Rocketown Announces Relocation of Services
regina@rocketown.org
615-516-8004
Date: April 22, 2010
Rocketown Announces Relocation of Services
New Arrangement with City will require move in three weeks
Nashville, Tenn. – Rocketown, a nonprofit youth facility, skatepark and music venue in the heart of Nashville, has reached an agreement with the Metropolitan Development & Housing Authority (MDHA) to vacate their current location at 401 Sixth Avenue South by Monday, May 10. “While it will be difficult to leave a place that has allowed us to reach so many kids, we believe this arrangement is in everyone’s best interest,” said ReGina Newkirk, Rocketown’s Executive Director.
MDHA purchased the current Rocketown location in February 2010 as a part of the Music City Center project and the expansion of Korean Veterans Boulevard. In that purchase agreement MDHA stipulated that Rocketown could lease the space through June 20. However, the construction and road closures have made operations difficult. “It is challenging to listen to a kid’s problems when there is constant jackhammering outside the window,” said Newkirk. “We are pleased that MDHA was willing to work with us to help us secure transitional space and allow us to vacate early. This will allow us to better serve our kids until we occupy our new facility.”
The last Rocketown event in the current location will be Travisfest, held this Saturday, April 24. Travisfest is a kid-organized concert series to assist the family of Travis Morgan, a Rocketown kid who was involved in an accident three years ago that left him in a coma. While he has since come out of the coma and is recovering slowly, Travisfest raises money to assist with his medical bills.
“This is the perfect event in which to say goodbye to our current location,” said Newkirk. “Travisfest exemplifies what Rocketown is all about: building community and caring for each other in a time of need.” Doors open at 5:00 pm and bands begin at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $10 at the door. For more information on Travisfest, Rocketown, and how you can help with the new building, please visit www.rocketown.com.
Rocketown Announces New Location
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: ReGina Newkirk
regina@rocketown.org
615-516-8004
Date: March 8, 2010
Rocketown Announces New Location
Rocketown purchases new building and announces capital campaign after being required to move due to the convention center/road expansion project
Nashville, Tenn. – Rocketown, a nonprofit youth facility, skatepark and music venue in the heart of Nashville, announced today that the facility is moving in June of this year. They are relocating to the former Grooms Engine building at 611 Fourth Avenue South where they plan to re-open July 1.
“While we are sad to lose such a great space that has been a second home to so many kids, we are looking forward to a bigger and even better Rocketown in our new location,” said ReGina Newkirk, the executive director of Rocketown.
The move is being driven by the new Music City Center plans. As a part of the new convention center, Korean Veterans Boulevard will be extended to 8th Ave. and Lafayette St. The new road will run through Rocketown’s current location. Additionally, NES is expanding their sub-station, requiring a portion of the Rocketown property as well.
The city purchased the building from Rocketown for $5.6 million in February 2010. However, Newkirk says that amount only covers the cost of purchasing the building and basic build-out. “We are losing about 4,000 square feet and will not be able to provide all of the current building services that we do now.”
The board of directors, which includes Christian music artist and founder of Rocketown Michael W. Smith, has launched a $3 million capital campaign to address that problem. The second phase of the building will provide a 14,000 square-foot skate park, dedicated educational and programming space, a small performance area, and a gymnasium. These changes, according to Newkirk, will allow Rocketown to provide all of the services currently offered plus a few new ones. “The new space, especially the gymnasium, will allow us to reach a lot of kids we are not currently serving who are really in need.”
The last day of service in its current location at 6th Ave. S. and Shirley St. will be Sunday, June 13. Rocketown will reopen in its new location on July 1 with celebration activities planned for the July 4th weekend.
“We know this is not the ideal time to launch a capital campaign,” said Newkirk, “but we hope that people will understand that this was not our choice and see the importance of the ministry work we do with these teenagers. Our kids need a safe place to get love, encouragement and guidance, and we need everyone’s help to ensure that Rocketown continues to be that place for over 1,500 kids each week.”
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About Rocketown
Founded in 1994 by Michael W. Smith, Rocketown is a non-profit outreach for teens, providing opportunities in arts, music, action sports and mentoring programs. Rocketown has been able to help more teens than ever through free counseling, scholarship programs and material assistance. Some of Nashville’s most unique classes for youth and teens are offered at Rocketown, including courses in film, art, dance, rhyme, song writing, journalism and graphic design. Rocketown’s 40,000 square foot nonprofit entertainment facility in downtown Nashville opened in 2003 and provides a venue for all ages concerts. Rocketown’s facility is complete with an indoor skatepark (Sixth Ave. Skatepark) and coffee bar where youth come to hang out and be themselves. For more information, visit www.rocketown.com.
Rocketown Celebrates Final Year at Current Location
Rocketown
615-516-8004 (cell)
615-843-4001 x215 (office)
regina@rocketown.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Date: February 24, 2010
Rocketown Celebrates Final Year at Current Location
Teen Outreach Center to host 7th annual music festival
and dodgeball tournament
Nashville, Tenn. - Rocketown will be celebrating its seventh anniversary at 401 Sixth Avenue South on Saturday, Feb. 27 to commemorate seven years of bands, entertainment, outreach programs and serving Nashville-area youth. The Anniversary Party, held annually, is an all-day, all-ages community festival from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and the cost for admission is 10 dollars. “This is our way of celebrating youth and celebrating Rocketown by having a filled with activities that kids love,” said ReGina Newkirk, the executive director of Rocketown. “From bands playing throughout the day to breakdancing demonstrations to a skateboarding contest, this is going to be the event no kid wants to miss!”
Twenty-eight bands will perform at Rocketown the day of the festival on three different stages. Bands on the bill range from various genres such as metal, indie and rock. Performers will begin at 11:30 a.m. and continue until the end of the festival. Local bands such as Goodbye Apathy, Resurrect The Morning and The Castle Is A Tomb will close out the evening performances.
The Dodgeball Tournament returns for its fifth year and continues to be one of the festival’s most popular activities. Tournament registration begins at 11 a.m. Participants are encouraged to arrive early because the double elimination tournament will begin immediately at noon. Teams are limited to 6 people. Individuals without a team will be placed on a team during registration. The winning team will receive a cash prize.
This will be Rocketown’s final year in the current building due to MDHA’s convention center and road expansion project. The non-profit youth organization has been required to close its doors on June 14 for demolition. Rocketown will reopen at its new facility in July, located in downtown Nashville at 611 4th Avenue South. "While we are sad to leave this location, we look forward to being able to serve even more kids in our new facility," said Newkirk.
Rocketown will be holding tours of the current building during the anniversary party to give parents and other interested persons information on their outreach programs, music venue and the new facility.
About Rocketown:
Rocketown is a non-profit outreach for teens that provides opportunities in art, music, sports, and mentoring programs. Founded in 1994, Rocketown has been able to offer scholarship opportunities, free counseling, and assistance. Creative classes being offered include dance classes, art classes, rhyme, song writing, photography, video-editing and more. Rocketown strives to provide a diverse and safe creative environment and entertainment spot for Middle Tennessee youth. For more information visit www.rocketown.com.
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Rally for Rocketown
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nate West
Seigenthaler Public Relations
nwest@seigenthaler.com
615-327-7999
Date: Sept. 18, 2009
Super Bowl-Winning Coach Tony Dungy to Headline
All-Star Lineup at “Rally for Rocketown”
Vince Gill, Martina McBride, Jeff Fisher join Dungy on roster for fundraiser
benefiting nonprofit Downtown youth facility Rocketown
Nashville, Tenn. – Rocketown, a nonprofit youth facility, skatepark and music venue in the heart of Nashville, will welcome Super Bowl-winning former Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy and country music superstars Vince Gill and Martina McBride to headline the annual Rally for Rocketown benefit. Set for 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 20, the benefit will welcome numerous standout sports figures and notable Nashvillians including Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher.
The event will be emceed by Christian music star and Rocketown founder, Michael W. Smith. Tickets for stadium seats are available through Ticketmaster for $50; concessions will be available.
To be held in Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena (1 University Park Dr.), proceeds from the event – which is co-chaired by Robert and Janie Yeager and Tom and Cordia Harrington – will support Rocketown’s programs and services designed to help Nashville area youth persevere through peer pressures, abuse and other challenges they face.
Rocketown is located downtown at 6th Ave. S. and Shirley St. and serves 1,500 youth a week through outreach services including classes, camps, concerts and its on-site facilities including a coffee bar and an indoor skatepark.
”We are so pleased that Coach Dungy is showing his support for Rocketown through this event,” said ReGina Newkirk, Rocketown’s executive director. “Rocketown provides a safe space for teens to have fun, learn, and be supported. This event raises funds that are critical for us to be that type of resource in the community.”
Dungy, who coached the Indianapolis Colts during their Super Bowl-winning 2006-2007 season and authored the No. 1 The New York Times best-selling book Quiet Strength, will be the keynote speaker during the luncheon which will also feature special musical performances by multi award-winning country music artists Vince Gill and Martina McBride.
Following the event, Coach Dungy will hold a football style “take a knee” huddle session to speak on a more personal level with selected local high school and college athletes. Dungy is a national spokesperson for All Pro Dad, a program founded by Family First.
Nashville-based Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) is the title sponsor of this year’s event.
# # #
About Rocketown
Founded in 1994 by Michael W. Smith, Rocketown is a non-profit outreach for teens, providing opportunities in arts, music, action sports and mentoring programs. Rocketown has been able to help more teens than ever through free counseling, scholarship programs and material assistance. Some of Nashville’s most unique classes for youth and teens are offered at Rocketown, including courses in film, art, dance, rhyme, song writing, journalism and graphic design. Rocketown’s 40,000 square foot nonprofit entertainment facility in downtown Nashville opened in 2003 and provides a venue for all ages concerts. Rocketown’s facility is complete with an indoor skatepark (Sixth Ave. Skatepark) and coffee bar where youth come to hang out and be themselves. For more information, visit www.rocketown.com.
Do you want to be made?
MTV will be at Rocketown on Friday May 22nd from 8am - 11am for an open casting call for their tv show "Made".
Auditions will be held in the coffee bar.
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