The Rock Goodyear holds a grand opening

By Mary Goldmeer
Mail

The Rock Goodyear, a new teen center established by Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers, will celebrate its official grand opening Saturday, April 26, with a free community event.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Goodyear Municipal Complex, 14455 W. Van Buren St., Building C, Suite 101. It will include live music and dance performances, a fashion show, food trucks and tours of the facility.

The Rock Goodyear quietly opened its doors to teens in mid-February. It is the third location opened by the nonprofit, following centers in Phoenix and Mesa. The facility is open Monday through Friday from 2 to 7:30 p.m. and offers free programming in music, dance and visual arts for youth ages 12 to 20.

Programming includes classes in dance, songwriting, visual arts and studio recording. Group lessons are offered in drums, bass, piano and guitar, and students are encouraged to explore different instruments and disciplines. Home recording equipment is also available, and the center provides opportunities to learn technical skills such as lighting, sound and stage setup.

“Teenagers all have a tendency to be cynical, they have a tendency to be ‘the world's against me,’” said Alice Cooper. “They're all looking for identity, and hopefully when they come into Solid Rock, they find that identity. Every kid's got talent, and we're just trying to find it and mine that talent because once they find it, then they really go for it.”

Solid Rock is a faith-based nonprofit that offers free arts-based programs and activities for teens during out-of-school hours. Its stated mission is to meet teens’ spiritual, economic, physical and social needs in a safe and engaging environment.

“It’s going to be an excellent asset to the city,” said Mayor Joe Pizillo. “The fact that you're going to be bringing these kids around and nurturing their growth into who they need to be is great.”

Tammy Vo, Goodyear’s digital communications director, said the center serves a broader purpose beyond the arts.

“It’s so much more than giving kids an outlet and something to do in terms of music and performing arts,” Vo said. “It’s really about, for some kids, giving them purpose and direction in their lives when they really needed it most. It’s going to be the first of its kind in the entire West Valley, and it’s going to be available for kids all across the region.”

For more information, visit alicecoopersolidrock.com/goodyear.