But something tells me the "Step Up to the Plate" awards, the creation of the League of Young Voters and The Bollard, won't be a typical gift-bag/song-and-dance type of ordeal.
"We're giving them the accolades they definitely deserve," said Rachel Weinstein, the league's party coordinator.
The award, the first of its kind, will recognize the contributions of Portland's young social entrepreneurs.
To those scratching their heads, a social entrepreneur could mean anyone who's recognized a problem and is doing something to make the city's economy, environment or social and political scenes just a little bit better.
"We wanted something different and a way to recognize young people who are under the radar here in Portland," she said.
The award evolved out of the Taste for Change benefit a few years ago, a League fundraiser which showcased local restaurants.
Since the League works to increase young people's involvement in politics and their community, there shouldn't be anything average about the awards.
Weinstein said there are so many young people whose work to change Portland just doesn't get attention.
Anyone (under 35 naturally) can be nominated, and it's OK to nominate yourself.
The categories range from urban ecologist, technology maven, green professional, artist and activist.
To nominate someone, run over to www.portlandme.indy voter.org.
Once the nominations are in in September, voting will be open to the public. The awards will be presented in October.
ROCK CAMP TAKES ROOT
When you're young, summers can be made and broken by two things -- jobs and camps. Of course by the time you get around to jobs, you're doing it for the money, so you put up with strange people, long hours and ill-fitting uniforms.
Camps, on the other hand, are the stuff of dreams and hilarious teen-movies starring celebrities who hope to avoid a Lohan-esque fate.
In August, Rock Camp kicks off once again at the Portland Conservatory of Music.
Comparisons to the Jack Black movie "School of Rock" aside, the camp offers kids with little to no experience the opportunity to pick up the instrument of their dreams and learn how to thrash.
Rock Camp has grown over the years and next month will offer two weeklong sessions for kids who shake their fists at the idea of band camp.
This year the conservatory had scheduled a hip-hop summer camp, but the program has been postponed, Todd Richard said.
Richard, a percussionist and disc jockey otherwise known as the Rocket, is collaborating with Jeff Shaw, rock camp's main instructor, on the new offering.
Richard said they wanted to take more time to fully develop the hip-hop camp.
The idea was to offer kids a chance to learn about the basics -- emceeing, turntablism and production and mixing.
"The real foundational stuff of hip-hop music," he said.
Aside from the fundamentals, kids would learn about how to network with other musicians and get their music heard, Richard said.
But anxious scratch wizards won't have to wait long as they plan to roll out the camp as a series of classes over the year, leading to the week-long camp next year, Richard said.
MAKE A FILM, FAST
If not music to seek fame, there's always that repository of great American storytelling -- movies. Though YouTube can make just about anyone a film star instantly, the 48 Hour Film Project makes it a challenge.
For the second year in a row the competition is taking place in Portland, where teams will have just two days to write, shoot and edit a film.
The competition, which begins Aug. 17, is simple: teams are given a prop, a character and line of dialogue.
Why would you endure sleeplessness and caffeine-induced anxiety for this? First prize is $7,500, but there's also the possibility of national...
Reader comments
Click here to view or add comments on this story
Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form