2008

This is a one day event planned for Saturday 5th July 2008. With experience it is hoped that it could be expanded to a three day event in future years.

The festival will be held initially in various locations at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Northgate, Wakefield, where there will be daytime and evening sessions. We are very grateful for the active co-operation of the school management led by headmaster Mike Gibbons and for the generous way they have made the school's excellent facilities available.

The daytime session from 10am to 4pm will be devoted principally to children and young people, with the evening session containing a professional performance by a jazz band. All this is subject to change following a series of meetings which will take place from autumn of 2007 to the spring of 2008.

The meetings were started on 24th September 2007 when a group of Rotarians met with educationalists at Sandal Cricket Club. It was hosted by Richard Edge, chairman of the club's Ways and Means committee and Sue Parkin who leads our Youth Opportunities Committee.

As well as charitable fund raising the motivation is to provide a platform for the general public to see, hear and experience the results of the many impressive creative efforts of school pupils over the previous academic year. It will not be devoted entirely to young people however, with the evening session in particular providing an opportunity to see and hear professional performances in a relaxed atmosphere.

At this stage we are actively encouraging those who could make a contribution to join the steering committee and for support from the local business community. We are also keen to hear from anyone who can introduce musical or artistic talent of any sort.

LONG TERM VISION

� A THREE DAY festival providing a showcase of the most talented musicians and artists from Wakefield.

� Provide an opportunity to hold events featuring national and international musicians and artist.

� Provide inspiration for the young people of Wakefield to aspire to become highly successful artists and musicians.

SHORT TERM OBJECTIVES

� One day event divided into three sectors - morning, afternoon and evening.

� Jazz theme to dominate the day.

� Art exhibitions to display GCSE and A level art work produced by students across the city.

� Small dramatical productions

� An opportunity to raise funds for the Rotary Charity and other charities.

The Rotary Club of Wakefield has a successful history of organising a large gala over the last seventeen years which has raised many thousands of pounds for charitable causes. Reference to our Gala page will reveal why this venture has come to an end. The many talents and energies of local Rotarians are now available to be directed into organising this festival which we hope will become a regular feature of the local artistic scene.

Richard Edge (Organisation sub-committee) can be contacted on 07711 609077

Sue Parkin (Programme sub-committee) can be contacted on 07791 256110 sue.parkin@rotarywakefield.org.uk