Kala Sangam Arts Centre has announced its first full season of events since March 2020 and will be kicking things off in spectacular style on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 September with outdoor performances fusing water, dance and song.
Exploring the fleeting nature of life, Kapows Mayfly is a poetic story celebrating the transformative strength of women. The performance takes place on a specially built set that comes alive with water effects and leaping fountains, transforming the stage into a magical playground, sound-tracked by a digital choir of 150 women and children.
Mayfly is suitable for everyone, including children, and performances will be at 2.30pm and 5pm in Kala Sangam’s car park. Like everything at Kala Sangam, it will be a Pay What You Decide event meaning tickets can be booked in advance but audience members don’t have to pay until they have seen the show.
Following Mayfly, performances will be returning to the Ganges theatre, with a Qawaali from local musicians Shah E Mardaan Qawwals on Saturday 25 September. The popular Poetry Night returns on Thursday 7 October, to celebrate National Poetry Day and Black History Month, with headline performances from Rheima Robinson and Taiwo Ogunyinka. This event will be a partnership with local poetry hub, Spoke and Ilkley Literature Festival, where Rheima is the 2021 Apprentice Poet in Residence.
On Saturday 16 October, children and families are invited to see brand new show Bird in the Window, which tackles the difficult but important subject of grief in an accessible way, telling the story of a son coming to terms with the loss of his father by embarking on a fantastical journey with an old feathery friend.
Leading Bharatanatyam and Kathak dancer Nina Rajarani brings her latest triple bill, SEVENS, to Bradford on Thursday 21 October. Hip Hop Dancer Bobak Champion will be sharing his experiences exploring his Iranian heritage with his new show, I’m Muslamic Don’t Panik, on Thursday 18 November.
Kala Sangam’s Creative Director, Alex Croft said, After eighteen quiet months, we are so excited about filling Kala Sangam with audiences and artists once again! We want to bring joy and delight to people after such a difficult time and whether it’s Kapow’s innovative and unique show, which will transform our car park, a magical children’s adventure (featuring glittery bird poo!) or stunning Sufi music we have a fantastic range of events on offer.
Ensuring audiences, artists and staff safety will be a top priority for Kala Sangam, with reduced audience capacities and measures in place including temperature checks, increased ventilation and enhanced cleaning. Hand sanitization points are available throughout the building and all visitors will be encouraged to wear facemasks and respect social distancing.
Tickets for Mayfly, Shah e Mardaan Qawwals, the Poetry night, SEVENS and I’m Muslamic Don’t Panik are on sale now at kalasangam.org.
More events, including a new show from Balbir Singh Dance Company, a Christmas party with Demon Barbers and another poetry night, will be announced soon.
