Youth events take centre stage in Castlemaine

Get ready Castlemaine, two big celebrations are approaching and they centre around youth culture, dance, art and music.

In September the one-of-a-kind 2 The Xtreme Festival, now in its tenth year, hits town bigger and better than ever. Headline act, Indigenous rapper Dallas Woods, fronts a line-up that includes skate and scoot competitions, workshops, hip hop and cultural dance workshops, live music, a young makers' market, street art and much, much more.

In August, before 2 The Xtreme erupts, local dance school Movement Zone, one of the groups behind the original festival, will celebrate a milestone 20 years with giant dance party at Castlemaine's Theatre Royal.

How did a tiny regional area end up with the biggest youth-run arts festival in Central Victoria? Ask Founder and Director of Movement Zone and XtremeInc, the not-for-profit community group responsible for the festival, Sas Cook.

When local performer, dance teacher, youth worker and all round powerhouse Sas moved back to her home town of Castlemaine in 2002 what was on offer for young people hadn't changed a lot since her own childhood in the 80s.

Thankfully, Sas wasn't alone. She'd brought her Melbourne-born dance school, Movement Zone with her. That and a creative, inclusive spirit that has changed the landscape of the town and the region for young people.

From humble beginnings in hired halls Movement Zone grew; more classes, more dance styles, hip hop, breakdance and funk taking over from the stalwarts jazz, ballet and tap. In 2019 the school's program embraces all ages and abilities, from the tiniest hip-hoppers to older adults keen to experience the benefits of dance.

A collaboration with local youth committee FReeZA for the 2003 Castlemaine State Festival produced the first 2 The Xtreme festival. Only meant to be a one-off event, Movement Zone decided it was too wonderful to walk away from. They kept festival running, establishing XtremeInc in 2009 to oversee the management of the event.

"I saw this need in the community for an event for kids who weren't involved in sport. Who were disengaged socially and at home," says Sas.

With little or no experience they went in "blindly" but with a passion for the community and helping young people.

Today's 2 The Xtreme inspires and engages young people in positive, healthy, creative activities such as sports, dance, music and food. It provides employment for young artists and instructors from our region and inspiration for young rural people.

In the process XtremeInc has grown into an amazing youth community group running projects focused on social issues, offering mentoring and training and coordinating a range of events.

"What we've been able to achieve in this community in the last ten years is so special," says Sas. "There's an energy about what we do and without a doubt young people are our number one priority."

Like to know more or get involved? For information on 2 The Xtreme Festival head to 2thextremefestival.com. To find out more about Movement Zone classes or events visit movementzonedance.com

2 The Xtreme Festival: 21 & 22 September 2019, Western Reserve Castlemaine

Movement Zone Ready Set Glow Dance Party: 3 August 2019, Theatre Royal Castlemaine

Waller Realty is pleased to be able to support XtremeInc and the fantastic work it does in the local community.