HOPE Portsmouth

Welcome to the webiste of the HOPE Project in Portsmouth, UK.

The HOPE Project works seeks to work with young people in the inner-city areas of Portsea and Somers Town, helping them excel through mentoring, family support and use of the creative arts.

Defined Music managed to get their photo up on the Galaxy FM website strutting their stuff. Nice work guys!

http://www.galaxysouthcoast.co.uk/photo-albums-4270/view/65048#photo

There is loads going on at the HOPE project at the moment – and so only right to let you all know:

1. The project received some money from Young Money to replace some tired musical instruments and to improve our video equipment. We are really grateful for this money and it will make a big difference to what we can offer here.
2. One of our bands DefinedMusic has recently been auditioned – and got in with flying colours – to the Portsmouth Variety Show happening in April at the New Theatre Royal. This will be a great opportunity for these guys to really show their stuff in a great venue to a large amount of people. These guys have been busy on their website – check out their amusing Video Blogs…
3. Split Personalities, although having suffered with illness over the last few weeks will also be auditioning for the variety show in the coming weeks and we reckon they’ll get in with flying colours!
4. Zoo In The Sky are booked in to record a demo in the studio over February half term. They are a very well respected local band and haven’t had the opportunity to do a decent demo yet. We hope to put that to rights!
5. Heather Bailey is hard at work on her acoustic sets and we hope to do a ‘lounge’ gig one afternoon in the future to give Heather the opportunity to perform. Keep your eyes peeled for more info on that one….

Backbeat records is very busy at the moment with bands coming and working with us after school. Some recent additions are:

• Split Personalities: After the last academy, the Big Shot Bandanas split and joined forces with Split Personalities to form a new and exciting band. These guys are hungry for gigs and we’ll be working with them on their live performances and recording some demos.
• Defined Music: A newly formed three piece, these guys have some gigs lined up and will be working with Backbeat to do some work on their material, their original songs and doing some recordings.
• Zoo In They Sky: A highly experienced young band who are up for recording some of their songs to produce a really class demo.
• Heather Bailey: Heather is a solo acoustic act who is working with Backbeat to sharpen her performance, her songs before getting stuck into some gigs.

Some exciting things going on. Check out the band websites (which are new) for the latest info…

I know it has taken longer than expected but the DVD’s are finally ready! We are really pleased at how amazing everyone performed at the gig and we know you are going to enjoy watching it along with all the special features and behind the scenes footage.

If you took part in the Summer Academy then you are eligible for a free copy. Extra copies can be ordered at the cost at £5 each. If you would like extra copies, contact us and let us know.

Work is progressing really well on the HOPE Summer 2009 DVD. And to whet your appetites we’ve uploaded a trailer for your viewing pleasure…

Now I know that the DVD is a little behind schedule – but believe me I have a good excuse! As you can see me and my wife had a little baby girl a couple of weeks ago and as such it has stopped us getting the DVD out on time. But rest assured we are back on the case and we hope to have it ready in a couple of weeks.

I know you are having to wait – but isn’t she cute…….

My man Stu was a very busy boy on the day of the Summer Academy gig taking lots of photos of us all. We’ve put a selection of them up here for your viewing pleasure.

Work on the DVD is going well and we expect it to be ready for release in the first week of October. We’ll of course let you know when you can get hold of them!

[View with PicLens]

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Another Summer Academy has been and gone – and it was a really incredible week I can tell you. I won’t post much here but very soon we’ll get online some photos from the gig and movie trailers for you to watch. We may not get them up straight away but trust me they will be worth the wait!

Thanks again to all who took part and especially the mentors for all their hard work.

We are really please to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Summer Academy 2009! Last years Summer Academy was incredible fun and I know that this year will be even bigger and even better.

The academy is open to anyone between the ages of 11-16 and this year we will be offering the following streams for you to get involved with:

• Vocal stream
• Band stream (for anyone who plays an instrument)
• Dance stream
• Video editing stream
• Techy stream
• DJ stream
• Design stream

If you are interested in applying you can simply download the application form by clicking here or by collecting one from us at the Kings Centre. For more information either drop us an email or give us a call!

Once again this project is funded with the Heart Of Portsmouth Community Improvement Partnership.

Applications must be sent in to reach us no later than 17th August 2009.

Well the DVD’s are finally ready! Of course they contain the showcase gig but they are also loaded with special features such as behind the scenes ‘Rock-u-mentary’, post-gig interviews, directors commentary and lots more.

I will be doing the rounds giving them out but if you want to pop into the Kings Centre and grab one then you are most welcome to do so.

One thing that really helps us is to find out what you thought of the academy (for those that were involved). If you have 30 seconds please can you answer a couple of questions and let us know what you think! You can find the questions by clicking here.

Order More Copies

Each person who took part in the academy will get one free copy. However additional copies can be purchased at the rock bottom cost of £3 each. If you would like to obtain some more copies by emailing us, phoning us, or popping in and asking for them.