Strabane’s Alley Theatre was at the centre of the digital world on Friday, September 17th, as it hosted the groundbreaking “Like – Building Digital Networks” conference. Over 260 people involved in the arts industries and New Media courses ...from across the North West took part in interactive social media workshops, whilst listening to expert social media commentators including Derry’s Digital champion Mark Nagurski and Mark O’Flaherty, Platform Director from BT.
“This unique social networking conference, supported by BT and the Strabane Chronicle, with funding from Arts & Business has made a major impact in revealing the social media opportunities that are available to people online” commented John Kerr Alley Theatre Manager. “This intensive day, which not only involved keynote speakers on social media, but it also provided a series of educational interactive workshops from Derry’s Nerve Centre social media tutors. Today will leave an amazing legacy within the North West and we would like to thank all our funders and sponsors for making this wonderful event possible.”
Peter Morris Consumer Director, BT, said “Supporting young people in developing their online and entrepreneurial skills is something that we are passionate about at BT – nothing demonstrates this more clearly than our long history of involvement with the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. Events like today can show people how to use social media tools to best effect. Through continual investment in our own innovations such as BT Infinity we continue to drive online capability providing users with an even greater online experience. Congratulations to all the team at the Alley for putting on such a successful innovative event today”
"Some people assume that everyone under the age of 30 knows all they need to know about social media but in reality, getting yourself known online, in the arts or business, is a skill that needs developed. With this in mind, it was great to see so many local people taking an active interest in doing just that and I hope there'll be more events like this in the future." Mark Nagurski, Digital Champion for Derry
Beverly Coomber from Arts and Business NI commented ““Arts & Business Northern Ireland is delighted to support The Alley Arts & Conference Centre to develop its creative partnerships with its local and national business sponsors through the Reach Investment Programme. We would congratulate BT and NWIPP for working with the Alley on this fun and educational interactive seminar”.
For more information on the “Like – Building Digital Networks” Conference, including images, information handouts and video’s, visit www.facebook.com/thealleytheatre
Saturday 25 September 2010
Border youth highlight respect and diversity in the North West.
Last week saw Strabane’s Alley Theatre and the Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey present a dramatic theatrical conclusion for this summer’s Border Youth Drama Project. Presented to packed audiences in both venues, this groundbreaking arts scheme, supported by IFI (International Fund For Ireland), has been exploring various themes of diversity, peace and reconciliation over the summer holidays, culminating in a stage performance of song, music, comedy and drama.
“Border Youth is now a firmly established success story in the North West, bringing together over 40 young people from Donegal and Tyrone in a collaborative project that leaves a lasting legacy of theatre skills and friendship between young participants in the border areas” commented Kieran Quinn, Chairman of the Balor DCA. “During the project children have learnt how to socially mix with each other, explore new skills and gained a new found confidence in themselves which they can now use throughout their lives. As the course has progressed I have personally seen how well the young people have mixed as a group and this has developed a new sense of friendship and respect across the borders, which would not have been possible if it had not been for this wonderful summer project.”
"I would like to personally congratulate the International Fund For Ireland for supporting this hardworking project, which we know is making a real difference to the lives of young people living in the border areas” concluded the Balor DCA Chairman.
“The summer has just been awesome, I have really enjoyed it and I look forward to seeing if I can do it again next year” exclaimed Caoimhne Quinn, one of the young people taking part in Border Youth, on the dedicated Border Youth Facebook page. “I’ve made loads of new friends and I know we will keep in touch”. Border Youth has utilized every possible communication tool to ensure students were kept informed before, during and after the project. Social media tools including a podcast recording, dedicated Facebook page and website were all utilized to engage the young people on the scheme.
Winston Patterson, board member of the International Fund for Ireland, stated “I am delighted with the very professional way in which the Border Youth event was organised. It was very evident from the performances in both pieces of theatre that an enormous amount of thought and work had gone into the summer camp in preparation for both shows. The sensitive treatment of the themes of respect, diversity and reconciliation was impressive and a true measure of the success of the programme so far."
Strabane District Chairperson, Cllr Michaela Boyle commented at the final night of the scheme, “Over 5 weeks ago these young people did not know each other. In fact many of the young people would not have even traveled to their respective home areas of Strabane or Ballybofey. However through the medium of the arts, the actors you see on the stage have achieved far, far more than putting together an evening of drama and song. This group has developed friendships that will last into adulthood, increased their understanding of other communities and found new levels of confidence in themselves. The reach of this scheme is not confined to the walls of this venue and the students taking part. This year has literally seen the world invited to find out more about Border Youth via a dedicated web site page, Facebook site and a podcast. I must congratulate IFI and everyone involved in developing this unique project, which has allowed everyone to see what great work is being produced by the young people in the North West.”
“Border Youth is now a firmly established success story in the North West, bringing together over 40 young people from Donegal and Tyrone in a collaborative project that leaves a lasting legacy of theatre skills and friendship between young participants in the border areas” commented Kieran Quinn, Chairman of the Balor DCA. “During the project children have learnt how to socially mix with each other, explore new skills and gained a new found confidence in themselves which they can now use throughout their lives. As the course has progressed I have personally seen how well the young people have mixed as a group and this has developed a new sense of friendship and respect across the borders, which would not have been possible if it had not been for this wonderful summer project.”
"I would like to personally congratulate the International Fund For Ireland for supporting this hardworking project, which we know is making a real difference to the lives of young people living in the border areas” concluded the Balor DCA Chairman.
“The summer has just been awesome, I have really enjoyed it and I look forward to seeing if I can do it again next year” exclaimed Caoimhne Quinn, one of the young people taking part in Border Youth, on the dedicated Border Youth Facebook page. “I’ve made loads of new friends and I know we will keep in touch”. Border Youth has utilized every possible communication tool to ensure students were kept informed before, during and after the project. Social media tools including a podcast recording, dedicated Facebook page and website were all utilized to engage the young people on the scheme.
Winston Patterson, board member of the International Fund for Ireland, stated “I am delighted with the very professional way in which the Border Youth event was organised. It was very evident from the performances in both pieces of theatre that an enormous amount of thought and work had gone into the summer camp in preparation for both shows. The sensitive treatment of the themes of respect, diversity and reconciliation was impressive and a true measure of the success of the programme so far."
Strabane District Chairperson, Cllr Michaela Boyle commented at the final night of the scheme, “Over 5 weeks ago these young people did not know each other. In fact many of the young people would not have even traveled to their respective home areas of Strabane or Ballybofey. However through the medium of the arts, the actors you see on the stage have achieved far, far more than putting together an evening of drama and song. This group has developed friendships that will last into adulthood, increased their understanding of other communities and found new levels of confidence in themselves. The reach of this scheme is not confined to the walls of this venue and the students taking part. This year has literally seen the world invited to find out more about Border Youth via a dedicated web site page, Facebook site and a podcast. I must congratulate IFI and everyone involved in developing this unique project, which has allowed everyone to see what great work is being produced by the young people in the North West.”
Wednesday 1 September 2010
Social Networking Seminar coming to the Alley
Strabane’s award winning Alley Theatre has announced this week that a major educational arts seminar is to set to take place at the intimate venue, in association with BT and NWIPP. Entitled “Like – Building Digital Networks For The Arts”, this groundbreaking North West event will be free to attend for North West students and people working within the Arts Industry.
It is anticipated over 250 students and local artists will benefit from this conference, which will offer various social media workshops offered by Derry’s Nerve Centre and the opportunity to hear leading social media commentators. Throughout the day participants will explore how individuals, whether from an arts or business background can develop a serious and profitable presence via various social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and My Space.
John Kerr, Alley Theatre Manager stated “We have invited students from across Tyrone to take part in this interactive seminar. Students will be able to learn more about new developments in social media and new skills. Various workshops will be on offer from, how to set up a podcast, to video and movie editing, designing publicity material for events and business, and animation and social networking. We also have a selection of top guest speakers throughout the day including Andy Ferris from the top Northern Ireland record label Small Town American Records, and Mark Nagurski, the newly appointed Digital Champion for Derry and IT commentator.”
“On the day the seminar will host a special celebrity guest host, who will share their secrets about using social networks in their career. We will also have guest speakers from our partners, BT and NWIPP, who will be sharing with the participants information on how new advances online are changing the way individuals are doing business, and what they expect to see in the future in terms of online communications.”
The Alley Theatre will be hosting this major conference due to a REACH funding award from Arts and Business NI, an organisation which develops and supports business involvement in the Arts. Last years Sounds Like Summer Festival, supported by BT and NWIPP was a major event in the North West, and in recognition for this successful event and partnership, funding has been provided to run this exciting event.
“People are demanding more from the internet as they spend more time on line, whether you’re talking music, videos, websites, blogs or downloads, in our ever increasing digital world, online is the place to be” stated Peter Morris, Consumer Director BT. “As one of the leading providers of superfast broadband we are currently rolling out BT Infinity, our fibre optic technology, across Northern Ireland providing users with an even greater online interactive experience, and all at the speed of light. It is through events such as ‘Like’ that encourage the use of online skills and we are therefore delighted to provide support for this innovative event.”
Beverly Coomber from Arts and Business NI commented ““Arts & Business Northern Ireland is delighted to support The Alley Arts & Conference Centre to develop its creative partnerships with its local and national business sponsors through the Reach Investment Programme. Reach exists to encourage and inspire sustainable relationships, which work to maximize return on investment, meet business objectives and deliver tangible benefit through working with the arts. We would congratulate BT and NWIPP for working with the Alley on “Sounds Like Summer 20:10” and look forward to seeing the outcome of “Like”.
"For anyone considering a career in the creative industries, or perhaps even starting a business, an understanding of social media is already becoming a serious advantage and soon it'll be a necessity. It's great to see forward-thinking events like this working with students to equip them with the skills they'll need to make a real impact." Mark Nagurski, Digital Champion for Derry
John Kerr concluded “As well as local A- Level and GCSE students, we are also inviting local artists, musicians, actors, anybody within the arts fields to register free of charge to hear the guest speakers section. This part of the event starts on September 17th at 10 a.m. sharp. If you work in the arts industry or and want to learn more about developing your presence on the internet for free via social networking, contact the Alley Box Office on 028 7138 4444 to register your details. If you are a teacher and wish your students to attend please contact the Alley’s Maketing Department on 028 71884760. Places are free, however limited so early booking is advisable.” For more information on “Like” visit http://www.alley-theatre.com/about-us/like or contact the Alley Theatre Box Office on 028 7138 4444.
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