As a Thanet based company we thought it would be good to give you the heads up on pie factory music a great youth project aimed at the development of local teenagers in the music industry in the South East Kent area.

Thanet Youth Music Action Zone (TYMAZ) was initiated by Youth Music through Thanet District Council in April 2001 with an initial budget of £316,000 for a period of 2 years to bring music to deprived areas in Thanet.

TYMAZ then became Pie Factory Music, a company limited by guarantee, in November 2002 and a registered charity.

Pie Factory Music is a charity set up to provide music and related arts workshops for young people across East Kent. Their aim is to create a better cultural and social environment and a higher quality of life, through music and related arts primarily, but not exclusively, for young people.

Pie Factory Music believes that music is a superb tool for motivation, inclusion and health in its broadest sense and is dedicated to using that tool effectively and flexibly in the East Kent community.

They accomplish this by offering various sets of workshops at progressional, intermediate and entry level, along with taster sessions for local events such as play days, launches, etc. Sets of workshops generally work towards an end product such as performances or the production a CD or DVD.

With the continued support of their funders and further funding applications, they aim to manage a building to act as their Centre. Available for use as part of their ongoing programme and also for rent by professionals and members of the community will be:

• rehearsal/practice rooms
• a fully equipped studio
• general/community space

Their regular programme of workshops will continue, running from both the Centre as well as via their out-reach programme throughout East Kent.

Pie Factory Music will continue to source further funding to sustain and expand their music and related arts programme.

Their core funding at present is allowing them to concentrate on progressional work rather than hitting large numbers. They see this as very positive as it allows PFM to build on the foundations laid over the last few years.

To get involved with this great project head over to their website @ http://www.piefactorymusic.com

I just had the heads up on an upcoming event on Margate,Kent’s main beach. It’s going to be a spectacular event raising money and awareness for Breast Cancer UK. If there are any bands that want to play then contact the event organisers on their myspace page.

Its due to be held sometime in the summer (2009) and it will be fully previewed and reviewed here. Check back for latest updates on dates and bands performing. They also have a facebook group.