Giggles opens doors to teens again

Karen S. Kim

NORTHWEST GLENDALE -- Oops, they’re doing it again.

Glendale’s high school students will be getting their groove on

Thursday night when Giggles Nightclub on Brand Boulevard opens its doors

exclusively to teens.

“It’s a safe place where they can have a good time and go to a nice

club since most of their dances are at the gym except for prom,” said

Helena Betancourt, youth programs director for the YMCA. “And their

parents can feel safe because they know where they are.”

Giggles had been donating its facility to teens three or four nights a

year for about six years.

But about six months ago, the organization that ran the event, Youth

Coalition, pulled out of its role. Giggles Teen Night has been suspended

since April.

“All of the members were having different things going on in their

lives and we couldn’t coordinate it anymore,” said Leslyn Ray, who

manages Giggles. “It was passed over to the YMCA, which was also in the

process of going through a lot of changes so the timing was off.”

But Thursday will be the YMCA’s first teen night at Giggles. The event

will feature dancing, pizza and pool tables. And only local high school

students carrying Glendale school ID cards are invited.

The YMCA has sold tickets through school clubs for $8 apiece. Clubs

were able to pocket $6 of that price, Betancourt said. Tickets at the

door will cost $10.

Both Betancourt and Ray are hoping the YMCA will be able to run Teen

Night on a regular basis for a long time to come. The next Teen Night is

scheduled for Dec. 27, Betancourt said.

“It’s a great thing for the teenagers,” Ray said. “Glendale isn’t the

most youth-friendly city and there’s not a lot for them to do here. Here,

it’s a grown-up atmosphere of a nightclub and they have the feeling of

being somewhere that most of the time they can’t be.”

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: Giggles Nightclub Teen Night.

WHEN: Thursday, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.

WHERE: 215 N. Brand Blvd.

COST: $10 at the door.

WHAT ELSE: Glendale school district high school ID required, school

dress code strictly enforced.