Wakefield Community Access TV & Boys & Girls Clubs Partner Up

By Melissa Younker Vieira

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Stoneham & Wakefield and Wakefield Community Access Television are happy to announce the opening of the Boys & Girls Clubs’ new Music Media Center located at 467 Main St. in Wakefield.

Chief Development Officer Anthony Guardia explained “We’ve had a lot of partners who have made this possible, the funding from EPSILON, along with the equipment donation from Wakefield Community Access Television, has allowed our Clubs to give Wakefield kids a new avenue to explore the arts in town. We’re really fortunate to have such tremendous friends in Tom, Ian, Barbara, Ryan, and Adam.” Referencing the staff of Wakefield Community Access Television (WCAT).

The emphasis is currently on music programs, while the staff finishes setting up and training on the equipment.

“We expect we’ll start producing podcasts, youtube shows, and even programming for WCAT within the school year. Our members are excited, I’m excited, and just to echo Anthony’s comments, without Tom and his staff, our kids would not have this opportunity.” Added Wakefield Club Director Bethany Riley.

Currently from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm every day the room hosts the following activities:

Drama Club and Recording Studio on Mondays and Wednesdays. In Drama Club kids will learn improv, stage production, costume design, set design, acting, assistant directing, script writing, and more. In the Recording Studio kids will learn the technical skills to produce their own music.

Film Club and Lyric-Lab on Tuesdays & Friday. In Film Club, kids will learn the history and craft of film-making, and in the Lyric-Lab kids will learn how to write and sing their own songs.

Music Group Thursdays where kids will learn to play a variety of instruments in groups.

Finally, it’s Jam Session Fridays where kids will play music in an ensemble setting highlighting individual strengths and building team skills.

“We saw an opportunity to help kids in Wakefield express their creativity and what better way to help kids than our local Boys & Girls Clubs. The fact that they have access to all this for $25 a year, it’s an incredible benefit to our town, we’re happy to help in any way we can.” Concluded Tom Stapleton, Executive Director of Wakefield Community Access Television.