Variety show targets urban youth audience

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Ever watch a program on television and at the end they say "taped in front of a live audience?" Did you ever wonder what that meant? If you'd like to know then head to the Rising Sun Cafe on Saturday evenings to watch the taping of an Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) show Saturday Night at the Rising Sun Cafe . It is a live-to-tape format in which the audience can take part.

"It is about entertaining stories, whether it's about entertaining in the sense of sports, art, drama, film or music," said Leon Anthony, producer and host. "It is a real sort of live, funky, upbeat atmosphere type of show," he said.

Along with Anthony, script writers, camera people, reporters, a make up artist, and a co-host make up the variety show.

"I think that it is a lot of fun. I think that the big thing for me is that it is really interactive-the audience and everybody is involved," said Sabrina Wood, co-host. "There is a little of something for everyone," she said.

The first show is slated to air Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m., with twelve other Saturday shows following.

"We are going to be known as the coolest show on APTN. The show is really geared for the 30 and under crowd, but it is entertaining for all ages," said Anthony. "One of the stories we are featuring is about a world championship bull rider who is 18. In the show you will see that he actually teaches our reporter how to ride a bull. Our reporters really get involved in the stories," he said.

The Rising Sun Cafe have included Calgary's Global News reporter Paul Custer, comedian Howie Miller, actress Jennifer Pedemski, actor Dakota House, and publicist Nicole Robertson.

"It is really good that they have something like this for the youth in a high populated Aboriginal area like Edmonton," said Robertson. "It instills in the youth a sense of pride and a sense of being a part of something that is really cool," she said.

One of the avenues that Anthony is taking the audience to is spotlighting urban Aboriginal youth as they actually are.

"One thing is that it is very contemporary. We do not have the beads and feathers stigma and stereotyping that is usually attached to being Native," said Anthony.

Aboriginal Peoples Television Network is a national television network that features Aboriginal current affairs programs, documentaries, movies and entertainment.

"In the shows we are trying to reflect what Edmonton's Rising Sun Cafe is all about. It has a night club atmosphere. The youth that come here come to dance and dress up," said Anthony. "Everybody dresses up and this is what is good about this night club," he said.

After the show has been taped the crowd usually dances until the wee hours of the morning.

"There is no alcohol here, that is pretty darn cool," said Anthony. "Everyone should be looking at our Native youth. We do not need alcohol and that anymore to have a good time. We see things differently. That is what I mean by contemporary and real. An urban atmosphere-this is what this show is all about," he said.