Issue 68: June 2011 - Youth Work Ireland

MY Music Acoustic WeekIntroductionThe aim of MY (Meath Youth) Acoustic Week is topromote young local musicians, to give youngpeople an opportunity to showcase their talents andfurthermore to introduce new people to our Meet &Eat Youth Café. Its Mission statement is:‘To encourage and support the creativeabilities of young people in their communities,to promote imagination, self esteem andself expression in a showcase eventwhere the wider community can see it’MY Music Acoustic Week 2011 came about as aresult of the huge interest in the Irish Youth MusicAwards (IYMAs) and also through chats with youngmusicians and singers who were looking for a placeto perform as there are not many venues available tothem.2011by Geri Hogarty,Regional Director, Meath Youth FederationOur Youth Arts Worker, Keith Lane, joined MeathYouth Federation in July 2010 through theCommunity Employment Scheme. His backgroundwas in business but he felt a change in career waswhat he needed. He has a keen interest in music andis passionate about encouraging young people tolearn through the medium of music.With the help of volunteers Keith put out the word toschools about the Acoustic week and it didn’t takelong for the young people to start calling in to ‘booka slot’. 15 artists were allocated a 20‐30min. slot andthe event was full for the February mid‐term break.The project was run during the February mid‐termbreak over 5 evenings from 6.30pm‐9.00pm. Theevent saw over 30 students from Beaufort College,St Patricks Classical School, and St Michaels Loretotake to the stage in the Youth Café over the course ofthe week. Up to 80 young people and parents camealong to show support for friends and family.This was also a chance for us to promote our‘Meet & Eat Youth Café’ as a place that providesopportunities for involvement in a variety ofactivities for young people.“These events are so beneficial forthe younger people around here, not onlyhave they discovered the youth café exists,but so many of them now realise that thereare so many other musicians or fans ofmusic in one area, and they all come togetherand had great fun here this week”.Comment from volunteer about ProjectIrish Youth Work Scene 7 Issue 68, June 2011