Free Downtown Concert
Monday, August 14 7:00pm
Front Porch of Bennington Town Office Building ~ 205 South Street
Bring your own lawn chairs or picnic blankets.

ZUMIX’s songwriting and performance programs utilize music and
writing as tools for positive youth development and violence
prevention. Songwriting and performance programs are designed to help
youth address the complex challenges of urban life in a positive way.
Through songwriting workshops, participants develop critical
thinking, literacy, and communication skills as they analyze, write,
and discuss issues that affect their lives. These programs are
offered through a social justice lens to actively engage youth in
issues that are important to their lives and their communities. The
objective of these programs is to empower participants to give voice
to their ideas and feelings. Through skits, group discussion, and
critique, youth learn problem solving skills and mediation, as well
as the basics of rhythm, poetic rhyme, harmony, and storytelling.

This year’s program features twelve performers ranging in age from
13-18. Each day these kids travel to East Boston from areas
scattered throughout Boston’s metropolitan area. Their dedication to
the program reflects their dedication to their music. Each
participant in the program has been hard at work writing both
original lyrics and music for each of their respective songs. Song
genres range from Hip-Hop to R&B to Rock and their messages range
from freedom and equality to summer love. Performances are the
culmination of the Street Program, which provide each performer with
a forum in which to express their message in their style.
Performances build self-confidence and instill a sense of self-worth,
reminding the performers that they do indeed have something valuable
to say through song. You can expect a high-energy family friendly
performance lasting one hour plus.

Contact Vermont Arts Exchange For More Information
802-442-5549 ~ infovae@comcast.net