PREVIEW: Urban Games

By Michael Hann on August 14, 2012 in NARC., Society

Despite the undoubted prestige and economic benefit of London hosting the Olympic Games in 2012, there has been criticism in some corners of how it has irrevocably changed the face of the landscape of the city and distorted its character. Closer to home, a festival associated with the Olympics is using urban sports as a platform to highlight how local people, chiefly young people and children, can reclaim the everyday environment and reinvest themselves in it.

Urban Games is the biggest sports and arts festival in the North East and in 2012 is seeing in its third annual celebration. Organised by volunteers, many of whom are local kids and teenagers, the festival is a showcase for everything from street dancing, urban art, BMXing, MC/rap performances and skateboarding, to name just a few of the sports on show between Friday 17^th and Sunday 19^th August happening in and around Newcastle.

“Essentially it came about by talking to young people about the Olympics and what sports they related to, which were not necessarily represented as part of the Olympic events.” Said Michael Evans, Managing Director of Solar Learning, who established the games in 2010. “The aim really is to connect young people and children to the Olympic games through workshops, exhibitions and demonstrations, which include professionals competing in trial biking and BMXing. We’re even going to try to break a few world records.”

One of the least well known sports is Parkour, which involves performers free running, jumping and doing acrobatic turns and spins by utilising the environment around them. Craig Cheel, who is part of Apeuro Parkour and Free Running, is typical of the many athletes and artists taking part in Urban Games, in that he is based in the area and has long running ties with the festival, but is also is part of a wider community through working with schools, local councils etc. in order to get kids fired up about urban sports and teaching them to take part in them responsibly.

“I kind of got into Parkour from watching stuff on YouTube with my mates and trying stuff out.” He said. “I definitely owe a lot to Urban Games, without it I wouldn’t be where I am today. I decided early on that I didn’t want your typical nine to five job and what people like Michael have done is given me advice and opportunities which have enabled us to set up our business.”

Urban Games is not just limited to displays of strength and movement. A large part of the festival is its focus on hip-hop and how DJing, dancing and rapping can encourage people to participate and share in a common culture.

Tahmina Begum, who raps under the name of Misz Tee, has been involved in the festival since the beginning and believes that its success is due to its universal appeal, rather than catering for niche and specific tastes.

“I think it has something for everyone and people of all ages.” Tahmina said. “There’s so much to see and get involved in and because there’s the link to the Olympics there’s always a good atmosphere and everyone has a great time.”

Last year the festival had over 10,000 attendees, this year they are expecting similar numbers to come along to the Discovery Museum, Greys Monument and the Centre For Life to see and take part in the world class entertainment on show.

However, the aims of the festival do not end after the August weekend. Despite the three year funding coming to an end plans are already being discussed to run the festival in 2013 and as far as Michael Evans and the other organisers are concerned, Urban Games is very much about the ongoing challenge of reconnecting local people with the landscape around them.

“Young people get a lot of bad press in the media and too often they’re portrayed as a nuisance. The point of this festival is to show the positive side to how they engage with these sports and how they can enrich the cultural life of the area.” Said Michael. “Similar to the Olympics there is a legacy element to Urban Games, in that we are hoping to change the presentation and perception of these sports. So we are working with local councils in the area, by looking at things like how skate parks and communal areas are developed but also how we can engage with the local community by using these sports and arts to improve the cultural life of the region.”

Urban Games takes place at various venues in Newcastle between Friday 17^th and Sunday 19^thAugust.

Closer to home, a festival associated with the Olympics is using urban sports as a platform to highlight how local people, chiefly young people and children, can reclaim the everyday environment and reinvest themselves in it.