The Funhouse Commons is offering a variety of programs for teens this summer.
Songlab
The music program “Songlab” will run from July 22 to Aug. 21. It is a five-week music education program where students will learn the art of songwriting and recording. Acquire the secrets of songwriting from a published musician with 20+ years of experience, and get access to instruments and a modern recording studio! There will be two weekly classes geared toward 12- to 18-year-olds. Led by local music educator and performer Pedro Lopez De Victoria, Songlab will take students through songcraft, from abstract idea to finished and publishable recording!
The cost is $450 per student. No one turned away for lack of funds, 50% and 100% scholarships available.
Register at https://www.funhousecommons.org/summer-songlab/.
Orcas Microcinema
Join Orcas Microcinema and Echo Park Film Collective for this fun day of Super 8 cinematic wonder. No prior filmmaking experience is necessary; simply come with an open heart, a curious mind and a love of movies! The class is on Aug. 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In the morning, students will learn all about analog cinematography and then make a collective movie using vintage Super 8 cameras and black + white film. The afternoon session will be devoted to processing our film with a homemade, eco-friendly developer created with beautiful plants, fruit, and flowers from around Orcas Island! Wrap up by learning how to use old-school film splicers and projectors for a special sneak preview of the magical moving pictures. Participants are welcome to attend either or both sessions. The finished film will have its world premiere on Saturday evening at a free public screening curated by Orcas Microcinema.
The Microcinema Outdoor Film Festival is also on Aug. 2. Doors at 8:30 p.m., the screening is at 9 p.m. Screening of workshop participant films before Orcas Microcinema presents HUMMINGBIRDS, a youth-directed, written and produced film about teens living on the Texas/Mexico border. Free to the public.
On Saturday, Aug. 3. watch a screening of workshop participant films before Orcas Microcinema presents CLEANERS, a semi-autobiographical collection of stories about a rebellious group of high schoolers in the Philippines in the mid-2000s. Doors at 8:30 p.m., the screening is at 9 p.m. Free to the public.
To register, go to https://orcasmicrocinema.org.
Art/Skills Mentor Program
The summer session of our four-month July-November art/skills mentor program has begun! Artists and skilled adults are matched with middle or high school students to work on a project that will be displayed at our final showcase in November. We are no longer enrolling new mentees or mentors in this current session, but if you’re interested in learning more, email maddie@thefunhouse.org.
Teen event internship
The Funhouse has hired eight middle and high school interns to plan and coordinate events for teens throughout the summer. Our first event was supporting the Funhouse Funfest on June 21. The next event that the Interns is planning is NIGHTGAMES on Aug. 14 at 9:30 p.m. We’ll play laser tag, flashlight tag, and ghost in the graveyard.
