City to hire teen entertainment producer

As the halftime buzzer sounds, a group of crazy-eyed, mid-20-somethings flood the court with more energy than should be legal. They perform flips and cartwheels; they dance, toss t-shirts, paint faces and craft balloon animals, performing other theatrics designed to pump up the National Basketball Association crowd. It is an act Maricopa residents could soon see at special engagements.

The Maricopa City Council recently approved retaining the services of Koko Entertainment for $43,000 to launch a group of teen programs in the city of Maricopa that include entertainment crews such as the one described above, as well as hip hop classes, and more.

“There is nothing like seeing a teen’s eyes light up when they are doing something they enjoy, and this program will give that opportunity to the youth of Maricopa,” said Kim Hunter, owner of Koko Entertainment.

Hunter brings a plethora of big-production experience to the city, having implemented staged entertainment progam crews at both the city level and in professional sports leagues such as the NBA, the National Football League and Major League Baseball.

He most recently worked with Chandler in launching ICAN, a free, after-school program for youth ages 5-18, which promotes nutritional education and provides the opportunity to participate in a sport and exercise program three times a week.
 
“We like to take these young people away from their cell phones and get them off the video games,” Hunter said. “There is a lot of benefit the teens will see through these programs.”

In addition to the entertainment team dance and step classes, Hunter will also help to facilitate several teen dances and teen conferences. “These programs will all be aimed at teaching kids skills,” Hunter said.

The classes are slated to start next Tuesday, March 16, and will be hosted every Tuesday and Thursday for two hours at Maricopa High School.

Once the teens get some experience under their belt, Hunter said they will perform at Central Arizona College basketball games, city events and other venues.“I am biting at the bit to get started,” Hunter said

Hunter, through his contract, is scheduled to offer the programming free to Maricopa teens ages 15-18 for the next year, with the goal of teaching the children how to offer the classes themselves.

For more information on the classes, email [email protected]. 

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