A SERIES of events to celebrate the work of Bradford-born composer Frederick Delius is being hosted by the charity Artworks Creative Communities.

Tomorrow Delius: Love, Loss and Longing - an evening of art and spoken word performance will take place at Artworks’ base, the Delius Arts and Cultural Centre in Great Horton Road.

The event surrounds Delius’ life at Solano Grove in Florida, where he lived in a cottage about 45 miles south of Jacksonville on the St Johns River.

Local poet Jane Steele will be reading and Delius Writers’ Crew - led by Jane - will be showcasing their new writing.

There will also be an unveiling of a new print inspired by his life in Florida, by Bradford-based artist Ruth Fettis.

The event has been funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation which fund the Delius Arts and Cultural Centre and support them by helping them stage free, and reduced-cost events.

The series of events have been made possible by funding from the London-based Delius Trust which awards grants towards the performance and promotion of the music of the composer.

On Saturday February 25, as part of LGBT History Month, a movie night - Priscilla Queen of the Delius Experience - will have a whole host of warming activities including themed food, drinks, décor and drag entertainment from Bubbles, competitions and after party. This event is funded by a partnership between Artworks, Drunken Film Fest and the Equity Partnership.

Future Delius-themed events will include a performance by local jazz musician and composer Darren Dutson-Bromley – this event, on a date to be confirmed, has been made possible by funding from the London-based Delius Trust which awards grants towards the performance and promotion of the music of the composer.

“We are pleased to be able to extend people’s access, understanding and appreciation of this local composer, the fullness of whose life has not been recognised,” says Artworks’ support coordinator Deb Collett.

“We have been really pleased to actively explore this with local artists over such a wide range of media.”

Artworks Creative Communities works to increase participation in the arts. “We are trying to develop more access to the arts, often involving local people,” says Deb.

Multiple events take place every month.

Events this year include a performance on March 9 by the Palestinian singer Reem Kelani.

Artworks Creative Communities also been helped earlier this year by a grant of £4,730 from the Telegraph & Argus’s charitable arm the Gannett Foundation.

The money will help the charity invest in a community garden featuring two small greenhouses, a cultivation cave, a fridge freezer for food produce storage and cooking sessions, herb drying racks, two gazebos, outdoor safety lighting, CCTV cameras and a monitor.

  • Delius: Love, Loss and Longing takes place at the Delius Arts and Cultural Centre, 29 Great Horton Road, on Saturday, February 18 from 7pm to 9pm.
  • For tickets (minimum age 15 years) to Priscilla Queen of the Delius Experience visit drunkenfilmfest.co./shop.