Able – C from the Junior Sinstars reports:

The first part of the day started with a youth development class that was open to all young people, it covered the basics of DJing and gave us the opportunity to learn how to DJ with an expert. It was held at Nuns Way Pavillion. Mark introduced himself and told us a really funny story about how he got into scratching and Hip Hop:

He watched other DJs on TV and then tried to copy their movements on his parents’ records and player, while his parents were shouting at him for damaging their records!

After the youth development class, the Junior Sinstars attended a masterclass led by Mark. He asked us what we would like to learn during the session. Mark  uses the software Serato DJ  and he demonstrated some of the more advanced techniques to us, such as the baby scratch. Transformers scratches, cherp scratches and juggling. After showing us how it’s done, he gave us a chance to try it out, offering tips and feedback as we went along.

The session was hands-on (deck :), and everyone had an opportunity to practice and experiment. Mark kept things simple and made sure everyone was involved. By the end of the day, we had learnt how to do different types of scratches and how to juggle effectively. We gained insight into what it takes to be an expert  DJ and all of us agreed we’d like to have more masterclasses like this in the future.

What is our Definitely Real Build project?
Definitely Real Build is a community project to help support young people and North Cambridge residents experiencing challenges accessing arts and culture provision, and to provide a safe green space with activity teaching about nature, sustainability and healthy active lifestyles. It’s also a space for local artists and people in our community in need.  We have been delivering arts projects for young people and their families for nearly 30 years, and it is now more crucial then ever to provide space and activity to support those who are faced with complex needs and challenges. The community garden and build project will enable young people to spend a productive time outdoors developing a space where they and other community members can;
Be active outdoors – connect with nature – have a safe space to visit – learn – form friendships – inspire creativity – collaborate – build confidence – celebrate – have ownership of work and space – work on emotional wellbeing and physical health – attend workshops – develop skills – and relax in a peaceful environment

1. How can you support our community build?
2. Company sponsorship – regular or one off, any amount big or small
3. Support in kind – donate items and/or services
4. Donations
6. We have created a shopping list of items we are gathering to make this project happen:

We are also accepting donations to support the build

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How can we work together?
We love to shout out loud about all our sponsors and supporters. We are proud to recommend our sponsors, donors and those who have contributed to our projects and work, across our social media platforms. Our thankyou packages include your company logos/ name on our marketing, copies of S T U S H magazine, and VIP tickets to our public performances. We are open to working and collaborating with individuals, organisations and businesses, so it would great to hear from you.

For further info please reach out to Lucy: director@sincru.co.uk

More on our reasons and our vision…
We have been busy nurturing 1000’s of young people, delivering to amateur and professional beneficiaries, creating thought provoking, well received dance theatre, and facilitating opportunities for people to access art and culture through our project work, festivals, events, classes, and performances since the mid ’90s. If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that what we consider normal can be snatched away faster than Paul Daniels’ tablecloth.  We must be more robust and self reliant than ever before.  Over lockdown, changes in the arts and self employed sectors meant that many arts organisations and sole traders simply stopped doing business.  Over the past decade live venues have already seen drastic changes to how people access art and culture, and have had to adapt, but the COVID-19 pandemic left performance spaces closed with no definite time frame, and sadly many have not reopened their doors.

In the spirit of self reliance and independence, SIN Cru has launched a brand new work space build.  This dream build is an experiment in the unconventional, a template for all and any arts organisations and artists to use, to show that development and community go hand in hand.  An offer of stability and security in a pending world, a creative oasis in the middle of the Kings Hedges council estate.  This micro build will be made from a steel shipping container, remodelled to have windows, doors, underfloor heating, and a multi purpose work space for our current and future teams to run the company from.  In designing the studio, we are learning about ecology and spending more time looking outside to be able to create the most productive work space inside.

We have received start-up support from Abington Woods and learned a lot from their expertise, alongside a dedicated team of young people who have assisted and managed aspects of the project. In order to realise our goal we are looking for community sponsorship from individuals and companies that specialise in DIY, building, and decorating.

This project along with all the work we do at SIN Cru is optimistic, defies the concept of impossible, develops people, builds our communities, and promotes positive changes in people’s lives.