Young and restless
Sun Herald
Sunday March 27, 2011
A startling array of gigs, workshops and activities will fill Youth Week 2011, writes Wendy Preston. T he slogan for Youth Week 2011 (youthweek.nsw.gov.au), which runs from April 1 to April 10, is: "Own It!" Aimed at people aged 12 to 25, Youth Week gives them the chance to express their ideas, raise issues of concern and be entertained. Throughout the event, the community can become more aware of young people, the issues they face, their achievements and the positive contributions they make. All councils in NSW are taking part this year. Last year, 4500 young people helped plan and steer the week and there were more than 1500 events throughout NSW.YouthRock is a statewide high school youth band competition and is again a key focus event this year. Past winners include Silverchair (pictured), Alex Lloyd and 2009 Australian Idol runner-up Hayley Warner. The best entrants will compete in four heats at Sutherland Entertainment Centre on the evenings of Wednesday, April 6, to Saturday, April 9, with the final on Sunday, April 10, starting at 3pm.Wheelie Bin Beat Boxes are mobile music stations coming to western Sydney. They are solar-powered with iPod and laptop connectivity. Performers aged 12 to 25 will perform instrumentals, beat box, rap, mix or sing for a 30-minute set. Councils that will run events include Blacktown, Camden, Fairfield, Parramatta, The Hills and Wollondilly.Local events include live performances and other entertainment, workshops, sporting activities, competitions, dance parties, festivals and exhibitions. Check the website for what's on near you.Dinner in Ten teaches how to cook cheap, nutritious, tasty meals in 10 minutes. All ingredients are supplied and no experience is necessary. It's for ages 16 to 20 and costs $20, bookings essential (02) 9367 9216. It's on at Sydney Secondary College, Leichhardt Campus, at 10am on Saturday, April 2.Bondi Blitz is an all-ages, drug- and alcohol-free event of live music on the beachfront at Bondi Beach, next to the skate park. It's on at 11am on Saturday, April 2.Park Live is a free live-music event for all ages at Carss Bush Park. Performers include Former Love Pirates, Radio Fashion, I Am Apollo and Cowra artist Jamie Hibberson. It's on Saturday, April 2, from noon to 4pm.Rockwave dance party is for ages nine to 14 years at Camden Civic Centre at 6pm on Saturday, April 2. There will be live entertainment, including DJ Dean and dance demos by Kulture Break. Tickets cost $5.The Own It! Youth Photography Exhibition has been shot by young people showing what it's like to be a youth today. It is displayed at the Ku-ring-gai Council Chambers, Gordon, from Monday, April 4, to Saturday, April 9.Play Wii in the Library, with pizza between games. This event is for ages 12 to 14 and is at Carlingford Library from 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday, April 5. It's free but bookings are essential (02) 9871 5922.In the Software Programming Workshop run by GameTraining, use commercial-quality development tools to create games for the web, iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and more. It's for ages 12 to 24 and no experience is necessary. It costs $10 and is at Castle Hill Library from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on Wednesday, April 6, bookings essential (02) 9761 4510.Try a free Mechanical Bull Ride with adjustable speed and an inflatable landing bed. There will also be a free barbecue at Narellan Library Forecourt Area at 5.30pm on Thursday, April 7.Shorefest is a free, all-ages music festival featuring eight different bands. It's on in St Leonards Park, North Sydney, from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, April 9.At Hip-Hop Corroboree, see hip-hop artists perform and a graffiti artist spray a 30-metre wall. Join in the free workshops and celebrate Koori pride. All cultures welcome. It's on at the Emerton Youth Recreation Centre at 11am on Saturday, April 9.Rock Against the Beast is an all-ages, drug- and alcohol-free live performance event with a focus on the mental-health issues facing youth in Blacktown. It's on at 3pm at Bowman Hall, Blacktown, on Sunday, April 10.The Youth Week Sports Day includes youth, youth workers and police playing sports including soccer and basketball and less-traditional activities such as wrestling in sumo suits. It's on at the King George V Recreation Centre, The Rocks, at 11am on Thursday, April 14.
© 2011 Sun Herald
