De-Bug promotes youth involvement in Music in the Park

Somehow weekends begin earlier during the San José summers. Schools out, the suns out and everyone seems to be out for music in the park on Thursday nights, including me. After crossing the street to enter the park, I saw swarms of pre teens, signs for overpriced beer and heard the distant sounds of Rick James.

Those are among some of the sure signs that you have landed in San Jose’s music in the park. Walking through the crowd, I saw familiar faces and continued on my trek to the stage.

If the purpose of music in the park is to listen to music on a warm summer night then it has proven to be a success.

After so many empty buildings and failed businesses, seeing so many people downtown is a breath of fresh air. As much as I enjoy these warm summer nights, I know that I wouldn’t have if I were a 15-year-old non-drinking girl that listened mainly to contemporary music, but somehow, that age group makes up a vast portion of the Music in the Park crowd.

Neither the activities nor the music are appealing to this generation, which means that they are out there for the one thing that I know is attractive to all teenagers: independence.

10musicpark_3547.jpgMusic in the Park is that perfect place to flaunt this independence. It is, in fact a family friendly event so this would be a safe environment to do so. So as we have it, the city is left with 100’s of independent teens roaming around in a place that is not particularly focused on catering to their generation.

This got me thinking, and apparently also De-Bug thinking; what the heck do we do with all of these kids? Since they form a large portion of the loyal Music in the Park crowd, I say we acknowledge them.

If you don’t engage these kids, you are bound to lose them. In this case losing them in the park means losing them to the crowd. Rather than losing these kids, someone needed to figure out something to do with them.

De-Bug did just this by setting up a booth at the end of the park hoping to attract some of these lost teenagers. Rather than pretending to know what kids like, De-Bug is truly in tune with what this generation is attracted to; music and art.

10musicpark_2610.jpgThe De-Bug booth has a screen printing tent, an informational tent, live painting, jump-rope, hula hoops and a growing drum circle/cipher.

Walking past the booth you will see kids, that might normally be assumed as troublemakers, jumping rope or participating in a communal cipher.

There’s something very inviting and “cool” about their little music in the park nook.

It’s as if all influence and all expectations are ignored and all focus is shifted onto musical and artistic expression.

Lisa Ávila, a De-Bug volunteer says “De-Bug promotes youth involvement at music in the park by involving them in fun activities,” which as she mentions has created a positive impact throughout the event, “the impact has done nothing but send positive vibes through the youth that we interact with.”

Although three little tents seem miniscule when compared to the enormity that this event has become, De-Bug has definitely made it’s presence known.

10debug.jpgAs long as the youth knows of its presence and feels comfortable to participate in its activities, then De-Bug has fulfilled its purpose.

Music in the Park has now found some refuge for its youth, and it is nothing but positive and encouraging.

Come see for yourself, every Thursday from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Come pick up a magazine, practice your rhymes in a cipher and double-dutch like you did back in middle school.