This is Who I Am – Celebrates LGBT History Month at Kala Sangam

Image: MANCHESTER, 24 July 2017 – Megan Nankabirwa (blue hair tips) and her partner Lydia Nabukenya in Manchester’s gay village. The pair fled Uganda, where homosexuality is outlawed, after they were discovered to be in a relationship. Credit: Christopher Thomond.

This Is Who Is Am presents first-hand accounts of LGBT+ people seeking asylum in the UK about their experiences in their own country and on arrival in the UK, addressing the particular challenges they face. These accounts are read by members of the Actors for Human Rights Network, an outreach project run by ice&fire who are a London based theatre company exploring human rights stories through performance.

“Then they separated us. We tried to say no, we applied for asylum as a couple. They say we don’t have any civil evidence that we are a couple. And we’re like – how can we show you any civil evidence if homosexuality is forbidden in my country?”

– testimonial from This Is Who I Am.

 This event is produced in partnership with The Peace Museum in Bradford and is presented at Kala Sangam on Thursday 21 February at 7.30pm, during LGBT History month 2019. This Is Who I Am is part of the museum’s current project Peace OUT exploring Peace and LGBTQ+ activism which will result in an exhibition launched during Bradford Pride 2019. #peaceout19

This event will be chaired by Kala Sangam’s Creative Director Alex Croft and will be followed by a Q&A discussion. There will also be a short introduction to The Peace Museum and their Peace OUT project by project manager Rosanne Robertson.

Alex Croft, Creative Director of Kala Sangam said:

‘I’m delighted we’ve been able to work in partnership with The Peace Museum to bring such a significant piece of work to the city during LGBTQ+ History Month. As a venue in a city that is now home to many refugees and migrants, This Is Who I Am feels like a timely, important piece of work for us to be presenting on our stage.’

This Is Who I Am is one of Kala Sangam’s events this spring where audiences Pay What You Decide – which means theatregoers don’t have to pay anything until they have seen the show. Tickets are limited and are on sale now at www.kalasangam.org/thisiswhoiam or call the box office on 01274 303340.

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Bradford UNESCO City Of Film to Celebrate Its 10th Anniversary

Bradford UNESCO City of Film is marking its 10^th anniversary this year with a series of events, festivals  and screenings.

The full programme – being revealed this evening at a reception at the National Science and Media Museum – will include the announcement that Channel 4’s DIVERSE Festival will be taking place in Bradford as part of the celebrations.  This is ahead of the channel’s new national HQ opening in the region later this year.

Bradford-born screenwriter, Michael Hirst (well known for the hit series Vikings and The Tudors), Bafta-nominated TV writer Lisa Holdsworth and Game of Thrones actor,  Enzo Cilenti are among well known names from the TV and film industry appearing at  events throughout the year.

Events include Bradford’s first ever smart phone film festival, film screenings and workshops for the public as well as industry led events focusing on diversity, inclusion and film education.

David Wilson, Director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film said: “ Bradford was the pioneer in the UNESCO network as the first City of Film and this anniversary is about both celebrating and developing further all the work that has been done and new projects yet to come  – both on the local and international stage.

“The 10th anniversary programme is rich and diverse and reflects all the work the organisation has done in the last decade, using film and film culture to drive social and economic change. We’re delighted to have the University of Bradford and Bradford MDC as our key supporters for the anniversary year.”

Alex Mahon, Channel 4 Chief Executive said: “Inclusion and diversity are central to everything we do at Channel 4 and integral to driving true creative innovation. Our annual DIVERSE Festival provides a fantastic opportunity for people to come together, share their experiences and find out more about delivering inclusion within organisations. We’re extremely excited to be holding our festival in Bradford UNESCO City of Film as it celebrates its tenth anniversary and as we look forward to establishing our National HQ in nearby Leeds.”

Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of the British Film Commission and Film London, said: “Film and high-end TV are big business and year after year we are privileged to welcome productions to every region and nation of the UK, drawn here by our reputation as a leading centre for world-class talent, facilities and technical expertise. Yorkshire is such a dynamic region for creative industries, particularly film and TV – home to Church Studios, Channel 4 headquarters and Screen Yorkshire’s new Film Office, and with high-end TV successes including Peaky Blinders and Victoria and films such as Downton Abbey. Bradford Film Office plays an important part in this success and we congratulate Bradford UNESCO City of Film as they celebrate their 10th anniversary.”

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “We’re delighted to have Channel 4 coming to Bradford for what will be the first time the DIVERSE Festival has been hosted in an English city outside of London.

“The anniversary programme has wide appeal with something for everyone, and many events are free to improve accessibility for all.”

For the full programme see bradford.film

January Instagram Round-Up | Visit Bradford

Our favourite happy and inspirational images tagged @visitbradford #visitbradford on Instagram for the month of January.

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Take a stroll through our picturesque winter scenes

 

niesamowiteyorkshire – Sunshine & Snow at Baildon Moor.

hobotomphoto – Top of Haworth’s Main Street.

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Awe-inspiring water landscapes

 

robfordphotography – Goit Stock Waterfall……

shakamini – My Yorkshire ♥️  Lower Laithe Reservoir.

davidoxtaby – A rather cold and cloudy morning at Harold Park, Bradford.

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Stunning colourful sunsets

 

photojmo – Sunset at White Wells, Ilkley. 

davidoxtaby – Sun setting over Cullingworth.

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In the City of Bradford

 

paulthepoet – Light throwing itself in unusual ways.  Little Germany, Bradford.

vickiepedia – #travelblogger at City Park, Bradford.

youantakethegirloutofbradford – Bradford the world’s first UNESCO City of Film, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2019.

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Great Places to Visit

 

 

 

thriftysian – Hockney 1853 gallery at Salts Mill, Saltaire.  We are lucky to live just a couple of miles away from Saltaire (a world heritage site). Salts Mill is a wonderful place, I never tire of it. Spent a lovely afternoon there with the husband and kids today.

thriftysian – Pausing to take in the view.  The restored Butterfield window at Cliffe Castle museum is looking rather beautiful.  The museum is a great quirky place for a family outing. And it’s free…

tobyandmay – Today’s walkies… at the Prince of Wales Park.  It is lovely day but very cold..

hutchsally – Lovely and very informative afternoon spent at Cliffe Castle Museum today – a little gem on the doorstep!

 

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Beautiful Displays

 

thecuriositysociety – Thank you  @ beingbethanyrose for this beautiful photo of the shop interior. 🌿🌴🌷

the wild flower lady – Parallel arrangement in the glory of gold sunlight!

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Let’s inspire you! – Whether you’re visiting for the day or staying with us a little longer

robfordphotography – Picturesque Main Street, Haworth. 

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Follow @visitBradford and tag us in your top post on Instagram #visitbradford with a chance to feature in our ‘Round-Up’ of the month. 

What’s On February | Visit Bradford

Be inspired by our guide of things to do in Bradford & District this February.

The Brontë Parsonage reopens in February marking the life and legacy of the Reverend Patrick Brontë, the inspiring and unconventional father of the famous Brontë sisters and a remarkable campaigner and reformer in his own right, uncover the stories and secrets of the village Mr Brontë would have known.

Go on a giant adventure, the perfect antidote to the January blues awaits audiences in the form of feel-good family pantomime ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ at Bradford Playhouse.  A story jam packed full of songs, dances, Beanstalks, Magic Harps and Hens and of course, GIANTS!

Bradford Industrial Museum will hold a specialist wool market, to celebrate the patron saint of wool-combers.  The St Blaise Wool Market will take place on Sunday February 3.  There will also be food, a pop up pub, a choir and brass band and appearances from alpacas.

Our Hotpick! The UK’s ‘Best Vintage Fair,’ Lou Lou’s is coming to Bradford Cathedral (Saturday 9th February). Find unique, handpicked quality goods with stalls of vintage fashion, accessories, home, collectables and more from some of the UK’s finest vintage traders.  New year, new you! Stop by the pop up ‘Hair & Beauty Salon’ for the vintage makeover that you’ve always dreamed of.  For perfect pin curls, amazing victory rolls and sky-scraping beehives.

It’s the perfect chance to shop affordable items, support independents and grab yourself a unique piece of the past!

This February half term, enjoy action-packed activities, awesome experiments and much more at the National Science + Media Museum with the hit CBBC show Operation Ouch! Behind-the-scenes footage and challenges for all the family, it’s science with the gross bits left in!

Chase and Marshall from the popular Children’s TV Show Paw Patrol will be visiting the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway February half term.  The heroic pups will be making appearances in Oxenhope Exhibition Shed based at Oxenhope Station.

Looking for fun things to do with the family over the 2019 February half-term in Bradford & District? Get inspired with our guide of half-term events and activities.

Real Food Ilkley at South Hawksworth Street on Sunday February 3 (10am to 3pm) The open-air market celebrates the rich variety of locally produced food and drink.

Yorkshire Games Festival at the National Science + Media Museum 2019 is set to be the biggest (and best!) festival yet, continuing to celebrate games culture and introduce new generations to the science and art of games development.  The five-day event will run from 6-10 February 2019 and will see some exciting new additions to the festival.

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s multi award-winning Matilda The Musical, visits the Alhambra for a month  – the only Yorkshire venue on its UK tour – is inspired by Roald Dahl’s beloved story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination, dares to change her own destiny.

Now for something spud-tacular…. The fabulous spud will get the recognition it deserves at the Potato Day in Saltaire. With 38 varieties of potato available to buy. Saturday February 9 at Shipley College’s Exhibition Hall.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and there couldn’t be a better time to take a trip to the Alhambra Theatre.   12 – 16 February, The Royal Shakespeare Company bring Romeo & Juliet to Bradford.  The most famous story of love, at first sight, explodes with intense passion and an irresistible desire for change. Will this spark a revolution, or will division continue to tear through generations?

#LOVEILKLEYARTS at No. 4 Manor House Courtyard, Ilkley.  Think ART for your February valentine! 8 – 10 February,  An enticing exhibition of beautiful items for you to love.  Paintings – textiles – glass – ceramics – jewellery – mixed media.

Love is in the air, so treat your loved one to something special this Valentine’s Day.  Make sure you’re not stuck for things to do, February 14 is fast approaching.  Here are some romantic days out and event ideas.

Look out! Snowdrops are one of the highlights of a winter landscape, take a crisp winter walk through Bradford’s woodlands discover carpets of snowdrops, tag us in  your pics #visitbradford

February means Beer Festival time, serving up a fantastic range of great beers to tempt the taste buds…. Ilkley Beer Festival at the Kings Hall (February 8 & 9) and Bradford Beer Festival at Victoria Hall, Saltaire. (February 28 – March 2.)

REVAMP! Barbara Dickson will be the first act at re-opened St. George’s Hall in February following its £9.5m refurbishment.

For even more things to do in February visitbradford.com/events

 

Kala Sangam invites audiences to ‘Pay What You Decide’ in 2019

Bradford’s intercultural arts centre Kala Sangam has introduced a Pay What You Decide scheme to coincide with the start of its new, inspiring programme of events this spring. The company is continuing to invite old and new audiences into the arts centre, by placing Bradford and its diverse communities at the heart of everything it does.

Pay What You Decide not only allows audiences to pay what they can afford, rather than a fixed ticket price, but also removes the financial risk of buying a ticket for a show in advance without knowing whether they are going to enjoy it or not. Tickets are still available to book in advance as usual, but there is no obligation for audiences to pay until after they have seen the show. Ticket buyers can then decide on a price that they think is suitable based on their experience, which means if they haven’t enjoyed it at all, they don’t have to pay anything.

Kala Sangam Creative Director Alex Croft said:

“We’re really excited about the programme we’ve pulled together for this Spring and we want as many people as possible to experience these fantastic performances. If you’ve ever been curious about what we do there’s never been a better time to visit Kala Sangam, and with Pay What You Decide you can come along, risk free!”

This season showcases an eclectic mix of dance, music, exhibitions, poetry, theatre and discussions. See some of the best traditional South Asian dance styles performed with modern day themes, from the likes of award-winning Seeta Patel with a Bharatanatyam interpretation of The Rite of Spring (23 May), to YAATRA (2 May) performed by British Indian artist Jaivant Patel. There will also be two world premieres this Spring, starting with a Mixed Programme (21 Mar) of contemporary dance by Leeds-based dance company Mobius Dance and a performance of Crackle. Dust. (12 Apr) unveiling women’s resilience through movement, live sound and spoken word by Company of Others.

There are several interesting exhibitions taking place this spring, including Textiles Now (31 Jan) by Bradford Photographer Tim Smith, who will be exhibiting photos about Bradford’s textile history up to the present day. Autism / This Is Me (4 Apr) by Saima Kaur, captures the difficulties and delights of having a child who doesn’t fit into the average world. The season ends with Humanising (30 May), an exhibition of paintings from BIASAN that humanise refugees and asylum seekers, rather than showing them as victims.

This Is Who I Am (21 Feb) presents first-hand accounts of LGBT+ people seeking asylum in the UK with ice&fire and the Peace Museum, International Women’s Day is celebrated with performances of The Vagina Monologues (6-8 Mar) by the Surviving Sistas.

With two incredible music performances of Qawaali (9 Feb) and Gospel (27 Apr), and a new Poetry Open Mic Night (14 Mar), there’s something for everyone.

Tickets for Kala Sangam’s Spring Season are now on sale, to book visit http://www.kalasangam.org or call the Box Office on 01274 303340.

What’s On January | Visit Bradford

Our guide to the best events, exhibitions and things to do throughout January 2019 in Bradford.

Waltz into 2019 with Andre Rieu New Year’s Concert from Sydney.  Featuring show tunes, classical music, festive fun and plenty of surprises, it promises to be a great way to start the New Year at the Picturehouse Bradford – Sunday 6 January.

Kick start you New Year with a brisk walk around Bradford on a guided walk.  You may be surprised at the variety of landscape and wildlife to be experienced both in the countryside and in the urban areas of Bradford.

There’s still time to catch the pantomime. Oh yes there is… Aladdin runs at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (until January 20) Hop aboard a magical carpet and fly to Old Peking in this year’s must-see festive show Aladdin. Starring the undisputed King of Bradford Panto, Billy Pearce, stage, screen and pantomime legend, the one-and-only Christopher Biggins and Blue star Simon Webbe. 

This new year  Bradford Cathedral are celebrating the Centenary with a programme emphasising faith, heritage, music, the arts.  Celebrations will start with a glorious Choral Eucharist sung with the Full Foundation of the Cathedral Choir on Epiphany Sunday, January 6 2019 at 10.15am.

One of Britain’s finest violinists Tasmin Little makes a welcome return to Bradford, joined by pianist John Lenehan. Their programme for the evening at Bradford Cathedral includes Legende by Bradford born composer Frederick Delius. Friday 18 Jan 2019 – Tickets selling fast!

The New Year at the Impressions Gallery in Bradford will begin with a new exhibition Prospect Refuge Hazard.  Working with video, photography and sound, internationally acclaimed artist Helen Sear invites you into forests and woodlands to consider the co-existence of human, animal, and natural worlds.

One of Bradford’s leading theatre groups, Buttershaw St Paul’s Amateur Operatic Society, makes a welcome return with their next production Made in Dagenham at the Alhambra Theatre.  Inspired by a true story about friendship, love and the importance of fighting for what is right, it is funny, touching and timeless. Made in Dagenham shows how ordinary people can do extraordinary things when they stand together.  23 – 25 January 2019 – Book now.

A date for your fashion diary, Saturday 26 January – Saltaire Vintage Home & Fashion Fair returns to Victoria Hall, Saltaire.  Stalls of genuine vintage loveliness for you and your home including vintage fashion, such as 1940s tea dresses, 1950s frocks, jewellery, accessories, furniture, homewares, vintage vinyl, toys, books, kitchenalia and collectables, all from the 1920s to the 1980s.

Visit the accessible and interactive new exhibition ‘Paralympic Heritage – Stories from Bradford’ in the beautiful setting of Cartwright Hall Art Gallery. Witness just how far we have come as a nation in supporting and celebrating disability sport.  Come and find out how it all began with the inspirational story of Professor Sir Ludwig Guttmann and the D-day landings.  Saturday 26 January – 9 June 2019.

There is an opportunity to be at the launch of new exhibition Textiles Now by Tim Smith at Kala Sangam.  Yorkshire’s people and its landscapes, both urban and rural, have been shaped by centuries of textiles production. Raising sheep and making things from wool was Britain’s first great industry and Bradford was at its centre.  Thursday 31 January – 14 March 2019.

A look ahead the dates we are most looking forward to in 2019.  The best events and exhibitions taking place in Bradford & District.

2019 Event Highlights | Visit Bradford

The dates we are most looking forward to in 2019.  The best events and exhibitions taking place in Bradford & District.

February – Yorkshire Games Festival is a five-day extravaganza celebrating games culture, design and production, with special guests, workshops, master classes, and a fun-packed weekend for gamers of all ages at the National Science + Media Museum.

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May till September – Bunnies will be bouncing all over Cartwright Hall art gallery.  Peter Rabbit: Mischief & Mayhem hops, skips and jumps right off the page in an interactive exhibition about Beatrix Potter’s most famous creation.

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May – Turn back the clock at Haworth 1940s Weekend a full programme of WWII and 1940s themed entertainment and events. 

 

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June – Oarsome!  Bradford Dragon Boats a fun filled three-day family festival with dragon boat racing along the river Aire at Saltaire and landside attractions.

 

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June/July – Bradford Literature Festival, hailed as one of the most inspirational festivals in the UK. With over 500 events packed into iconic venues across 10 days, featuring world-renowned authors, poets, musicians and artists. Bradford truly is the place to be 28th June- 7th July!

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July – Taking place exactly 50 years after the first humans landed on the moon, the 2019 Bradford Science Festival looks at space travel among its main attractions.  Celebrate science and technology in a fun, family-friendly environment.  An out-of-this-world weekend.

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September – Bradford is to host the start of the Women’s Elite Road Race at the 2019 World Championships based in Yorkshire. See top-class athletes in our district over two days of this prestigious event.

 

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October – Ilkley Literature Festival, the longest running festival of its kind in the North of England.  Over 200 events over seventeen days • Authors’ events, Readings, Performances, Workshops, Literary Walks, Poetry, Festival Fringe, Children’s and Young People’s Weekend.

 

Find the best things to do all year with our visit Bradford events calendar & guide. visitbradford.com/events

December Instagram Round-Up | Visit Bradford

Our favourite happy and inspirational images tagged @visitbradford #visitbradford on Instagram for the month of December, Sparkling Bradford.

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Experimental Views – The City at Night

chippendale_photography  Portal to City Hall.

stephen_garnett  Light painting in City Park in Bradford.

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#SparklingBradford Christmas Holiday Adventures

janegenie81  Hello to you. Robyn at the sparkling Christmas Tree exhibition at St James Church in Thornton #SparklingBradford

thornwoodalpacas  Thanos ‘The Handsome One’ #SparklingBradford

shakamini  Star Lights at Main Street, Haworth #SparklingBradford

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Canalside Photography – From engineering to art all phases of photography

ka_ewka_  Dreamland… Leeds Liverpool Canal at Saltaire

geoffshackleton3788rs  “It’s nice to have a dry day now and again #apperleybridge “

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Grand Landscape Vistas

chris_hardaker_photography  Cow & Calf Sunrise, Ilkley.

robfordphotography  Judy Woods……..

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Industrial Charm – A pure joy to photograph

paulthepoet Lister’s Mill, Bradford

chris_hardaker_photography  Saltaire at Night.

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How to capture the essence of the city

ka_ewka_  Sparkles…. on Broadway, Bradford

anisha_mistry City Park at Night🌌🌃

paulthepoet  Little Germany, Bradford

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Let’s inspire you! – Whether you’re visiting for the day or staying with us a little longer

ataleoftwosittings  Anish Kapoor’s Turning the World Inside Out, surrounded by work by students from Bradford Grammar School 🖼. @bradfordmuseums

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Follow @visitBradford and tag us in your top post on Instagram #visitbradford with a chance to feature in our ‘Round-Up’ of the month. 

National Science and Media Museum 2019

There’s so much happening at the National Science + Media Museum all year round – the events calendar is always busy! Have a look at the overview of events for 2019, plan your year ahead and make sure you don’t miss out.

Yorkshire Games Festival (6-10 February) Back for its third instalment, the Yorkshire Games Festival showcases some of the greatest expertise and creativity from across the videogames spectrum, providing gamers and budding game makers unrivalled access to the industry.

Special guests at YGF19 include Charles Cecil MBE (Revolution Games), Brjann Sigurgeirsson (Image & Form), Jeff Minter (Llamasoft), Media Molecule’s Gem Abdeen, Rami Ismail of Vlambeer, and Mette Andersen from IO Interactive, among many others. There will be a BAFTA Young Designers strand, and the Northern Games Showcase focuses on the wealth of talent in the North of England.

Operation Ouch! February Half Term (16 – 24 February) For February half term, the National Science and Media Museum is teaming up with hit CBBC show Operation Ouch! and presenters Dr Chris, Dr Xand and Dr Ronx to explore the wonderful world of medicine.

Featuring action-packed activities, awesome experiments, behind-the-scenes footage, sneak peeks and challenges for all the family, it’s science with the gross bits left in! Free entry.

Above the Noise image is Tim Smith/BHRU

Above the Noise (15 March – 16 June) What happens when the established media doesn’t work or speak for a community? How do people react when they feel their place is misrepresented?

Throughout Bradford, different groups have shown how mainstream channels can be bypassed or adapted, as they record their own histories, create cultural networks, and make political and social change.

Above the Noise, a new free-to-enter exhibition and part of Bradford’s National Museum research project, brings together alternative stories of Bradford in collaboration with the people who live and work in the district, through their own words, images, objects and technology.

The exhibition kickstarts a wide-ranging conversation about Bradford and its representation, exploring its stories from many angles, celebrating ingenuity and informing the debate.

Summer exhibition (July – October) 

To mark the 50^th anniversary of the first humans setting foot on the moon, the National Science and Media Museum’s summer exhibition takes a giant leap into space to explore how science has enabled people on earth to see and hear what happens in the depths of the galaxy.

This free family showcase takes a look at some of the amazing space-age technology that has revealed the secrets of the universe, from the live TV broadcasts of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, to the equipment that beamed Stephen Hawking’s voice into a black hole in 2017.

Bradford Science Festival (18 – 21 July) Taking place exactly 50 years after the first humans landed on the moon, the 2019 Bradford Science Festival promises to feature a look at space travel among its main attractions. As it brings together a whole raft of organisations from Bradford District and beyond to celebrate science and technology in a fun, family-friendly environment, the festival aims to attract even more than the 34,000 people who attended in 2018. Produced for the third time by the National Science and Media Museum, and taking place across City Park, The Broadway and the museum, it’s sure to be an out-of-this-world weekend.

Widescreen Weekend 2019 (October)

Following another record-breaking year in 2018, the National Science and Media Museum once again welcomes film lovers from around the world to its festival of big and bold cinema.

Featuring blockbusters, classics, rarities and special guests, it’s a celebration of the past, present and future of cinema made possible by the museum’s unique facilities, including the only publicly accessible Cinerama screen outside the USA.

 

Shaun the Sheep October Half Term (26 October – 3 November) In October the National Science and Media Museum welcomes back Shaun the Sheep for a brand-new half term adventure.

The much-loved character, created by Aardman and director Nick Park, returns to the museum for school holiday fun and games, with free animation activities and behind-the-scenes tips and tricks from the Aardman studio. Free entry.

 

 

 

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Stories from women across the north inspire new dance show at Kala Sangam

North East based Company of Others are listening to real life experiences from women across the North to create a new dance production which will premiere at Kala Sangam and tour in Spring 2019.

Crackle. Dust. is a Co-Created dance theatre production with women from across the North of England. The production positively represents women by sharing their experiences of endings that have had a life changing impact through movement, live sound and spoken word. The show is a poetic unveiling of women’s resilience, a call to action for us all to listen more carefully and a sharing of power. Performed by an exquisitely diverse ensemble of 6 female performers Crackle. Dust. witnesses and celebrates the silence breakers, survivors and the hopeful in our region whilst remaining universal.

‘Beautiful & Urgent’ Audience Member

‘Brilliant Representation and Integrity’ Audience Member

Crackle. Dust. is a love letter to women everywhere who have survival stories that may have never been told, and is a celebration of their strength, intuition and courage.

Newcastle based, Artistic Director Nadia Iftkhar, has been inspired by the women in her life to make this work. Nadia says:

‘In today’s world we are surrounded by stories in the media of experiences from women who already have a platform yet we can overlook the stories of those closest to us; grandmothers, mothers, sisters, colleagues and friends. These stories often go untold, even though there are so many lessons in those experiences and so many women who want to feel heard and witnessed. Crackle. Dust. is my way of readdressing the balance and sharing stories of women from across the North and celebrating their resilience’.

 As part of the research Nadia will be listening and collecting stories from women until February 2019 and then inviting the women into rehearsals to help her shape how their experience is performed on stage.

‘So many women have contacted me with complete honesty in their words and I feel an incredible responsibility to represent their stories with care and empathy. I want women from all walks of life to see themselves reflected in the show, to share with us a celebration of the great things women can achieve and their resilience to overcoming the impossible’.

Crackle. Dust. is Company of Others’ first full length production in collaboration with Sound Designer Caro C, Set and Costume Designer Nicolai Hart Hansen, Lighting Designer Lucy Hansom and Performers Sophie Hutchinson, Susan Betts, Alicia Meehan, Emma Holt and Jenna Ann Nathan.

Company of Others is a story of success in itself. Artistic Director, Nadia Iftkhar, has been working with communities in the North East for over 10 years before founding Company of Others in 2016. During its inaugural year, the company was selected by Arts Council England to be awarded Elevate Funds in order to strengthen the organisation in recognition of Nadia’s important contribution to diversity and equality within the arts in the North.

Alex Croft, Creative Director at Kala Sangam said:

‘Bringing communities together, and ensuring people’s voices are heard, is central to everything we do at Kala Sangam so I’m delighted we’re presenting the premiere of this important new work here in Bradford. We’ve supported Company of Others throughout the project and it’s been incredible to see the words, experiences and memories of women from throughout Bradford’s communities brought to life. I think it’s going to be a moving, thought provoking, must-see piece of theatre.’

Do you have a story to tell? Nadia will be at Kala Sangam to listen to stories from women in Yorkshire who want to tell their stories in person, between 11am and 3pm on Friday 20^th December 2018.  To book a slot or find out more about how to tell your story – email: nadia@companyofothers.org.uk or to share your experience anonymously, please post it to: Nadia Iftkhar (Company of Others), Kala Sangam Arts Centre, St Peter’s House, 1 Forster Square, Bradford, BD1 4TY.