On 30 April at London’s Bloomsbury Ballroom The Enemy will headline a free 1940′s inspired `Ballroom Blitz’ party to launch the biggest ever youth action scheme: vinvolved. The line up also includes Martina Topley Bird, The Rumble Strips, a dj set from Bloc Party and more, with XFM DJ and TV presenter Dave Berry hosting the proceedings.
Back in the 1940′s everyone volunteered, it was quite simply the cool thing to do. So for one night only, the beautiful Bloomsbury Ballroom will be transformed into a 1940′s dancehall, with costumes, cabaret and 1940′s covers to bring back some community spirit to celebrate the launch of vinvolved.
The new vinvolved scheme sees the launch of over 150 new volunteer projects across the country offering opportunities in areas such as music, mentoring, sport and the environment. The Ballroom Blitz party aims to raise awareness of the scheme to encourage fans to sign up, as well as saying thank you to existing volunteers.
Tickets to this unique event are completely free; anyone aged 18-25 who already volunteers or is interested in volunteering can enter a draw for free tickets by registering on the charity’s website www.vinvolved.com
There are also two pairs of VIP tickets up for grabs. The VIP package includes transport, accommodation, dinner for two and a 1940′s makeover before the gig.
Headlining act The Enemy recently got involved in a volunteering project planting trees in a London housing estate with Trees for Cities: `Projects like this bring green trees to grey spaces. Just giving up a bit of our time opened our eyes to the difference volunteers can make to ordinary people’s lives. Young people get a bad press but schemes like this are challenging that negative image. Volunteering at festivals is great but there are so many other projects people should know about so we were really pleased to be asked to headline the vinvolved gig to raise awareness of the opportunities that are out there’.
The vinvolved scheme is backed by £75 million funding from v – the youth volunteering charity. Over the next three years, the scheme will encourage up to 500,000 16 – 25 year olds across England to help out in projects ranging from coaching kids football, staging music and art workshops, making films to inspire social change, online peer mentoring and environmental projects.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
The Ballroom Blitz – April 30 2008, 8pm – 1am
The Bloomsbury Ballroom, Victoria House, 37 – 63 Bloomsbury Square, WC1B 4DA
MAIN ROOM:
The Enemy
The Rumble Strips
The Thirst
Bloc Party (DJ set)
Hugo Santa Cruz
CABARET BAR:
Martina Topley Bird
The Marjorie Bells
Jonathan Jeremiah
The Broken Hearts DJs
