Youth on Record Celebrates 7th Annual Block Party (Virtually)

I have a long history with Youth On Record; they are one of my favorite non-profits here in Denver because they combine music and education. Their annual Block Party will return virtually on June 5th, and I am excited! Everyone is adjusting their events this year to allow for folks to feel comfortable – both in terms of COVID and also, heck – we have become used to attending things online in our pajamas, right?

Youth on Record’s Block Party and Community Celebration will bring together community members for a day-long virtual mini-festival. This is a youth-led and youth-designed event with support from YOR Staff. Plus, all the performances will be from Youth on Record students!

The event is free to the community and will include block party activities, a variety of workshops (including NFT’s in the music business, Music Distribution, Collage your Feelings, Healing Movement, Beatboxing, Creative Writing, and more… see the full list here). They will also be working with a new platform called OhYay, so the majority of the event will occur in this new visually interactive space, along with a few Zoom panels. (I have tried Oh Yay and it definitely feels more like you are actually “in” a space with someone online.)

Even better – they are giving away a ton of prizes! You just need to register here and show up! Prizes will be awarded every hour starting at 12pm.

Youth on Record Block Party

WHEN: Saturday June 5th, 2021, from 11am – 5pm

WHERE: Online with OhYay and Zoom 

SPONSORS: YOR wishes to thank the following sponsors: College of Arts & Media | University of Denver Colorado, The Colorado Trust, Denver Housing Authority, Denver Westword

GET INVOLVED: YOR encourages the community to attend and support the next generation of artists and musicians who will be performing at the block party. Volunteer, vendor and sponsorship opportunities are also available!

Youth on Record Block Party Events:

• Live music from Youth on Record students
• Workshops from 3 tracks: Career Advancement, Health and Wellness, and Art Making
• YOR Sessions and Podcast listening rooms
• Student Art and Music listening rooms
• Panel with College of Arts & Media – Topic: Turn What You Love Into What You Do: Pathways to a Music & Entertainment Industry Education
• Panel with local members of the Media: How to get Media to Pay Attention to Your Music
• Free T-shirts and swag for youth – grab and go at Youth on Record
• Logo and T-Shirts designed by Destino / Fellowship Graduate
• Kids Crafts plus extra credit for prizes
• Freebies for the Denver Housing Authority residents in the Mariposa neighborhood
• Logo and T-Shirts designed by Destino / Fellowship Graduate

About Youth on Record

YOR’s education, music, and community programs are designed to help young people become more free, more rooted in their personal power, and better able to thrive in spite of systems and circumstances that dis-empower and marginalize them. YOR designs and implements strengths-based, music-centered programs intended to equip young people from historically under-resourced communities with the skills needed to find success in life by advancing their academic success, increasing their economic opportunities and career skills, and strengthening their community connections and networks. For more visit youthonrecord.org and follow @youthonrecord on social media.

2019 Block Party photos by Stevie Selby

See my other posts about local music here in Denver!