Jack Black’s character in the 2003 comedy School of Rock may have been—coincidentally or not—reminiscent of Rock Academy founder Paul Green, but Green’s growing global institution is no joke. Local resident Green’s real-life school of rock, which teaches kids to play rock and pop music, is the largest after-school music program in the U.S., boasting nearly 10,000 students and 126 locations; additional locations have been opened in Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, and Australia. This weekend at BSP Lounge in Kingston, the school’s Saugerties branch presents “CLASSIC PUNK!!,” an event that will see young rockers-to-be performing a selection of punk rock hits by the Ramones, the Sex Pistols, Dead Kennedys, and others, which they’ve spent their recent semester learning.
For an idea of what proud local papas and mamas (and other attendees; the shows are open to all) will be in for, here’s a clip of Paul and his kids stomping through Led Zeppelin’s “Misty Mountain Hop” last year. If only school had been this much fun when I was their age…
The Paul Green Rock Academy presents “CLASSIC PUNK!!” at BSP Lounge in Kingston on September 26 and 27 at 6pm. For ticket prices and more information, call (845) 481-5158 or visit http://bspkingston.com/.
This article appears in September 2014.
