Young people in Cliftonville, Margate are being offered a fantastic opportunity to learn about and experience Hip Hop culture through music and dance during the half term week of October 23.

The workshops are being organised by Pie Factory Music, who are funded by Youth Music, and D'expressions in partnership with Nicci Cheeks Management (NCM is an established international Hip-Hop management company from London) and St. Philips Church. The sessions have been organised in response to the lack constructive and relevant activities for young people in the area.

The workshops will give the youngsters the chance to learn new skills, introducing them to the positive elements of Hip Hop culture and inspire them to get involved in the artform, giving them an experience that will stay with them for life.

Each day a lucky group of six 13-18 year olds will have the opportunity to learn from a team of high profile professionals, learning that there is far more to Hip Hop culture than the negative misrepresentations which are often portrayed in the media. All this will be happening in a relaxed, safe and friendly environment and backed up by a team of experts from the D'expressions project, who have a wealth of experience in working with local young people, teaching new skills promoting responsible citizenship.

The workshops will be provided free of charge, to apply, potential participants just need to pick up one of the workshop flyers in the area or call Pie Factory Music T:  01843 596777.

HIP HOP WORKSHOPS HALF-TERM TIMETABLE:
 
Monday Oct 23, 2006: 7-9pm: Hip Hop Film Night
The opening night will be an opportunity for the youngsters to come together and watch a film (rated PG/U) with a Hip Hop theme.

Tuesday Oct 24, 2006: 2-4pm: Music Producer Workshop
The session will be led by internationally recognised musician and producer - Charlie Parker. Not only has Parker scored the music for box office movies from the USA but he has also scored a Hip Hop/Opera mélange production of Cosi Fan Tutti with both the National Opera, UK and in Germany and toured Europe with the production over the course of 2006. The young people will learn about the many aspects of Hip Hop music production with a strong emphasis on live playing, dispelling the myth that all modern music is made by just staring at a computer screen or Playstation, which involves no true musicianship. They will be able to try their hand at playing drums, guitars, keyboards and turntables bringing them all together to create their own original piece of music that they will then be able to take home and keep on CD.

Wednesday Oct 25, 2006: 2-4pm: Breakdancing
This session will be led by local Thanet B-Boys, Faust and Ski. These long time participants of D'expressions’ The Zone workshops are part of the Dekforce 1 crew set up by Pie Factory Music to provide performance opportunities for talented local young people. The young people will be treated to a demonstration of breakdance skills and a talk about the roots of the dance style followed by learning some of the basic steps involved.

Thursday Oct 26, 2006: 2-4pm: DJ Workshop with DJ Smasherelly
DJ for Mobo Award winning popstar Est'elle and with a weekly show on Bassline 'Hot' 97.9FM, London; Smasherelly is a young DJ from London. After a demonstration of Smasherelly’s excellent turntable skills the young people will learn all about DJ'ing, setting up equipment, getting tunes, playing out and getting started in the business as well as seeing and trying their hands at DJ tricks such as skratching, mixing, body tricks and beat juggling.

Friday Oct 27, 2006: 2-4pm Rapping Workshop with Paradise
MOBO Award Nominee Paradise is a true-school born and bred rapper from the Bronx, NY. On this final day the lucky youngsters will be treated to a special performance just for them! They will then get to know what it was really like in the Bronx at the time when Hip Hop first hit the streets. After this they will break into groups and with Paradise's help work on their own rap song, which again they will be able to record onto CD take home and keep.

These workshops form part of the activities in support of Youth Music’s National YMAZ Week 2006, which runs from October 25 – November. 

A press pack is due to be available on October 9. For more information on these and other workshops organised by Pie Factory Music
T: 01843 596 777
www.piefactorymusic.com

-Ends-

<sub>Notes to Editors:

1.          Pie Factory Music is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status offering music and related art opportunities for the young people of Thanet, Shepway and Dover.  Pie Factory Music is a multi-funded charity.  More information is available at www.piefactorymusic.com</sub>

_{2.          Youth Music funds and facilitates music-making for young people up to the age of 18, particularly those living in areas of social and economic need. By 2010, Youth Music aims to have reached 3 million children and young people in a nationwide strategy to support youth music-making.  More information is available at www.youthmusic.org.uk}

_{3.         Since December 2000, Youth Music has set up 24 Action Zones in areas of social and economic need across England and Wales. The aim is to provide music-making activities to young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity. The Zones are made up of established organisations from the public, voluntary and private sector. They cover all genres of music and deliver a wide range of activities including workshops, rehearsals, performances, one-to-one teaching and mentoring.  More information is available at www.youthmusic.org.uk}