GROOVE ACADEMY
RECENT NEWS
2013 was a successful year for Groove Academy. Performance opportunities included a series of Open Mic Sessions at the Ham Youth Centre, a series of Band Nights throughout the Borough of Richmond Upon Thames, reaching the Music for Youth National Finals in the Rock, Pop & Urban category and performing at the Kingston International Youth Arts Festival. (Click on the Events button to see more of our 2013 news).
We're hoping that 2014 will be just as exciting and productive a year for us. We'd love to keep you posted and will regularly update this page adding all our latest news and upcoming events.
Thanks for visiting.
Groove Academy Autumn Term
13.10. 2014
We're looking forward to a variety of projects, performances and new ventures this term.
We're busy with our Saturday Synergy Sessions, 'Artists Studies' at the moment with music from Don Broco, Rage Against the Machine, Ed Sheeran, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer and Lana Del Rey.
The two new midweek bands are building repertoire for their entries into the Music for Youth Regional Festival Series in early 2015
Angela and Mark are meeting up with Teddington Baptist to discuss the possibility of setting up a music project or series of events for one of their youth clubs.
Siblings of residents staying at The Shooting Star Chase Hospice will be attending an October half-term day-long workshop
Pulse are playing a forty minute set at The Basement Door this October.
Groove Academy, in partnership with Rock House Music and some other potential partners are looking forward to starting a monthly band night for local young musicians.
A visit to the Southbank Centre in November to see Coco & the Butterfields perform.
We'll be performing at the Hampton Youth Project Christmas Party / Farewell to Serena (Area Lead Youth Worker for the area)
Groove Academy's Christmas Concert showing the work of the Artists we've been studying throughouth the term.
A performance at Hampton Square's Christmas Celebration.
To top it of a Groove Academy Christmas Party.
So lots happening over the coming months and we're looking forward to a productive and successful term.
Hampton Square
Coco and the Butterfields
Kingston International Youth Arts Festival 2014
12.10. 2014
Several of our young people performed at this International event for the second year running with four performances throughout the duration of the Festival.
We ran four Open Mic Evenings - two at Woody's Bar & Kitchen, Kingston on the 15th and 22nd July and two at Las Iguanas Restaurant, Kingston on the 17th and 24th July.
Check out the video footage below for a taste of what we did.
Our Big Gig
11th October, 2014
On Sunday 13th July, Hampton experienced its first ever 'Our Big Gig'. A community music celebration which took place across the UK from the 11th - 13th July 2014, this annual event brings communities together to improve community cohesion and inspire people to take part in music making opportunities in their local area.
Groove Academy, the local community music provider, in partnership with Hampton Youth Project and Hampton Market worked together to introduce this unforgettable event in Hampton Square.
Hampton Market, provided a wonderful backdrop as stall-holders showed off a smorgasbord of organic produce, food, drinks and arts and crafts and a Pimms Tent, which proved to be very popular.
The weather was a big concern as showers were predicted throughout the day. Just as our first performers The Middlesex Yeomanry (Duke of Cambridge's Hussars) Concert Band gathered in the Square to perform, a heavy shower stopped them in their tracks. Was all our hard work going to be rained out? After a shaky start however, the weather turned around and we had lovely sunshine for the rest of the day!!
The community fun and activites were provided by Hampton Youth Project, with several workshops taking place throughout the day from percussion to cake decoration and t-shirt design to dance and circus skills. There was a bouncy castle and face painting for the little ones, make-overs for the ladies and a rodeo bull and Bungee. Young people from Hampton Youth Project served a Cream Tea to seniors - the food and refreshments being provided by Hampton's 'Little Sainsbury's'.
Groove Academy provided musical entertainment both inside Hampton Youth Project - an acoustic stage and outside stage with a variety of local bands / musicians (young and not-so-young) performing throughout the day.
The Hampton Pub also provided a barbecue throughout the day which was enjoyed by many.
Rock House Music donated a guitar to be raffled and along with the proceeds of the Tombola stall and proceeds of £178 were donated to Shooting Star Chase Hospice.
The guitar was won by a local youngster who is a keen musician and over the moon with his prize.
Thanks to all those local businesses who contributed towards the day.
Our Big Gig was attended by hundreds of local residents who clearly enjoyed themselves, many wanting to know if we would run the event next year - Watch this space!!!
PARIS TRIP
PULSE, our senior Groove Academy band, spent a weekend in Paris in July making a video for their original song 'Vertigo' which featured in the Music for Youth National Finals, 2013.
They visited the Eiffel Tower, Montemartre, Sacre Coeur, Arc De Triomphe, National Museum of Modern Art at Centre Pompidou, the Trocadero and a great little market with delicious food and crafts
Late afternoon on Saturday they set up in Rue de Magenta and busked for their supper. A very appreciative audience delved deep into their pockets and enough money was made to pay for a slap-up meal for everyone!!!
Well done Pulse and thanks to Mark too for building the contraption, with the help of a car battery which enabled the group to perform with a PA. We still don't know how we managed to get through customs with it!!
Groove Academy 10th Anniversary Celebration
On Saturday 28th June, 2014, Groove Academy had its 10th Anniversary Celebration. There was a fantastic mix of current and former members and parents in attendance.
Former student Chrissie made a display with lots of photos from the very first concerts and sessions she was involved in and an original Groove Academy T-shirt (complete with Iron on transfers) - a reminder of the days before we had t-shirts printed by professionals!!
So many people contributed to make this a very special occasion including performers, lighting, stage, seating, cooking, serving, etc.
Mark and Angela were very touched by the gifts and contributions from everyone including a beautiful bouquet of flowers, balloons, a gorgeous birthday cake and a stunning silver treble clef with beadwork, champagne and chocolates and contributions of food and beverages.
Thanks to all involved in making this such a special occasion.
Here's to the next ten years!!
BILLIE BLACK
We are excited to announce that Billie, a former Groove Academy student, is debuting her original material at Electrowerkz on Tuesday 15th July 2014 from 8.30pm.
She has been working with Sam Stubbings, former VP Artist Development for Warner Brothers Records who now heads up Native, the management and production company she is with.
Check out her website on the link below and watch her first music video with her amazing song 'I Waited for You'.
Congratulations Billie.
We look forward to hearing more from you soon.
Our Big Gig
14th May, 2014
Our Big Gig is a community music celebration taking place across the UK from the 11th - 13th July 2014. This annual event brings communities together to improve community cohesion and inspire people to take part in music making opportunities in their local area.
Groove Academy in partnership with Hampton Youth Project, Hampton Market and Richmond Housing Partnership are going to be running an 'Our Big Gig' event in Hampton Square on Sunday 13th July, 2014 from 10am till 6pm. We have added support and funding from Richmond Council, Boots, Sainsbury's, Rock House Music and Paragon Housing.
Hampton Market will be running from 10am and their will be a performance from The Middlesex Yeomanry (Duke of Cambridge's Hussars) Concert Band from 11am till Noon and then the main stage and activites will start from noon.
There will also be several workshops taking place throughout the day from percussion to cake decoration and t-shirt design to dance and circus skills.
From a Cream Tea and jazz for seniors to a bouncy castle and face painting for the little ones. Ladies can book a make-over, dads and lads can compete on the Rodeo Bull and the Human Bungee (ladies/girls too)!!!
Alongside all these great festivities, Hampton Market stall-holders will be selling a fantastic array of arts and crafts and organic produce alongside some tasty food and a Pimms tent.
To top it off, an outside stage will have a variety of local bands / musicians (young and not-so-young) performing throughout the day whilst indoors we will be putting on an acoustic/jazz programme. (More details to follow).
Shooting Star Chase will be involved throughout the day and proceeds of a Raffle will be donated to the Hospice, which is a stones throw from Hampton Square.
This promises to be a fab, fun-filled day with something for everyone.
Please click on the button to see more about Our Big Gig nationwide.
PARIS TRIP
PULSE, our senior Groove Academy band are taking a trip to Paris in July.
They will be making a video for their original song 'Vertigo' which featured in the Music for Youth National Finals, 2013. Where better to do this than the perfect backdrop of the Eiffel Tower.
Along with the many other amazing attractions this wonderful city has to offer, it promises to be a great weekend.
Groove Academy - Tenth Birthday Celebration
29th April 2014
On 29th April, 2004, we launched Groove Academy in our home.
We had Cheese and Wine, gave a performance and a powerpoint presentation, and told friends and family about our dream starting a community music school which would achieve at a local, national and international level.
We talked of partnerships, working with community organizations and finding a building we could use to see this dream come to fruition. It seemed like a pipe dream at the time.
Ten years on and Groove Academy has achieved beyond our wildest expectations. A large part of our success has been due to the fantastic premises we are able to meet in - Hampton Youth Project - and the relationship we have with The Richmond Youth Service, who have supported our work in so many ways, both through funding, equipment, training, friendship and solid partnership work for which we owe them HUGE thanks.
To mark the occasion, we will be putting on a Tenth Anniversary Concert on Saturday 28th June, 2014 at Hampton Youth Project from 7.30pm to 11pm, to celebrate our first decade. We would like to extend and invitation to all our friends and supporters to come along and celebrate with us.
We will be putting on a variety of music including covers and original material from our current members along with performances from some of our alumni.
Food and refreshments will be available during the course of the evening.
We look forward to seeing you there.
The Ram Jam Club
5th May, 2014
As part of our Powerstation Open Mic Session series we performed at this fantastic music venue on Thursday 1st May from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.
The Grey Horse, Kingston, where the Ram Jam is situated is a premier music venue in London and is well worth a visit.
Around twenty-two young people who attend the Open Mic Sessions regularly performed in front of an appreciative audience.
Tally Spear, a former Groove Academy student, who is now studying commercial music at Westminster University, sang and played guitar for us. She gave an amazing performance and we look forward to hearing more from her in the future.
Check out more photos from this event on our Gallery Page.
Kingston International Youth Arts Festival 2014
9th June, 2013
Groove Academy have been invited to perform at this International event for the second year running with four performances throughout the duration of the Festival.
Check out the IYAF link on the left for more info on the Festival and what will be happening throughout July.
We will be running four Open Mic Evenings -two at Woody's Bar & Kitchen, Kingston on the 15th and 22nd July and two at Las Iguanas Restaurant, Kingston on the 17th and 24th July all events starting at 7.30pm.
Check out Woody's Bar and Kitchen and Las Iguanas Restaurant by pressing the links below.
The Ram Jam Club
27th March , 2014
As part of our Powerstation Open Mic Session series we are performing at this fantastic music venue on Thursday 1st May from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.
The Grey Horse, Kingston, where the Ram Jam is situated is a premier music venue in London and is well worth a visit.
Several young people who attend the Open Mic Sessions regularly will have the opportunity to perform. Several of our Alumni, who are either working on various recording projects, studying music at higher education and/or singing professionally will also perform throughout the evening.
Tickets are £3 at the door. There is a bar and pub grub is available too.
Hope to see you there.
http://www.grey-horse.co.uk/how-to-find-us.php
Five to Midnight
29th December, 2013
Five to Midnight, the newest band within Groove Academy, has an energetic blues fusion sound.
The group consists of six of our newest members, alongside a few of our more experienced members.
Having only been together for a couple of months, they have already performed at a number of events.
In March we will be performing in the Music for Youth Regional Festival Series (Rock, Pop & Urban category) at Rich Mix in Bethnal Green in front of a panel of industry professionals who'll critique our performance.
We also hope to reach the National Festival Series in the summer.
Groove Academy : New Term - 2014
29th December, 2013
After the Christmas Break, Groove Academy will start the Winter Term on Saturday 11th January from 7pm to 10pm.
We hope everyone has had a great Christmas and New Year and look forward to seeing you on the 11th.
Five to Midnight
29th December, 2013
Five to Midnight, the newest band within Groove Academy, has an energetic blues fusion sound.
The group consists of six of our newest members, alongside a few of our more experienced members.
Having only been together for a couple of months, they have already performed at a number of events.
In March we will be performing in the Music for Youth Regional Festival Series (Rock, Pop & Urban category) at Rich Mix in Bethnal Green in front of a panel of industry professionals who'll critique our performance.
We also hope to reach the National Festival Series in the summer.
Pulse
29th December, 2013
Pulse, our senior band and National Finalists in the Music for Youth Festival Series, are hard at work on their repertoire for 2014.
We are planning a trip to Paris in the spring where we hope to perform at a music venue (to be confirmed) and to shoot video for 'Vertigo', a Pulse original.
Details to follow shortly.
Powerstation Open Mic Sessions
29th December, 2013
The Powerstation Open Mic Sessions, are the third in a series run by Groove Academy in partnership with various youth centres around the borough of Richmond upon Thames. Our first, launched in early 2012, in partnership with Hampton Youth Project was funded by the Hampton Fuel Allotment Charity. The second, in partnership with Ham Youth Centre, was funded by the Richmond Youth Service who have, once again funded this current series at Powerstation.
These sessions are an opportunity for young people within Richmond Upon Thames and surrounds to come and perform, on a regular basis, in front of an audience. It is a great way to meet other young people, network, work on you own act and be inspired by other performers.
Participants have been invited to perform at other venues, including Off the Record's 20th Birthday Garden Party in September 2012 and the Kingston International Youth Arts Festival, 2013 which included three open mic evenings at Las Iguanas Restaurant, Kingston.
An exciting development for those involved in this current series, is an opportunity to record a song at Powerstation for an album.
Dates for 2014 are: 10th & 24th January, 7th & 28th February, 14th & 28th March, 11th & 25th April, 9th & 23rd May, 6th & 20th June, and 4th & 18th July, 2014.