{"id":1420,"date":"2026-06-07T14:38:53","date_gmt":"2026-06-07T14:38:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=1420"},"modified":"2026-06-07T14:38:53","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T14:38:53","slug":"vallejo-baby-rave-celebrates-teeny-tiny-graduates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=1420","title":{"rendered":"Vallejo \u2018Baby Rave\u2019 celebrates Teeny Tiny Graduates"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Children ages 8 and younger filled the Norman C. King Community Center on Saturday for a graduation celebration unlike any traditional commencement ceremony \u2014 one complete with glow sticks, youth DJs, and a dance floor lit by black lights.<\/p>\n

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Stepping inside the South Vallejo Arts and Cultural Complex \u2014 home to the Norman C. King Community Center \u2014 felt more like entering a lively dance party than a graduation event.<\/p>\n

Behind the DJ booth stood 7-year-old Ace Dewan, spinning upbeat tracks while children sporting retro plastic aviator sunglasses danced beneath neon lights. Balloons, streamers and glowing decorations shimmered under black lights as a handful of energetic youngsters celebrated the Norman C. King Center\u2019s \u201cTeeny Tiny Graduation Turn Up.\u201d<\/p>\n

The event featured youth DJ performances, face painting, games, a blacklight glow party and special treats, including custom chocolate bars created by Liled\u2019s Candy Kitchen to commemorate the occasion.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is for all the little graduates, whether they\u2019re graduating from daycare into TK or moving from kindergarten to first grade \u2014 anything,\u201d said Center Director Izzy Drumgoole. \u201cWe\u2019re celebrating their growth, and so it\u2019s a teeny tiny graduation turn up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Organizers partnered with several local organizations to expand the event\u2019s offerings, including Tiny Tykes Indoor Playground, which provided a play area for the youngest attendees, and Indie Guerilla Studio, a Vallejo-based music education space that offers DJ lessons for both children and adults.<\/p>\n

For Indie Guerilla Studio owner and DJ instructor Wayne \u201cAutonomous\u201d Ricardo, helping young people discover music has become one of the most rewarding parts of his career.<\/p>\n

Ricardo said he first became interested in DJing at age 15, but it wasn\u2019t until the COVID-19 pandemic that he pushed in an alternate direction \u2014 one that encouraged teaching.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s been incredibly rewarding,\u201d Ricardo said. \u201cFrom the community side and just in general, to see young kids develop their skills \u2014 it\u2019s incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n

His first teaching experiences came through lessons hosted at Guitar Center in Vallejo. While he still spends time teaching there, Ricardo said opening his own studio significantly expanded his ability to work with aspiring artists.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe basically try to educate kids \u2014 really anyone who\u2019s interested \u2014 on how to become more independent artists and find their own (niche),\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

One of those students is none other than \u201cDJ Ace Nova,\u201d the 7-year-old behind the event\u2019s turntable.<\/p>\n

Read more World Cup 2026: Here are 10 players to keep an eye on in Bay Area matches<\/a><\/p>\n

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\u201cHe\u2019s amazing,\u201d Ricardo said. \u201cSometimes it\u2019s a little harder, especially with younger kids, to get them to understand some of the nuances of DJing. But Ace is very instructive. He dives right in.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Ricardo, Ace\u2019s favorite music is inspired by the popular video game Geometry Dash, known for its fast-paced electronic soundtrack.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s probably not the happiest camper right now because we told him he can\u2019t play that right now \u2014 to play music more for other kids \u2014 but we got to talk about compromise,\u201d Richards joked.<\/p>\n

The little DJ\u2019s parents, Elena and Darpan Dewan, both beamed with pride as he wrapped up his hourlong set. According to the couple, he had been taking lessons for a little over three months.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe thought it was an awesome opportunity for him to come and present his music in front of others,\u201d said his father, Darpan. \u201cIt helps him gain confidence and sets him up for a successful future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe also likes to just have fun because he\u2019s still a kid,\u201d his mother, Elena, added. \u201cHe really enjoys the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like many of the children in attendance, Ace was celebrating a milestone of his own \u2014 his promotion from second to third grade.<\/p>\n

The Teeny Tiny Graduation Turn Up is part of a broader series of youth-centered events hosted by the Norman C. King Center. Since the beginning of the year, organizers have held variations of the \u201cTeeny Tiny Turn Up\u201d monthly, each designed to encourage community engagement and provide family-friendly entertainment.<\/p>\n

Drumgoole said organizers hope to continue expanding the events through new partnerships and increased community participation. \u201cEvery month, we\u2019re leveling up,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

For information about future Teeny Tiny Turn Up events and other community programming, visit the Greater Vallejo Recreation District\u2019s (GVRD) events page.<\/p>\n

Read more They said it: San Jose mayor concedes primary loss in run for governor<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Children ages filled the Norman C. 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