DO you dream of mixing and scratching your way to the top?

If so, a series of DJ showcase sessions, scheduled to be held in shopping centres this spring, could be right up your street.

DJ-ing has come a long way over the last ten years - so far in fact, that a collaboration between Newcastle based music magazine Generator and Northern Arts' The Year of the Artist is working to give budding DJs the recognition they deserve.

In a series of events across The North, shopping centres from Newcastle to Middlesborough will play host to a slice of DJ culture served up with the assistance of Radio stations Galaxy FM and CFM.

And on Saturday, February 3, shoppers at The Lanes Shopping Centre, Carlisle will be in for a dance experience with a difference when national DJs Fingathing will show the next generation in Cumbria how it's done.

Between 2pm and 4pm a handful of select youngsters, primed by a five-day workshop planned for the run-up to each event, will take centre stage along side Fingathing and give it their best shot.

The DJ schools will take place between January 29 and February 2, at The Depot, Carlisle.

Jim Mawdsley of Generator said: " Dance culture is booming in popularity and we wanted to give it a new twist by taking DJs to the streets.

Cumbrian DJs who think that they could be the next Fatboy Slim or Carl Cox will be given the chance to mix it with one of the best turntablists in the country."

For details contact project co-ordinator Jim Mawdsley on 0191 245 0099.