Save Holly Springs Band Night

It saddens me deeply to learn that The Town of Holly Springs has chosen to shut down the Holly Springs Teen Band Nights program. Band Nights have given the youth of Holly Springs something to look forward to for the past 3 years. There has never been a single incident of any teenagers or bands being out of control or causing any destruction to the Cultural Center. Holly Springs Band Night not only provides a clean, drug, and alcohol free environment for its audience each month, but also something that inspires young musicians to start their own bands. Band nights give younger bands the opportunity to play and learn from older, more experienced bands. If band nights in Holly Spring are shut down, then bands and audiences will be forced to play and attend shows at venues which are far less safe, such as The Brewery, The Lincoln Theatre, and Volume 11 Tavern in Raleigh. While I do realize that in tough economic times that money is tight, among people, and governments, I do believe that it is of great importance to support the arts and provide a family friendly environment for the teens of Holly Springs. I realize that these shows probably cost the town a fair amount of money each month, but there has to be some way to make them a little more self-sustaining. Compromises can be made in the way that band nights have been run in the past if you would allow them. I have played the band nights for the past 3 years, and they have had an enormous impact on my life. I cannot imagine that I am the only one who has been affected by these events. Dori Staehle has worked diligently and has been like a mother to the bands she has met and worked with over the years. She is an ideal role model for young bands. I am asking you to please listen to the voices of teenager, parents, bands, and friends to keep this program alive in some form for future generations to enjoy.