18 May 2004
Free workshops for developing ‘tween’ talent
Local ‘tweens’ (10 to 13 year-olds) in Avondale, Mt Roskill and Onehunga are making the most of Auckland City’s ‘Urban
Suburbia served RAW’ project – a pilot series of free workshops in poetry and rap, hip hop and voice training.
Possibly the next big thing in the Aotearoa hip hop scene, groups of 10 to15 ‘tweens’ get together each week to learn
the latest from professional tutors.
RAW has been promoted through schools and youth groups, and encourages youth to channel their energies into creative
expression.
Auckland City’s recreation and art manager, Gail Richards, says the response so far has been really positive, with most
classes reaching full capacity.
“It is a great opportunity for youth to get together with others in their neighbourhood and express themselves through
performing arts.
“It gives them confidence in their talents and shows them what they can achieve”, says Ms Richards.
Young people in the rap class have been working with poet and rapper Daren Kamali on poems about their communities and
families. They then work with singer and voice coach Mahinarangi Tocker and choreographer Jodi Russell to create the hip
hop routines.
The programme will finish next month with performances from 28 to 30 June by the participants showcasing what they have
learned.
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 environmental art.
All RAW youth arts projects are run by the Auckland City Council to encourage youth arts. Visit
www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/raw for more information. For more information on how to enrol in the classes, please phone
Shirley Allan on 021 469 060.
ENDS