The event, which took place at the Huyton Suite, was arranged by Knowsley Arts Service and was subsidised by ACME, the North West Arts Board and the Arts Service. It enabled young people to enjoy and participate in a cultural experience with a difference!
Local poet Levi Tafari made a welcome return to the borough, working with youngsters from Prescot Primary, Evelyn Primary and St Edmund Arrowsmith to produce performance poetry.
Also taking part in the event were Black Umfolosi, an eight-piece performance company from Zimbabwe and a Latin Percussion workshop with Eddie Sherwood.
Year 7 pupils from Knowsley Hey School took part in a series of workshops, culminating in outstanding performances at the Carnival itself.
Lucky Mayo of Black Umfolosi explained, "we introduce young people to another part of the world, we see the arts as one way of building bridges and crossing language barriers."
Head of Music at Knowsley Hey, Anne-Marie Obaje said, "This was a fabulous opportunity for our pupils to participate in a multi-cultural Arts event. I have never been told by so many pupils in one day how much they were into what they were doing. The pupils who took part in the Black Umfolosi workshop really did enjoy themselves."
A view shared by Claire Bradley of class 7H. "I think Black Umfolosi were very good. They helped us through the basic steps and the dancing was absolutely brilliant. I would love to do it again. It was the best day of school life I have ever had."
Thirty Year 7 pupils from Hey spent several weeks working with Latin Percussionist Eddie Sherwood. Their performance in front of the packed audience was one of the outstanding moments of the day. Their teacher Miss Obaje told Huyton Today, "I had goosebumps all the way up my spine when they started to play. Their rhythm was so tight they sounded as if they'd been playing in a samba band all their lives! The school is really proud of them."
The event was certainly an unforgettable experience for all concerned.
Liverpool Poet Levi Tafari joins Black
Umfolosi and Knowsley Hey pupils on stage at the Huyton Suite Black Umfolosi perform traditional music
and dance
On Tuesday 22nd June, pupils from schools across Huyton took part in Carnival 99, a unique celebration of song, dance and poetry from different cultures.
Knowsley Hey pupils pictured during rehearsals with Eddie
Sherwood
