New LJM Newsletter available
To download Issue 2 of the LJM Newsletter, click here. You will find all the latest news and information from Love and Joy Ministries inside!
To download Issue 2 of the LJM Newsletter, click here. You will find all the latest news and information from Love and Joy Ministries inside!
Our Harmonize students were treated to a different kind of dance class on Friday 21st January when they took part in a workshop with some local celebrities. Dance Dynamix, the Liverpool-based dance troupe who have appeared on Sky One’s TV show “Got To Dance”, dropped in to teach one of their exciting routines. Street dance is a popular lesson on the Harmonize course, and the students were thrilled to take part in a workshop with professional dancers.
Dance Dynamix have become well known throughout Liverpool thanks to their appearance last year on “Got To Dance”. Their theatrical, high impact routines made them a hit with the judges, especially Pussycat Doll Kimberley Wyatt. Last year they made it to the semi-finals of the show and have returned again this year for another shot at stardom.
Rachel Woods, Education and Curriculum Manager for Harmonize, said,
“A lot of the young people on the Harmonize course are keen dancers, so this was a great opportunity for them. As well as being fantastic dancers, Dance Dynamix are living proof that hard work and determination pays off and I think some of our students felt really inspired after the session.”
On Thursday 16th December Liverpool Lighthouse held the Talent at Christmas event. The night consisted of music, dance and drama; all with the aim of raising money for the Youth Connect Programme.
Performers on the night included North Liverpool Academy, Alsop High School, Youth Connect, Love and Joy Choir and a few of our very own Harmonize students. There were some truly tremendous talents on show, not least former Harmonize student Vadane, whose Usher song and beat boxing piece went down an absolute storm.
The comic highlight of the evening came from North Liverpool Academy and their drama piece ‘Oh What a Lovely War’. The audience where unable to control their giggles; as a boot came flying onto the stage at one point. The student’s brilliant comic timing captured the audience’s attention from start to finish.
The evening was as entertaining as promised and the audience thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They were up dancing and clapping along to Alsop High School’s version of ‘All I want for Christmas’; this performance definitely got everybody into the festive spirit.
The Love and Joy Choir brought the evening to a close and with the end of their song came rapturous applause from the audience. Congratulations to all performers – you were all truly outstanding!
We are still waiting for the total amount raised to be made public. For now we would just like to take this moment to thank all involved; without you the night could not have been the success that it was. Again a big thank you for giving up your time and energy!
You may remember that back in September, Liverpool Lighthouse was featured on BBC Radio 4 as part of an investigation into government spending cuts in the public sector. In December, the team from the Today programme returned to speak to Dr Modupe Omideyi about the huge impact that these cuts would have on our young people’s projects and the difficulties Liverpool Lighthouse faces in trying to secure funding from other sources. The team also met with Harmonize graduate Vadane Robson, who emphasised how vital it is that the course is kept running in order to continue helping disadvantaged young people in the North Liverpool area.