News for 2011

Latest Yeovil Arts News

  

Thanks to the Buskfest

Thanks to the Buskfest, held in the Yeovil Town Centre during the Yeovil In Bloom Flower and Gardeners’ Market in September. The two local charities, Yeovil Community Arts Association and the Flying Colours Appeal at Yeovil Hospital, are seen receiving their cheques from music students from Yeovil College.

Eddie Edmondson was presented with a cheque on behalf

of the Yeovil Community Arts Association.

 

The funds were raised during “Buskfest”, a Yeovil Town centre busking festival that took place in September, when about twenty acts performed in various hot spots throughout the town centre and contributed to a total of over 40 hours of music. They brought a variety of entertainment and culture to shoppers and visitors and raised a total of £250 for local charities.

Performer, Guy Malkerson, said, “I found the day absolutely delightful. Had a great time. Lots of folks in the public were smiling and dropping change in the buckets so I suspect they were having fun as well.”

The event was organised by Yeovil College working with Yeovil Live, an association that aims to raise the profile of the arts in the Yeovil area. Head of Music Simon Squire said “ The students were very enthusiastic about getting involved.  Playing live gigs really boosts the students’ confidence and gives them opportunities to hone their skills and get the local community involved in music.  Not every college can offer these opportunities, so we’re very pleased that we can.”

In partnership with the town council, the event complimented the Yeovil Flower and Gardener’s Market, which happened on the same day. Yeovil Live is now working with the council on next year’s collaboration and any buskers wishing to take part should contact Yeovillive@hotmail.co.uk .

2011 YCA Sponsorships

The good news is that this year, for the first time, the YCAA have been able to sponsor six young, talented people.

All profits from the Yeovil Literary Prize are ploughed back into the community by sponsoring local talent, as well as art and cultural events.  Last year we sponsored Alex Jackson  whilst he studied dance in London.  Alex has proved our sponsorship was worthwhile and, based on his successful performance during the year, the YCAA decided to look at sponsorship on a wider scale.

The Yeovil Literary Prize enabled us to sponsor three students: Alex Jackson for his final year at dance school; Gemma Southwood as she embarks on a University course for fashion and design; D-J Armitstead, who is reading classical and performance music at Goldsmith in London.

Last June, the Dance Factory and the YCAA held a Dance! Dance! Dance! Show at the Octagon Theatre.  All the proceeds were given to the YCAA to enable them to sponsor dancers.  As a result, we are thrilled to be able to help three different dancers with the expense of their studies. We will be repeating this successful event on Friday 22nd June 2012, with Helen Laxton and the Dance Factory. So put the date in your diaries please.

At the Dance! Dance! Dance! Show we saw Alex and D-J, with his brother Tom, perform, so our students are very ready to give back their time and talent to our community.

The YCAA presentations were made by Liz Pike and here are four of our students.

D-J Armitstead, Liz Pike, and Gemma SouthwoodD-J Armitstead, Liz Pike, and Gemma Southwood

Natasha Calderera from the Dance Factory

Natasha Calderera from the Dance Factory, who will be studying with the Royal Academy of Dance, with Liz Pike

Alex Jackson

Alex Jackson who is now in his final year at the Urdang Academy

Our other two dancers, who both learned with the Helen Laxton School of Dance in Yeovil, are Emilie Woan and Ellen Welch.  We will watch their careers with interest.

 

 

Success Story – Sophie Duffy

Here is a success story.  Sophie Duffy told us she was talking to publishers a few months ago, and now we can see her first novel, a prize-winner in the Yeovil Literary Prize, on the bookshelves.  Congratulations Sophie, and thank you for mentioning our international writing competition on the cover of your wonderful book.

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