The International Festival of Disability and Deaf Arts in Scotland

DaDaFest International Scotland, the International Festival of Disability and Deaf Arts in Scotland
                                                                                             
 
Between Monday 15 - Thursday 25 November 2010, an International Disability and Deaf Arts festival will be happening in venues across Glasgow and Edinburgh, showcasing the best in Disability and Deaf Arts. From large scale projections of new work by internationally renowned artist Simon Mckeown featuring Scotland’s own Claire Cunningham to an Australian show created by Deaf puppeteer Asphxyia telling a beautiful gothic fairytale with old-world marionettes and sign-language. The first UK appearance from Swedish theatre company Moomsteatern, Fringe favourite comedian Laurence Clark and the inimitable Mat Fraser and Julie Atlas Muz , as well as workshops, talks and more.
 
The festival brings high-quality disability and deaf arts to both a mainstream audience and the deaf and disabled communities in Scotland, enabling engagement with influential international performers and artists and has been created with the support of Scottish companies Birds of Paradise, Lung Ha’s Theatre Company and Limelight.
Programmed by DaDaFest international’s Artistic Director Garry Robson and brought to Scotland by DaDa – Disability and Deaf Arts, an innovative disability arts organisation based in Liverpool .  DaDa have devised and developed DaDaFest, for 10  years, building it up to be the worlds largest showcase and celebration of the best of Disability and Deaf Art.
Ruth Gould, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of DaDa – Disability and Deaf Arts said:
 
“Each year we aim to inspire and celebrate talent and excellence in disability and deaf arts, which is the core ethos of DaDa – Disability and Deaf Arts. We are delighted to be working with our Scottish partners to present this work, providing a truly unique cultural perspective.”
Events Listings
Motion Disabled – Simon Mckeown
Thurs 4 to Sun 28 November
Tues - Sat 10am - 5pm, Sun 12noon - 5pm
Free
Trongate 103, Glasgow
www.trongate103.com
 
The Grimstones - Hatched
Mon 15 November 7pm
Tickets £8/£5
The Arches, Glasgow
www.thearches.co.uk
0141 565 1000
 
Limelight Studio Choir and Denise Leigh & Stefan Andrusyschyn
A Celebration of Song
Tues 16 November 7.30pm
Tickets £8/£4
Scottish Youth Theatre, 105 Brunswick Street, GlasgowG1 1TF
0141 552 4267
www.tron.co.uk
 
Compagnie of Strangers – Moomsteatern
Wed 17 November 7.30pm
Tickets £4/£3, £2 for good neighbours
North Edinburgh Arts
www.northedinburgharts.co.uk
0131 315 2151
 
Birds of Paradise Changing: International
Wed 24 November 10.30am – 12.30pm
STUCBuilding, Glasgow
www.birdsofparadisetheatre.co.uk
0141 339 1155
[email protected]
 
The Freak and the Showgirl - Mat Fraser and Julie Atlas Muz
Wed 24 November 8pm
Tickets £8/£5
The Arches, Glasgow
www.thearches.co.uk
0141 565 1000
 
What’s the Best Medicine? - Laurence Clark
Thurs 25 November 8pm
Tickets £8/£5
The Arches, Glasgow
www.thearches.co.uk
0141 565 1000
 
 
Notes to Editors
 
DaDaFest International Scotland is supported by Creative Scotland, and supporters of DaDa – Disability and Deaf Arts: Arts Council England, Culture Liverpool (Liverpool City Council), Liverpool Primary Health Care Trust, mygames (powered by v) and sponsor UNISON. DaDaFest International Scotland is presented in association with Birds of Paradise and venues the Arches and North Edinburgh Arts.
 
A little about DaDaFest International 2010…
 
·        DaDaFest International 2010 presents art from a unique cultural perspective, challenging the thoughts of the audience with its theme ‘Objects of curiosity and desire’.
 
·        DaDaFest International 2010 has commissioned talented artists from around the globe, with disability artists and non-disabled artists performing together. Around 100 artists, with some from as far afield as Uganda, India and America have been invited to perform or show their work as part of DaDaFest International 2010, with a number of new commissions and UK Premiere’s.
 
·        DaDaFest is celebrating its 10th consecutive year; the festival was launched in 2001 in the North West and has successfully delivered an annual festival of deaf and disability arts events throughout Liverpool, Merseyside and the Northwest region.
 
·        DaDaFest is the biggest deaf and disability arts festival worldwide. The programme of events includes theatre, performance art, dance, visual art, workshops, talks, conferences and film.
 
·        DaDaFest is produced in collaboration with leading cultural organisations in the North West including the Bluecoat, Metal, FACT (Foundation for Art & Creative Technology), Merseyside Dance Initiative, Liverpool Biennial, Tate Liverpool, Homotopia, Abandon Normal Devices, National Museums Liverpool, The Unity Theatre and the Everyman and Playhouse Theatres.
 
·        DaDaFest International 2010 is funded by Arts Council England, Culture Liverpool (Liverpool City Council), 2010 Year of Health and Wellbeing. The festival sponsor is UNISON, and the Youth Volunteer Programme funding partner is mygames, powered by v.
 
A little about DaDa - Disability and Deaf Arts
 
·        DaDaFest is produced by DaDa - Disability and Deaf Arts, an innovative disability arts organisation with the aim to inspire, develop and celebrate talent and excellence in disability and deaf arts.
·        DaDa – Disability and Deaf Arts (formerly NWDAF) has been operating since 1984 as a Deaf and Disability Arts Development Agency. DaDa works to the Social Model of Disability and aim towards an inclusive social understanding of disability.
 
·        At the heart of the organisation is DaDa’s ‘grass roots’ work, engaging directly with Disabled and Deaf artists and communities to ensure every aspect of delivery reflects the wants and needs of Disabled and Deaf people.
 
·        DaDa – Disability and Deaf Arts principal funders are Arts Council England and Culture Liverpool (Liverpool City Council).
·        DaDa is firmly rooted in Liverpool but work throughout the Northwest and United Kingdom as well as internationally.
 
·        DaDa – Disability and Deaf Arts can be found at www.dadahello.com
 
Ways to interact with DaDaFest International 2010:

  • Online:www.dadafest2010.co.uk
  • Twitter: @DaDaDisDeaf
  • Facebook: DaInt Fest
  • Phone: +44 (0)151 707 1733
  • Minicom: +44 (0)151 706 0365
  • Text DADA to 60777 for the latest news and updates

 
For more information on DaDaFest International Scotland please contact Ruth Adams on 0151 707 0427 email: [email protected]
 
For more information on DaDaFest International 2010 please contact Clare Bates, or Darren McLeod on 0151 707 0427 or email [email protected] or [email protected]