A pop up arts venue will host 38 events when it returns to a Bradford park next month.
The Beacon, a moveable arts hub created for Bradford’s year as City of Culture, will be based at Wibsey Park throughout August.
Throughout last spring and summer, the venue appeared in four parks across the district, with hundreds of events held in and around the building.
Earlier this year, it was announced that The Beacon would return in August, once again making Wibsey Park its home.
The venue began its tour of the district at the park last year, attracting more than 9,000 people to events held there.
The lineup for this August’s programme has now been revealed by Bradford Culture Company, the organisation established to ensure the legacy of Bradford 2025 continues.
Highlights include:
- Eat Your Art Out – a day of “food, creativity and community inspired by David Hockney”. Bradford Culture Company says: “Gathered around long tables our artists will get you drawing, chatting, laughing and nibbling as we pay homage to one of Bradford’s most influential artists.”
- A ska and reggae festival featuring live bands, top DJs and Caribbean food.
- A family fun day run by Wibsey’s community of churches.
- A concert by Shipley based Hall Royd Brass Band.
- A poetry workshop run by the National Literacy Trust featuring West Yorkshire Young Poet Laureates and Bradford poet Sharena Lee Satti.
- MORPHOSIS – a large scale climbing frame made by people visiting The Beacon, led by specialist builders and created from hundreds of bamboo canes.
- Rave sessions for toddlers and families.
- A live puppet show by local arts group Cecil Green Arts, based in a compost heap.
- And Still, We Gather – a dance performance and follow up to Brighter Still, the final event of Bradford 2025.
- A comedy open mic night.
- A youth takeover day featuring a silent disco, dance battles and skateboard and BMX sessions.
- A dance session for over 55s.
- A performance by renowned Qawwali singer Ahmed Shah.
The month long programme begins on August 1 with a family fun day running from noon until 5pm.
The opening event will feature free cultural activities, live music, Rugby Tots sessions and Dhol drumming.
The full programme of events can be viewed on the Bradford Culture Company website.
