Legion-Z Start-up!

Hey, everyone!

 

A common complaint within Washington is that there is very little for teenagers to do on the weekends. As a result, we as parents and guardians are stuck with teenagers who are stuck on TikTok and Snapchat for umpteen hours a day, or, with teenagers going out and getting into all sorts of unsavory shenanigans.

 

I want to create an alternative. I want to create weekend shows where kids ages 13-18 can go, listen to music, dance, hang out, eat pizza and just have FUN. Without being on their phones or getting into trouble.

 

Sure, there's a skate park and paintball in Canonsburg...but that's not IN Washington. Plus, not every kid wants to or can participate in those sorts of activities. But, the one thing nearly every kids DOES enjoy? Music. In some shape or form.

 

My long term plan is to find a permanent location to host these shows year-round on Friday and Saturday nights. I want to have nights dedicated to all different genres of music. Rock, hip-hop, pop, country, a little of everything for everyone. I want to feature local bands and artists, especially high school musicians because I believe in supporting local artists. I want to reward kids for good grades with free food. I want to make the entry fee accessible by providing a "work to rock" system, where kids who can't afford the door fee can work the concession stand, come in early to help set-up, or stay a little late to help clean-up. However, for now, I want to do a test run by renting out the American Legion on Park Avenue, right near Trinity High School.

 

Eventually, I'd like to add more features like a henna booth featuring a local artist, and any other ideas these kids would enjoy. But, I figured it's best to stick to the basics and see how it works out, first.

 

Additionally, I have already received multiple messages from various adults and parents who are willing to complete their Background and Child Abuse clearances in order to help chaperone these events. My hope, however, is that this will be an unneeded precaution. I want to create something these kids will love enough that they won't WANT to screw it up.

 

The reason for this campaign? I'm a working mom, and a full-time college student myself. I don't have a lot of money. But, I believe this idea, once it gets started, will easily pay for itself. So, to get it off the ground, I made this. And a break down of costs is below.

 

Food:

20 x 18" pies from Olive Oil's (10 pep & 10 Cheese) @ $10/pie: $212 (including tax)

Drinks (From Sam's Club):
1 x 35pk of Coke, Sprite, Dt. Coke, & Dr. Pep @ $13.62/ea: $54.48

1 x 36pk of Mt. Dew @ $10.48: $10.48

2 x 32pk of Aquafina 16.9oz @ $4.38: $8.76

 

Food & Drink Total: $285.72

 

Location:

American Legion Rental cost: $200

 

DJ B-Rad (local artist): $550 (Will bring his own sound system and lighting)

 

Total Cost: $1035.72

 

The extra $65, if we raise that much, would go into the pot for if we need to order more pizza or go buy more drinks, or go back in to fund the next event.

 

If this one event is successful, then it will pay for the next one. And the next will then pay for the one after that, and so one and so forth.

 

November 27th is a soft launch date. It's what I'm hoping for, but, it's also just a date that I threw on the flyer so I'd have something to put on there.

 

I just want to create something for the youth in the area. I want to support the arts in the only way I know how. And I personally know the power of music, and how it can bring people together in a way that not much else can.

 

Help me show these kids that we give a damn about them and want to create something JUST for them?

 

Additionally, any local musicians or bands who would be interested in playing at a later date, please feel free to contact me at the link provided.

 

Lastly, I have attached the link to the post in "Washington County PA What's Going On?!" where this whole idea was born. Original Idea Post

 

Thank you for reading!

 

Julia/Sericane