AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL
MEDIA RELEASE
26 July 2006
Performing arts served RAW
Local “tweens” (10-15 year olds) from Avondale, Onehunga and Tamaki are taking part in a six week workshop which focuses
on the art of poetry and rap, street dancing and drama.
The Auckland City “Urban Suburbia served RAW” project is a series of free workshops where tweens will be learning to
strut their stuff from professional artists. They will showcase what they have learnt at the end of the programme with a
fun day of public performances.
The tutors include rap/poetry artist Darren Kamali and Herman, and a poet/MC, drama, and hip hop choreographer.
Dianna Fuemana, community arts co-ordinator, says the enrolment for the workshops are quickly filling up, with about 75
youths participating across the three wards.
“It’s been a great reaction. RAW is an excellent opportunity for youth to get together with others in their
neighbourhood and to express themselves through performing arts.
“The workshops encourage youth to channel their energies into creative expression and shows them what they are able to
achieve,” Ms Fuemana says.
The workshops will run from 1 August to 2 September, and a public performance created by the RAW participants will be
held on Saturday, 2 September. Details of the time and venue of the public performance will be finalised in two weeks
time.
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 art. The RAW programme for
tweens has been a huge success in the past few years, according to Ms Fuemana.
All RAW youth arts projects are run by the Auckland City Council to encourage youth arts. For more information on how to
enrol in the classes, please contact the participating community centres.
ENDS