Back Door showcase

Back Door Music Project showcase - 2Tone

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The Back Door Music Project has gained national recognition for its innovative work with young people and in the past few months has been running three new projects: Streetdance, recycled fashion and a youth music project.

Last night (Thursday 29 April)  the talented young people attending the projects came together for a showcase performance at the Broadwater Centre, giving them an opportunity to celebrate their achievements.

The show opened with James Rose, aka Rapper MC, followed by a fashion show with a difference as the Kirkholt Girls Group showed what amazing things can be done with recycled clothes and needles!

Leeroy Sibanda of Kirkholt Youth Group then gave a superb exhibition of break dancing before the class act of the night, Ellysse Mason wowed the packed crowd with her beautiful voice and acoustic guitar, and gaining this reviewers admiration not only for the quality of her performance but also for singing one of her own compositions as part of her two song set.

The second half was again kicked off with rappers, this time 2Tone, who were followed on stage by a group of young people from the Back Door to perform street dance. Last youth act of the night was hip hop from Young Souljah before Rochdale's singing Mayor, Keith Swift closed an excellent night's entertainment.

Talking to Rochdale Online, Mayor Swift said: "I am amazed at the high standard of musicianship. These young people are great ambassadors for Rochdale as they compete in competitions up and down the country.

"I was really impressed with the Kirkholt Girls Group's recycled fashion show."

Taking a well earned rest from canvassing to try and retain his seat as Rochdale's MP, Paul Rowen turned up to offer his support. He said: "I think it's been a brilliant night. It is a pleasure to see how the Back Door Project has helped so many young people grow in confidence and ability.

"Like Mayor Swift, I was particularly impressed with the achievements of the Kirkholt Girls Group and enjoyed their fashion show."

Carol Moore of the Back Door Project thanked all the volunteers who helped put the event together and all the young people who gave their time to perform and help raise funds. She also thanked sponsors Link4Life, who funded two of the projects, as well as Greg Couzens, John Peers, Thorntons, Denis Hope and Sandifords for their support.