Words Without Weapons community groups 2Funky Arts to showcase work at Curve
One of Curve’s new Affiliate Community Groups, 2Funky Arts, will be presenting a newly devised work Words Without Weapons at a free event on the Foyer Stage this Saturday 16 March at 5.15pm.
Enlisting the help of urban artist Bizzi, 2Funky Arts have been working with local young people to write lyrics and record tracks that deal with issues of violence and knife crime in a nationwide project supported by the Home Office.
The Words Without Weapons showcase is the culmination of an anti-crime workshop programme which has targeted young people aged 11-19 from across Leicester and Leicestershire who have offended, or are at risk of offending, working in partnership with the Youth Offending Team.
Through singing and MCing, the young people taking part in Words Without Weapons have explored some of the most relevant and sensitive subjects that affect their local communities and in a supportive, creative environment.
2Funky’s Vijay Mistry commented:
“We’ve been working with a range of young people and looking at the negative and emotive issues, such as gang and knife crime, which affect them and their everyday lives. Through our workshops we’ve helping them to express their thoughts and feelings through positive songs and rap, which they will be performing to an audience for the first time in this mini showcase on Saturday”.
2Funky Arts is one of three new participatory arts groups from the East Midlands selected by Curve as part of its new Artist and Community Engagement Programme, which launched in October 2012. As part of this association, 2Funky Arts have access to Curve’s spaces, professional support and advice; have opportunities to show their work in the building, and will help Curve to engage wider and more diverse audiences.
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For further information, interviews or tickets to review, please contact
Clair Horwood, Media Officer
0116 242 3574
Notes to editors:
Curve Community Engagement Programme
Following the launch of its Artist and Community Engagement Programme in October 2012, Curve has selected three participatory arts groups from the East Midlands to join a pilot scheme at the theatre from January to August this year. The programme is designed to enable the best talent in the East Midlands to create new work using the unique building and resource within Curve. As part of the Affiliate Community Groups strand, Kaine ‘Curve’ Choir, Nupur Arts and 2Funky Arts will receive free weekly space at Curve; showcasing opportunities on the Curve Foyer Stage and professional support from Curve’s Artistic, Producing, Technical, Communications and Development Teams.
About 2Funky Arts
2Funky Arts develops and delivers a variety of artistic projects in the East Midlands region, including the establishment of large networks of local dancers. As well as the Words Without Weapons project, and other foyer performances throughout the year, 2FunkyArts will be running weekly freestyle dance workshops at Curve, offering local dancers the opportunity to collaborate on routines, hone their craft, rehearse in a professional space and showcase their talent. www.2funkyarts.co.uk
LOCAL LISTINGS INFORMATION:
WORDS WITHOUT WEAPONS: Curve, Leicester – Foyer Stage
Dates: Sar 16 Mar
Performance Time: 5.15pm – 6pm
Tickets: Free
Website: www.curveonline.co.uk