Strive Festival

SOUTHBANK CENTRE LAUNCHES STRIVE FESTIVAL – CREATED BY YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (ages 15–25)

Drastic times call for artistic measures
Southbank Centre, Friday 10 – Sunday 12 April 2015

Strive festival, 10–12 April, is Southbank Centre's first ever festival created by young people for young people (ages 15–25). A talented group of Youth Ambassadors has programmed an action-packed weekend of gigs, dance, fashion, film, spoken word and visual art – with a call out for entrepreneurs, artists, DJs, makers and creators to get involved.

Strive will take over the Southbank Centre site for three packed days of FREE workshops and events with music industry experts from the BBC, debates with international artists and social leaders, slams with award-winning poets, and workshops with professional dance and theatre crews. Plus late-night gigs from the cream of Britain’s young talent, for only ￡5.

Strive highlights include:
● Strive Live: a live showcase of grime, spoken word, beatboxing and pop artists headlined by UK beatbox champion Reeps One, joined by: Delilah; singer-songwriter Jacko Hooper, fusion all-female five-piece Baby Queens; Barz & Stanzas, founded by Be Manzini and poet and MC Jamal 'Eklipse' Msebele; and grime artists Dubz D and Lara Lee (10 April)

● The world-famous National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain gives the London premiere of composer Unsuk Chin’s specially-commissioned Mannequin in this final performance of the NYO's world premiere tour (11 April)

● The National Youth Choir of Great Britain and Swedish vocal group The Real Group join forces in a showcase of a cappella arrangements of classical works, including music by Mahler, Schubert, Bach and Mozart (12 April)

● ZooNation Youth Company leads a hip-hop dance workshop (12 April)

● FREE music, dance, art, film and our Strive festival marketplace, taking place around the site for the whole weekend, including:

Friday Day Pass: beatboxing, singing, poetry and writing (10.30am – 6pm)
● A full day of vocal, writing and poetry workshops to build your creative confidence. Find out how to navigate the music industry with BBC experts and a Universal Publishing talent scout.

Saturday Day Pass: physical theatre, blogging, music, public speaking and musical composition (10.30am – 6pm)

● Work with artists, writers, young musicians and public speaking experts to discover new interests and develop your talent. Get tips on technique and how to get noticed in the contemporary music world from composer Unsuk Chin.

Sunday Day Pass: debating, social enterprise, sewing and dance (10.30am – 6pm)

● How can you make a career in the creative industries? How can you lead social change? Debate and discuss your thoughts on the big issues with experts and Strive festival goers. Create new fashion with the Sydney Rose Sewing Academy and sharpen your signature moves with a ZooNation dance session.

For a full programme of events, talks, debates and shows taking place at Southbank Centre during Strive, and how to get involved visit the Southbank Centre website.