Bradford has announced details of the grand finale to its year as UK City of Culture, with hundreds of Bradford residents set to star in a powerful showcase of community, creativity and togetherness.
Brighter Still will take place at sunset on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 December, the two longest nights of the year, at Myrtle Park in Bingley. It will shine a renewed light on Bradford’s people, stories and culture, and celebrate the end of the year by marking the winter solstice as a moment of hope and new beginnings.
From BMX riders to bhangra and bassline, from gospel choirs to folk song, and from poetry to pompoms, the finalé of Bradford 2025 is an invitation to audiences and participants alike to celebrate the end of the year (of culture) together.
Locally based dance groups will join nine professional dancers on stage, including young people from Stage 84 (Yorkshire School of Performing Arts), Freestyle Fanatics and X-Plosion, a bhangra group from women’s fitness club Club Ekta, and members of the Bradford Bulls cheerleading squad Luvabulls.
The event will be one of the largest community participation events in the programme, featuring more than 250 local performers in total, with a community cast of 90 Bradford residents aged from eight to 76 joining forces with dancers, musicians and choirs. Over a third of performers are children and young people, reflecting the youthful population of Bradford, where more than a quarter of residents are aged under 20.
As well as performing movement and dance, the community cast will play an active role in co-creating and narrating the show, weaving a tapestry of stories rooted in the life experiences of Bradford’s people and communities.
The multi-award winning creative team is led by director, community theatre specialist and former National Theatre public acts chief Emily Lim and co-director and choreographer Dan Canham. Text comes from Bradford-born poet and author Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan, stage and set design is by Mydd Pharo, and music by Benji Bower and Warren “Flamin Beatz” Morgan-Humpreys.
Shanaz Gulzar, creative director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, said: “Every step of the way, Bradford 2025 has been powered by Bradford’s people. Communities across the district have taken part in performances, hosted events, attended arts workshops, and shared their skills, stories and creativity with great energy and generosity.
“We complete this remarkable year by putting local people centre stage where they belong. Brighter Still will be a dynamic reflection of Bradford, honouring our heritage, marking the present, and looking to the future. As we approach the culmination of Bradford’s time as UK City of Culture, we invite everyone to gather, to celebrate, and to ensure Bradford is seen bolder and brighter than ever.”
Tickets for both performances will go on sale online at 12pm on Monday 1 December, priced at £2 and free for under 16s and over 60s, or in person at the Ticket & Info Hub in Centenary Square, Bradford.
Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture is delivered by Bradford Culture Company, a charity supported by public investment from HM Government, Bradford Metropolitan District Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and through National Lottery funding from Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The National Lottery Community Fund, Spirit of 2012, British Film Institute and a number of trusts, foundations and corporate sponsors.
