For the week of Dec 31, 2002 - Jan 7, 2003

It’s about time it’s about SPACE

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By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

"He never asked me for anything before," David Winstein said about his long time friend Erik Gillberg. So when Gillberg, a resident of Stanley since 1989, called him in San Francisco last year and asked him to come to Idaho, Winstein accepted.

The offer was to open a rehearsal, music and performing arts education space, which they dubbed SPACE. It opened this fall in Ketchum’s industrial area.

"It’s a supportive community and it made sense to make a stand here," Gillberg said.

David Winstein and Erik Gillberg show off their arts education studio, SPACE, where there are performances, music and a weekly teen night. Express photo by Dana DuGan

The duo, who worked with a children’s theater outreach program in California in the mid 1980s, wanted to find out what was needed in the valley. What they discovered is hardly news. "Teens had no place to go. We wanted to offer a teen night and get them off the streets."

To that end, their mission is to "encourage people to express themselves in positive ways," said Winstein. "We want these kids to have a voice, to have confidence in performing and just have a place to be."

Gillberg has open rehearsals with his band, 3PX, on Wednesday evenings. It is a three-piece band that plays a combo of hip-hop, funk and R&B band with rappers.

On the acting side, relentless performer Winstein conducts children’s theater classes and does story readings on Saturdays.

The Space also is available for birthday parties with entertainment. In addition, the studio hosts open mike nights, and is available to rent to various groups. Musicians Will Caldwell and Erika Lynt recently had a musical soiree there with their students.

The "Teens in SPACE" night is held on Friday evenings, and the teen bus, known as TGIF, makes a drop-off and pick-up at the studio. There are always adults on the premises.

The studio provides Trinity water for free, and sells—for just a dollar each—some select snacks and refreshments. "The only reason we charge is to be able to buy more," Winstein said.

The Blaine County Recreation Department recently included the "Teens in SPACE" program under its nonprofit 501-K umbrella.

"We’re very happy doing this. Our mission will stay the same," Winstein said. "If we ever move on to other things, we want this to stay a performance space."

Gillberg and Winstein have a wish list of items—tables, costumes, boas, hats—and a need for sponsors. For instance, a mere $250 pays for one teen night, or 8 hours of rental time with a supervisor.

See the Calendar for a list of classes and events being held currently at SPACE.

 

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