Virtual festival will celebrate talented youngsters, who've struggled to find creative outlets during pandemic
Somerset’s arts, youth, and culture is being celebrated in a virtual two-day festival, starting tonight.
Last updated 23rd Oct 2020
Festival Director Deborah Badoo says they wanted to support talented youngsters during the pandemic - and give them a focus as opportunities to express themselves have been dramatically reduced.
The TYCA festival, or Taunton youth culture and arts, features a wide variety of performances and the charity behind it has spent October recording live performances of young people to be screened.
It’s being hosted by actor Iain McNiece, who played Bert in Doc Martin after studying at Taunton School.
He said: "I am delighted to be able to introduce this year’s Tyca Festival."
“I look back fondly to the start of my own artistic career which began at Taunton School and look forward to helping other budding talents take the stage."
Arts Taunton took the decision to go completely online in July when it became clear that the pandemic problems were likely to continue through the year.
“It was a time to be brave. The world change daily, and indeed continues to do so“, said Deborah Baddoo, the festival director.
“But now more than ever we knew the creative industries needed supporting and young people need an outlet for all their emotions.
"Arts Taunton created a platform for the young people of Somerset to meet that need."
The festival showcase a wealth of local talent, and includes dance, theatre, outdoor performances, an open mic evening, live DJ performances, family theatre show, art and design by fashion students, media make up demonstration, a short play, performance from the musicals and finally, slamthology, a spoken word performance.
It starts tonight at 7pm and will be screened here