Author: Jack Welsh

MENA Beats Project – 2023/4

The Youth Music Trailblazer grant gave us the opportunity to reach out to young people of Arab / Middle Eastern and North African heritage who are underrepresented in the music industry – providing a platform for them to learn and develop their skills in DJing, mixing and production.

The driving motivation behind the project was to increase young people’s access and opportunities to experience, perform and develop a wide range of skills from professional DJs; to curate contemporary music that is representative of them, their artistry, their generation and cultural heritage.

“The project has helped me show other people who I am through DJing and music.”
– Young person involved in the project

The initial idea for the project came about through consultation and research with young people who attended Liverpool Arabic Centre and Kaalmo Youth Development – two community-based organisations that were instrumental in facilitating young people’s participation in the project.

From March 2023 to October 2024, the project engaged 76 young people of Arab heritage and Global Majority, aged 11-24. The participants attended DJ workshops and masterclasses and had no prior music experience.

“It’s been so worth going to DJing sessions, learning and having fun, meeting new people and exploring my cultural heritage, it was worth everything.”
– Young person involved in the project

Twenty-four young people participated in three or more workshops and were mentored by professional DJs who supported them in developing specific technical production skills. We also facilitated visits to some of Liverpool’s most iconic music venues, offering young people the opportunity to experience a diverse range of industry roles – from venue operation and technical production to performance based roles.

Ten young people played a key role in evaluating and planning project activities, including the research visits to music venues. The process enabled young people to develop ownership and confidence to shape the project delivery.

Five young people have since progressed into music industry volunteer roles, including LAAF young people’s subgroup, who will help shape music-making activities and performances for younger audiences.

“It helped in so many ways, not just with music but also with my self-confidence.”
– Young person involved in the project

Some of our young people performed at the 2024 Liverpool Arab Arts Festival VIP Launch and Family Day events. This was a fantastic opportunity for them to play their work to a live audience at a large-scale event for the very first time, utilising the skills they learnt from being involved in the project.
We are delighted to be continuing the project into next year with more DJing workshops and a planned visit to London, where our young people will have the opportunity to meet producers and music professionals from leading Arab/MENA organisations. A huge thank you to Youth Music and all of our young people involved in this year’s events.
Image by AB Photography
Image by AB Photography
Image by AB Photography

Partner event: Desperate Times

We’re pleased to be supporting Somali women’s theatre piece, Desperate Times, a sell-out hit by emerging new writer Amal Abdi, at Unity Theatre this month. 

Desperate Times
Unity Theatre
Thursday 31st October
7:00pm
BOOK TICKETS
£12 or £6 Creative Pool
Running time: Approx 70mins

From the makers of the award winning show, Dugsi Dayz, Side eYe productions presents Desperate Times.

Meet Lucky. Teacher by day. Petty thief by night.

Meet Lucky, a bored and lonely supply teacher, who has developed a compulsion for petty thieving. She feels invincible and lives for the drama, until she tells a lie that not even she can charm her way out of. How long can she keep up the act? In this one woman play, step into the tumultuous unhinged world of Lucky.

Praise for Side eYe:

‘Dazzling, hilarious, touching & entertaining’ ★★★★ To Do List
‘British Somali women’s theatre gives the ‘Side eYe’ to exclusion’ – Reuters

Credits:

Written by Amal Abdi
Performed by Nadjma Abshir
Directed by Fatima Ali Omar & Adna Ahmed
Produced by Suher Sofi & Raha Mahamoud
Production Managed by Suher Sofi
Stage managed by Katie Twist
Sound design by Calum Perrin
Lighting design by Matthew Hockley
Special thanks to Kayd Somali Arts and Culture, Arts Council England and Liverpool Arab Arts Festival.

Algerian Dance Workshops with Hayet Amar

In these interactive dance workshops, explore Algerian Folk dance with Hayet Amar – a specialist in North African traditional dance forms – in Liverpool.

Sunday 29 September, 1-2pm
Chaoui [sha-wi] Dance Workshop
Price: £7.21 (including booking fees)
Booking link

This workshop will explore a traditional dance from one sub-group of the indigenous people (Amazigh) of North Africa, known as the Chawia. This group is home to the region of the Aures mountains in East Algeria. Chaoui dance is maternal and grounded, truly symbolic of this tribe’s respect to the divine energy of nature and agriculture. Famously known by the “bounce” of the belly, this style is danced with strong isolations in the pelvis area.

Sunday 29 September, 3-4pm
Kabyle Dance Workshop
Price: £7.21 (including booking fees)
Booking link

This class will explore the Kabyle, an Amazigh group of Northern Algeria. This dance is heavily grounded on the feet, connected to nature, and is known for its with strong hip reverberations or “shimmies”.

A cultural form thousands of years old, we connect with a dance from a community that has been a strong leader in cultural preservation of the Amazigh culture, language, and history in Algeria.

To bring: Regular scarf to tie around your hips + another scarf (preferably square)

Hayat Amar Bio:

From her earliest days, Hayet harboured a fervent love for Algerian dances. She honed her skills in Kabyle dance, blending her innate talent with formal training from a professional folk ballet in Kabylia, Algeria. In addition, she underwent instruction in other Amazigh Algerian dance forms, including Chaoui dance.

Her artistic mission is to preserve the genuine techniques of Algerian Amazigh dances, ensuring their transcendence through future generations in their purest traditional form.

Produced by Culturama in association with Liverpool Arab Arts Festival.

Part of DzFest 2024 – The Algerian festival for Arts & Culture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venue: VideOdyssey, Toxteth TV, 37-45 Windsor St, Toxteth, Liverpool L8 1XE.

Look back at this year’s festival

Revisit this summer’s Liverpool Arab Arts Festival with our gallery of images.

This July, we had ten days of Arab arts and culture featuring music, theatre, performance, literature, workshops, food tours, exhibitions and more.

You can look back at a few of our festival highlights here.

Apply to be a Family Day Trader 2024

Are you interested in being part of our 2024 Family Day event as a trader? 

Family Day takes place on Sunday 21 July 2024, at the Palm House in Sefton Park.

Each year we welcome a variety of traders, selling food and drink, authentic Arab goods, or simply promoting causes or initiatives that reflect our ethos.

Trading hours are 12:00 to 17:00. All trading areas will be in the grounds of the venue, on either grass or hardstanding, and within a dedicated marquee or similar structure.

We especially welcome traders whose product or service closely aligns with the objectives of LAAF, but all applications will be considered. The cost to trade will be determined on the answers to the questions on the form. we will contact you directly via the email address you provide.

Fill in your application form here

Image credit: Family Day 2023. Image by Andrew AB Photography.

Work with us: Freelance Marketing Coordinator

We are looking for a freelance Marketing Coordinator (or agency) to lead on deliver the marketing for our 2024 festival. The successful candidate will ensure the wider visibility of the festival programme via targeted marketing, PR and social media activities.

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival will take place on Friday 12 – Sunday 21 July 2024, featuring an international programme of visual art, music, performance by leading Arab artists at key Liverpool cultural and community venues.

Contract duration: April – 31st July 2024. We anticipate work commencing in early April (to be agreed)

Key relationships: LAAF’s artistic team, LAAF Board, festival artists and partners, translators, designers, suppliers

Fee: £4,000 including VAT for 36 days, on a self-employed basis. Days within fee to be discussed with the successful candidate.

Location: Remotely, with on-site working for festival events. The successful candidate is welcome to use LAAF’s office at Bluecoat during the period.

All self-employed candidates must have the right to live and work in the UK.

Download:

Freelance Marketing Coordinator role description
Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Main Responsibilities:

  • To develop and deliver an achievable marketing campaign for LAAF’s 2024 festival, working to tight budget and meeting KPIs.
  • Develop an agreed timeline and delivery plan for social media content across LAAF’s key social platforms, supporting in the creation and posting of material. This includes the production of materials using key assets and templates from designers.
  • Work with LAAF’s artistic team, designers and suppliers to deliver targeted print campaigns as agreed, balancing cost and environmental impact with accessibility for audiences.
  • Manage the English to Arabic translation process for core festival text.
  • Lead on PR activities, including organising and managing press interviews with artists and staff.
  • Coordinate and send invitations to key stakeholders for festival launch event.
  • Manage LAAF’s digital channels in the period, including promoting sponsors, partners, artists, events and donations.
  • Update LAAF’s WordPress website with festival events.
  • Act as key contact in collation of copy, images, links, credits and access information to promote the festival programme in a high-quality manner.
  • Lead on PR activities, including writing and circulating press releases for festival activities.
  • Oversee the distribution of print marketing materials, including partner venues.
  • Contribute key data from activities for inclusion in the festival evaluation report.

Audience Development:

  • Support LAAF’s evaluation and data collection processes for the festival, particularly via digital platforms and social media.
  • Take a creative approach to increasing traffic to LAAF’s website and social media platforms.

General:

  • Work closely with LAAF’s Artistic team and LAAF Board to ensure visibility of the programme.
  • To ensure branding and other marketing obligations to funders and sponsors are met.
  • Carry out duties with full regard to LAAF’s Equal Opportunities policy.
  • Be available throughout the festival period, with rota to be agreed in advance.
  • Carry out other duties commensurate as required with the role.

Person specification

  • A minimum of 3 years of marketing experience in the cultural sector.
  • Must possess knowledge and experience of adhering to GDPR guidelines.
  • Understanding of Arts Council England Illuminate audience data collation and reporting.
  • Understanding of cultural sensitivities in relation to image and copy control in dual languages.
  • Demonstrate experience in project coordination.
  • Excellent communication and time management skills.
  • Effective in managing relationships at all levels.
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
  • Strong attention to detail and thoroughness in your work.
  • Sensitivity and understanding to the different contexts of LAAF’s diverse work and audiences.
  • Excellent IT skills, including managing websites and social media.
  • A flexible and proactive approach to work.
  • Ability to work occasional evening and weekend shifts during the festival.

To apply

Please submit the following:

  • An Expression of Interest (maximum 2 A4 pages), outlining your experience and how you meet the Job Description.
  • Any relevant links to work or campaigns.
  • Completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Deadline: 10am, Tuesday 2 April 2024. Please email applications to: admin@arabicartsfestival.co.uk

Image: Maya Youssef at Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2023. Image: Andrew AB Photography.