WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE SECURES SPONSORSHIP FROM LLOYDS TSB COMMER

Lloyds TSB Commercial has signed a three-year deal to sponsor Wales Millennium Centre, the iconic arts venue in Cardiff Bay.

Under the terms of the deal, the bank will support the Centre's latest initiative - Learning Weeks - a series of workshops, performances, competitions and interactive concerts designed to give everyone a chance to get closer to what the Centre has on offer.

The support will enable the Centre to hold three Learning Weeks each academic year, and expand its community and education work. Last year nearly 13, 000 people took part in the Centre's on-going programme of events that encourages people in communities across Wales to take a chance on an art form that they wouldn't usually experience.

The first Learning Week will be held between March 21 - 27 and will concentrate on rock music, to coincide with 'We Will Rock You', the worldwide smash hit musical which is at the Centre from 18 March - 16 April.

Learning Week highlights include:

* An Interactive Rock Concert for Children aged between 7-11
Performed by Cardiff County & Vale of Glamorgan (CCVG) Music Service band - The BA38's, this is a show which invites children to sing along, join in with actions and join the band on stage. Children are also encouraged to sample voices and try out digital instruments which connect to a large screen and projector. Children will be introduced to the atmosphere of a live rock concert where learning is part of the fun.

* Primary school Art Competition
Pupils can design a rock star outfit and win a workshop for their class on the theme of Rock Music.

Art & Design Competition
A competition to create a band and album name and design a unique CD cover for them. The winning design will win a live gig at their school.

* Silent Gig
Experience live music through headphones as a band take to the Glanfa stage in this unique performance. Presented by SilentArena with Wales Millennium Centre.

* Paul Rees, Editor of Q Magazine : Masterclass and Talk
A masterclass on how to review either a gig or an album followed by Paul Rees in conversation with Nicola Heywood Thomas discussing his own experiences of writing for the UK's biggest music magazine.

Mark Taylor, Chief Executive, Wales Millennium Centre said: 'I am very pleased that Lloyds TSB Commercial will be sponsoring the Centre and its programme of community and education events. These events play a crucial part in increasing access to the arts and widening the Centre's reach to communities across the country'.
'As a charity, we rely on support from the business community to help us carry out our community work like the Learning Weeks and so we're grateful to Lloyds TSB Commercial for their three-year commitment.'

Greg Warren, Relationship Director for Lloyds TSB Commercial, said: 'Wales Millennium Centre is a creative organisation that provides a welcoming space for visitors to enjoy arts, culture and music and we are excited to sponsor such an iconic business in Wales.'

Allan Griffiths, Area Director for Lloyds TSB Commercial in South and West Wales, said: 'This is a fantastic opportunity for Lloyds TSB to become an active partner of the Wales Millennium Centre and get behind its Learning Weeks initiative. We are keen to assist this great scheme as it is a popular, educational and treasured facility for Wales and we are proud to support it.'

For further information and to book tickets please visit www.wmc.org.uk or 029 2063 6464. The next Learning Week will take place in June and will be on the theme of dance to coincide with Footloose playing at the Centre between 6-11 of June 2011.