NEWS RELEASES
Club night for people with learning disabilities and friends
30th March 2007
HORSHAM District Council has once again linked up with Carousel, the hosts of the Blue Camel Club in Brighton, to create Horsham’s very own night club for people with learning disabilities and their friends.
The Club Night will be held on Wednesday 11 April at the Drill Hall, Denne Road, Horsham.
On the night the popular DJ Chris Love will act as compere and will be spinning his usual eclectic mix of records with support from the Strawford Centre Posse – DJ Jonesy, DJ Elvis, DJ Smithy and DJ Mega Mix.
All the guest DJs have been working hard over the last few weeks to perfect their disc spinning skills at outreach workshops held at the Horsham District Live Music Alliance (HDLMA) QM Studios and are ready to get everybody dancing.
Carousel’s ever popular rock and pop band Beat Express, also made up of young people with learning disabilities, will be making an appearance performing a range of songs including a few from their very successful Debbie Rock Angel Rock Opera project which amazed audiences along the South Coast during 2006.
Video projections and short films will also been shown by Junk TV.
The Blue Oasis Club is important as normally people with learning disabilities have very little opportunity to share their creativity with others in a public setting; the club provides them a chance to do this.
Nick Jenkins, Arts Inclusive Officer for Horsham District Council, says:
“Very often people with learning disabilities are in a passive role, used to being told what to do and when to do it.
“The Blue Oasis Club offers people a chance to show their independence and celebrate their diversity within a fun environment and it can help legitimise a learning disability culture.
“Also many people with learning disabilities do not rely on the spoken word to communicate – the arts offer alternative ways for people to share their ideas and life experiences with those of us who do not have learning disabilities.”
The Blue Oasis club night is planned for Wednesday 11 April from 7pm to 10pm and will be held at the Drill Hall, Denne Road, Horsham.
There is wheelchair access from the car park at the rear of the building; car parking is free after 6pm and there is a drop off area for minibuses. Entry to the club is £3 and carers free. The Blue Oasis Club is part of the Blue Umbrella Project, which is a West Sussex Arts Partnership Initiative.
Blue Oasis is a great opportunity to enjoy an evening with friends in a creative, accessible and dynamic environment. For more information contact Nick Jenkins at Horsham District Council 01403 215216 or e-mail nick.jenkins@horsham.gov.uk
Ends
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk