Rhino's to rock 3rd Street Park Saturday

Rhino's All Age Music Club will be holding an outdoor concert Saturday at Third Street Park. The concert will feature teen rock bands Dry Ice and The Runts and will be part of a running series of open-air concerts that Rhino's is promoting with the City Parks and Recreation Department. \nThe concert will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Admission for the event is free.\n"It's an opportunity for kids to get out in the park and have fun and listen to some great music," said Anna Weigand of the City Parks and Recreation Department.\nRhino's is best known as an underage club in Bloomington with punk, hip-hop, reggae, ska and alternative bands. But Rhino's also offers many programs for teens. Each day of the week boasts a different after-school program offered to teenagers. There is a youth video program Monday and Tuesday, a monthly literary magazine on Wednesday, a radio program Thursday and a mural program Friday.\n"Kids are free to be kids," Weigand said. "It's a safe place to be a teen."\nRhino's programs help teens find what they like to do, what they are good at and can help set them on a path for the future, with options such as media, art and even club management. With shows every Friday and Saturday night, Rhino's is also a place for teens in bands to step into the spotlight.\n"We provide a chance for youth to use their voice, through music, art or the media," said Brad Wilhelm, director of Rhino's Youth Program, "It's a positive creative outlet."\nWilhelm has been with Rhino's for the 13 years that it has been operating. The club has partnered with the parks department for nearly five years on many of its youth programs.\nJoe Stone, IU media production staff member and bass player for the band "Trem Fu", has played several Rhino's shows. \n"I think music means a lot more to the younger crowd than it does to people who are in the bar scene," said Joe Stone.\nThe outdoor concerts will provide a summer scene for teenagers to both play music and enjoy it. \nBands interested in booking at Rhino's for future shows should contact Bob Nugent at rhinosbooking@gmail.com.\nRhino's is located at 325 S. Walnut St., south of the Monroe County Courthouse. For more information on upcoming shows or youth programs, visit www.bloomington.in.us/~rhinos.\n-- Contact staff writer Amanda Elliott at arelliot@indiana.edu.