A younger generation of talented performers is being given a chance to unleash their talents for this year’s Brookstock festival. The first annual Teen Brookstock will make its debut Friday, July 18, at the Haven Theater.

“This will be a venue where you can come out and hear good live music,” said Shaw Furlow, event organizer. “It is also a venue for future stars. It’s fun to watch young people do what they want to do.”

Furlow came up with the idea for Teen Brookstock as a way to give teenagers in Brookhaven an opportunity to perform on stage in front of an audience. Growing up, Furlow said he was able to play at variety of venues in town, but that’s no longer the case for most beginning musicians.

“The talent is here, all over town,” said Furlow. “It just needs a place to play.”

The high school acts that will be performing Friday include: the acoustic styling of Jonas Raguse, rock and roll from Out of Nowhere and music from local legend Sam Mooney. Mooney’s debut album “Somewhere in Between” is now availably internationally.

All of the acts have been hand selected by Furlow and Greg Smith, local guitar teacher and musician. The two are always on the look out for local talent ready to take center stage.

“It’s an opportunity to give kids a place to play,” said Furlow. “This is a chance to do something for kids and raise money for the Haven.”

The acts are not paid, so the $5 cover charge goes directly to Brookhaven Little Theatre Teens summer productions. The Haven is run primarily through donations.

Furlow says that the Haven Theater is a landmark for Brookhaven and the intimate venue is a great place for these types of performances.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 p.m. The music ranges from blues and folk to rock and pop. Every performer is a local high school student or a recent graduate.

Furlow said that he thinks these types of performances will diversify the existing Brookstock audience by adding a younger demographic to the mix. He added that he wants to have people of all ages to come to the growing Brookstock festival.

Brookstock is an annual musical event that began when a local band made up of high school student performed together again for the first time in 30 years at a reunion in 1998. The idea of coming back to perform in Brookhaven caught on, and this Saturday, July 19, will see the band members perform at the 14th annual Brookstock. Doors open at 6 p.m. at the Brookhaven Recreation Department on Highway 51 North.