Bradford-based arts company Kala Sangam is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a concert of global song and dance which will involve a Brazilian samba procession through the city centre.
The company, which moved to St Peter’s House in Forster Square after receiving £1.5 million Arts Council funding, is holding an anniversary lunch on Friday, for invited guests including patrons the Earl of Harewood and Bollywood star Dr Vyjayanthimala Bali, followed by a show at St George’s Hall next Saturday.
The line-up for KS20 Extravaganza includes dancers and musicians from countries including India, Pakistan, China and Brazil. There will be African dance from Zulu Nation, Spanish flamenco, Irish dancing and fire-eating Sri Lankan drummers. A samba procession will head from St George’s Hall to City Park for the finale of Reflections, Bradford’s music, dance and street entertainment festival.
Composer Vijay Venkat has been working with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra on a new piece of music, called KS20, celebrating the anniversary.
We started out commissioning outside artists but our aim now is to create our own new work. Our two artist associates, Vijay Venkat and dancer Shrikant Subramaniam, can offer more classes in classical Indian dance, singing and music, and we have created our own company to tour new works, which brings in revenue," said Kala Sangam deputy chief executive Ajit Singh.
A series of events over coming weeks include a performance of dance drama Kathakali by world-class artists from south India, and a Christmas crafts exhibition in partnership with Bradford Cathedral.
Kala Sangam, which runs programmes in education, youth arts, health and dance, and an art gallery, started in Leeds, moving to Bradford in 1996. The company was based at Carlisle Business Centre until 2008 when it moved to St Peter’s House.
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