The Bluecoat has a long relationship with deaf and disability arts organisation DaDaFest who have been based in their building since 2008. As part of their 40th birthday year, this archive exhibition will chart the various festivals, events and exhibitions hosted at the arts centre.
Open Sat 8 – Mon 31 Mar, 11am-5pm
Free entry
Launching DDFI40 on International Women’s Day, ‘Hand Ships Sail’ is a poetic conversation in British Sign Language (BSL) – the vital, visual and versatile language of British deaf communities.
Two deaf women share their dreams for the future as they look out over the night sky. Intriguing and sensual, the projected artwork begins with giant hands resembling ships at sea, rocked by waves. The sailing hands represent the lifelong voyage all deaf people must take, navigating discrimination in the hearing world. The Cunard is one of Liverpool’s Three Graces, part of the iconic waterfront and famous for its nautical history as the original headquarters of the Cunard shipping line.
Cathy Mager is a deaf and Bristol-based artist and curator, specialising in immersive and monumental art installations in unusual spaces. She is founder and director of Spectroscope, an arts collective that has pioneered sign language projection mapping for the BBC, Bristol Light Festival, Science Gallery London and Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art. Previously, she has directed public realm artworks and exhibitions for Bristol Beacon, Forestry England, Southbank Centre, Arts on the Underground and Historic Royal Palaces.
Access: BSL is integrated into this performance. Captions and audio description will also be available.
About DDFI40:
DaDaFest International returns 8th-31st March 2025 to celebrate DaDa’s 40th Anniversary and this time they are coming with ‘RAGE: A Quiet Riot’.
DDFI40 will showcase work by disabled artists that captures all shapes and sides of rage. From the internal quiet frustrations and righteous rage, to overt injustice and activism, DDFI40 will explore disability rights, disability arts, access, ableism and ‘Rage’ in an explosion of creativity.
Bloom is returning to Liverpool in 2025. This one-day, future-focused event is designed as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and strategic development, where attendees can immerse themselves in a wealth of ideas and practical insights, forge new connections, and leave with inspiration to take part in real, progressive action.
The event will have a focus on the theme of collaboration and will explore how we can make alliances and work together for the greater success of the creative and digital sectors. Bloom 2025 will bring together businesses across ‘the North’ to connect and explore how those working in the creative and digital industries contribute to and drive the creative economy.
Bloom is a space to learn, share, and act, fostering a collaborative environment where ideas are planted, nurtured, and set to grow.
Join Cultivate (Halton’s Cultural umbrella Organisation) for an engaging evening as they prepare for Halton’s Cultural Year in 2026. This event is an opportunity for local creatives, organisations, and community members to connect, share ideas, and explore how arts and culture can thrive in Halton.
What to Expect:
Inspiring Performances: Experience live music, theatre, and poetry showcasing the talent and creativity in our community.
Introduction to Culture 2026: Hear from cultural leaders about the vision for Culture 26 and how you can get involved.
Networking and Consultation: Meet fellow creatives, share your views, and help shape the future of culture in Halton.
Light Refreshments: Enjoy a buffet and informal conversations throughout the evening.
Special Art Exhibit: See “Mars”, an artwork by Luke Jerram and the latest of his creations to be displayed at Norton Priory.
Why Attend?
Discover new opportunities, connect with like-minded individuals, and contribute to shaping Halton’s cultural legacy in 2026.
Admission is Free—don’t miss this chance to be part of the journey to Culture 26!
‘Not all people without dwarfism are under the presumption that people with dwarfism are there for entertainment as pets, toys, fetishes, dream sequences, musical numbers… just most.’
Midgitte Bardot, the alias of solo artist Tamm Reynolds, presents a work-in-progress sharing of their new show where they explore who is really dwarfing who.
Performance has been written into dwarf bones against their will. They’re a local celebrity with little power wherever they go, from the mines, courts, cabarets, and big screen to performing arts institutions.
Join Bardot as she questions: why is it violence she seeks? What happens when a dwarf has power? Are the non-dwarfs on their knees? What does a land look like when it’s designed and ruled by Midgittes?
Supported by Arts Council England and the Southbank Centre, Marlborough Arts, Battersea Arts Centre, and almost definitely et al.
About DDFI40:
DaDaFest International returns 8th-31st March 2025 to celebrate DaDa’s 40th Anniversary and this time they are coming with ‘RAGE: A Quiet Riot’.
DDFI40 will showcase work by disabled artists that captures all shapes and sides of rage. From the internal quiet frustrations and righteous rage, to overt injustice and activism, DDFI40 will explore disability rights, disability arts, access, ableism and ‘Rage’ in an explosion of creativity.
The Not Your Circus Dog collective return after their sold-out runs in 2019 and 2022 for more shameless sexy punk crip cabaret. With luscious lip syncs, sweaty dances and verbatim stories, have your preconceptions rattled as they take you to the edge.
Welcome to their space. You are a guest, and they are not f**king sorry.
‘THESE FOUR PERFORMERS ARE SOME OF THE BRAVEST, BOLDEST, MOST CANDID AND RISK-TAKING ON THE CONTEMPORARY LONDON THEATRE SCENE.’
Disability Arts Online
‘An incredibly life-affirming event’
★★★★★ Broadway World
‘Perfectly deliver the message that learning disabled and neurodivergent performers…are a true force to be reckoned with.’
★★★★ North West End
Not F**kin’ Sorry by Not Your Circus Dog, Co-Produced by The Hale and Access All Areas
About DDFI40:
DaDaFest International returns 8th-31st March 2025 to celebrate DaDa’s 40th Anniversary and this time they are coming with ‘RAGE: A Quiet Riot’.
DDFI40 will showcase work by disabled artists that captures all shapes and sides of rage. From the internal quiet frustrations and righteous rage, to overt injustice and activism, DDFI40 will explore disability rights, disability arts, access, ableism and ‘Rage’ in an explosion of creativity.
Arts Council England is offering 1:1 in-person advice sessions for Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent creatives and organisations based in Merseyside on Sunday 23rd March from 10am to 4pm at the Bluecoat Arts Centre
You’ll have the chance to discuss an idea for funding with an Arts Council England Relationship Manager and receive bespoke advice and guidance from them. Limited advice sessions are available and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, lasting up to 30 minutes. Please note, these sessions are suitable for those who already have a National Lottery Project Grants idea in mind and have attended an introductory webinar (book here). They can also talk about Developing Your Creative Practice for personal development activities in supported disciplines, for example undertaking a period of research.
If you are Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent, ACE can help at different stages of your grant – see Access Support
There are a range of other resources on the Arts Council England website to help you with your application plans and it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with our guidance ahead of your advice session.
To book your 30 minute advice session with either Jo Wood or Desi Cherington, please select the relevent ticket for the time slot you would like.
Bookings will be on a first come first served basis. If bookings are full, you will have the opportunity to join a waiting list by emailing info@dadafest.co.uk
About DaDa :
DaDa is an award winning and pioneering disability arts organisation based in Liverpool with international reach and impact. Founded in 1984, we were one of the first disability-led arts organisations in the UK and an integral part of the campaign for greater equality and access for disabled artists across the arts sector.
About DDFI40
DaDaFest International returns 8th-31st March 2025 to celebrate DaDa’s 40th Anniversary and this time they are coming with ‘RAGE: A Quiet Riot’.
DDFI40 will showcase work by disabled artists that captures all shapes and sides of rage. From the internal quiet frustrations and righteous rage, to overt injustice and activism, DDFI40 will explore disability rights, disability arts, access, ableism and ‘Rage’ in an explosion of creativity.
This workshop is part of Ignite, DaDa’s artist development programme to help you re-engage with your inner creative.
Whether you’re an emerging artist looking for advice, established and wanting to try something new, or just interested in expanding your horizons and kickstarting creativity in your life, then come along to a free workshop and ignite that creative spark.
This session is one of their special features as part of DaDaFest International 40.
About this session:
This is an opportunity for you to find out more about what Arts Council England do and how you can apply for funding.
This webinar is for first time applicants based in the North of England or those who may have never heard about the Arts Council before. The session will be delivered online via Zoom.
The session will cover:
An introduction to Arts Council England
About DaDa :
DaDa is an award winning and pioneering disability arts organisation based in Liverpool with international reach and impact. Founded in 1984, we were one of the first disability-led arts organisations in the UK and an integral part of the campaign for greater equality and access for disabled artists across the arts sector.
About DDFI40:
DaDaFest International returns 8th-31st March 2025 to celebrate DaDa’s 40th Anniversary and this time we are coming with ‘RAGE: A Quiet Riot’.
DDFI40 will showcase work by disabled artists that captures all shapes and sides of rage. From the internal quiet frustrations and righteous rage, to overt injustice and activism, DDFI40 will explore disability rights, disability arts, access, ableism and ‘Rage’ in an explosion of creativity.
ACE main funding programme: National Lottery Project Grants and Developing Your Creative Practice
How to get started with your application and top tips
Questions & Answers session
Once you have booked a ticket, you will receive a confirmation email from eventbrite. A link to the Zoom webinar will then be sent out to attendees closer to the event.
The final screening of the season will be Abi Palmer’s Slime Mother.
The film combines spoken word with languorous panning shots of slugs sliding, twisting and suspending from branches. A narrator’s voice guides us through a ‘slug-god world’, recounting memories of a childhood spent hating slugs, pouring salt and flicking them away, to a new perspective of worship, love and coexistence. Palmer’s words, combined with beautifully composed film work, transforms the slug from a hated body into the divine.
Tue 4-Sun 16 Mar, 11am-5pm. Free entry.
10.15 – Welcome by Dr Kate Walchester, Director of Research Institute of Literature and Cultural History, LJMU and Steve Lyus, Chair of the Liverpool Botanic Trust
10.30-11.30 – Axel Dalberg Poulson, Zingiberales Taxonomist, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh: ‘The Diversity of Gingers of the World’
11.30-12.00 – Tea break.
12.00-1.00 – Steve Lyus, Chair of the Liverpool Botanical Trust: ‘“Roscoe’s Baby”, The first Monograph for the Gingers’;
Donna Young, Curator of Herbarium, World Museum, Liverpool: ‘The Liverpool Herbarium and its Gingers.’
1.00-2.00 – Lunch and exhibition, featuring contributions by botanical artist Sue McHugh, LJMU graduate Anna John and Athena Nursery
2.00-3.00 – Richard Baines, Curator at Logan Botanic Garden: ‘Growing Gingers in Great Britain.’
3.10-3.40 – Rebecca Bailey, Senior Lecturer in English Literature: “What’s ginger, I pray ye?”: an exploration of ginger in early modern England’.
3.40-4.00 – Conclusion, tea, and evaluation.