Rap champion headlines street festival

A national rap champion will be headlining a festival of street art this weekend.

Dizraeli, winner of the BBC Radio 4 slamming championship, will be running rap workshops at the Defining the Future festival at Seaham Leisure Centre on Saturday.

The event, aimed at young people between eight and 18-years-old, will mark the end of a two-year arts project organised by District of Easington Council.

The initiative has seen professional artists working with young people across the district in a variety of art forms.

Jill Cole, Defining the Future project manager, said: “We have been running sessions in all sorts of different activities, from dance, drama and singing to film and digital arts, banner-making and ceramics.

“Often young people excel at these activities even when they don’t do so well in more academic subjects at school and taking part can benefit them in so many ways, building their confidence, helping them to develop new skills and improving their ability to work as part of a team.”

This weekend’s event kicks off at 2pm with performances by young people from Easington Village and Haswell, who have been learning drumming techniques as part of the programme.

An afternoon of workshop sessions will give young visitors the chance to try their hand at a range of street arts, including breakdancing, drumming and graffiti art.

Special guest Dizraeli, meanwhile, will be passing on tips on slamming, an urban art that combines poetry and rap.

The Bristol-born MC and singer will also be treating audiences to his fast-paced, energetic style of delivery when he comperes an evening of performances by professional street artists.

Other attractions will include a skate park, mobile cinema, the Blitzbus and refreshments.

The festival is free but places are limited. Visitors are advised that admission on the day will be dependent on the spaces being available.

Groups MUST book in advance by contacting Jill on 07802 603 008.