Looking back at February

February saw four films screened as part of Northern Soul, director Clio Barnard’s hand-picked celebration of northern women in cinema at Pictureville. There was more big-screen action at St George’s Hall with the premiere of BBC One’s Virdee – and you can watch the whole of this Bradford-set drama now on BBC iPlayer.

We teamed up with our pals at the BBC for two more events in February, and they couldn’t have been more different. Gardeners’ Question Time was recorded at Valley Parade for future broadcast on BBC Radio 4, while BBC Introducing drew a sell-out crowd to The Underground for the first of four special gigs.

We announced that we’re supporting more than 30 innovative projects in February, that use the power of culture and creativity to tackle urgent health and social challenges. From inclusive dance programmes to printmaking workshops and outdoor activities, our Creative Health Awards will improve health and wellbeing across the district.

The crescent moon has heralded the start of Ramadan – making this the perfect time to visit the Ramadan Pavilion in Centenary Square, which opened in February. This striking structure, commissioned by Bradford 2025 and Ramadan Tent Project, celebrates the lived experiences of Muslims across the globe. Why not join us later this month for Open Iftar?

We’ve been bouncing all over Bradford to bring the joy of art and creativity to communities, schools, and young people across the district…

DRAW! creative workshops, took place from Silsden to Shipley as part of Our Patch, our community creativity programme working with over 200 people, and there are more to come in March.

Sing Dance Leap, saw us visit five primary schools working with Northern Ballet as the Young Corps de Ballet, three primary schools taking part as the Children’s Chorus, and two secondary schools joining Opera North’s Youth Opera Programme as part of our ongoing activity.

Intergenerational Play, with Bradford’s Linking Network, brought together four classes of primary school pupils with residents in four care homes for our year-round PLAY initiative.

Bradford Digital Creatives, a collaboration with Born in Bradford and the National Science and Media Museum, presented 12 workshops in six schools on everything from audio production to virtual reality.

Poetry Slam workshops brought the power of poetry to seven schools around the district in collaboration with Authors Abroad – we are working with 25 schools on the programme.

Our Patch our community creative programme, worked with 127 young people painting planters for Thornbury Roundabout in Partnership with Bradford Moor PASS.

Loading Bay, our pop-up venue in the city centre, opens its doors on Thursday 13 March with a packed programme of comedy, music, theatre and much more – and be quick! some shows are already sold out.

Jason Wilsher-Mills is the latest artist to invite us to DRAW! – so why not take up his invitation and draw your favourite thing?

Also this month, we’re celebrating Bradford playwright Andrea Dunbar with a special performance at St George’s Hall, continuing our DRAW! tour around the district, blending dragons and dance at the Alhambra and breaking fast for Ramadan at two Open Iftars. And you can still catch our exhibitions around the city: Nationhood: Memory and Hope, David Hockney: Pieced Together, Fighting to Be Heard and I AM ME. Busy! See you around the district…