Gifted Workshops

Playtime – Dance and DJ Workshops

admin — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 19:00:27 +0000

Dance and DJ workshops (delivered by Gifted Workshops) are just some of the free activities on offer at a new drop-in facility for teenagers in Wolstanton. Public sector partners have joined forces to run sessions at Marsh Hall Community Centre on Fridays between 6.15pm and 8.45pm. The pilot project is aimed at 12 to 19 year olds and will run for 12 months.

Staffordshire County Council has contributed £3,000 to the scheme; Wolstanton Community and Learning Partnership £1,500 and East Newcastle Locality Action Partnership £1,000. County Councillor Ben Adams, Cabinet member for communities and culture, said: “This new facility provides a safe place for young people to congregate, have fun and interact in a positive way.” PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 games consoles will also be available, along with music and refreshments.

*Article originally featured in ‘The Sentinel’.

DJ Workshops aim to reduce youth unemployment

admin — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 17:56:01 +0000

Teenagers have been able to get ‘in the mix’ by taking part in DJ workshops. A group of 15 youngsters on the activ8 project enjoyed the workshops at Newcastle College yesterday. The DJ sessions gave the teenagers the chance to try their hand at mixing and ‘scratching’ with award winning artist Daf Price, using CDJ technology or vinyl. At the end of the session they were able to take away their own demo CD with a personally-designed front cover.

activ8 is aimed at young people aged 14 to 18 in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to reduce the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training.
Jayne Green, inclusive learning projects manager at the college, said: “The aim of the workshops is to get the young people involved in activities that will help increase their confidence.”

Press Release – St Joseph’s College

admin — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 08:55:09 +0000

Wannabe disc jockeys at St. Joseph’s College are getting a master class in the talents of the turntable from award winning Stoke DJ Daf Price. Daf has previously performed all over the world often to audiences of 5,000 and more. Daf’s new company Gifted Workshops has been recruited by the Trent Vale Catholic College as part of the extended curriculum programme which is designed to enrich every child’s education.

Daf said: “A sense of rhythm helps but basically anyone can become a DJ. However, if you are going to keep a crowd entertained for five or six hours then you must have all the latest technology at your fingertips.” All young people that attend a Gifted Workshop will learn new and existing DJ skills and then be able to entertain school friends at end of year school dances and discos. He added: “There has been a fantastic response with children wanting to fuse live jazz and dance music and coming up with some really original, wacky and creative ideas.”