Providing artistic opportunities for our youth

Alex Harris, middle, performing with his ACT students for the grand opening of Sylvia’s Restaurant in 2013.

ST. PETERSBURG — Every youth does not have the desire or the ability to play sports. Some teens are more drawn to the arts such as singing, playing instruments, acting and dancing. The Arts Conservatory for Teens (ACT), provides youth with the opportunity to develop their creativity through artistic expression. Founded by Alex Harris and Herbert Murphy, ACT has been giving St. Petersburg youth a chance to shine since 2009.

Unity of Midtown is partnering with ACT to make Nov. 18 a day of opportunity for our youth. The day will begin at 7 a.m. with Champions for Kids, a complimentary breakfast performance for invited guests who have expressed an interest in furthering the cause of teens and the arts.

In the afternoon, ACT students will have the opportunity to attend sound check at the Palladium so that they can personally meet Grammy Awarding-winning guitarist Norman Brown and nationally acclaimed vocalist and pianist Rachelle Farrell.

ACT students will also be providing the entertainment for the Jazzy Jubilee pre-show reception. In addition to a buffet meal, ticketed guests will receive an hour of inspiration from our talented youth at the Palladium’s Side at 5:30 p.m. for a donation of $50.

Finally, ACT’s stellar students will share the stage with Brown and Farrell by opening the Jazzy Jubilee in Hough Hall at 7 p.m. This will be a great opportunity for our kids to put on their resumes that they opened for two renowned artists.

You don’t want to miss this chance to see our youth take their talents to the next dimension this   Friday, Nov. 18 at the Palladium Theater, 253 5th Ave. N, St. Pete. For more information, please visit unityofmidtown.org.