A new online pilot programme to showcase local talent and featuring singer-songwriter Labrinth launches in Hackney today.
Hackney Live, will kick-off with a live music show tonight at 7pm which will be hosted by The Last Sceptik producer Corin D. It will premiere a track that Labrinth has exclusively produced for the show and feature an original piece of music produced by local R n’ B band Rising Tide and in collaboration with well-known producers such as Pantha, who has worked with artists such as Cheryl Cole and Kano.
A live dance event will follow tomorrow night at the same time. It will be hosted by Eastenders actor Ricky Norwood and feature a dance piece produced by East London Dance in collaboration with creative director of Sky’s Got To Dance Hackney’s Tony Adigun.
There will also be a series of pre-recorded contemporary arts videos screened on Wednesday. The Artist in the studio series produced by the Institute of International Visual Arts (INIVA) will give viewers an insight into how artists work in their space and what pathways are open for a career in contemporary arts.
Project manager Penny Roberts said “The aim of the shows are to promote emerging talent online, get the arts sector to work with creative and technology sectors in Hackney and increase audience access to the arts.”
Young people will be able to watch the online shows at several free live screening events such as the Hackney Empire café as well as the Concord and Forest Road youth centres.
Larry Achiampong, a performance artist who works in Hackney, said: “I think Hackney Live provides an invaluable resource that will give that much-needed information to young people who hope to become artists and other types of creatives in the future. It is about getting that special kind of advice from professionals that you are unlikely to find anywhere else.”
Cllr Jonathan McShane, Hackney Council cabinet member for Health, Social Care, and Culture, said: “Hackney is renowned as breeding ground for talented individuals who both grow up here or choose to live and work in the borough. It’s important that we open up opportunities for young people to both access the arts easily and at no cost as well as helping to build confidence and develop individual creative skills.”
For more information on Hackney Live, visit: www.hackneylive.co.uk or call 020 8356 7209.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here