Newham teens get creative boost

Akala is the younger brother of singer Ms. Dynamite

MOBO award winning artist Akala is to lead a series of creative workshops for young people in Newham.

Participants in the BBC Blast event will be asked to rap or perform a piece inspired by hip hop and Shakespeare.

Five winners will be invited to showcase their skills in a special 1Xtra broadcast.

The four-day event, beginning on 9 July, will also see film and dance workshops held in Plaistow and at the Mayor's Newham Show, East Ham.

The BBC Blast initiative supports and encourages teenagers and young people with a passion for the creative industries.

Each year it goes on tour, visiting selected towns and cities across the UK.

Newham will be the focus for a variety of free multi-media workshops and taster sessions in conjunction with leading artists and industry professionals.

Shooting videos

Rapper Akala, the younger brother of the singer Ms. Dynamite, will run a hip hop meets Shakespeare workshop, which will lead to a live session with grime star Bashy at the legendary Maida Vale Studios and a radio broadcast on 1Xtra.

The BBC Blast initiative goes on tour each year

Filmmaking brothers Emil and Jake Nava will be answering questions about working in the industry and shooting videos for stars such as Beyonce, Britney and Usher.

An art wall is to be erected, encouraging participants to make a creative mark on an installation piece which will be exhibited at Stratford Circus.

Workshops will also be led by East London Dance Company, free running specialists Urban Free Flow and music producers Tom Calvert and Tim Saul.

Fans of poetry and the spoken word will be catered for with a Q&A with Adisa the Verbalizer while budding models can take part in a test shoot and be scouted for London Fashion Week.

Consent forms are required to take part in events; in some instances these may need to be signed by a parent or guardian.

BBC Blast Events

BBC Blast in Newham: Thursday 9 & Friday 10 July at NewVlc College, Plaistow, Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 July at the Mayor's Newham Show, East Ham.