Hartsdown ARC (Achievement with Respect and Confidence) students have been learning amazing circus skills – magic tricks and tightrope walking – from entertainers at the famous Flying Seagull Project thanks to a partnership with isle youth organisation, Arts Education Exchange (ArtsEdEx).
The weekly workshops have been a resounding success so, to fund them into 2019, ArtsEdEx is organising a benefit gig at Elsewhere, at The Centre inMargate, on Thursday, December 20.
Confirmed acts include Afrobeat legend Dele Sosimi and his orchestra, the Cliftonville Community Singers choir, broadcaster Ayo Akinwolere, and local artists Emrys Plant, Falle Nioke and Young Brothers, with more special guests to be announced soon.
ArtsEdEx founder, Ollie Briggs, said: “Young people in the area face huge barriers to progression, but there’s a real cultural revolution going on here, with an influx of creative businesses. Our job is to bridge the gap, to give local young people the skills to succeed in these industries, and to make sure these opportunities are open to all. The Love Harts event, which the young people helped to name, promises to be a great night, the ideal way to start your Christmas holiday!
“The aim is to raise enough to get the Seagulls back next term, so please join us if you can… and if there’s anything you can do to support us please get in touch.”
Hartsdown teacher Tony Morris, added: “We have a number of students who find education difficult, so we set out to teach them in smaller groups and in different ways – to identify and meet their needs and reintegrate them. Over the course of just a few Seagulls sessions we’ve seen incredible progress – students who stood backs-to-the-wall becoming fully engaged, the frequently late turning up on time. It’s a pleasure to see them enjoying themselves and enjoying learning.”
Student Kieran Ripley, 15, said: “It’s better than school! I look forward to it and I’d like to carry on doing it. We run around in the morning and then I do animation in the afternoon, which I also really enjoy.”
Tickets: www.wegottickets.com/event/457311
Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/303797336901932/