Flamingos in the fens

A user-led arts group in Cambridge trains disabled performers and then hosts club nights at which their talents can shine, says Kelly Mullan

Combining hi-tech gadgetry and imaginative DIY, Funky Flamingo Club, a group of disabled adults and young people in Cambridge, runs arts projects providing entertainment for regular club nights.

Funky volunteer John Hutchison, who has Down’s syndrome, explains the range of this home-grown club culture: “We have Pop Stars, VJs [video jammers], DJs, a band and Funky Flamingo TV. It’s very creative.”

The Funky Flamingo Club runs DJ and VJ training and offers the chance to perform live at club nights at The Junction in Cambridge. The Pop Stars project trains singers to sing along to backing tracks in preparation for entertaining club goers. And Funky Flamingo’s band, Dream Catchers, writes and records material and performs at club nights.

But according to John Hutchison, it’s not all glitz and glamour: “It’s hard work. I work on admin, and researching funding, and finance; and before a club night there are lots of rehearsals and workshops.”

A steering group of disabled adults and young people meets regularly to arrange everything from the music and entertainment at the club to decorations, publicity, tickets and merchandising.
Buoyed up by local success, the club is going global via its internet TV station, Funky Flamingo TV (FFTV). Launched in December 2007, FFTV has shown ten live broadcasts and provides a free on-demand service. Now FFTV is setting up web-links with New Zealand and the USA to connect Cambridge’s disabled community to their global peers, giving artists an international platform to showcase work.

John says: “We’ve put a lot of work into Funky Flamingo TV. Now we want to get more people involved. My project is called Young Funky and it’s for young people aged 11 to 16 to come along and see what they can do. I go to schools and do presentations and we do one-to-one work to see what the young people will like.

“The Funky Flamingo Club helps people achieve skills and goals. It’s my job to take photos. It was a hobby at first but I’d like to do some marketing in the future and get my photos used in the local press.

“The best thing about the Funky Flamingo Club is getting to socialise in a comfortable way.”

• John Hutchison can be reached at Inspire on 01223 441106