Performing arts festival to return for third year

A "mobile human jukebox" is coming to this year's BD: Festival

A family friendly performing arts festival will return to Bradford this summer.

BD: Festival, which has taken place since 2021, will be held in the city centre on 26 and 27 July.

All except one of the 21 performances that will take place are free.

Organisers Bradford Council said BD: Festival would "showcase the wealth of artistic talent across the Bradford district alongside national and international performance artists".

A spokesperson said highlights of this year's event would include Perceptions by Compagnie Bivouac, described as an "extraordinary circus experience, performed within a huge aerial structure".

SMOOSH! by Paraorchestra would bring a "high-energy parade in which musicians, dancers and performers form a mobile human jukebox", they added.

Performances will include Queenie and the Pooka by Spin Arts - a children’s theatre piece telling the story of a Traveller girl with big dreams and a mischievous shape-shifting companion.

Live storytelling, free book giveaways and a drop-in playspace will also be available for families with young children.

'World-class cultural experiences'

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, executive member for healthy people and places, said BD: Festival was a "great example of our ambitions, our energy and our dedication to bringing world-class cultural experiences to the people of Bradford district and beyond, whilst also showing the world the investment opportunities and regeneration plans on offer here".

It comes as Bradford prepares to be the UK's City of Culture for 2025.

Dan Bates, executive director at Bradford 2025, said the group was "delighted" to be supporting the event.

"Hundreds" of people had signed up to volunteer with Bradford 2025, he added, with opportunities available at BD: Festival.

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