot of enjoyment out of and something we’re going to enjoy watching.”
There will be a total of seven or eight acts, plus the customary break for dessert, with prizes given for the best treats.
Jeff Budd started the Grind here, which is now in its 24th season.
“The philosophy is the same and we haven’t raised the price: it’s family-oriented, nonpolitical and it’s affordable,” he said. “What I like about it is, I like just about everything. I like that we give people of all ages an opportunity to be on stage sometimes for the first time. And Sitka audiences are just about as good of an audience as you could ask for. They are inviting and supportive.”
Budd noted that tickets lately have been selling out, so it’s best to purchase tickets in advance. They’re on sale at Old Harbor Books.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $1 for those under 12. All those who take a dessert to share will get a refund on their tickets. The next grinds are the Fiddle Grind on Feb. 2 at Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi, the Original Grind March 23 at the Performing Arts Center, and the April Fool’s Grind on April 6 at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi.
Other youth events this weekend include Teen Night from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. tonight at the Hames Center.
Hames director Dawn Johnson said the event draws some 45 to 50 teens to the recreational center for sports in the gym as well as video games and board games. Admission is free.
On Saturday, the entire community is invited to the 365 Stride 5K Run and Walk, which starts at 9:30 a.m. at the O’Connell Bridge lightering dock. Registration begins at 9 a.m.
The $10 registration fee will go to the Hames Wellness Fitness Fund.
Heleena van Veen, SEARHC health educator, said proceeds of the SEARHC-sponsored event go to a different charity each month to support health in the community. The Wellness Fitness fund provides opportunities for everyone to use the gym, regardless of income.
One of the activities it supports is Family Fun Day on the first Sunday of the month during the winter. The first Family Fun Day of the year will be held at Hames 3-5 p.m. this Sunday. Admission is free.
“We wanted to create a fun day for families to play for a few hours without financial barriers,” Johnson said. It usually draws about 150 participants.
Generally available are the bouncy castle, the climbing wall and toys for kids of all ages. Children must be accompanies by an adult. For more information call 747-5080.
