Visit us on MySpace

Sad Cafe News
latest sad cafe news · all sad cafe news · community news · press releases

Upbeat notes from Sad Cafe
September 3, 2004

By Jessica Taylor
jtaylor@seacoastonline.com

PLAISTOW - With the start of school this week The Sad Café of Plaistow is again preparing to begin its after-school programs.
The Sad Café has been offering students of all ages after-school programming for the last three years, as an outlet to express their creative ambitions while also keeping them off the streets and out of trouble.

Bill Thurston first envisioned the café as a for-profit establishment where young amateur artists, like his son, could play and listen to the music that they loved, while also providing a positive substance-free environment for the local youths. However, after the first two years of operation, despite his personal and financial dedication to the café, Thurston was facing bankruptcy.

But shortly after announcing that The Sad Café would be forced to close its doors, Bill was overwhelmed by financial support from surrounding communities as well as various state and federal grants . Now, The Sad Café is preparing for its seventh successful year.

On Monday, Sept. 6, the after-school activities will begin with the ever-popular Music Theatre Program. This program is now in its third year running at the café and will be taught by Megan Weeman of the University of New Hampshire Drama Program. Weeman will teach different aspects of musical theater including acting, singing and dancing. On Fridays, Weeman will be leading acting workshops for the beginner as well as the experienced stage performer. Here participants will be educated on the basics of theater such as auditioning skills, dramatic techniques, improvisations and character development.

Another long-standing favorite among students, the Making a Band series, will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Musicians are placed into groups based on skill level and musical preference. Then with experienced guidance from Allen Pomroy, students will learn the essentials of performing in a rock band, including musical instruction and ensemble playing, as well as obtaining and recording a gig.

Harry Charache, a fifth-degree black belt with 25 years of teaching experience, will return for his second year at the café to instruct students interested in learning the martial arts. Here students will learn to engage in Isshin Ryu, a powerful form of Okinawan karate.

These programs run from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. and are most appropriate for students between the ages of 11 and 16. The cost of each program runs from $10 to $14 per day and includes a healthy snack, homework tutoring and transportation from the Sanborn and Timberlane middle and high schools. Hampstead middle school participants are welcome but must provide their own transportation at a reduced fee. Scholarships made possible by a generous grant from Rockingham County Incentive Funds are available for those who qualify.

The Sad Café will continue to accept registrations for the program until full enrollment. For information, call (603) 382-8893.am runs from $10 to $14 per day and includes a healthy snack, homework tutoring and transportation from the Sanborn and Timberlane middle and high schools. Hampstead middle school participants are welcome but must provide their own transportation at a reduced fee. Scholarships made possible by a generous grant from Rockingham County Incentive Funds are available for those who qualify.

Republished from The Rockingham News which is owned and operated by Seacoast Newspapers.
Copyright © 2005 Seacoast Online. All rights reserved.

Celebrating our 10th rocking year! Lots of big shows coming up-check out our myspace.com/thesadcafe ...

All News