A RECORD-spinner who won an Evening News competition to improve her skills on a DJ Academy course will be the lead vinyl jockey at a brand new night of alternative entertainment.

Talia Kepinska will be playing her soulful, funky house music from 8pm to 9.30pm on Sunday, March 21.

The event, called Scream for More, is being promoted by Dean Awford and takes place at the Red caf-bar in New Street, Worcester.

"This will be on the last Sunday on every month and I'll be organising a slightly different party every time," says Dean.

"In March there will be go-go dancers, fire eaters and drummers.

"It will be a huge launch night, and will make people realise there is more to sitting in bars getting drunk.

"Talia is the lead DJ for the night, and the event will blow people away.

Other DJs hitting the decks on the same night are DJ Carmell with her old skool club classics, DJs baby Dave & mad Jamie, and Topping & Butch, a musical satirical comedy duo.

"I'm looking forward to it - it's going to be brilliant," said Talia.

Last year, Talia won a Nightlife competition for DJ training worth £400, thanks to DJ Kingdom.

The Worcester shop, which offers courses and equipment to budding DJs, offered a free place to Talia on the

10-week course.

The course teaches beat mixing, music programming, marketing, promotions, gigs, tax and accounts, self-employment, how to find work, producing demo tapes and CDs, ticket design and dealing with management.

Talia also learnt about the practicalities of DJing and how to market and promote herself.

Talia, from Brickfields, Worcester, was originally going to study sound engineering, but since her DJing has taken off she hasn't had time to pursue anything else.

"I'd never have believed the DJing could have taken off so well," she says.

"I've done a few private parties, and I'm not getting a lot of money through playing, but I'm getting the experience of playing live, which is what I need to be the next Fat Girl Slim!"

Talia is also playing Red on Sunday, February 22, for a DJ Academy showcase.

The night is called Selekt, and Talia will be joined by six past students from DJ Academy for the showcase which takes place from 7pm till late.

All of the music on the night will be soulful and funky house.

"DJ Trixter will be there to support us," says Talia.

"If people want to come along and meet the Guinness Book of Records holder for six-turntable mixing, they're welcome to meet him and have a chat about what he's been up to, as well as to find out about the DJ Academy."

Talia also has a residency at The Hub, inside the Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, every Thursday.

She DJs from 10pm until midnight.

"At my first night at The Hub I threw up because it was my first biggie," she says.

Talia has also been given a residency at Charlstons, New Street, Worcester, every Friday night.

The night starts on Friday, March 5, and runs from 8pm until late.

Tickets for the Scream for More night can be bought from Dean Awford on 07932 212707. The DJ Academy gig costs £2 on the door, and The Hub costs £3 on the door.