Rock On!

Mimic the moves of actor Jack Black — no, we're not talking Kung Fu — at the newest (and coolest) music school in town: Paul Green's School of Rock. Just like in the movie, this music school aims to save rock-&-roll "one kid at a time." (And have a little fun too, of course!)

Director Mark Warner, an active Dallas-area bassist, will teach students to play some of the most intricate and rockin' classic rock with a focus on performing the music for live audiences. This philosophy requires that students stage live shows every three months — what better way to teach aspiring musicians than with live concert experience?

The Austin-based School of Rock students will help make the June 14 Grand Opening official with an all-ages benefit concert for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, concluding the weekend's Open House at 4pm June 15 at The Loft in Dallas. The Open House hours are 10am-4pm Sat June 14 and 12-3pm Sun June 15.

In addition to the Austin School of Rock performers, the benefit concert will include performances by Judas Rising (Warner's top-rated Judas Priest tribute band) as well as Brian Brooks, a current Make-A-Wish child and aspiring rocker. 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the North Texas Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

If you've got your own aspiring rocker at home, check out the grand opening weekend at the School of Rock — I have a feeling you'll be nodding your head and singing along with the classic tunes before you know it!

Enrollment to the Dallas School of Rock is now open. Call 214/263-8325 for more information, or visit the school's Web site.

—Gretchen