2008 Rock Eisteddfod Challenge
The Rock Eisteddfod Challenge is a series of dance and drama events staged worldwide by school pupils as part of the Global Rock Challenge. These events are initiated by the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge Foundation, and aim to promote healthy lifestyle choices, particularly abstinence from drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. A more recent event was started for primary students - J Rock - in 2004 to raise awareness about obesity by promoting dance as a fun way to exercise. Rock Eisteddfod shows mean telling a story on stage in 8 minutes. Participants can have between 10 and 120 students on stage, as well as up to 20 back stage crew. The entire show is set to a pre-recorded soundtrack of contemporary music, and the aim is to use dancing and drama to tell the story. There are also sets and costumes to be thought of and the performances often combine elements from the whole arts curriculum. Schools choose their own theme and story and work collaboratively with teachers and parents to bring their ideas to life. Almost every school student in Australia especially has heard of or been in a Rock Eisteddfod sometime in the past 28 years The concept began in Sydney, Australia in 1980 known as The Rock ‘n’ Roll Eisteddfod, a NSW Arts Council sponsored-event, featuring a handful of Sydney high schools at the historic Hordern Pavilion. The idea has been developed by Sydney radio station 2SM - then Sydney’s number one youth music station. With support from Coca-Cola, the NSW Arts Council promoted the event as an example of local youth culture in action. In 1988 the New South Wales Health Department was the first to see the Rock Eisteddfod as an opportunity to deliver the “Quit For Life” anti-smoking message to secondary school students in New South Wales. At the same time, Peter Sjoquist AM took over and revitalized the event, which is now known nationally as Rock Eisteddfod Challenge. In 1993 the event was introduced into New Zealand starting with 20 schools and 2000 participants, and has grown to include 171 schools and 16,381 participants. In 1995 Inspector Mark Pontin of the Hampshire Constabulary visited Australia on a Churchill Scholarship. He saw the Australian Rock Eisteddfod Challenge first hand and was so impressed that he persuaded the Chief Constable to introduce it to their area of the UK. In 1996 the inaugural event of the Rock Challenge was staged in Portsmouth with 11 schools and 800 students. This has now turned into a national series of competitions, usually starting in Aberdeen in February and running through many parts of the UK (including London, at the Hackney Empire) until the northern and southern Grand Finals around the end of May / beginning of June. (Plans are now well advanced to hold the first-ever all-UK Grand National Final in 2009, with the best teams from both the northern and southern series of events together at last.) Rock Eisteddford events are now staged in several locations worldwide. New Zealand, Germany, the U.S. (but in 2003 stopped in the US), United Kingdom, Japan, Dubai and South Africa have all taken up what's known as the Global Rock Challenge phenomenon. A sister event The Croc Festival stages a series of festivals in remote and regional areas of Australia, aimed at both indigenous and non-indigenous communities are held each year. In addition to performing under the stars the three-day festivals provide the opportunity for rural and remote students to participate in many health, education, employment, sport, visual and performing activities during the day. The Rock Eisteddfod is a great way for young youths all over the world to show off there many amazing talents and work in a team together. We wish every one the best of luck and hope you all have an amazing time this year and the years to come. If you have been part of the experience or have seen the Rock Eistefodd performances we would love to hear from you. Please find more information below: http://www.girl.com.au/blog/index.php?/archives/15-2008-Rock-Eisteddfod-Challenge.html
It's here, it's happening and you can be part of it - the 2008 Rock Eisteddfod Challenge® and J Rock™. Nearly 30,000 primary and high school students from across Australia will be hitting the stage in 2008 to perform in dance, drama and design spectaculars - all in the name of promoting healthy lifestyle choices. The 2008 Rock Eisteddfod Challenge® and J Rock™ events will be taking place between 14 -15 August at the Perth Convention Exhibition Center from 6:30pm. There is a huge variety of themed performances chosen, produced and performed by young people - anything and everything from Reality TV, modern takes on traditional fairy tales and theatrical faves. REC HQ don't influence these choices they reflect the issues, trends and interests of the 21st Century generation.
