Kids Karnival 2014- Bringing Martin Luther King’s Dream Alive!

The only event in Stoke on Trent that seeks to bring together all communities and achieves that aim … The Sun Shone again on Kids Karnival with thousands of children and their parents attending their annual event. Which this year was held at Etruria Park, Hanley, Children from all back grounds came together making the event a joyous and enjoyable, peaceful, ethnically diverse gathering.
Kids Karnival was hosted by the fantastic Gary Oliver and attractions included arts and crafts, Circus skills, Limbo, sport, street games activities and all the fun of the fair and much much more .

The next Kids Karnival will be at Brampton Park on Sunday 3rd AUGUST 2014.

It was  a great day!!! 

Thank you to all our contributors for making it happen  for kids of Etruria and further a field.

Phone Number problems

Please be aware over the last couple of months we have had crossed line problems so some of our clients may not be able to contact us on the main number.

If possible you all can ring and text on 07436796420 or email info@djschool.org.uk

Apologies for any inconvenience  this may cause.. we will keep you updated on phone line issues

Thanks Becky B

Press release

20/03/2013

Remembrance poets update

Poets from The DJ School Association who are currently on a project called ‘Remembrance poets’ The group has been offered the fantastic opportunity of presenting a array of poetry inspired by conflict, resolution and remembrance at the launch of a very important centre  funded by the Heritage lottery and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Poet Gary Oliver, group leader stated “This small group of highly talented individuals, come from varying backgrounds and have moved mountains to prepare for this launch, the group are excited that they can share their work at such a prestigious event.

The launch of ‘Voices of War and Peace’: the Great War and its legacy the University of Birmingham the centre will be officially launched on 21 March at the Library of Birmingham from 12-2.30pm.

For more information on the DJ School Association and its projects email info@djschool.org.uk

Throughout this year to commemorate the fallen of the 1914-18 war the Urban Arts Centre, DJ School, Verbal Arts and Quhwah Publications will be collaborating on a ground breaking project. The local organisations have come together with funds from the Heritage Lottery and local businesses to bring their unique and specific expertise to this very import project.  

  Remembrance Poets is the brain child of Gary Oliver internationally renowned local poet who found fame with his Books Woodun Indians, Dear Love Powa and Contemporary Common Criminal. Gary has worked closely with Jonathan Dale of the Western Front Society and artists attending the Urban Arts Centre in Castlefield Street, Etruria to develop this nationally import project.

  The commemoration will seek to commission twelve poems from local poets for publication in a commemorative audio booklet of written and audio poems inspired by the ideas of conflict and resolution. The project is open to any poets residing in Staffordshire published or non-published. However priory will be given to difficult to reach individuals who have an interest in poetry.  ‘The idea, ’ Gary told Urban News, ‘is that  through researching the War to develop the poetry compositions we can learn about local stories from world histories and develop a wider deeper sense of enlightenment. How did the Great War influence Staffordshire and its people? Do people today know how diverse culturally, in term of people the Great War was and do they know how much it changed the world? We seek to make change locally that’s reflected nationally and vice versa. A Verbal Arts spokesman said ‘There are many stories with in the 1914-18 War that have

resonance locally and chart the influence of the conflict on the local area. We seek to bring them to the fore with this project. Jonathan Dale from the Western Front Society Midlands division said ‘it is very important that we keep the knowledge of this conflict and the memories of the fallen alive so that future generations can learn from the mistakes of the past.

  To be considered for one of the twelve commissions send an example of work with contact details attached to the Urban Arts Centre and the staff at the Centre will contact you if you are successful.  

  Those successful in winning the commission will be mentored by professional poets and researchers with research skills, performance skills and to develop their poetic writing skills. 

  Also, there will be a number of public events starting with a jump off event on the 27^th February, where Jonathan Dale from the Western Front Society will give a talk on the Great War and the Midlands. The event will show a film about life in the trenches with actual footage of trench life and Gary Oliver will read Wilfred Owen the celebrated war poet’s work.  Afterwards there will be a discussion about conflict and resolution 1914-2014.   

  The twelve successful poets will also get a free day trip out to the Imperial War Museum and to The National Arboretum. Upon completion of the commission the successful poets will be celebrated in a presentation ceremony and awarded a commemorative copy of the audio book.

  If you are interested in writing poetry and wanting to put yourself forward for the commission or if you know someone who would be interested send a sample of work to:        

remembrance.poets@gmail.com

Or contact 01782 205675

  If you are interested in attending any of the events please reserve a place on the contacts above as soon as possible as there are limited places available.

    DJ/RAP WORKSHOP

                                 &

                        Disco

All our staff are educated to a high standard and fully CRB checked and insured you can received all numbers upon request.

22^nd February 2013 2pm-4pm

£7.50 per ticket @ URBAN ARTS CENTRE ST4 7AQ

 

Visit www.djschool.org.uk

info@djschool.org.uk

07816318676/01782205675        

Whats Happening

DJ School Newsletter:   Charity Number 1126800

2^nd January 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR

We had a successful year in 2013 working with over 3,000 people through interactive arts intervention in direct workshops, events in the Staffordshire area. We have a new fully committed board of trustees who are pushing on into 2014 with great gusto to bring interactive social arts to people from all walks of life who will benefit from the intervention.

As you can see we have a comprehensive project package taking us into the New Year alongside our Event Kids Karnival which will be on 27^th July 2014 at Etruria Park this year with an emphasis on themes surrounding happiness, healthiness and staying safe, Kids karnival will feature alongside other events planned in the city over the next 12 months.  

At the start outreach project

The DJ school Association are looking to work with schools, youth groups, community group’s mental health facilities and higher education facilities.

The At the Start project bridges and fosters themes of positive thing, health lives and safety and community cohesion and intervention based social arts to develop and nurture new skills and to encourage a positive outlook on lives moving forward. Partners will be at the forefront for targeted planning for their cohort. Anyone interested in becoming a partner on this exciting new project please contact Sarah at info@djschool.org.uk.

OPEN DAY 

Saturday 22^nd February 2014 11.30am till 3pm celebrating 7 years at the Urban arts centre with an eclectic mix arts and performances. New learners will be able to enrol on new programmes on the day.

Current projects

·       Melody Makers- percussion and play workshops for 4-8 years Saturday’s -11 till 2pm. Teas coffees and snacks

·       Adult music drop-in- Multi- arts and music for unemployed , disabled adults and carers-Tuesday / Wednesday 11am till 2pm.#

·       ISA- for all people who will benefit from confidence, life planning and development skills intervention –time-throughout the week via private sessions. “A personal investment in  your future”#

·       DJ Lessons- all levels –by arrangement. #

·       Poetry group- bring along poems to our friendly impersonal group with professional help-Wednesday’s 1.30 Till 3pm

·       Nocn in music and arts -all levels –ages 16 +apply for details.#

# charges apply                         

Bon Voyage Sasha!

By now Sasha will have arrived in Nairobi for her 10 day trip as part of the Dream Teens Project.

You can follow her blog on our DJ School Facebook Page where she will be keeping us updated on her latest adventures.