RIDE!

What does it mean to belong, when the ground beneath you keeps shifting?

Welcome to RIDE!

We’re overjoyed to share this brand-new rap, dance and theatre show, created hand-in-hand with the people of Holmewood and Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange.

Featuring local artists Haze da Martian, Musumba & Quade Poundsign, alongside Big Deli and a cast of professional and community performers, this show is as much yours as it is ours.

From the very beginning, we wanted to make something rooted in this place and its people – something that could only have been born here. Holmewood and the Gypsy and Traveller communities have given us more than inspiration: you’ve given us your warmth, your honesty, your laughter, and your trust.

Since 2023 we’ve been dreaming, writing, dancing and building together, with schools, community groups, and local organisations, and every step has been coloured by your energy and generosity.

It has been an honour to be welcomed into your homes, halls and hearts. Thank you to everyone who helped develop the story, collected scrap metal, crafted for the set & exhibition, and stepped forward with courage to perform alongside the cast. You’ve made this journey unforgettable, and we hope this show reflects the strength, creativity and spirit that make Holmewood such a special place.

“A dream is as big as you’re going to make it”, Rapper Big Deli, Travellers Times

​​What to Expect

Running time: 75mins (No Interval).

A relaxed performance approach. You’re free to move, make noise, or leave/re-enter.

About the Show

RIDE! tells the story of a Gypsy family forced from their land and into life on an estate.

As the story unfolds, we watch the family adapt to estate life and face the system that keeps pushing back against them.

Rooted in real experiences from Gypsy, Traveller, and BD4 communities, it’s a powerful celebration of resilience, pride, and solidarity in the face of injustice.

Energetic, defiant, and alive with community spirit, RIDE! invites you to clap, sing, dance, and make noise for the performers and those who refuse to be erased.

This is Holmewood and the Gypsy and Traveller communities’ moment to shine. This is your City of Culture!

Accessibility

This show contains occasional strong language / themes of eviction and discrimination.

If at any point you feel affected by the themes in the show and need to step out for a break, please speak to a member of staff in RIDE! or BD25 branded T-shirts – they’ll be happy to help.

Supported By

RIDE! Wouldn’t have been possible without the many funders, supporters and partners:

Commissioned by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. Supported by Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grants, Bradford Council, the UK Government, Give Bradford, Pears Foundation, West Yorkshire Combined Authority – Mayor’s Safer Communities fund, Bradford Producing Hub and the Northern School of Contemporary Dance.