Judith Desrosiers

When I was young I won an award for wierd and wacky choreography, now I'm older, I'm still wierd and wacky(arn't we all?!) but by mixing metal music with dance, highlighting the plight of those with serious mental issues, I hope to enlighten society. Thank you for your vote

Award Winner

Millie Dollar

I have been cultivating my artform and constantly working towards improvement. life as a burlesque dancer can be hard, it is after all a life on the road! but it's what i love to do best and am very glad to have been recognised in my art form and am pleased to have been nominated for such an award!

i specialise in classic burlesque and costume making, which has lead me to travelling the country for different events and leading me to promote events such as Dadalesque which i feel is breaking new grounds and Tallulah's Burlesque which i'm hoping will become one of the countries most prestigious events.

YouTube video (18+)

Gabrielle Tyrrell

Slipping...

I slip into a dream of Celtic ancestors bathe in woad

dance to the feverish beat sounds melt on to breath

held waiting

waiting

the dark palms of Nigerian tap slowly on the talking drum

raising spirits of brave warriors who once danced in the sun...

I slip into golden days in grass rolling with lion cubs

sisters and brothers spirits passing through their own

waiting

in dark woods to ambush the enemy feverish to protect the land of their own

I slip down into grasslands speaking in tongues to masters long gone

waiting for morning

my ancestors send me home

(poem by Gabbi)

My work is about breaking boundaries around the spoken word and using different performance techniques to enhance my performance one of these being improvisation that is a comment on consumeristic society in which we live. Therefore improvisation made up on the spot keeps the performance fresh for me and the audience.

Sabrina Whitby

As a club night DJ, Sabrina Whitby fronts the development and growing popularity of 'Frogtastic' club night events for people with learning difficulties and their friends in 3 cities across the North West, attracting more than 3000 people annually. Sabrina has gained a growing reputation as 'The Queen of Inclusive Clubs' through her 'Frogtastic' work and generated requests for guest spots and personal appearances at other events.

Sabrina co-wrote the song 'Forever is my Destiny' for The Manchester International Festival and received her first 'world premier' accolade. She successfully conducted an 80 piece choir as part of the recording process for the song.

As the youngest member of 'The Heroes' pop group, Sabrina undertakes performances attracting and positively influencing literally thousands of people. She is about to spread her wings even more by fronting 'The Melody Makers', an initiative aimed at recognising learning disabled entertainers as performing artists in their own right. Sabrina has achieved much in a very short period of time and looks set to become a positive role model for the learning disabled community. This award would certainly recognise her achievements to date and help to assist her continued development.

Award Winner

Charlie Swinbourne

Charlie specialises in deaf drama and in 2007 wrote the short film 'Coming Out' - winnner of European awards in France and Finland - which 'sees a young deaf man go to his hearing mother with a compelling secret - but will she understand?' (You can see the film by clicking on the link below)

Then in August, Charlie wrote and directed 'Four Deaf Yorkshiremen,' inspired by the classic 'Four Yorkshiremen' sketch made famous by Monty Python. The film sees four deaf men trying to tell the worst story about their upbringing - with ten pounds the prize for the 'winner.' The aim of this film was to "take the kind of signed storytelling you see in the pub onto the screen."

His latest commission is writing an Arts Council funded play set in a ladies toilet for Deafinitely Theatre - but don't ask him how he did his research. "There were rumours that at weekends I wore a big blonde wig and called myself 'Charlotte' - going out undercover on research expeditions. But I'd rather not comment on that."

YouTube Video

Danny Start

Danny Start writes for stage, radio and screen. His play 'The Anniversary Waltz' played at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough in 2003 and his trilogy of One Act plays 'The Anniversary Suite' played to packed houses at the Lancaster Grand Theatre in spring 2007. He has also had a BBC Radio 4 Afternoon play broadcast and is currently developing more radio projects.

In 2000 Danny was chosen for 'disPlay4' - a series of workshops and commissions organised by Writernet/Graeae/Soho Theatre. And, in 2006, Paines Plough gave his play 'Static on the Radio' a full rehearsed reading at the Young Vic.

He is the winner of this year's North West Playwright's 'Striking Silver' competition. His play,'To Be Continued...', will tour the North West in the spring 2008. Danny also has work under consideration with the Royal Court in Liverpool and The New Works Liverpool - and a whole raft of work ready to be unleashed on the world!

When not writing Danny works 3 days a week for Neurosupport - an organisation in Liverpool supporting people with neurological conditions. Danny has epilepsyhimself - and much of his work touches on this experience and sensibility.

Thomas Simpson

My name is Thomas Simpson, I started writing many years ago when I was a teenager, and the stories I write are not about disability because I want to have freedom in my writing. The story I have submitted is about a war journalist that travels covering wars around the world.

In this story UNFINNISHED BUSINES, John is a middle class person that went to university in Cardiff to do his degree in journalism and at the end of his course he meets his wife. The story looks at domestic violence from the other side john get battered by his wife. There is a lot of accurate information in the story, things about the Second World War, the Cold War and the end to rationing, also covering other war The Falklands and The first Gulf war. Dates places and name of people

Shibani Kalasi

Shibani enjoys art, drama and music like R & B, pop and rapping. He's performed in 'High School Musical' at a youth project. One day he want his own crib in America... He enyoys the gym and keeping fit. He supports Bolton Wanderers and is very popular. He will shortly be going to Mwanza on in Tanzania, East Africa to help build a sports centre where he will be until 21st November.

Award Winner

Gus Cummins

As an artist with epilepsy, painting provides me with a focus and an outlet. This exhibition is composed using 'dynamic symmetry', a system used across time by artists, architects and musicians. It is produced with a combination of computer generated stencils and oil paint.

www.cummins-art.com

One Vision Media Productions

One Vision is a media-training center funded by the Big Lottery Fund and Wigan Community Chest. We offer training sessions to people with learning disabilities, which include computer skills, scriptwriting, storyboarding, drama, film equipment training and editing. With the skills learned in these sessions, students produce their own short video projects.

We also produce commissioned productions for groups within the local community. This enables our students to gain practical work experience.

We look towards employing students. Within this employment, students will pass on their training to other members of the group and other organizations within the community, displaying their continual growth in confidence ability & self esteem

Peter Ogunsiji

I am an issue based artist, children's author, script writer and a community based product and project designer and developer.

My latest art piece entitled Empathy is a tangible reminder of the necessity of empathy, as a part of a truly human emotional makeup.

The Blue Stone beads project has been three years in development, including historical research and the design and production of the art piece entitled Empathy. The blue stone beads armbands which are miniature copies of the Empathy art piece, have taken over 12 months to design, develop, procure and manufacture, including the packaging.

Blue stone Beads armbands show one's recognition, understanding, empathy and commitment to the reconciliation of humankind's inhumanity to humankind in the past, present and the future.

The Empathy art piece was publicly exhibited at the slavery Remembrance Day event of August 2007.

John Smith

John uses his experiences of growing up in a hearing world bringing his observations to life engaging the audiences in hours of laughter and reflection. John's comedy career has taken off like a rocket, covering topics such as current deaf issues, Deaf politics and School Life, he offers an amusing and fascinating insight into being deaf and the world of Bristish Sign Languages

Fittings Multi Media

Fittings is a disability led performance company that makes works that address serious issues in the language of variety theatre.

We make our work with artists and performers from various backgrounds and life experiences.

We make our work in a variety of settings, theatres, castles, tents and toilets, touring regionally, nationally and internationally to attract the widest possible audience.

We make our work to entertain and to express what it is to be human. www.fittings.org.uk

Diva Hollywood

Diva has MS which means she is Wonky on the inside and wicked on the outside. She evokes the sultry sirens of Hollywood's classic films; her curvaceous Marilyn-esq charms come straight from the bygone age of sin, sauce and seduction. Her screen siren style and her inventive soundtracks will draw you into her movie world.

Award Winner

Rosie Lugosi

Rosie Lugosi The Vampire Queen

Rosie Lugosi The Vampire Queen

'Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light.'

Rosie Lugosi (www.rosielugosi.com) has an eclectic writing and performance history, from 80s Goth band The March Violets, to twisted cabaret and electrifying poetry.

I've always written about outsiders; whoever they might be. I'm interested in characters who won't (or can't) squeeze into the one-size-fits-all templates they have been provided, and the friction that occurs when they try. I know that comes from always being an outsider myself. I want to celebrate it, proud in the face of the overwhelming sludge of 'normality'.

My act revolves around breaking down prejudice and stigma... via the overwhelming power of humour, big showbiz tunes, and glitter.

I was proud to organise the 'Mad As F*ck' (the Council added the asterisk...) performance event for Year of the Artist. For 5 years I was co-ordinator of Manchester Survivors' Poetry, a grassroots, locally-run and entirely user-led initiative offering support to Survivors of the mental health system.

So give a warm hand - and throat - to the boot-stomping, whip-cracking, neck-biting, out-all-nighting, tongue-lashing, taboo-smashing Rosie Lugosi...

YouTube

Dolly Sen

Dolly Sen is a writer/director who has made over 20 films. Most of her films deal with madness in an innovative way, and have been shown at the South London Gallery, Streatham Film Festival, Bonkersfest, Southwark TV Film Festival, Muses Cafe, Borderline Film Festival, Movie Monday, and the Liberty Festival

Max Zadow

Max Zadow is the co-ordinator of Digital Production by Disabled People, a collective composed entirely of professional disabled artists. Their work, Ghosts of Future, was shown extensively as part of last year's Biennial, including as part of DADFest and Out Of Bluecoat. Max's own time based media work involves dramatic dreamscapes composed of CGI images over-layered on fantastically dressed figures getusturing at unkown emotions. Max's narrative films have also been well received. Most recently his short film 'Fear Riders' toured the UK as part of the ICA's 2007 Halloween festival. Max is currently holding down his day job in the innovative New Media company, Onteca, and editing test footage he shot for his feature project, 'Space Freaks Versus the Empire of Perfection.'.

Award Winner

Liz Crow

Liz Crow is a filmmaker and founder of Roaring Girl Productions (www.roaring-girl.com). Passionate about storytelling, she is drawn to the power of film to trigger change. Liz's work includes award-winning films Frida Kahlo's Corset, The Real Helen Keller and Nectar, which have appeared at National Film Theatre and Tate Modern, on Channel 4 and ITV, and at festivals around the world. Current work is a film-based installation about the Nazi murder of disabled people and contemporary echoes. Integral to Liz's creative work, is her work as a disability equality activist and consultant. She is a NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) fellow, exploring ways of combining her creative work and activism, and is being mentored by Peter Cattaneo (The Full Monty) and Jonny Persey (Deep Water). Liz's next work will be a film-based installation about the Nazi mass-murder of disabled people and contemporary echoes.

Louis Neething

My passion as a director is for translating stories into pictures that connect and resonate with the audience. I want to be able to transcend being labelled as one type of director -to break down any barriers or preconceived ideas that people might have about me. I'm a natural communicator who likes to inspire, motivate and challenge my team to do the best work they can.

Award Winner

3D - Derby Deaf Drama

The 3D Theatre Company was set up in 2002, funded by the Community Learning Fund project to give deaf adults an opportunity to develop themselves through education. Starting a theatre company gave deaf adults the chance to learn new skills such as communication, teamwork, administration and financial management along with craft skills such as directing, lighting, acting and many others.

Since 2004, 3D has become an independent theatre company with volunteers and run by Deaf people.

MS Writers Group

In September 1999, the MS WRITERS KENSINGTON had their first workshop as an independent group hosted by Jimmy McGovern.

Our membership at present is twelve and consists of people with Multiple Sclerosis and their carers. Since 1999, we have published three books 'Tall Stories, 1, 2, and 3', written a play called 'Scouse in 72 minutes 'ish' and had it performed.

We have also taken part in two short films produced and directed by Roy Boulter of Hurricane films, 'Saffron' was taken from work written by Ian Halliwell a member of our group, the other was 'Little Angels' based on teenage drinking.

Now we are in the process of writing a play about the history of Liverpool called 'The Long and Winding Road' and are looking to have it performed in 2008, if the necessary funding can be found.

Two of our group Joe Roberts and Mike Breen are involved with KVfm 87.7 radio coming on air in November for two weeks. They will be promoting MS WRITERS and interviewing Jimmy McGovern, Jan McVerry, Roy Boulter and Edward J Kelly a local author.

We meet every Wednesday at Kensington Community Centre and thoroughly enjoy what we do.

Masque Theatre

Masque Theatre have been unlocking talent within people with disabilities since their formation in 1987. They are unique to the region, being the only full-time theatre company comprised of people with a learning disability.

Masque are one of the longest established and most experienced user-led arts organisations in Wirral. They have toured their self-devised work extensively since 1987 and have built up a highly appreciative audience regionally, nationally and internationally. The company aims to make accessible, challenging and unique theatre, drawing heavily on the experience of its performers. Through their increasingly successful performances and a growing practical training programme, Masque play an essential role in raising the profile of people with disabilities in mainstream arts and media.

The performance successes have enabled the development of an organisation focussing on access, innovation, education and training while delivering performances of artistic excellence.

The company form an important part of the local, regional and national arts map and are committed to creating quality arts-based opportunities for people with a disability.

Award Winner

Andrew Coleman

Born with Congenital Glaucoma resulting in minimal vision his achievements include appearances at Royal Albert Hall, Badminton Theatre, Athens and continues to support NW charities fundraise.

3rd degree music student at LIPA.

Finalist in November 07 at the Musicians Benevolent Fund Song writing Awards.

Performing in Switzerland in December 07

Website

The Heroes

The Heroes pop group have developed an enviable reputation as one of the UK's best inclusive popular music performance groups. Recording four studio albums, three 'inclusive' theatre productions and undertaking performances at festivals and events attracting more than 1 Million people across a decade, 'The Heroes' have become widely established and highly regarded as a source of positive influence with their 'loud and proud' approach. Only intending to go into the studio for just 2 hours back in 1998, 'The Heroes' continue to exceed all expectations, establishing and maintaining both a 'national' and 'international' reputation alongside generating interest across 5 continents with their inclusive approach, exciting music and electrically vibrant performances. In 2008 'The Heroes' plan to end their remarkable journey just as they started it - 'Together' and this award would provide a fitting tribute to their music and overall effort.

Maati El Hachimi

Recently performed at the Clin O'eil Festival in Reims, France. websourd.nnx.com. He also performs with Chandanse a Deaf Dance Company based in Paris.

As a lead musician for a group called "Mur Du Son", all of whom are Deaf, using signs instead of voice in songs.

Susan Hedges

Susan is a talented, Liverpool based singer songwriter with numerous awards to her credit and 3 critically acclaimed solo albums. She has appeared successfully at many festivals in the UK and abroad, most recently in Greenwich Village, New York.

She has worked with 'AimHigher' promoting Further Education for young people and is currently studying Music at Hope University.

Susan was voted 'The Act Most Likely to Succeed' and 'The act most people wanted to see again next year' at The International Pop Overthrow Festival, Liverpool for the last 3 years.

Quotes: 'A major talent on the threshold of recognition.' The Independent. 2003 (Taken from a 3 page article on Susan) 'When Susan Hedges performs, she hypnotises people' Alan Bleasdale. 2003 'An album full of elegant and original songs' The Times. 2000.

Website