It’s that time of year when live events are being hosted across the nation to excitable music fans and career driven industry professionals, who of course have one thing in common; music.
From June 1st – June 22nd BBC Radio 1 and 1xtra will be launching a social action programme aimed at young people in Hackney and surrounding areas. The Academy will take place at the Hackney Picturehouse in the run up to the BBC Radio 1 Hackney Weekend.
Young people from Hackney and beyond will be able to take part in the academy through their local schools, colleges and youth groups. They can also register their interest by emailing takeiton@bbc.co.uk.
The Academy will offer as much as 10,000 young people the opportunity to gain valuable skills, knowledge and experience from a host of names from the worlds of music, business, film, radio, fashion, comedy, gaming and software and journalism.
Labrinth, Dizzee Rascal, Ashley Walters, Rizzle Kicks, Lethal B, Adam Deacon, Riz Ahmed, Paloma Faith, Fearne Cotton and Gemma Cairney are some of the names confirmed so far.
The stars will take part in a range of masterclasses, Q&As and panel sessions to explain how they have 'made it' in their respective industries and will offer advice to young hopefuls who are hoping to embark on their own journey’s.
Leona Lewis, Plan B and Labrinth are Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend Ambassadors and will also take part in a music Q&A sessions about their experience of the music industry and how they got started.
The Academy will also feature a range of other practical workshops and sessions, as well as the chance to speak to careers advisors on site with advice on CVs and interview skills.
The Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra Academy is part of Take It On, Radio 1’s commitment to encourage young people to get inspired and get involved to 'take on' their future.
During the Academy Radio 1 and 1Xtra will broadcast a range of shows live from the Hackney Picturehouse, which will shine a spotlight on the work of the young people attending.
The work created by young people at the Academy will also feature throughout Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend, including screenings of short films made by the participants on the main stage big screen across Saturday and Sunday.
The Hackney Weekend will take place on Saturday 23rd – Sunday 24th June at the Hackney Marshes. The line-up includes: Jay – Z, Kasabian, Ed Sheeran Leona Lewis (23rd June) Rihanna, Florence + The Machine, Tinie Tempah and Jessie J (24th June)
For more information regarding the Hackney Academy and Hackney Weekend please visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/events/e9wmxj