The exclusive education partnership between Bedfordshire and Standon Calling is one to be celebrated. The heart of the collaboration sees the opening of a brand new and exciting destination at this summer’s event – The Boogaloo.

For the first time ever, The Boogaloo will be holding masterclasses from the esteemed staff and talented students from the University of Bedfordshire, covering topics such as creative writing, performing arts and dance, plus entertainment technology and virtual reality.

As well as developing an engaging and exciting festival programme, the very foundation of the partnership is the hugely important and valuable work experience programme on offer to the university students.

Six students from a range of relevant courses will be able to experience the festival from the perspective of staff. They will be working closely with the Standon Calling team and be involved with the day-to-day running of the festival.

University of Bedfordshire students will take up the roles of Promoter’s Office Assistant, Stage Management Assistant, Radio Production Assistant, Music Blog and Marketing Assistant, and Video and Photography Assistant.

From the 25 to 28 July, festival goers will flock to the grounds, and surrounding farmland, of Standon Lordship, Hertfordshire. This year’s festival is headlined by Rag’N’Bone Man, Wolf Alice and Nile Rodgers & CHIC.

Dr Paul Sant, Head of School Computer Science and Technology at University of Bedfordshire said: “We will be running a number of interactive demos during the event. These will focus on the use of Virtual and Augmented reality – from a virtual tour of the human body to the use of augmented reality in film and media production, plus augmented reality and storytelling and the use of computer games.

“The audience will be able to interact with digital devices and try out the technology themselves, as well as getting bite size lessons about how the technology works.”

Lyndsey Harding, Lecturer in Performing Arts, added: “The focus of the six dance workshops is to offer high energy, dynamic and fun contemporary dance phrases, improvisation and partnering work. During the workshops, participants will have a chance to learn the routine from the students’ performance (shown twice daily).

“At the festival we will also be available to talk to people about our courses and what we offer at the University of Bedfordshire. People can also sign up for an invitation to a taster day in November where they can come and visit our campuses and experience a day at the University.”