Ithaca kids to showcase their talent on the Commons this weekend

Jacob Mack, Ithaca Journal
·2 min read

Ithaca’s own New Roots Charter School and the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival are partnering once again to host Rootstock, an annual youth music and performance event.

With over 15 acts lined up for Saturday at the Bernie Milton Pavilion on the Ithaca Commons, running from noon to 6 p.m., there will be a little something for everyone, be it music or a new piece of jewelry.

Children dance and pose on the Ithaca Commons for a previous Rootstock event
Children dance and pose on the Ithaca Commons for a previous Rootstock event

The festival will host the 7th annual Youth Entrepreneurship Market (YEM) and its Spring Workshop Series, so expect student vendors selling food, jewelry and all manner of arts and crafts.

The 25-plus youth vendors at Rootstock — all in grades 4-12 — have all participated in a series of entrepreneurship workshops with mentorship from local business and non–profit leaders to launch their own business ideas at this community market and others throughout the year.

“We’re fortunate in Ithaca to have so many festivals that bring our community together,” Director of Community Engagement at New Roots Charter School and YEM co-founder Michael Mazza said Monday. “Rootstock’s unique focus on the next generation of creative youth through music, dance, art, and entrepreneurship is an inspiring addition to our abundance of local festivals.”

About YEM and its community support

Mazza and entrepreneur Ethan Ash cofounded YEM in 2016 and launched in partnership with the charter school in 2017.

YEM takes advantage of the abundance of local business owners who have inspiring stories to tell by allowing them to mentor students interested in opening a business of their own someday.

A look into previous Youth Entrepreneurship Markets on the Ithaca Commons
A look into previous Youth Entrepreneurship Markets on the Ithaca Commons

Related: How the youth market got its start and some of what to expect this weekend

According to the group "The markets are a culmination of business planning woven into the workshop series, where students launch their ideas into the community,” and “The Mission of YEM is focused on Inspiring entrepreneurial thinking through hands-on learning and connections to community, helping students realize the power of their ideas and their voices.”

GrassRoots shares a similar mission, bringing together local music artists and activities to celebrate music and makers from across the Finger Lakes region over the last 30-odd years.

This year's Rootstock and YEM market event was made possible in part with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and Tompkins County, administered by the Community Arts Partnership; the Joint Youth Commission (JYC); the Park Foundation; GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance; and New Roots Charter School.

This article originally appeared on Ithaca Journal: Rootstock set for this weekend