How to end - part one : the Giant Jam

How to end AllStars music? Starting in the spring of 2015, the delivery phase has ended now - we will spend the next months reflecting, planning and evaluating - taking a breath before new things roll out.

Even in the early planning phase of AllStars we knew we'd want to mark the end of the work well.
Finishing can be difficult; it's one of the recurring themes of funded work. We knew we wanted to say goodbye with optimism and a sense of achievement.

We planned an end-of-project festival. With additional financial support from the Big Lottery and their perfectly-timed 'Celebrate' fund, we were able to put on an event that brought our community of young and SEN/D musicians together.

Beautifully put together by Ben, our pastoral support worker, and Jade, our admin star, the Giant Jam festival was organised in consultation with a team of party planners from the Heart Beats group.

Frome Street Bandits

Art Box bunting

The Gaint Jam was held at the Ammerdown Conference Centre - a beautiful garden alive with flowers and bees.
The sun shone all day.

Bands played outdoors and in the 'main stage room',  a transformed space with underwater decor borrowed from a local festival organiser and excellent sound equipment provided by our project partners SRYP.

The main stage room

A dance workshop, Loops disco and four live bands made it a real festival.
Festival goers enjoyed a performance from an inclusive choir, a ukelele workshop, a drum circle,  an art workshop, free massage, interactive storytelling from Openstorytellers,

Smiling gate crew

Relaxing massage

Live music workshops

outdoor games, wood fired pizzas, and an array of treats supplied by the brand new catering van from Critchill SEN school.

An outdoor improvisation workshop showcased the talents of the Heart Beats group and involved lots of new people too.

An amazing team of stewards and volunteers  made the day safe, fun and accessible for everyone.

Stewards and volunteers

We even got a slot on BBC Points West.

The Giant Jam brought all sorts of people together - it was inter-generational, inclusive and really enjoyable.

We're glad that the AllStars project, which has united so many diverse musicians, could end on such a bright note and a beautiful day.

Celebrating the AllStars Music project

The AllStars project is reaching an end with our mega-celebration, the Giant Jam, coming up on July 2nd.

What are we celebrating? We're celebrating
- hours and hours of live music played by amazing people with extra special powers
- establishing new friendships and connections
- a training programme that made us think hard about what we do and how it works
- some wonderful 'outreach' workshops and performances
- a chance to explore and reflect at the Listening Lounge sessions
- many surprising, fun, and serious moments
- all the volunteers and professionals who have given generously of their time and inspiration
- all the many individuals and grant giving organisations that support our work
- our partnerships with Wells Cathedral School, Spaeda, the Somerset Rural Youth project and Bath Spa University
- all the parents and carers who have supported all the young disabled musicians we work with

There is a lot more to say. This summer we'll be writing up our reports and evaluating the work. Everything we have learned from all the good people we've met along the way will help us to go forward and reach even more people, spread the music and see what is around the corner.

Giant Jam news updates

Lots of good news about our festival The Giant Jam.

Ben is busy booking people to come and help make it happen.  Drum It Up drum circle, Frome Street Bandits, Openstorytellers, Bianco Rosso Pizzas, Loops disco - and loads more to be announced really soon.

Follow the news on facebook. Book free tickets on Eventbrite.

The Giant Jam is a celebration to mark the end of the AllStars project, which has included HeartBeats music club and much more besides. Help us to make it a day to remember. Tell your friends and 'spread the Jam!'

THE GIANT JAM

 We are so pleased and excited to be launching The Giant Jam - a one-day festival celebrating musical creativity within the local learning disability community.

All our team are delighted to have been awarded funding from the Big Lottery Fund to celebrate the achievement of our young musicians , trainees, volunteers and wider community that have been drawn together by the AllStars project.

The party planners

The Giant Jam will host an amazing variety of musical performances, jamming and workshops, dancing and discos, rest and relaxation and of course plenty of tasty food.

This party will be taking place at the Ammerdown Centre, near Radstock on Sunday 2nd July 2017 from 12pm to 8pm.

Tickets are FREE, and are available at The Giant Jam Eventbrite page.


Keep an eye on the blog for more news, and follow our facebook page