The Sunshine Coast Alternative School is celebrating its 20-year anniversary with a huge concert to benefit the school's music program.
On Friday, Nov. 29 Rocket Lawnchair and Spoon River will descend on Roberts Creek to deliver an amazing high-energy rock concert at Roberts Creek Hall.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the event, dubbed the Alternative Voices Dance, starts at 8. Tickets are $20, available at Gaia's Fair Trade in Gibsons, MELOmania in Roberts Creek and the Sechelt Learning Centre. This is an adults-only event.
Rocket Lawnchair is fronted by the alternative school's own Sean Morton on lead vocals. The band will be playing rock classics with a modern twist, including songs from their soon-to-be released album Airways, Breathing and Circulation. You can get a taste of what the band sounds like at www.rocketlawnchair.ca.
Spoon River is a well-toured Canadian band that always thrills their audiences.
"Spoon River offers up a tributary of sun-drenched psychedelic rock 'n' roll you're sure to stomp your feet to," noted alternative school principal Carolyn Spence.
Band members include two teachers from the alternative school, Rachel Horst and Tavis Triance. Hear some of Spoon River's music at www.spoonriverband.com.
Spence said the school hopes to have a sell-out concert, with all proceeds going towards expanding and supporting music programs for alternative school students.
Those programs are important to "provide a well rounded education," Spence said. "As well, some students need other things to allow themselves to excel."
The Alternative School was started on the Coast in 1994 after recognizing some students needed different supports to succeed.
"Our purpose is to provide small learner-centred programs that assist children, youth and adults in developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to build a healthy community," Spence said. "We welcome individual differences within an atmosphere of mutual respect and co-operation."
The Sunshine Coast Alternative School consists of 10 self-contained programs at different sites throughout the Coast.
There are five programs providing small individualized environments for high school students, two programs for students in grades 6 to 8 and three social development programs for students in kindergarten to Grade 5.
The alternative school also offers a unique music program running in Gibsons that is now in its sixth year.
"By gradually accumulating music gear over the years, we have been able to put together a rehearsal space and a small digital recording studio," Spence said. "Students can learn about live performance, studio techniques, DJing and remixing and composing original music."
Spence said interest in the program is high and the school wants to do more with funds raised through ticket sales to the Alternative Voices Dance.
"The hope and plan is to expand more music programs, based on make up and needs of students, to other programs along the Coast," Spence said. "We have lots of staff who have the talent and skills and would like the opportunity to share that with their students."
This year there are 185 students enrolled in the Sunshine Coast Alternative School.
For more visit http://scasweb.sd46.bc.ca.
