ArtsFest - Showcase of Music and Art

On Thursday 17th February, Y-Zone in Ross-on-Wye hosted ArtsFest - a celebration of the creative work that young musicians and artists have undertaken with Herefordshire Community Youth Service. 

A variety of high quality art, from sculpture to film, was on display and performances by DJ’s, rappers, singers, bands and other musicians (aged 13 to 23) took place throughout the day.

Around eighty young people from all over the county attended the event, taking part and showing their appreciation of each other’s work. 

In addition, many members of the organisations and youth clubs working with the young people came along and joined in the fun, as did the general public.

In part, the event marked the culmination of the three-year New Roots project that forms part of MyMaz, the Youth Music Action Zone covering Herefordshire and Shropshire. 

Working in partnership with The Music Pool, Dubmerge and DJ Barney Philbrick supported individual composers in preparing and performing their songs and music.

Others who participated in the event were:

· Tom Powell, sound engineer, performed acoustic gymnastics to ensure the young bands were able to create their best sounds.

· Toasted Egg Sandwich (who have been supported by New Roots from their early rehearsals to the recording of their CD) and Propaganda from Leominster; Figure of Hate and The Elements from Kington; Pre-emptive Strike from Hereford and Solar Plexus from Ross.
 
· Craig Whyte and the Media Mash team from Ross provided the links with a combination of professional animations, Zen TV, and local video features. Media Mash also filmed the event and provided the large screen live action of the bands.