Having a Blast in Armagh

The BBC's creative youth service BBC Blast is visiting The Cricket Club in Armagh for three days of exciting free creative workshops and taster sessions in everything from animation and film, radio comedy, make-up special effects, fashion and lots more from Wednesday 6th - Friday 8th October.

BBC Blast offers young people aged 13 -19 years the opportunity to explore their creative talents and passions for music, dance, fashion, film and art, in a variety of free workshops, drop-in sessions and showcase events whatever their interests or ability. The workshops are delivered by industry professionals and local facilitators, all are on hand to offer expert advice and encouragement. Last year, BBC Blast engaged over 170,000 youths in face-to-face activities throughout the UK.

Emma Majury, Blast Event Organiser said: "BBC Blast is a fantastic opportunity for teens to explore and show off their creative talents. It doesn't matter if you are a secret sketchpad doodler, a shy bedroom singer, or a keen creative enthusiast, BBC Blast offers something for everyone. By signing up for BBC Blast you will be guaranteed some fun in a cool interactive learning environment and get to work beside some of the best industry professionals around."

At the Armagh Observatory two groups of up to 15 young people are being helped with their respective projects in fashion design with a space-based theme and night-time photography, highlighting also some of the impact of light pollution on our experience of the night sky. Professor Mark Bailey, Director of the Armagh Observatory, said, "The Observatory is very pleased to be associated with this BBC-led event, and it is great to see so many young people receiving expert professional training in these interdisciplinary subjects."

The BBC Blast Trucks, which have been travelling around various parts of the UK since April, house fantastic creative learning spaces such as an editing suite and studio. All workshops are delivered using state of the art media technology. Workshops can be booked by going on to the following web page, bbc.co.uk/blast/events. BBC Blast encourages schools groups, youth groups as well as individuals to book online. Everyone taking part in BBC Blast activities needs to bring a completed Blast Consent Form which can be downloaded from the BBC Blast website to the event. If you are under 16 this will need to be signed by a parent or guardian.

The BBC Blast van will be beside the AmmA Centre/Library in Armagh on Saturday 2nd October from 12 - 5pm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Emma Majury on Tel.:028-9033-8059; Mob.: 079-6921-6113; emma.majury1bbc.co.uk or John McFarland at the Armagh Observatory, College Hill, Armagh, BT61 9DG. Tel.: 028-3752-2928; FAX: 028-3752-7174; jmfarm.ac.uk; URL: http://star.arm.ac.uk/.

Notes for editors:

BBC Blast is the BBC's creative learning initiative for young people interested in a career in film, fashion, music, dance, writing, art or design. It provides access to industry professionals and mentors, both online and in free events and workshops across the UK, and also offers hundreds of media industry work placement opportunities each year. For more information please visit bbc.co.uk/blast.

The BBC is committed to education and BBC Blast is just one of the many unique and varied offerings from BBC Learning. For more information on all other learning programmes offered for Adults, Teachers, Parents and Students, visit bbc.co.uk/ni/learning.

Last Revised: 2010 October 1st