Moorestown’s Department of Parks and Recreation hosted Teen Cafe Night with a group of musical performers on Aug. 22, an event that started seven years ago.
Recreation Program Manager Rich Corbin explained that Teen Cafe Night – also known as Cafe Live – began when a group of high-school students had an idea.
“ … These kids, a lot of them are singers in the high school, (and) a lot of them have aspirations to sing after high school, maybe in college,” said Corbin, who noted that students have helped run the program over the years.
“The first initial group from seven years ago took it and created it,” he said, “And I was a lot more involved in the beginning, but after the first couple of shows, honestly it turned into what it is now.”
Moorestown High School senior Olivia Oeltjen, student organizer for Cafe Live, became involved through knowing Corbin’s daughter, who was seeking people to help run the event. She was excited to see 15 acts— bands, solos and duets – – take the stage.
“ … I (also) have an art gallery (over there) because before I started doing Cafe Live, it was just singers, and it was much more low key,” Oeltjen explained. “I’m also involved in my school’s art program, and I wanted to get as many students involved in this as possible, so I started showcasing art.”
Oeltjen enjoys bringing the community together with Cafe Live.
“I love showcasing all kinds of people’s talents,” she said. “I love that I’m able to show people artwork and photography, in addition to the music, which is really the center part of it.”
“I really love watching my friends perform,” the student added. “ … I’m just so proud of everyone and I’m happy to see everyone happy and having a great time.”
Anna Rozelle and Sofia Giannetto – also Moorestown High seniors – performed together.
“I’ve been going to the Cafe Live performances since I was in middle school,” Rozelle recalled. “ … It was something that I was always really interested in, and so when it finally came time for me to be in high school, I was really hyped to be able to be a part of the performances and see my friends run it.”
“It’s a really fun event,” Giannetto added. “A lot of people from the town come and it’s a little surprising actually … It’s just really fun to hang out and listen to people sing.”
Corbin is inspired by student involvement with Cafe Live, a program that keeps growing.
“ … I have a great deal of confidence in their ability to pull off a great event,” he said. “ … The kids continue to amaze me with their work ethic and their ability to pull this together every time they want to do it.”
“ … I know that every year, when the graduating senior who’s been running it leaves, they want it to continue,” Corbin added. “By the end of their run, they’ve found a person or persons who they think would be good in the role … to pick up the reins and run with it.”
For more information on parks and rec programs, visit https://www.moorestown.nj.us/482/Parks-Recreation.
