The year-long Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture launches on January 10-11 with Rise, an outdoor theatrical event in Bradford's City Park and Centenary Square.
Created by the district’s internationally famous magician Steven Frayne – formerly known as Dynamo – the show will feature aerial performers, acrobatics and magic, and will have local people, voices and stories at its heart.
Performers include a community choir led by the Friendship Choir, the Airedale Symphony Orchestra, and a multi-generational community ensemble of Bradford residents aged 12-65.
Bradford-born poet and playwright Kirsty Taylor joins the creative team as dramaturg,alongside locally-based writers and performers Kemmi Gill, Nabeela Ahmed and Kenzo Jae; composer and conductor Ben Crick, and composer and DJ, Jae Depz.
The National Science and Media Museum reopens in January following a £6 million development project and presents David Hockney: Pieced Together (January15-May 18), which explores the artist’s pioneering use of film and photography.
Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “Our communities can and should be empowered to come together, tell their story and create change in their local area. That is what the UK City of Culture competition is all about.
"So much enthusiasm and hard work has gone into organising Bradford’s year. There is a real buzz in the city as people get ready to showcase their talents. I'd encourage everyone to go and see some of the fantastic events in the New Year."
For details of events throughout the year, go here