Express, empower and get loud for Youth Week
This year’s NSW Youth Week in April has a theme of Express. Empower. Get Loud! Chosen by the NSW Youth Advisory Council, this powerful theme reflects the dynamism and potential of young people across the state. We have selected a few favourite events, but keep an eye on the council website for updates.
NORTHERN COMPOSURE BAND COMPETITION
Northern Composure Saturday 6, 13 and 20 April YoYo’s Youth Centre, 10 Forestway Frenchs Forest, and Mona Vale Memorial Hall, 1 Park Street, Mona Vale Tickets from $10 to $20 northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Northern Composure has been running for the last 20 years and is now the largest youth band competition in the area. It has given a plethora of local talent some exposure and performance experience.
You will recognise some of the competition’s success stories over the years: Ocean Alley, Lime Cordiale, Dear Seattle and The Rions.
The finals are this April as the bands battle it out for huge prizes and an opportunity to perform in front of a panel of industry experts.
The first semi-final will be held on 6 April at YoYo’s in Frenchs Forest; the second semi-final will be on 13 April at Mona Vale Memorial Hall; and the winning band will be announced at the grand final on 20 April at the PCYC Northern Beaches in Dee Why.
Come and watch some of our talented musicians. They may one day be a worldwide success!
MEND YOUR CLOTHES AND SAVE MONEY
Textile repair workshop Saturday 13 April, 10.30am to 1.30pm Boomerang bags, The Hub, Kimbriki, 1 Kimbriki Road, Ingleside Free | Kimbriki.com.au
Do you have a favourite shirt or dress thrown in the corner of your room with a tear?
Check out the Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre at Ingleside, where Boomerang Bags is running a special workshop in collaboration with the council. This practical mending and hand-sewing technique workshop on 13 April will help you with your home sewing projects.
Boomerang bags holds regular sewing bees, so if you miss this event, check the Kimbriki website for the next one. It’s a global grassroots organisation all about connecting communities and diverting consumer waste into reusable bags to replace plastic.
Excellent for environmentally conscious youth to learn about sustainability while saving money.
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH BOXING
Beyond the Gloves Saturday 13 April, 3pm to 4.30pm Manly Youth and Community Centre, Kangaroo Street, Manly Free northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Beyond the Gloves is a free, youth boxing and mentoring workshop on 13 April, with the aim of building resilience, confidence and new skills while meeting people and having fun.
Run by Local Kind (formerly Community Northern Beaches) in collaboration with the council, the event is suitable for young people aged between 12 and 24 years.
Young people are empowered through physical exercise and mentoring and it promotes body positivity and mental fitness.
WORKSHOP: QUEER STILL LIFE, DRAWING OUR STORIES
Workshop: Queer still life 14 April, 2pm to 4pm MAG&M, 1A West Esplanade, Manly Costs $9, includes materials and snacks northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Queer artist Kim Leutwyler will present a still-life workshop with a difference for young people aged 15 to 19 on 14 April, at Manly Art Gallery and Museum MAG&M).
Teens can pick up a new creative skill and make connections by exploring queer identity through drawing.
Everyone is invited to bring a cherished object that means something to them –a talisman of empowerment within their queer identity.
Kim will cover the basic techniques of drawing, as well as collectively crafting a still-life tableau to inspire your queer stories.
Everyone is welcome, whatever your experience. Materials and snacks included in the cost.
CAR MAINTENANCE WORKSHOP
Car maintenance workshop Tuesday 16 April, 10.30am to 12pm;
and 1pm to 2.30pm PCYC Car Park Level 2, Civic Parade, Dee Why Free but bookings essential northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Want to learn basic car maintenance skills? Feel confident next time you open up the bonnet with this workshop.
For teens over 15 years old, this practical workshop is run by and held at the Police and Community Youth Centre (PCYC) in Dee Why on Tuesday 16 April. There’s a morning and an afternoon session.
The host of the workshop is Galmatic who are ‘Educators with a difference’.
They are all about empowering women and teenagers to equip themselves with essential ‘automotiveknow-how’ skills and they have over 17 years of experience running car mechanic workshops for over 100,000 Aussies per year.
The youth week sessions are not limited to females. It’s a free workshop but booking online is essential.
GUIDED ART IN MONA VALE LIBRARY
Drop in and draw Wednesday 17 April, 4pm to 6pm Mona Vale Library, 1 Park Street, Mona Vale Free northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Time to get creative in Mona Vale library, where Headspace Brookvale is holding a free guided art session for young people aged from 12 to 25 years old on 17 April.
All materials are provided, including posca pens and art paper, and no prior drawing experience is needed.
The event is free, but booking is required as spaces are limited.
GET YOUR SKATES ON
Best Trick Jam Wednesday 21 April, 4pm to 7pm Mona Vale Skate Park, 1604 Pittwater Road, Mona Vale Free avalonyouthhub.org.au
Avalon Youth Hub is holding a skate jam for skateboarders of all levels on 21 April at Mona Vale skate park.
The event was developed by the young people from the hub with the help of Chris Vaughan from Totem Skateboarding and is suitable for ages 10 and up.
The event is supported by the council and NSW Youth Week. Although it’s free, registration is essential to secure a spot.