Deaf Arts Extravaganza
Published 20th May 2004 by DaZed

DEAF ARTS EXTRAVAGANZA @ KOMEDIA

An array of deaf artists will inspire and entertain both deaf and hearing audiences alike when DaZed Deaf Arts Consultancy presents ?DaZed @ Komedia ? the future?s DEAF!? on Friday 25 June.

More than 30 deaf artists will come together for the seminar and showcase which opens at 10am with an exhibition including sculpture, photography, theatre, film and TV and visual arts. The exciting cabaret programme begins at 7.30pm.

The event, supported by the Arts Council England ? South East, and sponsored by Lighthouse, is open to both deaf and hearing audiences, with communication support workers, interpreters and technical aids enabling full access.

DaZed Development Director Lisa Mills anticipates the event will be a huge success due to the immense diversity and talent among Deaf Artists in the UK. ?There are also many deaf audiences waiting to be catered to on a regular basis,? she said.

While Deaf Arts is becoming more popular throughout the UK Lisa Mills said there are still inequalities between Deaf Arts and mainstream arts.

?There are estimated to be about 9 million Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in the UK. I regret that deaf artists and deaf audiences are unfortunately still not given regular accessible and inclusive opportunities they should be given within the mainstream arts programming. My research shows that this is perhaps due to lack of shared resources, information and networking,? she said.

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 legislation states that service providers must make their services accessible to people with profound deafness and hearing loss.

Lisa Mills established DaZed to narrow the divide, with the company becoming the UK?s very first Deaf Arts online resource and Deaf Artists database.

?I am so excited about the potential DaZed has for the South East region and the UK. DaZed @ Komedia is a great opportunity for everyone to be inspired by Deaf Arts.?

Lisa?s innovative approach to Deaf Arts is evident in her ticket booking by text initiative whereby people can book tickets by simply sending a mobile phone text message. This proved to be a huge success at Lisa's sell out Deaf Theatre Cabaret event at the Croydon Clocktower in April.

Komedia Administrator Louise Partridge said Komedia is very excited about the DaZed @ Komedia event.

?We hope it will take us even closer to our aim of making the Arts accessible for all members of the community to enjoy. Many of our staff have taken deaf awareness training, which they are looking forward to putting into practice,? she said.


DaZed are currently seeking the support of sponsors:
Sponsors are required for the event & volunteers are also required to help on the day.
To offer your support please contact Lisa (Email) dazed@honeybeetheatre.com

Tickets are available from Komedia box office:
(Phone) 01273 647100 (Fax) 01273 647102 (Email) tickets@komedia.co.uk
(Web) www.komedia.co.uk (Mobile - Text / SMS ?for D@K event only?) 07749 632 734

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