On August 29, the Green Waves Festival at Tilling Green is presenting a Day for the Youth. It kicks off Friday at noon with a penalty shoot out tournament organised by Rye Town football club.
Participants aged 11-17 will receive medallions and the winners will be presented with a silver cup and trophies. In the festival marquee from 7pm – 9:30pm, an array of young performers will entertain including musicians, singers, dancers, circus performers and a DJ – perhaps with young rappers too!
Headlining the showcase is Erin Colley one of the many talented young people Rye has produced. She’s a singer-songwriter and, aged just fifteen, is already a published musician with her debut single Rain Clouds released in 2024. Despite her youth, Erin is already well-established on the local music scene, regularly performing her original material at East Sussex venues and at various music festivals. “Music is the most important thing to me and hearing my song come to life like this has been a true privilege,” said Erin.
Erin says her music has been informed by her life and experiences, which she acknowledges have been difficult due to her neurodivergent disability. She’s grateful to have had some amazing people in her life who have helped, supported and inspired her adding that, “Music is what makes me feel happy and fulfilled and I’m just fortunate to be able to share that with others.”
Also appearing is Lucy MacRae a young Rye artist with a passion for teaching the performing arts. Lucy studied fine art in Bristol and discovered Circomedia where she explored the theme of ‘therapeutic play’ through circus skills. She has trained in aerial acrobatics, flow arts and somatic movement for the past six years. Her practice has immersed her in the wonderful world of clowning from collectives in Boomtown Festival to sharing circus skills in refugee camps in Bulgaria with the Flying Seagulls. She currently teaches aerial arts at Simia Circus in Ashford and annually at Rye’s arts festival.
The Green Waves Festival is searching and still needs to discover more of Rye’s talented young people. So if there’s a local dancer, singer or variety performer that you might know please send your suggestions to alohajuggler@gmail.com.
Image Credits: KT Bruce , Erin Colley .