Throughout the spring & in early July, I have attended a series of events, conferences, community participation and seminar related to Neurodiversity, a particular neurological difficulties and disability as a whole. At these events, I attended key influencers which everyone needs to discover, or a presentation with enable them to inspire others. Three out of the events were located at The NEC one was at the University of Warwick, University of Birmingham and one was located in South Birmingham Health & Wellbeing at Work I focused on the neurodiversity component of the events related to education, voices from expert professionals, and influential people with lived experiences including Dr. Nancy Doyle who are providing companies to be cautious when using artificial intelligence as it could discriminate against neurodivergent related to recruitment. Also attended a presentation from Tumi Sobre sharing his insight as a researcher. In addition a got to meet some great people when networking including the team members from Lexxic. Dyslexia Show Seminars, presentations and panel discussions related to education, expert voices and influential people related to Dyslexia and Neurodiversity. This includes presentations from Darren Clarke from Succeed with Dyslexia sharing useful examples of dyslexia in the workplace and how minor adjustments can make a positive difference. Also, addressing the workplace Natalie Brooks (campaigner and podcast host) from Adults with Dyslexia demonstrates examples of embracing dyslexia. During the event, I get to have a conversation with Arron Smith, one of the leading organisers of the event. Disability in the Workplace Summer Conference A series of workshops, presentations, panel discussions and live performances focusing on embracing disability with working opportunities in employment and business. This event is ahead of Disability Pride Month in July. This event took place at the University of Warwick (in Coventry), organised by S.I.C and Warwick Innovation Group. The event was divided into two areas: creative and the workplace component. The creative section of the event includes a panelist talk discussion and a fun interactive workshop. The panel discussion focused on the creative industries with representative voices by Alice Reeves co-founder & Director of Joyfully Different. With guests including Dr Zoe Watson founder of Make & Create and the well good well-being and Emila Moniszko Founder and managing director blunt and brave. Eight of the pound list discuss their personal insights which enable them to provide creative projects in the community and society. The examples of topics discussed include removing the barriers and it bracing new divergent just not only as an employee but also as a entrepreneur. The creative components of the event concluded with an interactive creative group play session using LEGO blocks where the audience was divided into more groups to construct different framed items including building a tower. The second part of the creative challenge creating something based on a particular challenge that affects the neurodivergent at work and in business, then using what was created to modify it into a solution. The afternoon session included a panelist discussion featuring Alice Hargreaves, Julie Reynolds (equity advocate), Robin Christopherson MBE (Head of digital inclusion, Abilitynet), Nikki Adebiyi (Founder of Bounce Back) and Sonia Rai (Founder of Netcar HR). Also, a family of 15 minutes of S.I.C presentation from and also your Dr. Mark Fostbrook, Include Me manager, West Midlands Combined Authority), Dieepa Ranawke (CEO, Sumrise) along with Dr Zoe Watson returning for the afternoon session. The event closes with a special music performance from the Sugar Coated sisters. Chloe & Tabby are international social media stars combining music and comedy which enable them to perform across the UK and internationally around the world. Both used their invisible disabilities to bring a different and candid perspective into their lives. Autism Show At the NEC with seminars, presentations and panel discussions related to education, expert voices and influential people related to Autism and Neurodiversity. This includes a panel discussion from some of the autistic inferences who participated in presentation talks earlier in the day. During the event, I get to meet for the first time I met with a TV Personality, Book Author and autistic influencer Alex Matters. He is featured in my awareness project focusing on listing achievers and role models of hidden differences. Links to the Plus Value Awareness project on achievers will appear here soon Levelling Up and Disability in the West Mids: The Event was organised by West Midlands Combined Authority at Sense offices in South Birmingham A community participation event involves a different representative of various organisations in the community and from Public Authorities in the region. This covers areas such as health & safety, transport, housing & communities along with skills & employment. University of Birmingham: School of Education study weekend As well as an attendee I was also a panelist during this event. This was part of a weekend of presentations and discussions focusing on different examples of autism awareness. The presentation talks I attended in cleaning one from Damian Milton. He was aggressing his insight as an autistic person and a father. Also, some of his work he has developed at the University of Kent and the national autistic society. Also, Karen Coney addresses the support for neurodivergent with Graduate Careers Advisory Service at John Moores University in Liverpool. Participation panelist Focusing on different aspects of research I was part of focusing on my involvement and experiences in autism-related research in local communities. My input includes my involvement in projects with Andrea MacLeod from the University of Birmingham including an online webinar aggression autistic people beyond the age of 40. Plus the development of a survey enables autistic voices to be heard without any filtering or wrongly interpreted. In addition, includes my aspects of research related to developing projects & information for plus value awareness. The intention is to gain stronger connections and spread the word on developments of what I have been involved with related to design, awareness or disability and transport matters. During these events, I had the opportunity to network with a variety of people from different backgrounds and shared my interactive digital portfolio & showcase touchpoint material was shared when communicating with attendees when networking. Find out more by reading the developments blog article "Interactive digital developments" The intention is to gain stronger connections and spread the word on the awareness I have them done which could help inspire others. Notice to editors
Keith Mckenzie Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations. Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity. In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games
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An event that combines workshops, presentation, talks and panel discussions.
The festival was over a two-day duration at different venues within central Birmingham. The first day of the festival was mainly located at the Parkside campus of Birmingham City University when where the School of Art and Design along with the furniture showroom Minima near Hockley. The brand master class is a combination of workshop and presentation by the legendary international designers Brian Collins and Astrid Stavro from the award-winning consultancy Collins. Sharing insight and experiences of how they developed their business and projects even through changing times with the worldwide pandemic. As well as showing some examples of the projects they also enable the entire audience to be involved in a fun and interactive workshop. The Type Trends report presents a collection of examples of the current trends in typography. This was presented by Brian Garham and Emilos Theofanous from Monotype. Later on the same day a palelist discussion addressing the issues of career opportunities in design. It was presented by Design Council's Chief Design Officer Cat Drew. With guests including artist and broadcaster Vanessa Scott, Phil Garnham from Monotype and Graphic lecturer Jane Anderson at the School of Art and Design at the University of Birmingham. Asked a question during the Q&A session During this event, I asked a question to the panelists on how they need to improve opportunities for neurodivergent. The responses includles an apprentice scheme for Neurodivergents. BDF Social The first day ended with a social event which was located nearby at the Hockley social club. The opportunity to network with someone of people involved with the Birmingham Design Festival. Thanks to the kind comments of Jane Anderson, I was invited to the Art & Design Degree Show. The Conference The second day was conference day with a total of eight different presentation talks. The event was presented by Venessa Scott alongside Matt & Luke from the Birmingham Design team. This was locatred at Birmingham's Repertory thratre better known at "The Rep". A perfect location as the surrounding area of Central Birmingham has gone through major redevelopment with near by contemporary architcture and up to date transport links. (Inc trams running nearby along Broad Street) The conference kicked off with a presentation from Marya Cerdà Alimbau demonstrating her work and emphasising the importance of inspiration from calligraphy as an inspiring source for developing typography design. Addressing the importance of having the same union between image and type while not mistaking flexibility for communication. Marya what's one of several guests of this festival which embraces artificial intelligence {A.I) to generate creativity. Lex Fefegha demonstrates creativity tech and interactivity linking community, culture and solutions in today's issues and topics. Areas such as using tech for a broadcast network to develop wide perspectives on topics such as knife crime, and digital interactivity for public authorities. Also, many examples of how tech can be integrated with different aspects such as music and health care. A project was developed to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop music including using art to develop poetry with a rap glove. The morning session concludes with a presentation talk by visual artist and author Oliver Jeffers. Is demonstrates his work including illustrations for several books I've ever written by himself or for others also he's working on a special animation film on the theme of the universe. The conference continues with the afternoon session starting with a presentation talk from puppetry director and designer Toby Olié. Gaming design was the theme of the next presentation talk by Abbie Heppe Director of Live Service at Media Molescule. This incluldes developing an virtal gaming festival during the worldwide pandemic. Focusing on the topic of the theme of play and how it is still relevant to all ages was the theme from a presentation from the global brand director at the Lego group Sonal Jhuj Gemma O'Brien, a designer and artist came from Australia just for the Birmingham Design Festival. Not only she shared examples of work using the PowerPoint presentation she also brought a very personalised creative collection book that uses how she develops her creativity with a high level of quality and how this is used to embrace her work for clients. Not only Gemma supports artificial intelligence in generating creative ideas but also in using A.I for generating writing using Chat GBT. The event concluded with design and creative legend Brian Collins (Global Director of Collins) returning for the second day with his insight and perspective along with some sharing of his projects from his team at Collins. Brian emphasise of developing unintentional ideas to generate creativity and design. Despite the worldwide controversy with artificial intelligence, Brian emphasised A.I will not take over us humans. The emphasizes that artificial intelligence needs to be embraced. Brian closes the final presentation of the festival with an interactive karaoke with one of the most recognisable musical films in the world. This involves selected members of the audience to join in. Birrmingham City University's Art & Design Degree Show Three days after the Birmimgham Design Festival has ended, I was invited to attend the latest Art & Design degree show which displays of projects from students from Fine Art, Architecture, Product Design, interiors, Fashion, Graphic Communication and Photography. This was locationed at Parkside campus of Birmingham City University. Key memebrs of the Birmingham Design Fetsival was there along some of the volunteers of the festival. Final Point Embracing deisgn is important, the festival and the quests has proved this. Notice to editors Keith Mckenzie Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations. Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity. In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games A special one-off seminar event presented by Birmingham Design, (the team behind the Birmingham Design Festival) focusing on artists and designers based in the north of England.
The presentation I watch including from Sana Iqbal from Studio Sana who uses design to benefit communities. Caroline Dowsett shares her insight on illustration and visual art. Tom Heaton from PHMG shows a variety of branding and creative presentation work through different platforms. Also, I saw a limited presentation from Ryan and Mark Edwards from DR.ME. That was one of the professionals who were so projects to the audience. This is related to Tom Heaton expressing his concern about how his original work has led to other organizations great something similar to what he has developed. I had a brief conversation with Tom and his presentation and acknowledge his frustrations with creativity challenges I explained how I face similar problems where I have developed and then found other organisations developed similarly up to two years afterward. It was an amazing discovery to see the amazing project by specific creatives from the North of England and for the team to spend a couple hours in the Midlands Notice to editors Keith Mckenzie Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations. Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity. In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games As a feature Commonwealth-related community participant, I write a personal tribute to the queen's life and commitment.
I've never met the queen personally so I do not have any personal experiences. But, going back in time when I was a child, I only experienced seeing the queen face to face during a street procession visit to Worcestershire and seeing the queen bring some sparkle and uplifting vibes that some people might remark as magical. I'm sure this has been an effect on many people who meet the Queen face to face, virtually when they have received an award from the queen. THE WORLD PICTURE Her long life and her commitment to providing the nation and commonwealth for 70 years is remarkable with the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. No one in living memory is likely to experience this level of achievement and commitment ever again. MY CONTRIBUTION During the Platinum jubilee year, I was honoured to be a featured community participant for Birmingham to showcase the legacy of my city (where I was born) beyond the host city of the commonwealth games. Click here to find out more However, when the announcement was made related to the sad loss of Queen Elizabeth II, I realised that I have a greater responsibility to represent the city through good and bad times and do more to improve the positive legacy to my city, the region of the Midlands, the UK and the Commonwealth. This goes beyond my role as an awareness campaigner, creative designer and salsa dancing participant. CONCLUSIONS Just like many people around the world, I am very sad the hear about the loss of the Queen. My sympathy is with the Royal family and anyone who has met Her Majesty throughout her life. So I end my blog to thank you to the queen for her life long commitment to our nation, the commonwealth and the wider world. I wish H.M King Charles III the best of luck and hope his majesty will continue the legacy of her Mum, H.M Queen Elizabeth II This blog provides personal insight on developing the design for the B Bold Be Birmingham Creative competition. This was a very challenging project with developing a concept very quickly and within a short amount of days. This was because I was only aware of the competition a few days before the entry deadline. Background However, I wanted to present something different from the standard techniques and styles used for bold marketing and promotion. This led to creating visual concepts to be the focal point which will draw the audience. Preparation I need to explore what aspects are needed for the projects and the message behind the design. So I brainstorm visual elements around the city identity, visual elements and showcase effects. The design visuals started with the visual environment which represents the showcase element. However, I wanted to be specific so I decided on visual effects around the abstract large letter b shape with visual elements inside the letter shape. Secondly, I start to visualise the cultural identity including art, music, dancing, industries and innovation. Each example was created separately before adding each artwork to the main design area. Secondary I develop the showcase aspects using a series of neon tube shapes and circle light bulbs in the main design area. Finally, add visual images of selected landmarks and iconic places of the city. However, the I did must not be historic to emphasize the bold message. In the complete design, the colours used were modified to specific colour guidelines. This is associated with the corporate colour scheme for the commonwealth games for Birmingham and the marketing initiatives by Birmingham City Council The design is complete in a colour blend with the "Be Bold Be Birmingham" title displayed within the colour bend shape. The overall aim is to emphasise a showcase world-class city with a strong and unique local identity. As result, the showcase is the visual interpretation of the boldness of this project. The design visuals started with the visual environment which represents the showcase element. However, I wanted to be specific so I decided on visual effects around the abstract large letter b shape with visual elements inside the letter shape. Secondly, I start to visualise the cultural identity including art, music, dancing, industries and innovation. Each example was created separately before adding each artwork to the main design area. Secondary I develop the showcase aspects using a series of neon tube shapes and circle light bulbs in the main design area. Finally, add visual images of selected landmarks and iconic places of the city. However, the I did must not be historic to emphasize the bold message. In the complete design, the colours used were modified to specific colour guidelines. This is associated with the corporate colour scheme for the commonwealth games for Birmingham and the marketing initiatives by Birmingham City Council The design is complete in a colour blend with the "Be Bold Be Birmingham" title displayed within the colour bend shape. The overall aim is to emphasise a showcase world-class city with a strong and unique local identity. As result, the showcase is the visual interpretation of the boldness of this project. Visit the special Commonwealth Legacy feature on this website related to my involvement in the showcasing the launch city of the commonwealth games
To see this creative project in detail visit the link below I was asked to be part of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strengthen a positive legacy for Birmingham. Despite I have been featured on videos in the past, it is usually related to being featured or involved in projects by other people or organisations. This is the first time being featured in a film totally about me. Background This is for a digital campaign on social media. Titled "Be Your Personal Best' and featuring selected individuals who are making a positive difference in the community. My involvement is linked with the "Be Bold, Be Birmingham the marketing initiative by Birmingham City Council to showcase the host city for the commonwealth games. Preparation This involves me being interviewed on video with many questions to answer. This took many weeks to prepare. What many people don't realise with preparing is to summarise and gathering lots of involvement and experiences in a simplified form is very intense and time-consuming. Even though I provided initial answers the production team replied with many simplified expressions. Converting into initial scripts any points I have expressed were taken out. This means it is not possible to include all the key areas I wanted to express. A narrative has to be effective with a limited time duration. After receiving the initial scripts I then revised them a few times before finalising filming. The confirmed scripts were then converted into a large display reference. The next preparation of selected examples of my projects then converting each image example to high-quality output. This takes selecting examples and shortlisting images which would be effective. Also, two original showcases of creative projects were seveloped in time for the video interview. During the preparation, I have been in regular contact with the production team. Due to my salsa involve they would like to feature my dancing salsa. So I discussed this with my friend Pauline who I assist regularly in dance classes the idea. This leads to a suggestion to use the venues used to dance classes. The filming This filming was located at Broadway Dance Centre, a dance Studio who have a major heritage and legacy for dance teaching for many generations. It started with being filmed dancing salsa which included line demonstration and partner dance moves. As well as Pauline my friends Justin & Suzi join us with salsa and Bachata dancing. The second part of the filming was an image profile of me standing looking at the filming camera with certain scenes with the camera zooming towards me. The filming concludes with an interview, it was a very intense experience, especially with the large lighting close to me. However, the large script display I have to develop helped able to communicate my interview answers effectively. Also due to references I created, the amount of refilming or retaking the interview was reduced. Because this also leads to the reductions of any filming breaks. The filming team was supportive and held my script display while filming. Overall the experience was a combination of energy, intensity and a lot of adjustments to make sure the filming satisfying to the production team. The production team was very impressed with the strong expression and the over messages, especially with the legacy direction which my city needs to consider. So my verdict is on my fixtures and being filmed, this is extremely new for me being profiled in this way. When I told my friends and family about being featured all of them mentioned I was far too overdue. For most of my life, I have been low-key and focused on developing project content and don't put myself in the limelight because of a very competitive and perceptive society. However, there are occasions like this where I have to step up to the plate and deliver on the work I have done and my insight. I know recognition doesn't come to me by accident, I have to work for it and this applies to everyone else. Don't expect anything positive to come to you quickly. It is about commitment & dedication in a respectful way and without toxic attitudes or resentment. Special thanks to Birmingham city council and the marketing agency liquid to get involved with this unique and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Also special thanks to my friend Pauline, Justin and Suzi who have shown my support and appeared with me in the campaign video. Also thanks to the team of Liquid for their high level of proffesionalism and for Alison Roberts from Birmingham City Council for inviting me to get involved. The video featuring me will soon appear online and on the offical Birmingham City Council social media channels. Futher updates will appear here View the video camapign online featuring me via the official Birmingham City Council social media channels Select the link below View the video via Birmingham City Council's YouTube channel (Opens in a new window) The video was produced by Liquid in conjunction with Birmingham City Council As the video is the property of Birmingham City Council, I am not responsible for the content on the link provided Visit the special "Commonwealth Legacy" Feature on this website and an additional special project related to the host city of the Commonwealth Games. Note to editors:
Keith Mckenzie With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in the music-related film documentary, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations. Also has been involved with providing awareness projects, campaigns & information for 20 years with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes and events including participating at two major salsa dancing conventions at Birmingham NEC Returning to one of the biggest and the most recognised new year salsa dancing events in the UK and Europe. NYE Fest the annual event at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel at the heart of the NEC organised by Latinmotion provides a family of workshops, classes, social dance and exclusive live performances. It event attracts attendees from around the UK and beyond. After a two-year wait, the event returned which followed the COVID-19 guidelines, including vaccination passport and testing before arriving. In previous versions of this event, I am usually one of the volunteering team, but this time I'm simply an attendee. During new years eve & New Year's night, the dance floors were full of dancers throughout the night. Both evenings also presented exclusive dance performances from professional dancers. The midnight celebrations moment, combining the traditional cheers and hugs along with the energetic and vibrant damaging demonstrations. The event concludes with an extra day (Sunday 2nd January during daytime only) of classes, social dances and a bonus of a live band performing. Because it's the first major event, I have attended since the pandemic I have made extra measures to stay safe, especially on New Year's Eve. This means being away from others and being outdoors regularly. My insight The event is a major step forward for everyone with the hard work and dedication and for everyone's effort to stay safe made the experience a positive one for everyone. Towards Inclusivity But that's not the end of the story, using my awareness initiative I have discussed with the event leaders a family of suggestions to make sure a positive experience for everyone including attendees and volunteers. Not only for NYE Fest but also for the summer event Motioncity. Watch out for further developments to come Visit the Dancing Direction feature for details of projects and my involvement of Dancing related projects, activities and events
An image gallery of a special display exhibition in Central Birmimgham's shopping district during early 2020
The festival of light involves specialist three-dimensional visual artists using specially designed installations & sculptures which include use of lights and visual effects around the outdoor areas of the Bullring Shopping mall, Rotunda square and St martins square (outside St Martins Church). The exhibition was created by socialised artists "Birds fly around with you" by Masamichi Shimada, "Neon Angel wings" by Carla O'Brien, "Pulse" created by Loop. Also also as part of the exhibition, the theme "With Love" and "Talk to the skies" unfortunately the names not recognised during research. I delayed sharing the exhibition due to the pandemic which occurred several months and years later. My Personal insight on the combined Salsa celebration A Combination between Participation & Creative My Personal insight on the combined Salsa celebration Something special I wanted to develop after I was also aware the salsa team I been attending for 5 years was going through their 25th year in 2018 of proving salsa dancing in Birmingham. Latinmotion is the organisation who been going through its monumental year for providing dance classes & social events not only with Salsa but also Cuban salsa, Kizomba and many more. During its 25th year, the only references of their anniversary was limited to occasional mentioning on social media and also a limited range its branded merchandise with 25th-anniversary mark on which was mainly worn by teachers & event organisers. I felt that this was not enough and we could have missed out to make this occasion special to celebrate. So during a conversation with a team Member Brighon Davis (A key team member and was also in charge of the volunteers during the Birmingham based Salsa conventions for its New year event and during MotionCITY in August), I asked him "was anything was planned in anniversary year?". He answered nothing was planned but the New Years event would be the event to celebrate it's 25th Anniversary. So, I mentioned that I suggested to develop of an special anniversary card using my creativity. This is when the start of my special assignment of the surprise begins. The card The first task was to develop the card design. This went through a number of ideas at various stages. From basic outlined visuals through to colour concept ideas on paper before developing the concept digitally using creative software. The original idea was to incorporate 25 floating circles to feature different Roman numerals from 1 to 25 and was also to include floating ticker card. But because I am aware the leading members vision is about forward thought & not looking back, I had to modify the concept without being too sentimental or being too historical. So instead it features a vibrant & colourful background with glitter effects with additional floating circles to embrace the celebrations. The anniversary branding which includes the Latinmotion brand identity with a large three-dimensional number of 25. This was presented within the silver metallic shape the colour associated with 25. It was important not to go overboard of the silver colour to avoid the emphasis of looking back too much. The design is overlayed with several transparent bubbles with an additional celebration element. The design was completed with a low key greeting text featuring "Celebrating Twenty-Five years of Latinmotion" presented a large A4 card design. The design was initially shared to Latinmotion's Brighon Davis along with other members Gary & Emma. All given a positive approval. It leads to print production. With the card design completed & produced the next task was how will this will be presented. Greeting card messages So the published greeting card was handed to Latinmotion team members Brighon and other key memebrs to ask attendees and other team members with sign the card with a greeting message. Eventually, the filled greeting card to be presented to the organising founders Mauricio and Zane as a surprise during its new year's event. The question remains, how will the surprise will take. Initially it was initially planned to surprise Mauricio and Zane seperately in one of the venue offices. Them it changed and it was emerged that not only I was presented the anniversiary card live on stage in front of party attendees on New Year's Eve but also I would need to prepare live presenting. This lead to the third & final task. Presenting preparation This task was stepping outside my comfort zone. Public speaking not one of my strengths and it hasn't worked well for me in the past. However I needed to develop a way on how this can be done. Several weeks earlier in early December when developing the greeting card I had a feeling that I might need to do live presenting it a speech. So during Latinmotion's annual New Year's party, I was on a special assignment. Firstly, I developed copies of the artwork for the team to use for their marketing purposes. Secondly, I liaise frequently with Latinmotion's Brighon during the daytime hours of New Years Eve in how to plan this special surprise. Then I had regular contact with Brighon during the day over my script idea including what to say during the surprise. This involves hours of writing ideas leading to more defined scripts ideas several times until I was satisfied. I was advised by Brighon to the keep the script short but I wanted to make the script powerful to encouraging the audience to cheer at certain intervals. When completed, the final script idea was shared to Brighon & received positive approval. This leads to the most complicated part of the task including with self-practising with the script in front of me several times while practising on my physical appearance including body language and gestures and the most difficult part is how I modify with my vocal cord with specific words. For some reason, I was fearing I would lose my voice be the end of the night. Fortunately, this never happened, possibly a sign of nervousness. The big surprise Night time on New Year's Eve and Latinmotion's annual New Year's Eve party was in full flow. I deliberately not arrived too early so I did want to get distracted or get disrupted over my preparations. It was not easy is to be sociable while keeping my presenting surprise a secret. Brighon from Latinmotion returned the filled greeting to me to present live on stage. Then the nervousness kicked in. I was instructed to be in the main party area when a live show was taking place which consists of professional & experienced dancers along with dancing teachers & students showcasing their dancing performances especially for the night. I had to be located where the live show performances are. I didn't look back at my script & instead get my mindset into the spirit. This is it Then around 11.40pm, just 20 minutes before the midnight chime celebrations into the New Year, Latinmotion's Brighon interrupted Mauricio (one of the organisation's founders) when he was making live presenting so I can be introduced me on stage for a special surprise. The lights were on me for two minutes and to ease the pressure I firstly engaged with the audience. This involves asking "how you all going" and then asked, "are you having a great time". The cheering from the audience was the best encourage me to continue. Then I was starting my presenting and at one stage I struggle to complete what I was about to say with a minor gap. However, I perused on with another cheering encouragement after I mentioned that Latinmotion is about to complete 25 years of salsa in Birmingham. After a few seconds, I continued on my presenting leading to me sharing to Both Mauricio & Zane my specially design greeting card sealed in a brown envelope, I then mentioned that the card was show our thanks for an amazing achievement for 25 years. The audience erupted with cheers and applauses. To continue the applauses continued when I asked Mauricio to show the card to the audience. A few seconds later I ended my presenting to ask the entire audience to "Show their appreciation to Mauricio and Zane" with louder cheering from everyone in the room. My surprise ended with the audience making louder cheers. Brighon did mention that I designed the card and was my idea for the surprise. I think gave handshakes & hugs to both Mauricio and Zane with hands shake to Brighon before leaving the stage. Mauricio & Zane was very touched with this surprise the both never expected. Not long after midnight Later on the same night when Mauricio was presenting the second part the live shows, he asked me back onto stage to suprise me to show his appreciation and mention how he was very touched showing his thanks to me. Everyone applauded and cheered. Some people might describe this as my 15 minutes of fame, it is a lot more than that. The important words Mauricio mentioned after making the surprise is "Breaking boundaries". Because the social environments in salsa can be very competitive and it leads to becoming my presence become a disadvantage. So with this surprise, I proved to everyone what can be achieved to enable others to see any beyond perceptions or in some cases the first impression. Also how support and positive encouragement can make a positive difference to everyone. This means pushing my self to be into the centre and not on the outside. .. and finally Special thanks to Latinmotion's Brighon Davis and other team members including Sharon, Gary and Emma for making this important achievement possible. More importantly for the the team itself including the Co-founders Mauricio & Zane along with the rest of their teams member for their support and for display their appreciation. To find out more on the preparation on how this was developed, visit the special combined celeberations page
Welcome to "KMC life", the new name for "Active Plus". A new look, a new name with expanding features.
This will continue to feature images & galleries of Places of interest, Events, festivals & entertainment. It will also include a brand new expanded feature with my personal insight of any significant experiences and of projects, developments & achievements I have been involved with including from projects & development of Creative, Awareness and Participation. Watch out for personal insights coming soon to "KMC Life" blog including: * My personal insight of Google Digital Garage * From Album cover to meeting Diamond D * Gainsborough Uproar - the experience * My insight at the National Autistic Society AGM with Jane Asher Also images & galleries to come * 2018 in pictures Enjoy the new "KMC life" blog Follow me on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & on LinkedIn |
Highlighting images related to leisure, events, places of interest and entertainment. In also projects linked with the featured examples.
About meI have an career background related to art & design, a participant on a music project King of the Beats and developed of series of awareness projects for local communities Archives
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