Every spring Oakland's Destiny Arts Center débuts a wise-genre show developed by its Youth Performance Company in conjunction with older arts mentors. This year's extravaganza premieres tonight, with shows running Fri-Sun this weekend (March 19 to 21) and next (March 26 to 28). 

Destiny Arts chooses Oakland-accessible community venues like local high schools, and this year shows will be in the Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon Street, Oakland, within walking distance of the Lake Merritt BART station and several major AC Transit bus lines. Sliding scale tickets are available online or by calling 800-838-3006.

This year's story is set in a society where what are usually thought of as good deeds are deemed bad and bad actions get rewarded.  True to the organization's roots, the show promises to address world events from a youth perspective, including topics like "failed monetary policy, food politics and global warming to homophobia and self hatred and the ways that young people find hope in the chaos of contemporary society." Lest you worry about being bummed out during these warm spring days, you can expect a few solutions to be part of the action too.

Performers are from 6-18 years old and there will be a large crowd of family and friends there to cheer them on. Ami Zins, Film Coordinator at the Oakland Film Office is excited to watch a family member perform this year, because  last year's show "was as exciting, well written, directed and performed as many of the best shows I've seen on Broadway! My only regret was seeing it on closing day because I would have loved to have seen it twice!"