Bradford Bubble Up

Bradford Bubble Up

7 - 9 September, Various locations, Bradford

Bradford is about to fizz over with joy during the Bradford Bubble Up, a waterthemed weekend party curated by arts organisation The Brick Box. As the Great Exhibition of the North draws to a close in Newcastle Gateshead, Bradford will have a celebration all of our own to mark the hidden currents of water and creativity that flow beneath the surface of our streets.

The city’s moniker comes from our Saxon name Broad Ford, after the river crossing we were built on. Bradford’s fortunes have always been influenced by water, whether washing wool in the 19th century, or building the UK’s largest urban water feature - the Mirror Pool - in the 21st. Water continues to shape our city, and we want the Bradford Bubble Up to be the next phase of our evolution.

Bradford will be animated with H2O-related art and activities in an unprecedented collaborative effort between all of Bradford’s National Portfolio arts organisations, as well as Bradford Council, the Arts Council, Artichoke, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the Friends of Bradford Beck, East Street Arts, and the National Science and Media Museum.

So if you’ve ever looked at Darley Street and thought ‘wouldn’t it be great to have a massive water slide all the way down that’,

then your dreams are about to come true. Likewise if you’ve ever wanted to play in the sand at the bottom of Sunbridge Road, have a big dance-off in the Mirror Pool, or listen to Bradford Beck as it runs underneath the city.

Empty and underused spaces will be animated with installations and activities, you’ll be able to take part in workshops, follow arts trails, and visit exhibitions. The massive weekender will be launched on Friday 7 September at the National Science and Media Museum, and will continue through the day on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September. Ivegate, Darley Street, the Mirror Pool, the square on Sunbridge Road, the subway between the Science and Media Museum, and the path of Bradford Beck will all be brought to live by local artists as well as national partners.

Over £160,000 has been raised for this weekend special, most of which is from outside the city. The result will be a weekend showcase that highlights the city’s talent, as well as our spaces, allowing us to play all over the city centre in every nook and cranny, and discover a new way to enjoy Bradford.

Find out more about the Bradford Bubble Up by visiting www.bradfordbubbleup.com