Performing arts served RAW

AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

26 July 2006

Performing arts served RAW

Local “tweens” (10-15 year olds) from Avondale, Onehunga and Tamaki are taking part in a six week workshop which focuses on the art of poetry and rap, street dancing and drama.

The Auckland City “Urban Suburbia served RAW” project is a series of free workshops where tweens will be learning to strut their stuff from professional artists. They will showcase what they have learnt at the end of the programme with a fun day of public performances.

The tutors include rap/poetry artist Darren Kamali and Herman, and a poet/MC, drama, and hip hop choreographer.

Dianna Fuemana, community arts co-ordinator, says the enrolment for the workshops are quickly filling up, with about 75 youths participating across the three wards.

“It’s been a great reaction. RAW is an excellent opportunity for youth to get together with others in their neighbourhood and to express themselves through performing arts.

“The workshops encourage youth to channel their energies into creative expression and shows them what they are able to achieve,” Ms Fuemana says.

The workshops will run from 1 August to 2 September, and a public performance created by the RAW participants will be held on Saturday, 2 September. Details of the time and venue of the public performance will be finalised in two weeks time.

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 art. The RAW programme for tweens has been a huge success in the past few years, according to Ms Fuemana.

All RAW youth arts projects are run by the Auckland City Council to encourage youth arts. For more information on how to enrol in the classes, please contact the participating community centres.

ENDS

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