Calgary has a burgeoning youth-oriented music community, but thanks to a booming economy, it’s a community that has been forced from its home. It’s a shame, because most local bands (of any age) will say that they wouldn’t be where they are today had it not been for a welcoming all-ages community giving them a boost early in their careers. Back in the late ’90s, there was a strong community based on the dozens of shows organized by the Justabunchokids collective and hosted by venues like the Calgary Multicultural Centre in the east village. Eventually, though, as community associations grew tired of processing complaints from neighbours, it became increasingly difficult to organize and promote these all-ages concerts. However, Curtis Fagan and the gang at the Rock Gallery in Inglewood are proposing an innovative solution.

“The Rock Gallery is an opportunity to give kids a place to do positive things with their lives, to do positive things within their community and to watch how their contributions impact how a cultural centre is maintained,” explains Fagan. “What I want to see is a growing, self-sufficient music community — a space where young people can express themselves in a community of open thought.”

For the past 10 years, punk rock has been the prime mover in Fagan’s life. Spending the better part of his adolescence in Prince George, B.C., he got involved in the hardcore and punk rock scene in a big way. At 15, he was putting on shows and playing in bands. About seven years ago, he relocated to Calgary and immediately immersed himself in the city’s largely balkanized all-ages music community.

“I was around for the very last days of the Multi,” recalls Fagan, “I saw One Shot Left there. I also remember seeing Malafaction and Chronic Breaker. That space meant a lot to musicians and fans alike. Deville and Belvedere launched their careers there. It was an epicentre for young people and youth culture. We really haven’t seen anything like that in the past seven years. There was Carpenters’ Union Hall and the Alexandra Centre for awhile, but those fell apart. Now, it’s focused on smaller community centres and the Calgary Society for Rehabilitation, but it’s become increasingly hard to put on shows that are affordable and beneficial to our community.”

The first event at the Rock Gallery, located across the street from the Alexandra Centre in the heart of Inglewood, will be on Thursday, January 31. The five bands on the bill include A Long Way Home (Comox, B.C.), Stand By Me (Edmonton) and emerging local acts Brice Merouk, Hollywood Gods and This is Your Test. Excitement about the venue is tangible, says Matt Laird of This is Your Test. “Having a dedicated space for my band is great,” explains Matt. “It’s going to make my life a lot easier. Once it’s established, people will always know where the shows are. They won’t need to search online for maps to obscure and hard-to-find community centres.”

In order to get the Rock Gallery on the map, Fagan and his partners had to get creative to overcome the fiscal challenges that plague these types of artistic niches. In addition to putting on regular shows, the room will be rented out as a jam space. They are also investigating options for corporate funding, renting wall space to Artpoint and hosting weekend afternoon jams, and are in the process of obtaining non-profit status. They’re looking to offer a youth-oriented open space geared for clear and intelligent thinking. As such, there is a strict policy prohibiting alcohol, drugs, gang activity and other problematic behavior.

“I’m hoping to see young people get involved in something that they are passionate about — a place that is safe, controlled and out of the hair of the rest of the community,” Fagan says. “More than anything, it’s about making a community, rather than having a bunch of noisy kids run amok on the weekend. Working with community associations has been an uphill fight, and the Rock Gallery should address that.”