Hackney Weekend 2012. Photo: BBC
Leona Lewis, Plan B and Labrinth are among the stars confirmed to take part in BBC Radio 1 and Radio 1 Xtra’s Academy at the Hackney Picturehouse, which begins this Friday.
The three-week long event will offer up to 10,000 young people across Hackney and beyond the chance to gain skills and experience and to be inspired by leading people in their fields.
Opening in the run-up to Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend on June 23-24, the Academy will feature a host of leading names from the worlds of music, business, film, radio, fashion, comedy, gaming and software and journalism.
They will take part in a range of masterclasses, Q&As and panel sessions to explain how they made it and to offer advice.
Plan B, Hackney Weekend Ambassador. Photo: BBC
The Academy will also feature a range of other practical workshops and sessions, as well as the chance to speak to careers advisors on site with advice on CVs and interview skills.
Hackney Weekend Ambassadors Leona Lewis, Plan B and Labrinth, will also star in a new BBC Three programme which will see them work with a group of young people from Plan B’s old school and a Pupil Referral Unit in Newham to create a special musical performance.
Leona and Labrinth will also return to their old schools to explore how life in the inner city can affect opportunities for young people.
During the Academy Radio 1 and Radio 1 Xtra will broadcast a range of shows live from the Hackney Picturehouse, which will shine a spotlight on the work of the young people attending.
The work created by young people at the Academy will also feature throughout Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend, including short films made by the participants screened on the main stage big screen across Saturday and Sunday.
Jermaine and Rebecca of the Radio 1 and Radio 1 Xtra Hackney Academy steering group. Photo: Jessie Levene
In the run-up to the Academy the BBC has created a steering group made up of local young people to find out more about what they want from the event. East London Lines met steering group members Jermaine and Rebecca to hear about what they’re looking forward to at the Academy and why it’s important:
Radio 1Xtra's DJ Target, speaker at the Hackney Weekend Academy. Photo: BBC
Radio 1 Xtra’s DJ Target is one of the professionals who’ll be speaking at the Academy, and told East London Lines about why the event is so close to his heart:
The Academy runs from June 1 until June 22. Young people from Hackney and beyond will be taking part via their local schools, colleges and youth groups, and individuals can also register their interest by emailing takeiton@bbc.co.uk or by registering on the Academy website.
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