THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 15, 1994 TAG: 9407130144
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
``We won't watch it,
``We won't play it,
``We won't listen to it.
``Come rise up . . . violence is out.''
From ``The Rally Song,'' written by Yvonne Rice and David Cummings.
Most people talk about the harm of violence in entertainment, but few offer alternatives.
The Clubhouse Kids do.
The Clubhouse Kids will ``Rise Up'' this Sunday evening at the Bayview Baptist Church in Norfolk for an evening of family entertainment and discussion on violence in our culture and entertainment.
The Chesapeake-based performing troupe/performance school headed by Yvonne Rice and her son, David Cummings, already has produced several hourlong specials on WAVY-TV 10 to much public acclaim.
They also have been behind the WAVY ``Kids Talk'' programs, half-hour specials aired each month featuring 10-minute segments of dialogue and songs using the Clubhouse Kids. Each of the programs has dealt with a subject such as guns in schools, overcoming anger in constructive ways and other issues important to both parents and children.
Cummings and Rice have established the non-profit corporation, Children Against Television Violence.
A few months ago, the two traveled to Washington to talk to Virginia's congressmen. They said the lawmakers were impressed and offered to help the group in any way.
Now Rice and Cummings are asking parents to help.
``OK, let's say we get rid of television violence,'' Rice said. ``But what do we replace it with? We think we have the answer.''
Rice has written scores of scripts and original uplifting songs based on the adventures of her own children when they were boys growing up in Florida.
She produced several public television programs and stage shows in Florida. Two of her stories - ``Clubhouse Kids'' and ``Hector the Rooster'' - have already aired on WAVY, using non-professional children from Chesapeake and South Hampton Roads. All were trained by Rice and Cummings.
All of Rice's shows - mixing humor, adventure and music - deal with such issues as racial diversity, aging and tolerance.
``We try to bring moral messages all wrapped with love,'' Rice said. ``But it costs money to bring these programs and messages to television.''
Here's the chance for the public to make sure these shows make it on the air.
This Sunday at 7 p.m., about 50 children, Clubhouse Kids as well as children from the Bayview Baptist Church congregation, will gather at the Norfolk church for a combination anti-violence rally, entertaining evening and fund-raiser.
``We need to raise funds to be able to continue with shows like `Clubhouse Kids' and `Hector the Rooster,' '' Cummings said during rehearsals for ``Rise Up'' at the River Crest Community Center.
``With our shows, we're trying to combat violent video games and violent television programs,'' he added. ``You know it's bad when what you see on TV as entertainment and what you see on the nightly news are one and the same. We want kids to see other real kids on TV as role models, not one-dimensional cartoon characters.''
``Rise Up'' will use children of all ages, races and physical abilities in an evening of songs and skits. The live stage show will feature several new Rice compositions, including ``The Rally Song'' along with other tunes taken from past Clubhouse shows and productions.
The evening also will feature excerpts of both WAVY-TV Clubhouse Kids specials shown on a giant screen and a discussion between parents and experts on the harm of television violence.
``We will ask parents to sign a pledge card to simply state that they'll spend more time with their children and attempt to make sure they and their children abstain from violent entertainment,'' Cummings said.
Rice said the group has a script and songs ready for the next television special, ``The Pet Fair.''
``We also want to promote proper care of the environment with the wonders of nature,'' Cummings said. ``With `The Pet Fair,' we'll feature kids with animals set in a fun carnival atmosphere. We want to show all the goofy and fun stuff my brother and I did as kids. Our message is have a blast while you're young, tolerate others, create and use your imagination.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
David Cummings and Yvonne Rice rehearse with the Clubhouse Kids for
``Rise Up,'' set for Sunday evening at Bayview Baptist Church.
SHOW FACTS
What: ``Rise Up,'' an anti-violence rally and fund-raiser.
Who: Clubhouse Kids, Children Against Television Violence and
members of the Bayview Baptist Church congregation.
Where: Bayview Baptist Church, 707 E. Bayview Blvd., Norfolk.
When: Sunday at 7 p.m.
Cost: Free, but donations will be taken to help finance future
Clubhouse Kids television programs. For more information, call
420-9497.
by CNB