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NEWS 20 March 2012

Live and Unpeeled and Platform Expo 2012



March has proved to be a busy month for Freedom Road Creative Arts with the 2nd Live and Unpeeled open mic afternoon taking place at the Polar Bear on Sunday 11th, followed by performances from the Freedom Road Collective and friends at Hull University on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th for the Platform Expo 2012 event.



The 2nd Live and Unpeeled event, which have been set up to provide young people with an opportunity to perform on a regular basis, featured old and new performers to the charity. It also provided us with the opportunity to help support a fundraising effort from a long time friend to FRCA and RAPP, Liam Baldry, who despite fighting cancer himself, is raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

First up was the very talented Stevie Mould who's distinctive Country sound pleased the decent crowd who had turned up. Having recently supported Edwina Hayes at the Old Courthouse, Thirsk, Stevie is starting to prepare for a busy time ahead.



Following Stevie was 13 year old George Bates who is currently making a name for himself at Open Mic events across the region. Playing songs such as "Ever Fallen in Love with Someone", and the Primitives' "Crash", George also showed his songwriting talent when performing several of his own songs.

We were then treat to a drumming master class as 11 year old Kieran Clark played along to a selection of backing tracks watched by his very proud parents and younger brother Oliver!



Lou and Sammie performed next which enabled them to try out new material, before the wonderful Jess and Livi brought the afternoon to a close with songs showcasing their superb harmonies. The girls finished their set with an acapella version of "Lean on Me" which was just brilliant! Next Live and Unpeeled is Sunday 15th April.


The following weekend we moved over to Hull University to help Ed Faulkner promote this years Tribfest at the Platform 2012 Expo Event. Attended by around 10,000 people over the weekend, the Collective and friends continued to perform to a cracking standard and performances over the weekend from Shauna, Danielle, Sammie, Jess n Livi, Rose, Stevie, George and the brilliant Dominic Hook went down well with those who watched. Everyone who performed over the weekend were as Ed commented "getting better all the time"!

On Friday 16th March, Liam lost his brave fight with cancer. He was a true inspiration to all that were lucky enough to have met him. His sense of humour, his strength and his dedication to help others through his fundraising efforts will stay with us forever xxxx