NEWS RELEASE

Thursday 10 August 2017

Unique festival reveals its full programme

With over 100 workshops and events, RawFfest youth arts festival opens in just one week. Running from 17 August to 20 August in Llandudno, the festival is open to all 14 to 25 year olds. This is the only national UK festival programmed entirely by young people for young people and its exciting line up reflects the passions of the young curators.

There are many opportunities for young people to take part, learn something new and meet other like-minded young people. This year the festival includes 4-D theatre, acrobatics, art installations and exhibitions, beatboxing and rapping, blogging and self-publishing, body art and festival headwear, book illustrating, a chill-out tepee, a circus cabaret, craft workshops, dance and drama workshops, a design competition, environmental art on the beach, fashion show and up-cycling workshops, film making and screenings, a mini folk festival, interactive scavenger hunt, hula hoops, hovercraft making and science communication, live music and jamming sessions, a music industry panel, the Narnia writing den, newsFfest streaming live through the festival, opera, opinions and debate, a poetry slam, punk poetry, radio station and broadcasts, screen-printing, a silent disco, site-specific and immersive performances, stage-lighting workshops, songwriting, story-telling, theatre shows and a twmpath. There will also be a residency from National Youth Theatre Wales including voice, singing, movement, devising and audition techniques.

Ruth Garnault, Director of RawFfest GŵylGrai Youth Arts Festival, who has supported the team of young creatives to put the programme together says:
 "This is the first time the festival has come to North Wales. Last year was a great success with everyone having fun, getting together and making the most of great activities. This year the programme has grown with new and exciting opprortunites for all."

The programme is available online atwww.RawFfest.wales.Tickets are £10 or £20 for a day and £50 for the whole weekend which includes lunch and dinner. Tickets can be booked online 24/7 atvenuecymru.co.uk.After ticket purchase, buyers receive a unique code to enable specific workshops to be pre-booked.

Tara Williams, Youth Representative on the RawFfest Steering Group, says:
 "RawFfest has something for everyone, grab a ticket and come with your friends to take part and experience the best of the best young people in Wales can offer.

The festival lineup incudes:
 Abbie Parry, Aled Petrick, Amelia Stars, Andy Bonsai, Anya Sims, Burst Publishing, CEG, Conwy Youth Services, Criw Celf, Theatr Clwyd Company25, Dawns i Bawb, Ella Louise Jones, Emma Louis, Frân Wen, Gemma Lyon, Gweni Llwyd, Hannah Willwood, Jain Boon, Jake Evans, Jess Williams, Kiani Marie, Llŷr Alun Jones, Menai Rowlands, Mess Up The Mess, Mr Phormula, Natasha Borton, NYTW, Operasonic, Penygraig Youth Theatre, Peter Slania, Rhian Sullivan, Rhydyfelin Youth Theatre, Richard Elis, Rowen Kimpton, Sera Owen, Sophie McKeand, Tara Williams, Techniquest Glwyndŵr, Tim Pugh, Tonya Smith, Torch Youth Theatre, trac, TV Conwy, Volcano Youth Company, and Wales Millennium Centre

The festival has received financial support from the Arts Council of Wales and the Welsh Government. For additional information and the programme go online towww.rawffest.wales.

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For further press enquiries and photos:
 Jo Quinney MCIPR YmarferyddAchrededig / Accredited Practitioner
 Q Marketing & PR Ltd,jo@qmpr.co.ukFfôn/Phone: 01248 715 611, Symudol/Mobile: 07748 155 116

Ruth Garnault Director RawFfest GwylGrai Youth Arts Festival
 ruth@rawffest.wales, Symudol/Mobile: 07967 093442http://www.rawffest.wales/

Photos attached.Photocredit: Arron Nurden

Information for editors

About RawFfest GŵylGrai:

• Promotes and supports artswork from young artists and performers aged 14-25 years.

• Is anchored at an arts venue with satellite locations in urban environments and reaches out to rural areas.

• Increases participation in the arts for young people who are in the driving seat throughout. This includes representation on the steering group, curating the festival, working as apprentices, and being trained as volunteers.

• Offers a programme over 4 days (Thursday to Sunday) in the middle of August.

• Explores opportunities for skills exchange and social interaction. The festival is a vehicle to train young people in arts practice and in order to have an in-depth immersive experience, all participants should be accommodated close-by.

• Is sustainable, accessible and affordable to young people in Wales. The festival is bilingual and we are committed to making this festival as inclusive as possible and actively seek diversity in all its aspects.

RawFfest GŵylGrai Partners:

• Arts Development UK (the Lead Body)

• Youth Arts Network Cymru

• Venue Cymru

• Wales Millennium Centre

• Newport Live

RawFfest GŵylGrai funders:

• Arts Council of Wales

• Welsh Government Major Events

• Foyle Foundation

• Literature Wales

• Rhondda Cynon Taff, Gwynedd and Denbighshire County Borough Councils