Latest news with #CieBasinga
BBC News
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Crowd to pull the strings for BD: Festival tightrope act
Tightrope walkers will take to the high wire in Bradford city centre later - with members of the audience asked to help keep the rope act Cie Basinga will stage its high-wire show in City Park as the two-day BD: Festival gets under way, marking the group's first UK directors Jan Naets and Tatiana-Mosio Bongonga will walk along the 25m (82ft) wire which will be suspended more than 4m (13ft) above the members will pull on a rope connected to a pulley system to keep the wire taut, and Bongonga said: "It's a question of trust and just doing something together." Naets, 48, who is also the group's technical manager, is originally from Belgium but is now based with the troupe near Montpellier in the south of said: "We perform our show Soka Tira Osoa which means 'a game of pulling the rope'."We are asking the audience to get the tension in the wire to make it possible for Tatiana and myself to walk on the line." He added: "We need 2.2 tonnes of tension at certain moments in the show."It's them (the audience) pulling these 2.2 tonnes all together."You'll see all these small hands on the front row pulling it."We can't do this performance by ourselves, we need others to do it."And that is one of the themes of the performance." Councillor Sarah Ferriby of Bradford Council said: "This performance promises to be absolutely amazing."It is powerful in its choreography, music and message that by working together we can do anything - something we can all relate to."The BD: Festival is a free event run by Bradford Council in collaboration with the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture team. It features live performances in City Park as well as food and drink stalls, and art workshops. Saturday's highlight act is Zee and the City, featuring a 4m puppet which will make its way through the city centre. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BD: Festival returns to Bradford city centre for 2025 edition
The BD: Festival is set to return to Bradford city centre for its 2025 edition in July. The free two-day event produced by Bradford Council showcases artists, local talent, live music, as well as offering art and craft workshops. The local authority is partnering with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture for the 25-26 July event, with City Park and Centenary Square hosting performances. "There really is something for everyone at this fabulous event and it's a great chance for us to come together to celebrate art, culture and heritage," said councillor Sarah Ferriby. Tightrope walking act Cie Basinga will headline the first day, with the performance also featuring a live the second day, Zee and the City will see a 13ft (4m) puppet exploring the streets of Bradford, mixing music, storytelling and "awe-inspiring puppetry".Shanaz Gulzar, Bradford 2025 creative director, said: "Now celebrating its 5th year in the district's cultural calendar, our collaboration with Bradford Council on this year's BD:Festival will help to bring more artists than ever before to the city centre."Bradford's free family-friendly spectacular festival of outdoor arts will be one to remember." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
