Teen Band Night Debuts at the Funny Stop

Teens, who now have to abide to a new evening , have a new place to hangout on weekends. 

Andy Hawes, a clinical social worker by day and musician by night, decided to take his idea for a teen-only band night to Pete Barakat, the owner of the .

Barakat agreed to hire Hawes’ son Tyler, who is a sophomore in Firestone High School's Visual and Performing Arts Program, to be the teen program director to find, schedule and coordinate all the bands. Tyler will serve as the Master of Ceremonies and stage manager for the weekly shows.

The Cuyahoga Falls dad said he hopes the venue becomes a place where young musicians can develop their craft and earn some extra cash. The Funny Stop will host Teen Band Night Sundays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for those ages 13 to 18. Each event will feature two bands from across the region. While parents and adults are not invited, Hawes emphasized security will be present.

“Strict security will be enforced to create a safe environment, so teenagers may socialize with their friends and enjoy entertainment provided by their favorite teen bands,” he said.

First up, the Granite Union, comprised of students who attend Firestone High School, and Maid Myriad, Akron-based recording artists. Hawes said the club’s goal is to draw a crowd of 100 to 250 teens each week.

“We have set up the show so there are performances and break times,” he said. “Kids will have a chance to socialize during the show. We also have some "set break" entertainment planned to make the show more fun.  We are looking for and have found a few sponsors to offer giveaways to the teens, too.”

With two teenage sons at home, Hawes said he’s noticed structured activities for teens aren’t easy to come by.

“They really have few options for places to go for social engagement, entertainment and activities … unless adults step forward and make things happen for them, like supervised sports, art and music. Without structured events teens are vulnerable to too much idle time, getting lost on technological games, TV or worse-- like hanging out in malls, parks or on the street.”

“As a community we really need to be more mindful of teens special needs and do much more to promote learning and pro-social functioning among our teenagers. You know, it ‘takes a village to raise a child’.” 

Here’s a the line-up for the 2011 season:

June 12: The Granite Union (Firestone High School) & Maid Myriad (Akron-based recording artists.)

June 19: Assassin’s Broadcast (Firestone High School) & NoMoJo (Hoban High School.)

June 26: Extra Spooky (Firestone High School) & Electric Gentlemen (Firestone High School.)

July 3: Polymerization (Akron band) & Brighter Side.

July 10: Extra Spooky (Firestone High School), Trancemitter (2010 winner, Taste of Hudson Teen Battle of the Bands.)

July 17: Chil, Via Lotus (Akron based recording artists.)

July 24: Assassin’s Broadcast, Terraplane (Firestone HS, St. Vincent/St. Mary High School)

July 31: Azure Road , Electric Gentlemen (Firestone High School)

August 7: Adrift on River Styx, The Granite Union

August: 14: NoMoJo, Trancemitter

August 21: Terraplane, Polymerization

August 28: Brighter Side, Maid Myriad