London, 26 July 2023 – SABA Charity Network, a performing arts, community media and creative microbusiness support charity, will be hosting its annual UK UNSIGNED competition on 9th September 2023. Held at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, this year’s event will also include special guest performances by MC culture legend, Dennis Alcapone, and rising star, Big Zeeks.
Forming part of the charity’s Windrush Youth Legacy Project, this showcase will follow a line-up of some of the country’s best undiscovered talents in a range of categories. The category winners will receive £500 and be in the running to win the £5,000 award in the final heat taking place in October 2024 as part of UK UNSIGNED’s 25th season.
This year marks the 75th year since the first arrival of the Empire Windrush in Britain carrying invited migrants from the Caribbean. In commemoration, this year’s UK UNSIGNED event will identify and celebrate the musical genres brought over and made popular by the Windrush generation. In battles for MCs, Dance – seniors and juniors – and singers, the showcase will be a display of the musical and creative legacy left by the Windrush pioneers while supporting a new generation hoping to build their own legacy.
The event will support the charity’s Windrush Youth Legacy Project which will renew the foundations upon which current and future Windrush descendants can further build on, while educating on the contributions from the generation. The proceeds from this project will go towards supporting the charity’s work as they provide performing arts and media training to young people to pursue fulfilling careers.
“We are thrilled to be working with the Troubadour Theatres on this event” said John Downie, Director, SABA Charity Network. “We want young people using well-known venues, such as this, as a matter of course and not just one-off occasions, starting from their experience with us now.”
Within the SABA Charity Network, the funds raised from the event will benefit several organisations including Brent Black Music Co-op (BBMC); Chalkhill Community Radio; Your Digital Network (YDN); and E=Quivalent (a Special Education Needs support). Working with young talent in the creative industries, these organisations will form part of the overall Windrush Youth Legacy Project.
Acts can register for entry at the UK UNSIGNED website for the chance to win £5,000 at the final round taking place October 2024: https://ukunsigned.co.uk/registration/
Tickets are available for purchase here: https://ticketing.kxtickets.com/tickets/series/UKUNSIGNED
For more information on the Windrush Youth Legacy Project, please visit: http://windrushlegacy.com/