Workshops
Digital Newsroom Launch
Finally! After numerous setbacks, delays and budget renegotiations the launch for our Digital Newsroom was upon us. Our Digital Newsroom is the brainchild of the young people of Paddington Arts. They conceptualised and designed plans for a media suite in which they’d be able to film, record and broadcast themselves, access data at high speeds with the ability to deliver live streaming to the world. Not a tall order then.
That said, much thought went into the creation of a virtually carbon neutral extension to our building. Built on top of our dance studio, the layout cleverly increases our capacity without encroaching on the surrounding environment not just in terms of space, but in terms of our green agenda. Paddington Arts were successful in obtaining a grant for £40,000 towards the cost of state of the art solar panels. The solar panels absorb ambient light even when the sun is not ‘present’ so electricity is always being generated even on our most grey of days.
The Digital Newsroom also has a freon free air-conditioning unit. Rather than using chemicals and huge amounts of electricity to make the room cooler, our unit channels ambient air around in a turbine and shoots it into the room as cool, refreshing, guilt free air.
The roof is shaped to continue the unique look of our building – it continues the flow from the Pyramid using the same materials and design, seamless. We have now kitted the room with an additional four 29′ iMacs, bringing our total to six. The room is being used by Ben, our Youth Media Assistant, on a daily basis. Whilst weekly the young people of our Save the Children partnership project ‘Inspiring Change’ use the Digital Newsroom to record, film and edit using the facilities and space available as a makeshift studio. The launch saw Robert Powell [of Holby City fame] speaking to the young people about their aims, hopes and ambitions with their project. Earlier Annilise of FirstGroup who sponsored the project through Save the Children participated in their workshop, learning the basics of Final Cut Express. There was much merriment and congratulatory statements from Paddington Arts’ director Steve Shaw, who welcomed and thanked all for their attendance and support. The event was capped beautifully by a live acoustic set sung by Sarah-Nell.
Paddington Arts will be working throughout the summer building it’s digital strategy and working with partners to deliver online magazine projects. Should you wish to have any further information contact bryan@paddingtonarts.org.uk
July 9, 2010 at 2:31 pm | Events | No comment
B-Boy Evolution UK
Saturday 26th June saw the best B-Boys, and B-Girls the UK has to offer descend on our humble pyramid capped building in West London. Paddington Arts has played host to many events over the years and has even hosted its own dance competition (Dance Platform) over the years. However we weren’t prepared for what we experienced on the 26th. B-Boy Evolution in association with B-Boy World had their UK knock out final here at Paddington Arts. There were cash prizes for the runners-up and a grand prize of an all expenses paid (flight & competition entry) trip to the World Finals later this year in New York!
Breaking or b-boying, commonly called breakdancing, is a style of dance that evolved as part of hip-hop culture among Black and Latino American youths in the South Bronx during the 1970s. The term b-boy came from the term of beat boy, because they danced to a specific beat. And boy did these young boys and girls dance. Everywhere you could turn, everywhere there was available floor space, a ‘cipher’ formed with people dancing, ‘uprocking’ and breaking in the centre. Considering it was a competition – there was literally zero animosity or aggravation. The B-Boys (& Girls) were the most congenial competitors I’ve ever witnessed. But they were also the most frenetic, energetic and creative too. The tournament started with the girl-on-girl battles which totally amazed veterans and newcomers alike; the day progressed onto team-on-team battles. Nonetheless the highlight for me was an exhibition match between two young B-Boy Crews. They literally showed the elders how a B-Boy Battle should be delivered. Crazy solos, team choreography and unbelievable acrobatics were the order of the day. The moves on show had me and more than a few other of my peers hankering for our old dancing shoes, that’s for sure.
Notable in this piece are the absence of crew names for which I apologise, however you can obtain further details on the world renowned http://www.bboyworld.com
July 8, 2010 at 1:18 pm | Events | No comment
ANNUAL SHOW: RETRO AND CARNIVAL 2010
ANNUAL SHOW: RETRO
Paddington Arts is ‘back on the attack with a bang like that’ for its Annual Show 2010. The young people of PadArts have been working overtime to bring you a big, bright, bold and brash barnstormer of a show. As the title intones, this year’s show, RETRO, will be taking you back (but not too far) to the time of Rubik’s Cube, New Romantics, the Running Man (both the film & the dance) and sharp hair styles – mullets don’t count.
DATES: 7th, 8th & 9th July (Wednesday, Thursday & Friday)
DOORS OPEN: 6:30pm
SHOW STARTS: 7pm
PRICES: £3.50 Adults / £2.50 Under 12’s
PADDINGTON ARTS: 32, Woodfield Road, London, W9 2BE
TRAINS: Westbourne Park, [Hammersmith & City Line]
BUSES: 18, 23, 31, 36, 328
FOR INFO CALL: 020 7286 2722
So when you come, don’t forget your day-glo colours, your neon laces, skin-tight’s and scooby-do’s on your key-rings.
BAND LAUNCH: CARNIVAL 2010
Continuing with the summer entertainment, Elimu Paddington Arts will be having their Band Launch for Carnival 2010 on Saturday 3rd July. This will be a fun filled family day, some of the exiting things to participate in on the day:
COSTUME PREVIEW
COSTUME MAKING & DANCE WORKSHOPS
RAFFLE
FOOD, DRINKS ON SALE
CARNIVAL VIDEOS
MUSIC & LIVE CALYPSO
SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE: MISS TRINIDAD & TOBAGO UK 2010
FREE ADMISSION
Come down, bring your crew or yourself and enjoy. The launch will run from 2pm – 6pm whilst Palancin’ will commence 6pm onwards…
DON’T FORGET MILKSHAKE DISCO FRIDAY 25th JUNE!
June 24, 2010 at 1:35 pm | Events | No comment
ROBERT POWELL (HOLBY CITY) OPENS PADDINGTON ARTS DIGITAL NEWSROOM FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Robert Powell, (Holby City’s Mark Williams) will meet teenage campaigners when he opens a £150,000 digital newsroom at Paddington Arts, West London on 30th June 2010.
The brand new facility means young people can produce their own films and host TV-style debates. Wednesday’s launch will see the newsroom’s first DVD; 15 young people aged 12-16 have been working with Save the Children to produce a documentary looking at youth unemployment.
Rachel Laurence, Programme Officer for Save the Children, says: “The young people have developed fantastic, positive, practical ideas to address the big issues they see affecting teenagers locally. The new facility will enable them to really get their message out and inspire wider change.”
The group will also be setting up a brand new youth board to develop local teenagers’ skills, knowledge and relationship with local employers.
To attend the launch at 6.30pm on Weds 30th June at Paddington Arts, please contact Steve Shaw on 0207 286 2722 or steve@paddingtonarts.org.uk.
June 22, 2010 at 1:04 pm | Events | No comment