12 Jul 2016

Young DaDaFest 2016: Music Review

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“In the prestigious Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, where such a rich heritage of talented musicians have performed, the night’s Young DaDa performers more than left their mark.

The audience buzzed with anticipation, body heat and pride filling the room. Waiting for the event to start, we all inspected the wide range of instruments: fourteen different types of drums, not including the three drum sets (two electric and one standard), bass guitars, xylophones, keyboards and state of the art equipment catering for performers with mobility issues. I sat next to the Lord Mayor, giving the event an even more special feel. She made it her duty to introduce herself to as many of the performers as possible.

The Arden Rockers opened with a seamless mash-up of Under Pressure, Chasing Cars, Here Comes the Sun and All You Need is Love. In response to this year’s theme of Scratch, they approached the subject of stress and loneliness and combined it with the act of asking for help and coming out the other end. They closed their set with a cover of Walking on Sunshine, which really got the party started.

Next, Bank View School’s own band, Six For Tennis. Liverpool’s answer to Talking Heads. Scratch and Thinking About You were rocky, punchy and downright cool. Here’s hoping to seeing them headline the Echo Arena soon.

Young DaDa Ensemble: Explore continued the set, making all fourteen drums come to life. All toes were tapping in the room with the brilliant samba rhythm. The deconstructed music brought all the instruments together with a more relaxed, experimental feel. They eased into the song with the lyrics, ‘feel happy / feel free / if you want to feel free, come dance with me.’ Drummers rarely get the recognition they deserve, but Tyler was relentless. The ensemble closed the first half with charisma and cheer.

 

After the interval, Evolve came onto the stage chanting, clapping and stamping. Their set began with beatboxing from Kyle and a song dedicated to Liverpool.

‘City of cathedrals
Shore of seagulls
Beat of The Beatles
Flight of an eagle’

If Coldplay wrote a song about Liverpool, this is what it would sound like. Throughout the evening, we witnessed some of the best stage presences to be seen (Ben’s eclectic dance moves were a particular highlight) and that’s after a week in Glastonbury.

But it wouldn’t be a party without an after-party. Batucabraille and Pourquoi Pas Nous (Why Not Us), two French samba bands, combined for a final and energetic send off. This night wasn’t just to celebrate young disabled people and their talents, it also to make their voices known. My ears will be ringing all year!London band Electric Fire, the UK’s answer to Daft Punk closed the show with a colourful, futuristic set. OMGCola and Do Your Own Thing were excellent closers and reasons enough to keep an eye out for Electric Fire. They’re pretty hot right now (I’m not even sorry).

– Tammy Reynolds


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10 Dec 2018
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DaDaFest International 2018 hailed a success

Thousands of visitors from across the UK and beyond experienced the five-week DaDaFest International which took place at host venues across the Liverpool City Region.

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5 Dec 2018
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Artistic Director Ruth Gould appointed as one of five new Patrons to Graeae Theatre Company

We are delighted to announce that our Artistic Director, Ruth Gould, has been appointed as one of five new Patrons to Graeae Theatre Company.

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3 Dec 2018
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International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2018

We are delighted to be parterning with Liverpool City Council to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day which aims to promote an understanding of disability issues.

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27 Nov 2018
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DaDaFest International 2018 Emerging Artists: Destination Sound

Destination Sound is a platform for new music celebrating the talent and creativity of Disabled musicians.

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20 Nov 2018
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DaDaFest International 2018 Emerging Artists: Jordan Connerty

There are some amazing emerging artists who are performing new work as part of DaDaFest International 2018. We are following a few of them as they make their way to the stage.

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20 Nov 2018
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Acclaimed disability arts organisation DaDaFest work with Alder Hey Children’s Hospital

Performers visited patients at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to stage a special dance performance organised by DaDaFest.

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20 Nov 2018
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Francesca Martinez visits two North West venues as part of DaDaFest International 2018

The award-winning comedian brings her What The **** Is Normal show to Liverpool and St Helens

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31 Oct 2018
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A handy at-a-glance festival event list

We've put together a handy list of all the events that are taking place throughout DaDaFest International 2018.

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31 Oct 2018
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A festival chat with our Artistic Director

We sat down with our Artistic Director, Ruth Gould, to have a chat about DaDaFest International 2018. 

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25 Sep 2018
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DaDaFest announce their festival programme

DaDaFest International returns to Liverpool City Region venues this autumn showcasing a series of high-quality cutting-edge work.

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28 Jun 2018
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Announcing...Sir Ken Robinson!

We are delighted to have on board a new patron.

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28 Jun 2018
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DaDaFest International 2018 announced with performance by Jess Thom

Award-winning disability and D/deaf arts organisation DaDaFest announces Merseyside wide festival this November.

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26 Apr 2018
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Performers and theatre makers call out

Unity Theatre, Action Transport Theatre and DaDaFest are working together to create a high quality seasonal show based on the story of Beauty and the Beast for family audiences in December 2018.

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16 Oct 2017
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Sir Bert Massie CBE

Last night we heard the sad news that Sir Bert Massie has passed away.

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13 Sep 2017
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Daphne Does Good at DaDaFest

Agony Aunt, Daphne will be the very, very special guest at DaDaFest’s Past, Present & Possibilities at the Bluecoat

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22 Aug 2017
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Introduction from Ruth Gould

Greetings friends, comrades, supporters and visitors. 

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14 Jul 2017
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Past, Present & Possibilities.

Celebrating 300 years of the Bluecoat

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29 Jun 2017
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Creative UK Prosper Programme

A good week just got even better! 

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23 Jun 2017
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Thank you Chris…

It was with great sadness that I learnt of Chris Hammond’s passing this week

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14 Jun 2017
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DaDaFest in the Spotlight

Barry Avison featured on ITV’s Good Morning.

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25 May 2017
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Congratulations Ruth

Awarded an Honorary Fellowship by  Liverpool John Moores University

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25 May 2017
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DaDaFest Mini-Commissions

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30 Mar 2017
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My trip to Yerevan, Armenia

I was lucky to be offered to opportunity to visit Yerevan in Armenia.

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1 Mar 2017
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Young Disabled People Putting Together Our Arts Festival

"If art, all art, is concerned with truth, then a society in denial will not find much use for it."

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24 Feb 2017
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Young DaDa Ensemble Project Video

Watch a fantastic new video from our pioneering Young DaDa Ensemble 

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7 Feb 2017
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Palestine & The Joys of Flying

Currently, I am on the plane to Munich where I ought to catch a connecting flight direct to Manchester.

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25 Jan 2017
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3 Days in Ramallah, Palestine

Two days in and I am in love

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25 Jan 2017
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Under the Skin with Jenny Sealey MBE

Under the Skin is a series of interviews conducted during DaDaFest International 2016. 

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23 Jan 2017
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Under the Skin with John McGrath

Under the Skin is a series of interviews conducted during DaDaFest International 2016.

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18 Jan 2017
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My Time at DaDaFest

Rebecca Andrews our Digital Marketing Apprentice finished her apprenticeship this month.

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5 Jan 2017
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Young DaDaFest 2017 Open Call

Showcasing the creativity of disabled and deaf young people from Merseyside.

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1 Nov 2016
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Respect Project 2016 Open Workshops

Are you a young woman aged 16 or over? Would you like to have your voice heard?

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26 Oct 2016
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Young DaDaFest 2017 Announcement

Young DaDaFest will return bigger and better than ever for 2017!

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16 Aug 2016
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DaDaFest Receives Funding

DaDaFest is delighted to announce that we have received a grant from Big Lottery Fund for “DaDaFest Rookies”.

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27 Jul 2016
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Young DaDaFest Perform

I was really excited to see Young DaDaFest

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12 Jul 2016
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Young DaDaFest 2016: Music Review

Guest reviewer Tammy Reynolds sums up her thoughts on the first of this year’s Young DaDaFest events

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3 May 2016
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Xander & The Peace Pirates

Xander & The Peace Pirates Perform for our Young DaDa Ensemble

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26 Apr 2016
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Young DaDaFest 2016 Announcement

Award Nominated Young DaDaFest Expands into Trio of Events 

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25 Nov 2015
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DaDaFest Hosts First Ever Rushton Social Justice Lecture

DaDaFest Hosts First Ever Rushton Social Justice Lecture

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17 Feb 2015
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Young DaDaFest 2015 – Open Call

This year’s Young DaDaFest will be happening at the Everyman Theatre.

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21 Jan 2015
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Watch Recipe for Scouse Online Now

Young DaDa Recipe for Scouse Film is available to watch online.

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