Viv Hardwick talks to Les Fry who is in the forefront of putting racial harmony into music.

MULTI-cultural music is more in demand than ever in the North-East argues a Darlington promoter who is aiming to bring back the 1960s spirit of togetherness. Les Fry, 42, works in Stockton with the growing number of black-ethnic asylum seekers and minority groups and is one of the leading lights in Culture Shock, a regional arts collective which has organised The Happenings at Newcastle University on Saturday.

Topping the bill is the Trojan All Stars featuring reggae legends like Dawn Penn (famous for international hit No, No, No, You don't Love Me in the 1990s); Delroy Williams from Desmond Decker And The Aces and JC Lodge.

Trance, dance, classic reggae and dub reggae will be performed alongside classical Indian dance, performance theatre, story-telling, buskers and Iran's answer to creative artist Rolf Harris.

Les says: "The black/ethnic minority is 2.3 per cent overall, but when you look at certain areas it's actually 30 per cent. When you break down each group some don't classify themselves as a minority group,but they like that type of music or their family originates from Italy, Africa or elsewhere and aren't listed.

"What we're doing is supporting the Government policy of a cohesive society where everyone is accepted. We don't have punk, rock or Northern soul any more, it's kind of mish-mashed into one and we're bringing all that together. The organisation started because a couple of us were working with the North of England Refugee Service and directly involved with the issues."

The Happenings event, which takes place in The Bassment at the University of Newcastle, is aimed at interesting the white majority as well as the African communities which are currently being housed in the region by the Government dispersal scheme for asylum seeker.

Les adds: "I know there's been a view of the North-East that it can be quite racist but really when you meet Geordies on the street they are very friendly. Luckily music and football have a universal language."

The event has taken five months to plan and cost around £10,000. "Every act will be paid a fair wage and we booked artists through the 'who you know' network and being in the right place at the right time.

"I work in Stockton and the organisers all come from Newcastle and trying to find good venues can be difficult. Newcastle University is the ideal place for an event of this kind.

"Part of the fun of an event like this is that people don't just sit there and watch but you get up and dance to the music. So we are not ever going to do seated gigs. Our organisation is quite eclectic and what we are trying to do is cover a lot of artistic styles, but there is a common theme that is multicultural which includes indigenous groups. We don't want it to turn into an African night."

Iranian artist Fajad will be seen quickly turning a blank canvas into a colourful visual statement, sometimes using the help of on-lookers.

"He used to be based in Sunderland and I met him at a friend's party when this lad got up and was doing some painting and getting other people involved. His passion draws people into the artwork," explains Les.

He was a musican in a heavy metal band for ten years and then got involved in an organisation producing performance art for youngsters. He returned to university and did a degree in sociology at Durham and then a masters in art and cultural management at Northumbria. Les joined the refugeeservice as a development worker and now works as a community empowerment officer in Stockton.

So what do the incoming asylum seekers make of the North-East?

"I think most people, because they tend to be younger and statistically male, know a lot about Western music. When they get involved they want to be part of this country having left an oppressive culture behind. But they still want to celebrate their own culture, which is why we're trying to amalgamate the two.

"We're dealing with arts, but we're not dealing with any politics at all."

Les is aware that fear of foreigners is running at an all-time high because of terror attacks around the world, but says: "We started these events before 9-11, but I hope we're still able to break down barriers. When you go to an arts event it's like going to an Indian restaurant and talking to people who might think they are racist but discover that curry is their favourite food and probably the British national meal."

The Happenings has been organised with the aid of Newcastle City Council.

* The event starts at 10pm at The Bassment, University of Newcastle and £8 tickets are available from RPM, Steel Wheels and Reflex at Newcastle, Hot Rats at Sunderland and Concept, Durham, or call 07818 001 269 or pay £10 on the door.

Published: 21/10/2004