Judgestock returns to arts centre

West Bromwich students to take centre stage at Black Country music festival

Students from the George Salter Academy Saturday School and out-of-hours performing arts will be playing with professional bands and musicians at this year’s Judgestock at The Public in West Bromwich on Saturday 7 July.

Rus Smith, Extended Schools Manager, has around 200 youngsters taking part in music and performing arts activities every Saturday and is hoping that around 150 of them will be helping make the annual fund raising music festival, in tribute to local man, Simon Turton, who lost his battle with brain cancer last year, when he was just 36 years old.

Now in its 8^th year, the annual music extravaganza is once again set to transform the Black Country venue into its very own Glastonbury.  With three stages of live music, featuring performances from some of the region’s finest tribute acts, Judgestock 2012 promises to bigger and better than ever.

Rus Smith, Extended Schools Manager at George Salter Academy said, “We’re absolutely delighted to be involved in the much loved festival this year.  The students are really excited at the thought of being able to showcase their talents to a wider-than-usual audience. We hope to have three or four dance acts and a similar number of music acts plus two drama groups as entertainers on the day and there will be students helping with programme design and shadowing the organisers to gain experience of how a professional event is staged.”

Lee Judge, the festival organiser added, “When Rus approached me I thought it was a brilliant idea. Already we have nearly 30 bands lined up for the day from metal through soul to tribute bands; giving talented local youngsters a chance to play in a proper music event with professional bands would give them valuable experience for their future. Linking with the school is going to add a new dimension to the charity fundraiser.”

Throughout the day there will be activities for kids during the afternoon including Punch and Judy, a bouncy castle and face painting. Fifteen market stalls have already signed up for visitors looking for a little retail therapy.

Judgestock 2012 takes place at The Public on Saturday 7 July from 12 noon to midnight.  Tickets are £8 and available from www.thepublic.com or by calling 0121 533 7161.