Aspiring young musicians from the LGBTQIA+ community can take part in free weekly sessions to learn more about working in the music industry.
Queer Youth Music is a free, creative meet-up for musicians and aspiring producers aged between 12 and 18 led by LGBTQIA+ arts charity Curious Arts with support from Northern Pride and Youth Music.
The group meets every Tuesday evening at Newcastle’s Dance City and
singer, songwriter and producer Melanie Baker and theatre maker Izaak Gledhill, help attendees explore their passion for music.
Sessions cover everything from songwriting skills, jamming, working directly with professional musicians or learning what it takes to produce exciting music events and festivals, in a safe space specifically for LGBTQIA+ young people.
Izaak Gledhill, Community Projects Coordinator at Curious Arts, said: “Our Queer Youth Music workshops look into everything that goes in to create the music you listen to every day - while sitting on the bus performing a music video to the rain or singing in the shower to thousands of adoring shampoo bottles.
“Hit play on your playlist and come along to learn how the artists behind the headphones create it.”
Ste Dunn, director of Northern Pride, said the organisation was “delighted” to be supporting Queer Youth Music.
“It’s just such an inspired initiative,” he said, “and they not only attract really talented young people but they nurture and encourage them to help them achieve their full potential.”
Sessions, which are free but must be booked, take place every Tuesday evening, at Dance City, Newcastle, from 5.30pm – 7.30pm with an optional jam session until 8pm.
Places can be booked via Queer Youth Music Eventbrite Link
More Information
Melanie Baker
Melanie is a music artist, singer-songwriter, musician and producer who has featured on BBC Radio 1, 2, and BBC introducing, with over a million streams on Spotify from self-releasing their own music. They are a director of a queer non-project Arts Organisation and run 'Loud and Queer' open mic nights, gigs and workshops to celebrate queer musicians and artists of all genres. Give her a listen using the Spotify link below, or head to her website to find out more.
Izaak Gledhill
Izaak is a queer theatre maker based in Newcastle who's work seeks to find the extraordinary within the ordinary of our every day lives. His immersive shows have been performed all over the North East. He is a facilitator and Community Project Coordinator for Curious Arts, and leads on LGBTQIA+ Youth Groups for Newcastle and Middlesbrough.
Curious Arts
Curious Arts is a Newcastle Gateshead based charity championing and developing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual + arts, artists and audiences across the North East of England and beyond.
Producers of award-winning Curious Festival – a celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture, Curious Arts co-ordinate queer arts network Queer Arts North and develop community-focused arts projects and events throughout the year, in partnership with cultural and community organisations from across the region. Curious Arts is committed to supporting LGBTQIA+ young people through a series of free, creative youth groups across Tyneside and Teesside.
Facebook: @teamcuriousarts Instagram: @curious_arts Twitter: @CuriousArts