A performance that brings together cricket and indian dance and a play looking at the “perceived anti-social behaviour” surrounding quad bikes are among the acts at this year’s Bradford Festival.
The annual event, rebranded BD: Festival last year, will this year feature five world premieres, and over 20 experiences from local, national and international artists.
Other acts include an Afrofuturism themed outdoor performance and a play looking at a pair of Italian immigrants who launched an ice cream empire after arriving in Bradford over 150 years ago.
The free annual event will be spread across three locations in Bradford city centre over the weekend of Friday 28 and Saturday 29 July – the start of the school summer holidays.
Produced by Bradford Council, the event showcases a diverse line-up of artists that features creatives from across the UK and Europe, as well performances from 14 local organisations and artists.
Highlights of the two-day extravaganza include:
- The world premiere of Cricket Green by Bradford based Balbir Singh Dance Company. The show blends classical Indian and contemporary western dance styles to narrate the story of Team Earth vs Team Climate, in a surreal game of cricket.
2. Ancient Futures – an Afrofuturism inspired outdoor spectacular commission by Unlimited Theatre and Upswing. It will blend circus and storytelling with Sound System culture and West African folklore.
3. Nero’s ices will see a performance on Darley Street about Giovanni and Guiseppe – who immigrated to Bradford in the late 1800s and opened their ice cream business.
4. Off Road has been developed by Bradford Youth Service and will be performed in Windhill by young people from the area. It “rewrites narratives around perceived anti-social behaviour” in the area – particularly involving off road bikes.
5. Mind the Gap – England’s leading learning disability performance and live arts company – performing Birdie, a performance that tells the story of climate change.
6. Car Stories is an interactive research piece by Dr Alam, from the University of Bradford, that explores issues such as class, identity and race, and how they relate to the district’s shared love of cars.
7. An Edible Archives pop-up studio will be set in Kirkgate Market, where audience members can enjoy Eating Kirkgate Market, which will shine a light on the market’s unique murals and 70s architecture using ice cream and sound.
Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said:
“Families from every corner of the district and beyond had a great time at last year’s colourful BD: Festival and we look forward to once again welcoming everyone to the city centre to enjoy this two-day event.”
For more information, go to www.visitbradford.com/bdfestival
