Almaden Resident

Community

Photograph by Mark Tantrum

Stage Show: Band member Tanaka from Conway moves forward to engage the crowd during a set at a concert at the Almaden Community Center. On vocals at rear is C.J. Martinez. The band performed with three others--Novice, Audrey Sessions and My Former Self--to a full crowd of young Almaden residents.

Local bands rock community center for kick-off of youth concert series

By Anne Gelhaus

The Almaden Community Center was rocking on Nov. 17 to the sounds of what organizers hope will be the first of many concerts for youth at the venue.

About 160 youth and parents came out to hear headliners My Former Self along with Novice, Conway and Audrey Sessions. While the show attracted mostly high school students, a few twentysomethings also turned out to hear My Former Self, a popular South Bay band.

"We were looking for a draw, a name band that's recognized throughout the South Bay," said recreation specialist Steve Ryan, who helped the District 10 Youth Advisory Council put together the line-up. "We were also looking for a high school band, but we couldn't find one that's local."

Ryan works with the youth council through the San Jose Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services. In addition to hosting events, the council provides input on youth-related issues to District 10 youth commissioner Pardis Khosravi, who in turn advises the city council.

Youth council member Melissa Erickson, who organized the premier concert, said that depending on the event's success, it could be the first in a long line of events for local youth.

Not only will these events continue, Ryan said, but it should no longer be a problem for organizers to find local talent.

"There are lots of interested parties in terms of bands and youth who want more activities," he added. "Some want to partner with us, and others want to rent the venue for their own event."

Ryan said the concert came off almost without a hitch.

"I think everything went smoothly for our first time out," he added. "We're excited about opportunities to put on more events for youth--not just concerts but dances and spoken-word shows."