Peace day to be celebrated with free Kidderminster concert

Mighty Atom Smasher (MAS) Lab will be putting on a World Peace Day concert at Kidderminster College on Saturday, September 21.

MAS Lab is a new project affiliated to MAS Records headed up by Kevyn Gammond who launched MAS Records and ran it up until last year. The two organisations are separate, but both based out of Kidderminster College and work together.

World Peace Day heralds a flourish of action in Kidderminster, beginning at 11:45am when bell ringers at churches across the town will ring out to proclaim the opening of the event at midday.

The concert will start with an opening speech by Principal Andy Dobson and will feature a wide array of talent, with performances of music, poetry and speakers interspersed with short films.

Music will be provided by Black Country Brass, one of the Midland’s top brass bands who will play international anthems, followed later by JJ Vibez Music Group from the Kadoma School For The Blind in Zimbabwe.

Renowned poet Keisha will be introduced by Leslie Fairclough (InspireYou), one of the speakers appearing during the afternoon, with other speakers including human rights activist Todd Maforimbo, David Shuck, the Midlands Peacekeeper, who will be speaking about his prominent role within the community and Author and Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of the West of Scotland, Dr Ross Deuchar, who will be addressing UK Gangs and Knife Crime.

With Kidderminster College preparing to celebrate its 140th anniversary, Deputy Principal for Learning and Quality Cat Draper will be speaking about how Kidderminster College will be celebrating the anniversary, then will introduce ex-music student Tom Whittaker who will talk about his recent work in Cambodia where he now lives and works and who has been exploring the creation and expression of cultural identity through photography, music and language.

The concert will end with a speech by Deputy Principal Palvinder Singh, followed by the playing of an original recording of Sam Cook's "A Change is Gonna Come".

Admission to the concert is free and starts at 12pm on Saturday, September 21 at Kidderminster College, Market St, Kidderminster.

Tickets to the concert can be found at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mas-lab-hosts-world-peace-day-tickets-71350941587