Young people will be putting together and filming a musical piece to promote local democracy, using old metal ballot boxes as instruments.
On Thursday 18 February 2016, at The Milton Rooms, Malton, Ryedale’s Crash Bang Ballot Band returns for one day only.
The young people will be supported by Libby Pearson, Community Arts Coordinator, and Billy Hickling, who has 15 years’ experience as a performer and rehearsal director with the international stage show STOMP!
The film they produce will be used on the web, social media and with media organisations to raise awareness of the Police and Crime Commissioner elections on 5 May 2016. It will also highlight some key information about the elections, such as how to register to vote and where to find out information about the candidates.
The media are invited to visit this one day event between 3pm and 4pm, for the end of the day performance. Confirmation of attendance would be helpful.
Simon Copley, Democratic Services Manager and Deputy Returning Officer, who came up with the idea for Democracy Rocks Up, said, “It is really exciting that Democracy Rocks and the Crash Bang Ballot Band are making a return. The feedback from all those involved in 2015 was really positive and it achieved widespread media coverage, raising awareness of elections and voter registration. I am really looking forward to the workshop on 18 February and hope to see representatives from the media there.”
The original Democracy Rocks, ahead of the Parliamentary and Local elections in 2015, saw ballot boxes decorated as works of art and displayed at the Ryedale Folk Museum Gallery, and a first outing for the Crash Bang Ballot Band, with a performance at the Helmsley Arts Centre. A photo gallery of the art work is on the Council’s website, along with a film of the musical performance.
One of the young people who participated in the original Crash Bang Ballot performance, told us at the time, “If anything like this came back to Malton again I’d be assured to be there, you know it’d be absolutely fantastic.”
For further information please contact Simon Copley, telephone 01653 600666 (ext 277) or email simon.copley@ryedale.gov.uk.