Menticulture Magazine X Spark! Issue 3
In our regular Menticulture feature spotlighting Chelmsford’s creative youth, each issue we speak to Amelia Wright from Spark! Chelmsford’s very own youth culture revolution.
Spark! is a collective of young creatives shaping the city’s future through bold, exciting projects. With big plans in the pipeline, they’re set to make a lasting impact on Chelmsford’s cultural landscape in the months and years ahead…
Hey! If you didn’t get the chance to read the last issue, we’re Spark! the group formerly known as LCEP (Local Cultural Educational Partnership).
Since our introduction in issue 2, there have been some changes, but as Tupac once said, “that’s just the way it is”. What’s changed exactly?
Well…. Firstly, as of the end of March, we said goodbye to Rachana Vaja who was our project manager since the formation of Spark! The following week, we were merged into Culture Chelmsford. This will undoubtedly bring new opportunities of projects and more activities for us to get involved in for the foreseeable future.
As mentioned in the last issue some of our work within Spark! includes the annual social takeover event at Patch. However, within the group we have our very own locally based entrepreneurs who aim to build on their own creative paths in Chelmsford. One of the forum’s long-standing members, Jaiden (A.K.A the Ragga Enforcer and Mr Night Til Dawn) has been working behind the scenes, planning his own music events. On Sunday, 29 June, he’ll be bringing the riddims, food, and vibes to the vibrant Hot Box Live Events for a three-part summer series of his legendary Ragga Food & Vybz.
Make sure to bring your people down, whether it’s your friends, family, neighbours, colleagues – more the merrier, we want to see everyone down there! You’ll be guaranteed to enjoy some classic Jamaican dishes, some wicked tunes, and plenty of surprises to keep the event action packed, make sure to get those tickets on DICE! See you all there & “Big up yuhselves” – Ragga Enforcer.
On the topic of the approaching summer season, this also creates many opportunities for current and particularly future Spark! members. Currently, we comprise around 12 members. A few of our current members will be looking to endeavour on their future paths e.g. university, so we need more innovative young people.
Over the past couple of months, we have begun recruiting for more members to help delegate the workload as we lead into delivering some amazing creative projects, where young people get to be at the forefront of the planning, organising, and delivery.
So far, we visited Hylands School to host a presentation at the Year 10 assembly, and we have also gone to YMCA on their Wednesday and Friday youth club sessions. Late last month, a couple members went to the new annually held Youth Business event at Chelmsford College to speak to the students about recruitment.
Plans are in motion to reach out to other local organisations and potentially other schools/institutions as well. If you know any aspiring young creatives or young people (aged 13-25) wanting to make change, please get in touch.
Email hello@culturechelmsford.org.uk for more information how to join.
For now, that’s really all from us at Spark! Make sure to stay tuned for more updates to follow.
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