Welcome to our Offbeat Spotlight series. Over the next few days we're highlighting all the strange and wonderful things that the Offbeat Festival has to offer. The Offbeat Festival runs from the 9th-15th of September, and is a collaboration between The Old Fire Station, Oxford Playhouse, New Theatre and Gloucester Green Market. In addition to a multitude of shows, there are also workshops, and exhibition, late night events including a poetry slam, comedy scratch night, and listening party, and more.
Here, we catch up with Aisling from KEEN Oxford, who open the festival on Monday with their night of music, song and community. KEEN are a charity who run a variety of events for disabled young people across Oxford. In a collaboration with musician Easy Chalmers, the group have been writing songs, producing a music video as well as recording their thoughts on the process. Read on to find out more about the event and what the group has to offer its particpants.
Daily Information: Hi Aisling, thanks so much for taking the time to talk to me. Could you tell me a bit about what to expect from Monday night’s show?
KEEN Oxford: A group from young people and adults from KEEN will be performing a song they've been working on since May! We've been working with the amazing Easy Chalmers from MuzoAcademy II on a song about our favourite sports.
We worked with Easy to come up with the theme, write the lyrics, come up with a tune and make a backing track. You'll also get to see the debut of our fantastic music video and a mini-documentary on our experiences of making it.
DI: If I wanted to get involved with KEEN, either as a volunteer or a participant, what could I do?
KO: Just get in touch! You can reach us at [email protected] or via our website or social media, @keenoxford. As well as music, we do sports, arts and crafts, social sessions, trips such as bowling, ice-skating, and much more.
Our activities are open to disabled children, young people and adults from Oxfordshire. We're always looking for new people to join us, whether as participants or as volunteer so please do get in contact - it's a lot of fun!
DI: What was the process of preparing the showcase like for your participants?
KO: It's been so much fun! The participants got to choose the project they wanted to work on for Offbeat and they have loved it. Activities involving music are always very popular and it's been a great experience for our participants to get to see their ideas come together in the final project and in Monday's performance.
DI: After Offbeat, what's next for you?
KO: We're looking ahead to a busy autumn term with the return of our weekly sports, drama and social sessions. We'll be working on our very own pantomime,Sleeping Beauty, and getting ready for the excitement of our Halloween and Christmas parties.
DI: Finally, please describe Monday evening's event in three words.
KO: Heartwarming, inclusive fun!
KEEN Oxford is at the Old Fire Station, Mon 9th Sep, 7.30pm. For more info and to book tickets, click here.