NEW town councillor Damian Carr is looking to get Wilmslow ‘Buzzin’.

Since being elected to Wilmslow Town Council Damian has been looking to increase interest in the arts, volunteering and improving mental health.

He decided to ‘make things happen’, and has organised an evening of spoken word, music and live art at The Old Dancer on Grove Street on Thursday, July 11.

He said: “I had a meeting recently with Cheshire East CVS, and was shocked to hear that Wilmslow is one of the hardest areas to encourage community activity and volunteering.

“I’m also passionate about the arts and making them accessible and enjoyable, and want to help make Wilmslow a vibrant destination for entertainment as well as somewhere great to work and live.

“I’ve pulled in favours from my creative friends in Manchester, the support of Paul Ludden, who runs MancMade Productions, and have arranged an evening of spoken word, music and live art.

“My hope is this will become a monthly event showcasing established artists from the Manchester circuit but also encouraging local talent to ‘step up to the mic’ and get involved.

“The profits from this event will go to my charity MancSpirit, to support a project we’ve just received lottery funding for to deliver inspirational creative workshops to improve mental health with people who may otherwise be isolated or vulnerable.

“We’re taking these workshops into the communities, inviting them to take part in the arts and to share their stories and develop creative careers.”

The evening at The Old Dancer features Mancunian wordsmith Dave Viney, Wilmslow singer songwriter Joel Gardner, live art with Christina and Emma Evans, and other guests.

Damian added: “It was especially rewarding to secure Dave Viney, who is well respected throughout the UK on the spoken word circuit but has been supportive of the charity from the start – and singer songwriter, Joel Gardner, who has performed across the UK and in Europe but has never performed in Wilmslow before this event.

“I’ve named the night ‘Buzzin’ because the manager of the Old Dancer, Tandy Palmes, noticed my Manchester Bee tattoo, and it seemed an appropriate theme as we’re bringing the passion, swagger and love of Manchester to Wilmslow.

“We’re also looking for sponsors for this and future events if any local businesses can help.”

The evening starts at 8pm, with tickets £6. For details email damian@mancspirit.com or visit twitter at @mancspirit and @mancmade