AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL
MEDIA RELEASE

21 November 2005

"Tweens" to perform to RAW of the crowd

Local 'tweens' (10-15 year olds) from Avondale, Wesley and Onehunga are celebrating the end of six weeks of free workshops in rap/poetry, drama and dance with a Fun Day at THE EDGE(r) on Saturday 26 November.

The afternoon has been put aside to allow the tweens to strut their stuff and the public are invited from 3pm to see them show off the skills they have picked up.

The workshops are part of Auckland City's "Urban Suburbia served RAW 05," a project that kicked off in October. The tweens have been taught by professional artists including poets and rappers Daren Kamali and Erhman, actors Fasitua Amosa and Fiona Collins, and choreographer and dancer Leigh Hawerewa.

Dianna Fuemana, community arts co-ordinator, says the workshops have been well attended.

"RAW has been a great success this year with over 60 young people attending the performance art classes in the three areas.

"The RAW workshops give youth in the community a chance to develop their talents with some of Auckland's finest artists. This gives them confidence and shows them what they are able to achieve," Ms Fuemana says.

The RAW arts programme was launched in 2001. It derived its name from professional artists working with the raw talent of young people from 15 to 21 years old and environmental materials to produce temporary environmental art.

All RAW youth arts projects are run by the Auckland City Council to encourage young people to create art. Visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/raw for more information. For more information on attending the Fun Day, please phone Dianna Fuemana on 027 486 4351.

ENDS

Note to Editors:
Performances will take place from 3.00pm in the Upper NZI Rooms, THE EDGE(r) on Saturday 26 November 2005.

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