A street performer is hoping to bring a new festival to Arlesey with a focus on bringing people together from all walks of life.

The Comet: Steen Mottley hopes to bring a new festival to Arlesey this summer. Picture: Louie London PhotographerSteen Mottley hopes to bring a new festival to Arlesey this summer. Picture: Louie London Photographer (Image: Archant)

Steen Mottley – who has ADHD and high-functioning Asperger syndrome – wants to create a platform to help children with autism, give back to communities and inspire others with Harmonics Festival under the brand ‘Modern Day Jester’.

He said: “I want to help as many people as best as I can and by putting my own festival on, creating workshops for children with autism, I can give back to communities, inspire others, be able to express yourself and help other talented and passionate acts reach out to a bigger stage.

Steen says his brand is about representation of the arts and bringing people together from all walks to life.

He said: “It all began around eight years ago when I took to the streets to perform on my Yamaha DJX keyboard to try and reach out to people who could relate to my music and who could see potential with my passion and talents.

“I did this for many years, but always seemed to be hitting a brick wall and it seemed almost impossible trying to reach my ambitions.

“I’ve found it extremely difficult in life at many times to try and achieve any of my dreams and ambitions as I’ve got Asperger syndrome level 1 – which, for those who don’t understand what that is, is a condition on the autistic spectrum – and it’s certainly been a roller-coaster in life dealing with the way it affects my daily life.”

Steen has got a landowner’s permission to put on his own festival on July 28. It will run for 12 hours, and hold up to 5,000 people.

He said: “This festival is going to be a great event that will showcase some amazing talents – from live music to awesome art, magic and comedy on the main stage, to letting your hair down and having a good boogie in the DJ tent.

“There will also be great attractions, including inflatable laser quest, a giant arcades marquee, a family area with a bouncy castle and face painting and more.”

However, Steen needs as much help as he can to fund the event that will make this project a reality.

“With your funding, we can really give something back to communities, help children develop their autism and focus their gifts and to be an inspiration to those who don’t have any or much understanding what the arts really represent,” he said.

For more details, go to facebook.com/moderndayjester and to help Steen create the Harmonics Festival for Arlesey and surrounding towns, go to bit.Ly/2GSLPr8.