Launch of Teenage Dreams and Making Changes Murals

Teenage dreams so hard to beat – The Undertones lyrics are as relevant now as they were back in 1978. So much so that when the iconic Bridge End flyover ‘Teenage Kicks’ mural was removed in 2013 over 7000 people took to social media to protest.  Two years later thanks to an East Belfast Partnership lead project – it Is back.   Reworked and reinstalled by the same artists who painted the original, Blaze FX, but this time with the help from young people from the Short Strand/Newtownards Road (Ballymac) interface.

The youth project, supported by Depart of Social Development, Belfast City Council  and the Urban Village initiative,  provided an opportunity for 20 young people  from the Short Strand/Newtownards Road (Ballymac) communities to work together  over  four months to, not only replace the ‘Teenage Kicks’ mural, but, through music and art , create their own unique piece of music to inspire and design their own mural.   The project included artistic guidance and mentoring on writing lyrics and music production by respected local music producer Rocky O’Reilly as well as mural design from the team at Blaze FX.

The revived iconic ‘Teenage Dreams’ lyric once again brought a smile  to all when, as part of the EastSide Urban Village Festival, on Saturday 28th March at 1pm, the reinstalled mural was officially revealed by Terri Hooley, along with the newly designed mural  from the ‘Ballymac/Short Strand Crew.’ which was inspired by their song – ‘Making Changes’.

East Belfast Partnership Neighbourhood Renewal Coordinator, Sara Houston, said:

“This has been a great project to be involved in. It has allowed young people from East Belfast to come together to  celebrate our musical heritage as well as explore their artistic and musical talents. It has demonstrated how creative our young people can be when given the opportunity.”

Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey, said: 

“I am delighted that the workshops proved successful and brought together young people from the Short Strand and Newtownards Road to design new community art at Bridge End.  The new community art complements the major public realm scheme that has been completed by my Department at this location and it is very encouraging to see such close partnership working between the Department, Belfast City Council and the local communities on this project.”

Cllr Deirdre Hargey, Belfast City Council Chair of Development said:

“Belfast City Council is delighted to have been able to support this inspiring project.  We are delighted that it has involved teenagers from the local communities in its development. Through the Council’s support, these teenagers have also been given an invaluable insight into the music business, and especially composition, performance, recording and mixing, giving many of them their first experience of being in a professional recording studio.  We hope that this may inspire them to pursue careers in the music industry and in turn make their own mark on the world via music.” 

 

For further details on the work of East Belfast Partnership  as well as details on the EastSide Urban Village Festival visit www.eastbelfastpartnership.org



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