Armadillo Youth Venue and Café
South Gloucestershire Council is continuing its series of free singing workshops for carers until June.
Workshops are open to all carers - that’s anyone who provides care or support to a relative, friend or neighbour on a regular basis. By supporting carers and providing some fun and social time with others in similar situations, it is hoped that these workshops will pave the way for a permanent carers choir in South Gloucestershire.
The singing workshops offer people a chance to get together and learn some simple songs with fantastic harmonies, and will be led by music teacher and natural voice practitioner Indigo Craig. Indigo runs a series of community singing groups and her workshops encourage people to use their voice, sing and... Read more >>
Armadillo Youth Venue and Café
South Gloucestershire Council is continuing its series of free singing workshops for carers until June.
Workshops are open to all carers - that’s anyone who provides care or support to a relative, friend or neighbour on a regular basis. By supporting carers and providing some fun and social time with others in similar situations, it is hoped that these workshops will pave the way for a permanent carers choir in South Gloucestershire.
The singing workshops offer people a chance to get together and learn some simple songs with fantastic harmonies, and will be led by music teacher and natural voice practitioner Indigo Craig. Indigo runs a series of community singing groups and her workshops encourage people to use their voice, sing and... Read more >>
Armadillo - Yate Youth Venue and Cafe
How to contact the Armadillo
Armadillo Youth Venue and Cafe, Station Road, Yate BS37 4FW
Phone: 01454 869 441
Website: www.yatearmadillo.co.uk
Email:
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Band Practice Room Available
All ages welcome. £1.50 per hour for under 18s/£2.50 per hour for over 18s. Separate side entrance. Equipment list:
- Roland TD-4 drums
- Fender Mustang IV guitar amp
- Laney RB4 bass amp
- Korg X50 keyboard
- Mackie CFX mkII desk and PA
Welcome to the Armadillo
The Armadillo Youth Venue and Cafe has been built in the heart of Yate to provide a contemporary, safe environment for all young people of the locality aged between 11 and 19 to use and enjoy.
Named by local young people in recognition of its distinctive shape, and painted a vivid purple colour,the 200-capacity centre is designed to exacting environmental standards and offers high-quality facilities including an internet café, DJ and band area and a fully-featured cinema.
As well as fostering a spirit of enterprise among those involved in its operation, the centre aims to help tackle anti-social behaviour within the town by providing a safe and stimulating environment for local young people to socialise.
The centre is funded from a range of public and private sector sources with the majority coming from Yate Town Council and South Gloucestershire Council. Merlin Housing Association also funds young trainee staff.
Opening Hours
The Armadillo is open every day at the following times:
| Monday | 3.15-9.30pm |
| Tuesday | 3.15-6pm and 6.30-9pm (years 7&8 only) |
| Wednesday and Thursday | 3.15-9.30pm |
| Friday | 7-10.30pm |
| Saturday and Sunday | 1-6pm |
On Tuesdays, the session is split to support different age groups. 3.15-6pm is a general after school session, and from 6.30-9pm, we are pleased to welcome years 7 and 8 only.
What's Inside?
At the heart of the Armadillo is the Café which provides hot and cold food as well as a variety of refreshing cold drinks, good quality coffee, tea and hot chocolate.
The Armadillo provides a host of facilities and activities for young people to enjoy in a relaxed environment, including:
- a karaoke pod
- a band practice room
- a top of the range sound system, stage and lighting setup. A vibrant programme of musical events and gigs is being put together, working with local performers, bands and acts. There is also a band rehearsal facility for up-and-coming bands to hone their skills.
- a state of the art small cinema, fitted with the latest high definition facilities and run by a team of young people. The cinema will show a variety of new and classic films, along with big sport events and TV shows as requested by customers.
- computer stations for young people to browse the web whilst enjoying fresh food and drinks from the cafe.
- a large recreational area equipped with soft furnishings, pool table and a wide screen TV
- an outdoor area for relaxing and even enjoying the occasional barbeque (weather permitting!)
In addition to the above, the Armadillo will be offering workshops which will give young people the opportunity to get involved with activities and learn new skills.
There is also a meeting room available which can be hired by businesses and community groups – please get in touch if you would like to find out more.
Yate Bands Exchange leads to new friendships
Bands from Yate and Jersey have been exchanging their musical talents thanks to sponsorship from Yate Shopping Centre.
Young musicians from Jersey recently visited Yate where they were hosted by the town’s Armadillo Youth Centre. During the summer holidays, young musicians from the Armadillo music scene will be making a reciprocal visit to Jersey where they will play at local venues, record a couple of tracks and work with local young musicians.
Margaret Lamb youth Services Area Manager, who helped organise the visit, said: “We are very grateful to Yate Shopping Centre for their generous grant which will make the return visit so much more possible for our young musicians. We are so excited to be able to develop further music skills and friendships whilst also experiencing a completely new environment in Jersey – young people are currently organising their passports!”
Andrew Lowrey, Yate Shopping Centre Manager, said: “This was an ideal opportunity to help Yate’s budding stars. Since the Armadillo opened last year, it has given local musicians the chance to find their feet. Our £2,500 sponsorship will help them with their trip to Jersey later this year where they will have the chance to develop their skills. It would be nice to think that we have contributed to finding the next headline act!”
The exchange has been co-ordinated in Yate by the Armadillo board and staff and in Jersey by Ivor Richards, a Senior Youth Worker in St Helier. The visiting musicians performed at a number of venues in the Bristol area including the Armadillo, where they also used the band practice room and developed music workshops with the Front of House Apprentice, himself a musician, helping young people at the Armadillo.
