INTER ACT YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL

The Millennium Forum was the venue for the launch of the InterAct Youth Arts Festival on Friday, attended by The Mayor Cllr Paul Fleming, Martin Bradley, Chairman of Derry Theatre Trust, and representatives from the seven venues hosting events.

InterAct Festival programme is jammed with a whole host of workshops, films, special guest events, tours and evening performances and gigs specially created for 12-21 year olds. These events will take place at the Millennium Forum, Nerve Centre, Playhouse, Void Gallery, Verbal Arts Centre, Gasyard and Waterside Theatre from Saturday 1^st to Friday 7^th August.

Shauna McNeilly, Education & Outreach Officer at the Millennium Forum said at the launch:

“This is the inaugural year of InterAct Festival and we hope that our local young people are as excited about as it as we are. InterAct represents the Forum’s continuing commitment to developing, utilising and showcasing the creative talents of our local youth. Through this project, we want local young people, aged from 12 to 21 years – from all backgrounds and with all capabilities – to InterAct with each other and with the Arts.”

Mayor Cllr Paul Fleming and Chairman of Derry Theatre Trust, Martin Bradley launch the Millennium Forum’s InterAct Youth Arts Festival along with members of the Youth Forum and Project Coordinator Shauna McNeilly

Workshops, films, guest events and tours are free to attend and the choice of workshops is expansive: How To Do a Winning Audition; Rock School; How to Sing Onstage; Animation; Pop-Video Style Dance; Carnival Art; Social Issue Drama; Cheerleading; Podcasting; 35mm Photography; BBC Radio Production; Puppetry; Mask-Making; Poetry; Stage Combat: Technical Theatre; Clowning & Improvisation; Art/Painting; Urban Dance; Music Production; DJing; How To Act on Camera.

Special Guest Events will see actor Gerard McCabe telling you How to Prepare for the Acting Industry; Glasgowbury Festival founder Paddy Glasgow sharing his knowledge on How to Get Your Music Heard; and founder of Belfast-based Bruised Fruit Promotion’s, Jennie McCullough guiding you through the best practice of Event Management.**

You can also see behind the scenes in guided tours of Q102fm Radio and the Millennium Forum and enjoy films for free at the Nerve Centre with screenings of teenage favourites ‘Rent,’ ‘Accepted,’ ‘Iron Man,’ and ‘Stand By Me.’

Tickets are now on sale from the Forum’s Box Office for evening performances during the Festival. These include ‘Fame – The Musical’ on Saturday 1^st August; The Japanese Popstars, supported by Eve’s iPod Disco and Chipzel on Sunday 2^nd; Triggerman supported by Future Chaser and Revolution Monday on Thursday 6^th; Beyond Skin and The Electric Dukes will also perform at the free Showcase on Friday 7^th August.

For all of the Festival events we encourage anyone and everyone aged 12-21 years, from all backgrounds and with all capabilities to take part. A Special Needs Assistant will also be available throughout the week to offer assistance.

Pick up a copy of the InterAct programme or download a copy from www.millenniumforum.co.uk To book for any of the day time events contact 028 7127 2776/7 and to book for the night time performances call Box Office on 028 7126 4455.

This project is funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland through National Lottery Funds and the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund through the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation managed by the Special EU Programmes Body by the North West Peace III Partnership.

**Jennie's course on Event Management is FREE to attend and takes place on Friday 7th August from 2-4pm. Places are limited so please register early if you want to attend.