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Livin’ the LYFE

LYFEIn the past Linwood Park has had a somewhat suss reputation. Many Christchurch folk may have assumed that it was only a hangout for taggers and glue-sniffers but those people have probably never been to LYFE - the Linwood Youth Festival Experience. The Pulse caught up with Diana Saxton, who is part of the organising crew for this year’s festival, and she gave us the drop on the very cool, definitely non-dodgy stuff that will be happening at the 2009 event.

Kia ora Diana. Thanks for talking to us about the event. Can you tell us what LYFE is about? Why would you want to have a youth festival in Linwood Park anyway?
Well, it all came to be because young people in the area were sick of the negative image that was being portrayed of them.  There was a lot of feeling that people only saw the bad things that happened in Linwood but there are really, really great things about Linwood and living there.  This all got back to the Hagley-Ferrymead Community Board who threw their support behind this event since the very beginning.  It’s about being proud of where you come from and highlighting some of the great things that youth in the area are doing. 

LYFE are looking for young people to run the 2010 event. If you are an aspiring event manager, or a Linwood youth (12 - 25 years), or a supportive adult, please get in touch!

LYFE seems to have been around for a while now, how long as it been running and how has it changed in that time?
I’ve been involved since 2002 but some other members of the LYFE crew, like Chris Martin of 4YP, have been with it since it began.  As a youth event, LYFE is very nearly a teenager itself as this is its twelfth year.  I guess it’s a “tween” at the moment.  It’s certainly grown a lot in that time. Every festival is different, and it really depends on the flavours that the LYFE crew mix together in the activities and performances on offer but what doesn’t change are the principles behind it.  That it’s for youth, by youth, and that it’s about showcasing and celebrating youth talent and achievement.
What sort of things are happening this year that folk may be interested in hearing about?
We’ve got a really, really strong showing of local talent with a lot of upcoming bands who all have a connection to Linwood.  In particular Bang! Bang! Eche! who are so hot right now (they’re off to the hipper than hip South by Southwest festival later in the month).  On the sports front the Linwood Rugby League Club have organised for the actual Rugby League World Cup to be making an appearance which will be pretty exciting for League fans.  Also the Cheapskates Demo Team will be showing local skaters some of their moves.  There’ll be an open skate comp afterwards and competition for places will be fierce so I would recommend that anyone wanting to compete should get in and register on the day well beforehand.
So there you have it, international sporting trophies, wicked music, and probably more than a few hotdogs.  What more could you want from LYFE?

March 2009