About

Bradford Libraries are proud to host Into the Light: Pioneers of Black British Ballet, a groundbreaking exhibition, alongside a series of workshops, talks, and storytelling sessions for all ages. The event celebrates the often-overlooked history of Black dancers in British ballet and will be on display at the City Library in Bradford.

The exhibition, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and presented by Libraries Connected and Oxygen Arts' Black British Ballet project, showcases a unique collection of archive photos, films, articles, and posters. It runs from 11th to 31st January 2025, offering an educational experience for all ages.

Special workshops and storytelling sessions will also be held at various Bradford Libraries:

Onisere and the Ballet Queen Storytelling & Dance Workshop (Ages 4-8)

For younger visitors, Bradford Libraries will host special Onisere and the Ballet Queen storytelling sessions. This interactive event follows the journey of Onisere, a young girl who dreams of being a ballet dancer but has never seen anyone who looks like her. With the help of the magical ballet queen Simbira, Onisere discovers the incredible history of Black British ballet dancers. The session combines dance, storytelling, and fun, with every participant receiving a copy of the story to take home.

City Library: 18th January, 14:00 - city.library@bradford.gov.uk

Manningham Library: 13th January, 4:00 PM - manningham.library@bradford.gov.uk

Shipley Library: 14th January, 4:00 PM - shipley.library@bradford.gov.uk

Book a place by emailing the respective library or visit in person to reserve a spot. Free event.

Creating a VR Experience – A Talk with BOM Media

Attendees can discover the process behind creating an immersive Virtual Reality experience in this 60-minute talk with representatives from BOM (Birmingham Open Media), the UK's leading immersive arts organisation. The session will explore how the history of Black British ballet was brought to life through virtual reality, offering an accessible and fascinating look into the potential of VR for community engagement and education.

Shipley Library: 10th January, 4:00 PM

Book your place at www.ticketsource.co.uk/bradfordlibraries. Free event.
Suitable for ages 14 and up.

Dance Photography Workshop

For aspiring photographers, Bradford Libraries offers a Dance Photography Workshop, where participants will learn to capture the beauty of movement. A professional dancer will model for the session, and Sony mirrorless cameras will be provided (participants may also bring their own). This hands-on workshop is ideal for anyone interested in photographing dance.

Keighley Library: 11th January, 2:00-3:30 PM

Book your place at www.ticketsource.co.uk/bradfordlibraries. Free event.
Suitable for ages 14 and up.

Dance Workshop, Lecture, and Q&A

This workshop, led by a dancer from the Black British ballet project, may combine ballet with contemporary, African, or Caribbean dance. A lecture by Dr. Sandie Bourne will follow, along with a Q&A session with the dancer and Dr. Bourne.

City Library: 22nd January, 12:30-13:00

Book your place at www.ticketsource.co.uk/bradfordlibraries. Free event.
Suitable for ages 14 and up.

Classical Ballet Workshop for All Ages

Bradford Libraries will host a Classical Ballet Workshop led by a dancer from the Black British ballet project. The workshop provides an accessible introduction to basic ballet movements, followed by a short Q&A session. No prior experience is required, making it the perfect opportunity for anyone curious to try ballet in a relaxed setting.

City Library: 25th February, 12:00-1:30 PM

Book your place at www.ticketsource.co.uk/bradfordlibraries. Free event.
Suitable for ages 7+ to adult.

Panel Event – Celebrating Black British Ballet

This panel event will feature prominent figures from the Black British Ballet project, discussing their careers, the challenges they faced, and their extraordinary journeys in ballet. The panelists will share fascinating insights into their experiences, from meeting international celebrities to overcoming barriers in the ballet world.

City Library: 22th February, 2:00-4:00 PM

Book your place at www.ticketsource.co.uk/bradfordlibraries. Free event.

If you cannot access Ticketsource, please book your place by emailing Library.Events@bradford.gov.uk.