A SPECTACULAR outdoor performance with leaping fountains, fusing water, dance and song will kickstart the new autumn season at Kala Sangam.

The Bradford arts venue has announced its first full season of events since March 2020 when, like other live performance venues, it was forced to close due to the pandemic.

The new season will be launched on the weekend of Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12 with Kapow’s Mayfly, “celebrating the transformative strength of women”.

The performance will take place on a specially built set complete with water effects and leaping fountains, against a soundtrack of a digital choir of 150 women and children.

Performances of the family friendly show will be at 2.30pm and 5pm in Kala Sangam’s car park and, as with other events at the arts centre, it will be on a ‘pay what you decide’ basis - meaning that tickets can be booked in advance but audience members don’t have to pay until they have seen the show.

Following Mayfly, performances will be returning to Kala Sangam’s Ganges theatre, with a Qawaali from local musicians Shah E Mardaan Qawwals on Saturday, September 25.

The venue’s popular poetry night returns on Thursday, October 7, to celebrate National Poetry Day and Black History Month, with headline performances from Rheima Robinson and Taiwo Ogunyinka.

This event will be a partnership with local poetry hub, Spoke and Ilkley Literature Festival, where Rheima is the 2021 Apprentice Poet in Residence.

On Saturday, October 16 children and families are invited to a new show, Bird in the Window, which tackles the difficult subject of grief in an accessible way, telling the story of a son coming to terms with the loss of his father by embarking on a fantastical journey with an old feathery friend.

Leading Bharatanatyam and Kathak dancer Nina Rajarani brings her latest triple bill, SEVENS, to Kala Sangam on Thursday, October 21, and hip hop dancer Bobak Champion will be sharing his experiences of exploring his Iranian heritage with his new show, I’m Muslamic Don’t Panik, on Thursday, November 18.

Kala Sangam’s Creative Director, Alex Croft, said: “After 18 quiet months, we are so excited about filling Kala Sangam with audiences and artists once again.

“We want to bring joy and delight to people after such a difficult time - whether it’s Kapow’s innovative show, which will transform our car park, a magical children’s adventure, featuring glittery bird poo, or stunning Sufi music, we have a fantastic range of events on offer.”

Kala Sangam is an intercultural arts hub reflecting the diversity of contemporary Britain through work it presents, artists it supports and communities it engages with.

In addition to the company’s two annual performance programmes, Kala Sangam delivers outreach activity in schools and communities across the region, and delivers classes and workshops in various art forms. The arts centre houses two main spaces; the Ganges Theatre and the Indus Hall, meeting spaces and the independently run Roof Top Cafe.

More events, including a new show from Balbir Singh Dance Company, a Christmas party with the Demon Barbers and another poetry night, will be announced in the coming weeks.

* Tickets for Mayfly, Shah e Mardaan Qawwals, the Poetry night, SEVENS and I’m Muslamic Don’t Panik are on sale now at kalasangam.org. or by calling the box office on (01274) 303340.