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dadafest.bsky.social
DaDa
@dadafest.bsky.social
250 followers 320 following 87 posts
⚡️We are a disability and Deaf arts organisation based in Liverpool | Creators of DaDaFest International, the UK’s longest running disability arts festival #DDFI
💥 https://www.dadafest.co.uk/
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dadafest.bsky.social
Announcing Rushton Residency Writers Workshops 📢

📝Join author Natalie Denny for engaging creative writing workshops using exercises exploring the intersection of disability & social change.

More info & booking here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

#festivalconnectfund #DDFIExtra
Winter #DDFI Extra. Rushton Residency Writers workshops with Natalie Denny. Guided writing exercises that explore the intersection of disability and social change. A collaborative space to experiment with storytelling, poetry, and reflection. Supported by British Council, Liverpool City Council and Arts Council England
November 13, 2025 at 5:50 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 30th OCTOBER FOR OPERATIONS AND FINANCE MANAGER APPLICATIONS!

Please note the deadline for applications has been extended to 30th October with interviews to be held the week commencing 10th November.
Find more information at: www.dadafest.co.uk/.../jobs/ope...
September 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
Do you want to be part of an innovative and cutting edge disability and Deaf arts organisation?

We are looking for:

- CEO/Artistic Director
- Operations and Finance Manager

The deadline for applications is 4th Sept 12pm. Follow this link for info:

www.dadafest.co.uk/get-involved...
Four people stand in front of a screen with a DaDaFest International 40 Rage a quiet riot logo on a black scribble. The four people are posing in a group, wearing lanyards and smiling. An image of Isaac and Ed standing together smiling. In the background are trees in Sefton Park Palm House. Beneath is written 'Join our team: Operations and Finance Manager' Rachel and Zoe from DaDa standing at a mic and cheering. Zoe has her fist in the air.
August 29, 2025 at 1:46 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
It has been a jam packed first week at Edinburgh Fringe for our team.

Head over to our blog for our round up along with some recommendations of shows featuring disabled artists we recommend you check out:
www.dadafest.co.uk/article/week...
Denise and Ed from our team with BSL interpreter Paul Belmonte in between them. They stand in a room with a pink DaDa banner behind them Denise stands with Holly Gifford in front of a board advertising several shows Ed and Denise with cans of Iron Bru Lyndsey McLean, Access & Engagement Manager for Edinburgh Fringe Festival, pictured here with two BSL interpreters
August 14, 2025 at 3:39 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
WHO WANTS FLOWERS WHEN THEY ARE DEAD? is a new exhibition by Broken Grey Wires, exploring grief, loss, identity and community featuring work by Lizz Brady @WilliamsonArt_

The exhibition runs until 13th Sept and is FREE.

Find out more here: williamsonartgallery.org/event/broken...
Rachel Rogers stands in front of three long tapestries made from different coloured fabrics. There is writing on the fabric that isn't clearly visible. They are hanging from a white wall in a gallery space. A tapesty in oranges and reds. Wording says: "How I rage against the age. How I rage, I rage, Rage. What the hell am I supposed to do?"
August 14, 2025 at 1:09 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
We are seeking an Operations and Finance Manager!

We’re looking for an experienced and effective Operations and Finance Manager to join the Senior Management Team at DaDa.

Sound like you or someone you know?

Find more information at: www.dadafest.co.uk/get-involved...

Closes 4th Sept 12pm
5 members of DaDa staff stand in front of a screen with DDFI40 Rage a Quiet Riot branding. They are wearing lanyards and smiling. Below the note reads "Join our team: Operations and Finance Manager" dadafest.co.uk
August 14, 2025 at 12:45 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
We are excited to share with you some of the images captured at our 'DaDa Makes Music' live performance.🎤

You can listen to the interviews or download the transcripts over on our blog:
www.dadafest.co.uk/article/dada...

📸Brian Roberts
A girl with curly shoulder length hair partially tied up is holding a microphone sitting next to one girl playing the guitar and another with long hair and glasses sat at a mic. Behind is another teenager obscured. They are in stage lighting. Image description A teenage girl with long dark hair is sat at a music stand playing the guitar. Just visible over her should is a boy playing the guitar and another at a drumkit A young man with wavy dark hair just above the shoulder is holding a stick and conducting. A group of disabled musicians are gathered in a group in a music performance space. Instruments are behind them including a grand piano. There is a large screen with logos on. Some are seated and some are standing. Some have hands raised in excitement and they are smiling.
July 24, 2025 at 2:54 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
A final moment of Raging together with Dolly Sen as we make sure the final DDFI40 artwork finds its way home.

Such a pleasure to work with Dolly during our festival.

Still so much to ‘rage’ about, so we won’t be quiet. We are already planning our next riot. Stay tuned!
Dolly Sen and DaDa CEO Zoe stand in a street next to a car with its boot open. They are raising a fist and smiling
July 16, 2025 at 7:46 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
We are really looking forward to Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company and DaDa Ensemble performance live at the Philharmonic tonight at 6.30pm.

You can still book your last minute tickets to join us via this link:

www.liverpoolphil.com/whats-on/all...
A man is standing at the back of a room banging on a drum. A young person has their back to camera at the front using drum sticks to tap on electronic pads.
July 8, 2025 at 3:28 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
“The concession from the Government’s welfare bill regarding changes to PIP is a small shift for disabled people.

But we are painfully aware that disabled people can never drop their guard. Disabled people will continue to campaign for equality and human rights.

Nothing about us without us.”✊
A Neon sign with blue writing reading 'Rights not charity' sits at the top of the image as though it is hanging by a chain to the wall. A swirled pastel background has a raised fist in the bottom right and the DaDa logo bottom left. The text in the centre read "The concession from the government’s welfare bill regarding changes to PIP is a small shift for disabled people. But we are painfully aware that disabled people can never drop their guard. Disabled people will continue to campaign for equality and human rights. Nothing about us without us."
July 2, 2025 at 12:54 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
DaDa 🤝 Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Our team is excited to be coming along to Edinburgh Fringe again this year and we want to hear from you! 👋

Tell us about:

- Shows featuring brilliant disabled artists we should see

- Events integrating access that we should experience

- Opportunities to network
An image of three people smiling brightly, it's mostly an image of their smiling faces, the person in the middle of the image has a bold blue t-shirt on featuring a graphic image, which appears to be an advertisement for a show. They are all at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. They are stood in front of a green wall which has blurry posters adorned all over it. The person in the middle and the right of the image have a blue lanyard on.
July 1, 2025 at 3:49 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
Team DaDa have arrived at @glastofestfeed.bsky.social , ready to get started as sighted guides

So far the team have tested out brilliant magnification headsets from @givevision

We’re looking forward to exploring more of the access initiatives here & enjoying great music.

#Glastonbury2025
Four people wear orange festival T-shirts. They are seated in camping chairs with porta cabins behind them in a field. There are blue signs with a wheelchair symbol on behind them. DaDa CEO Zoe Partington stands wearing a straw hat and denim jacket. She has a VR headset on and a night time festival crowd can be seen behind her. DaDa CEO Zoe Partington wears a straw hat facing away from the camera towards a festival stage which is in the distance with a large blurred screen. It is night time. There is smoke and bright lights in front of the stage hovering over a large festival crowd. Two men and a woman wear orange festival T-shirts. Another woman is dressed in leggings and a grey T-shirt. They are seated in camping chairs with porta cabins behind them
June 26, 2025 at 5:16 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
'DaDa Makes Music', and we'd love you to join us for the experience!

@liverpoolphil Youth Company & DaDa Ensemble are excited to present brand new work thanks to @YouthMusic Funded ‘DaDa Makes Music’ on 8th July.

Please book via this link:
www.liverpoolphil.com/whats-on/all...
A group of young disabled musicians are seated behind music stands and microphones. some of them have drums next to them. One sits in front of a full drum kit and a few have electric or acoustic guitars. They are all clapping and smiling.
June 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM
dadafest.bsky.social
Amy Claire Mills is a brilliant Neurodivergent and Disabled artist whose work delves into themes of advocacy, identity, and resistance.

Amy is presenting ‘Deep End’ at Liverpool Biennial as part of a Co-commission with DaDa.

More here:
www.biennial.com/artists/amy-...

📷 Mark McNulty.
A bright blue wall carries inflated letters reading 'Deep End'. Beneath is a yellow inflatable Lilo on the floor next to green inflatable dumbbells.
June 24, 2025 at 9:50 AM
dadafest.bsky.social
✊Statement from DaDa Regarding Access to Work

We stand with those within our community who are concerned about the impact of these changes on their work and practice.

Read our full statement over on our blog:
www.dadafest.co.uk/article/stat...
Disabled people will start to fade from the sector unless something changes
June 5, 2025 at 9:00 AM
dadafest.bsky.social
We are excited to share that DaDa Board Member Erin Pritchard is launching a new book “Dwarfism Arts and Advocacy: Creating Our Own Positive Identity”.

You can join the launch online 19th June 10am-2pm
Book your FREE place to the launch here:
store.hope.ac.uk/product-cata...
Erin Pritchard wearing a smart jacket with long dark hair flowing, and glasses. Dwarfism Arts and Advocacy, Creating our Own Positive Identity. Book Launch 19th June 2024 10am-2pm Free online event Meet the artists, actors and media creators who are using their work to challenge stereotypes of dwarfism. With discussion on how Disability Arts can also foster inclusion and a more positive identity for people with dwarfism. Book your place.
June 3, 2025 at 10:37 AM
dadafest.bsky.social
This month our friends at St Helens Libraries are inviting you to take part in workshops to inform the redesign of Haydock Library.

Happening on 28th & 29th May.

Info and booking links here:
www.dadafest.co.uk/article/shap...
Shape your space. Join us at a creative workshop next week. Book a free place and tell us your access requirements. Email emilypeasgoodstudios@gmail.com. Call text or whatsapp 07749115484. Neurodiverse voices and lived experience of SEND needed.
May 21, 2025 at 12:32 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
We want to see more arts and culture with access at the heart.

92% of those attending #DDFI40 rated the accessibility good or excellent.

There is a stat we are proud to shout about on Global Accessibility Awareness Day. 🎉

📷 @JessMeadePhoto
DaDa CEO Zoe Partington dressed in a smart black jacket and trousers holds a mic. Beside her is a BSL interpreter. Behind them are palm trees and foliage. 92% of our audience thought accessibility at DDFI40 was good or excellent
May 15, 2025 at 12:41 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
"Let us collectively use our rage for good" ✊

Powerful words from our 2024 Rushton Lecture keynote, Kaite O'Reilly, ‘RAGE ON: The Uses of Anger’, you can catch it online now!

🎬Watch over on youtube with BSL and captions. A transcript is also available.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqnZ...
May 7, 2025 at 12:28 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
Unseen by Amy Milson, co-commissioned by Culture Liverpool and DaDa for Leap Dance Festival. 🥳

Unseen is a concept video exploring experiences with Visual Impairment and Periventricular Leukomalacia, combining dance, music & spoken word.

➡️ www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/whats-on/mud... 💥
An image of Amy Milson, a dancer, with arms outstretched to the sky, performing a dance piece outdoors. The sky is glowing orange, the sun very present in the background of the image, setting in the horizon. In the background, the water at Liverpool docks glimmers as it reflects the sunshine. Amy is partly a silhouette due to the volume of light from behind her.
May 2, 2025 at 12:17 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
We are delighted to announce that the Rushton Lecture will be available to view on Thursday! 🥳

Our keynote speaker this year was delivered by Kaite O’Reilly, Kaite explores rage, the theme of #DDFI40 💥

Kaite is joined by a selection of panellists 🗣

To watch, visit: www.youtube.com/@DaDaFest ⬅
A group of people stand side by side, smiling into the camera. They are about to speak at the Rushton Lecture, for DaDaFest. The panellists are: Kaite O'Reily, Julie McNamara, Cheryl Martin and Ruth Fabby. They are dressed formally, they are stood outside in front of the iconic Liver Building, seen in the distance. Blue skies feature. Kaite O'Reily is pictured delivering her lecture for DaDaFest at the Rushton Lecture. She is holding a few pieces of paper, at a podium, looking upward confidently at the audience. She is stood in front of a wall that is lit with purple lighting. She wears a beige shirt with a blue striped tie.
April 29, 2025 at 2:08 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
Disabled art and joy to start the week? Here it is! 🥳

We were so lucky to host The Not Your Circus Dog collective with 'Not F**kin' Sorry return after their sold-out runs in 2019 and 2022. We had an evening of shameless sexy punk crip cabaret. 💥

What was your #DDFI40 highlight? 💬
A lively stage performance featuring four performers in colorful, theatrical costumes. One performer in a bright green suit and dramatic face makeup sings into a microphone, reaching out energetically. Another performer in a blue suit with white cloud patterns and a blue top hat waves to the audience. Two more performers, one in a red tutu and another in black-and-white striped pants with a red top hat, also animate the scene. Hands of an excited audience are visible in the foreground. A cheerful performer dressed in a bright blue suit patterned with white clouds smiles widely and extends a blue hat toward the audience. They wear vibrant blue eye makeup and red lipstick, standing in front of a sparkling red curtain backdrop. A stage performer wears a black and white striped blaze, they have blue eyeshadow that sparkles with a blue clipboard tucked under their arm. They sing into a microphone, their eyes are closed. Three performers stand together on stage, dramatically pointing toward the camera. The front performer wears a silver sequin vest and a pink tulle skirt. Behind them, a performer in a green suit and another in a cloud-patterned blue suit strike a strong pose, all with bold, theatrical makeup.
April 28, 2025 at 2:59 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
We're delighted to announce that Youth Music have confirmed their support for the ‘DaDa Makes Music’ composition project through a Youth Music Stability Grant. 🥳

The project will deliver music provision for young disabled musicians with sessions led by skilled professional music leaders. 🎼
Graphic with a bold purple background featuring the text "We're backed by Youth Music" in large, vibrant purple letters on a light grey background. The Youth Music logo is displayed in the top right corner, and a black circle with yellow diagonal stripes partially appears in the top left corner, adding a dynamic visual element. A young person enthusiastically plays a djembe drum with drumsticks, surrounded by other musicians, including a drummer and a keyboard player. The scene takes place in a bright indoor setting. Logos at the bottom indicate support from DaDa, Youth Music, the National Lottery via Arts Council England, and Arts Council England
April 24, 2025 at 3:27 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
Art really is everywhere 🎨

During #DDFI40, we made sure art was everywhere across Liverpool city centre, it's so important to us that disability artistry is seen and loved, far and wide.

💥 Please Rage Generously by Dolly Sen
💥 Painting In Light by Zoe Partington

📸 1 Brian Roberts, 2 Tom Horton
An image of News From Nowhere shop window from the outdoor pathway. The shop has a big rainbow across the top window above it's sign. The sign is a scroll with 'News From Nowhere' written on it. There is a pride flag in the window, along with Dolly Sen's Please Rage Generously sculpture. A group of people walk past a large glass window on a city street. The window belongs to a brick building and features a neon yellow sign reading "Crip Time." Reflections in the glass show more people and a display inside. The scene captures motion blur from the pedestrians, conveying a sense of bustling urban activity.
April 23, 2025 at 4:18 PM
dadafest.bsky.social
We're blown away by audience responses to #DDFI40 💥

We asked audiences that attended DDFI40 what words they would use to describe the festival, here's what they said...

We look forward to sharing more of our festival achievements throughout April as we look back with rage in our hearts. 💛
At the foreground, someone is pictured holding a phone in the air, filming the action on stage. A lively audience pictured from behind. The background is of performers on stage, blurry, red light. A promotional graphic for DaDaFest International 40. The background is a solid pink with white and black bold text reading: “provoking, powerful, thoughtful, fun.- Audiences”In the bottom section, the text reads:“DaDaFest International 40 | 8th – 31st March 2025.” In the top right corner is the hashtag "#DDFI40" in white and black.
April 22, 2025 at 4:41 PM