Bicester Courtyard Youth Arts Centre

Word Up one day workshop

2011-06-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

'Word Up' Launch Night and Dance Party

2011-03-22T06:28:00.000-07:00

Friday 18th March 2011 at the Courtyard a huge gig took place and there were many poets, rappers, dj's and dancers. There was one young person from the digi arts club doing vj'ing. James edited some of his own film clips and then put amazing effects on them to create awsome projections . We had guest mc's from Oxford and Whitney as well as the headling act Mr Shawdow from London. There were over 90 people who came along to dance and enjoy the music. Many thanks to all who help make this a cool night, special thanks to the Dance party committee for organising the event.

Performances by: Lady Exonic, Gatz Official and Haz, Mc Yungstar, HB, Coopz and Mr Shawdow. DJ G,

DJ Cleveroy, DJ Weeman, and DJ Harry.

Dance Party 9th December 2010

2010-12-13T07:18:00.000-08:00

Around 90 teenagers came to the first ever pay on the door Courtyard Dance Party and enthusiatsically whooped and boogied the night away. A fine array of both local and national DJ's, Singers and MC's were assembled for the event and several of the teenage performers made their debut appearances on stage. This opportunity to perform in front of a high spirited audience of their mates did wonders for the confidence of several of these young people.

Mr Shaodow and DJ's Fisher and Weeman travelled from London for the night and whipped the crowd into a frenzy of screaming and raving bodies, with their Grime,Drum n Bass and Dubstep flavours. MC's Coopz and HB plus singer Chloe Coleman were the local talent who all showed impressive skills and promise for the future.

The whole event was organised and staffed by a committee of dedicated teenage music fans.The group worked tirelessly in the weeks leading up to the event and were very proud to have made it the sucess it undoubtedly was. A similar event is now planned for Spring 2011 so watch out for this !

Take Over Day Nov 12th 2011

2010-12-13T06:48:00.000-08:00

Friday 12th November 10

The Courtyard was 'taken over' by teenagers for the day (as part National Take Over Day event ) and so the Gig Committee organised and ran a sucessful gig.

It featured some great performances and to start the night Banbury's Wooden Kings delivered some rocking pop thrills. Next up were Oxford post - punk upstarts the Dead Jerichos who are getting a name for themselves nationally as well as in the local music press. Banbury all girl punk rockers Evarose created the first real buzz of the night with their finely honed rock anthems and slick stage moves. Local punk favourites Reload the Radio finished off a great night and had the crowd joining in with arms aloft and mass sing-a-longs.

OXON 's Take Over Day was assessed by a group of teenagers travelling to all the Oxfordshire take over day events and after interviewing Committee members and Youth Workers they reported that our event was very impressive.

London Trip - 28th October

2010-11-02T08:06:00.000-07:00

As part of half term programme of activities we took a group of young people to London for the day. For some of the young people it was their first trip to The Capital and we were keen to make it an action packed day. The group visited St Paul's, the Tate Modern, the London Eye and Aquarium.

Being at the top of the London Eye and looking out across all of London was the best bit of the day according to the young people. However the Tate Modern always causes the most discussion, particularly with those young people working towards their Art's Award at The Courtyard. Looking at some of the pictures some of the young people declared " I could do better", giving these young people the opportunities to prove that is our challenge.

In hindsight we may have made the day too action packed, with all the walking, queuing and having to stand up on the train were reported as the worst bits of the day.

Courtyard Gig Review 22nd October 2010 by Jeremy Leggett

2010-11-02T07:46:00.000-07:00

Young local metal band Vision Fall asked to play their last ever gig ‘where it all began for us as a band….at the Courtyard’ and the night did not disappoint. In fact the venue was busier than it had been for a long time and a great night was had by all.

Local teenagers We Walk on Airwaves played their first ever show at the Courtyard to a warm reaction. Melodic and thoughtful, their music was less metal than the other bands which made a nice change. Echo’s of Oxford’s Foals could be detected.

Next up was the brutal sound of Aethera from Oxford. These veterans of the local metal scene shredded their guitars skilfully and almost melted faces with their molten-grindcore. Their drummer led the line very well and helped make the band sound very tight and impressive.

Another very impressive Courtyard debut was from Faultline, some of whom have been rocking the place in years gone by as Andesnum. Huge riffs and great harmonies abound – think Biffy Clyro and Cave In’s love child, gripped in a Oceansize headlock. We look forward to their return next year.

Vision Fall worked a decent sized crowd with their sludgy metal, doom laden riffs and hellish screaming. Dark and foreboding, these boys do not compromise and the love was strong in the room for their last gasp assault on the senses.

Half term music project

2010-11-02T05:43:00.000-07:00

Here are some photographs of the music workshops that took place at The Courtyard over the October half term.

These are a few pictures of what we get up to here

2010-10-27T12:18:00.000-07:00

Courtyard log 1

2010-09-16T11:38:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our blog, this is going to evolve over the next few weeks, with different people writing about what's been happening at our local youth centre.