On Friday May 28, local youth can cheer on their favourite bands and also discover the benefits of entrepreneurship and self-employment at the Downtown Showdown Battle of the Bands event, presented by the Sault Youth Association (SYA), the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) and Enterprise Centre Sault Ste. Marie (ECSSM) with support from the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade’s Youth Entrepreneurship Partnerships program.

The event is being held at Oddfellows Hall, located at 124 Dennis Street, from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. There is no charge to attend. Pizza and concessions will be available for purchase and attendees will also be eligible to win great draw prizes. Bands confirmed so far include SBD, The Fury, Tenagens, and Bring The Fallen.

Youth will also have the chance to meet successful young entrepreneurs and talk with staff from SSMIC and ECSSM about different programs that promote youth self-employment in northern Ontario. The bands will be judged by Robbie Adamson, Len Ward from The Rad Zone and Emma from the Youth Advisory Committee.

“Self-employment is a career path that more young adults should consider,” said Tom Vair, executive director, SSMIC. “The goal of this event is to give youth a better understanding of entrepreneurship as a career opportunity and the local support available should they decide to start their own small business. We’re pleased to partner with the Sault Youth Association, Enterprise Centre Sault Ste. Marie and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade to help make youth more aware of these amazing local opportunities.”

“Young entrepreneurs can create jobs and also launch businesses that better serve the needs of youth in our community. In particular, the arts and entertainment space is a sector where there could be many opportunities for enterprising youth,” said Lisa Vezeau-Allen, executive director, Sault Youth Association. “We’re also excited to give young bands an opportunity to perform and win some great prizes.”

The first place band will win a cover story in The Fresh Magazine as well as recording time in a studio. The second place band will win a $100 gift certificate from Music Depot and each of the top three bands will win a photoshoot by a local photographer.

The battle of the bands event is part of the Entrepreneurship Prep program developed and delivered by SSMIC in partnership with ECSSM. The program encourages and prepares secondary school students to someday open their own business through discussions about business planning and mentorship from local entrepreneurs. In November 2009 SSMIC and ECSSM hosted the “Entreprep Mixer with Music and Mocktails” event featuring Mustang Sally from Korah Collegiate and Vocational School. The event also had special presentations by past participants in the Summer Company program.

Numerous in-class presentations have also been held at area high schools. Any educators interested in scheduling a classroom presentation can contact Mike Ward at 949-7927 ext. 3132 or by email at mward@ssmic.com.

Bands interested in registering for Downtown Showdown can do so by contacting admin@thefreshmagazine.com. Band members must be under the age of 25 to participate. There is a $25 registration fee for band members. The show is free to attend.

Visit www.thefreshmagazine.com and www.ssmic.com to learn more.
 

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About Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre
The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre was founded in 1999 and serves as a catalyst for growth in the IT, science and knowledge based sectors in the Algoma District. In 2009, they integrated with science enterprise Algoma (seA) and Upper Lakes Environmental Research Network (ULERN) to combine resources and accomplish their mutual goals of enhanced innovation capacity for both the IT and science sectors. The Innovation Centre works closely with community partners to enhance and improve science and IT sector opportunities.

The Innovation Centre is focused on four core areas: operating a business incubator to encourage the establishment and growth of business start-ups; providing support services to the SME (Small to Medium Enterprise) IT and science community; supporting the establishment and enhancement of advanced research projects in the region and undertaking strategic market development projects such as the highly successful GIS project.

The Innovation Centre operates an award-winning GIS department that has been recognized internationally for its unique community information utility model and advanced work in the health and human services sector.

For more information contact:

Mei Ling
Communications Manager
Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre
1520 Queen St. E., Rm. NW307
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2G4
705-942-7927, Ext. 3122
mling@ssmic.com
www.ssmic.com
www.itssm.com