Street Choirs 2025 Workshops
NB There could be some last-minute changes to the workshops.
You may find it useful to refer to the Workshop Venues page which includes a map.
1. Bollywood Dancing with Tricia and Deeba
Fountains Church – 80 maximum numbers
Join Tricia and Deeba for an exciting Bollywood dance workshop that will have you moving to the vibrant rhythms of India! This fun, high energy session covers signature Bollywood moves, footwork and expressive gestures, suitable for all skill levels. Whether you are a beginner or have some dance experience, you’ll leave with a routine and a deeper appreciation for the fusion of styles that make Bollywood dance so captivating. Come and feel the rhythm!Bollywood dance so captivating. Come and feel the rhythm!
2. History Walks – City Centre Tour with Irene and Barney BOTH SESSIONS ARE NOW FULL
Meet at City Hall side entrance-15 max each walk
Bradford Beck was a key element in the development of Bradford into a C19th powerhouse. However, it was rapidly hidden from view and few people realise it runs under their feet in the city centre. This walk will follow the route which the Friends of Bradford’s Becks have marked out with poetry on pavement plaques. Discover hidden histories, amazing architecture, tall and small tales of Bradford’s history and heritage, people and places. Hear of a ravaging boar, boggarts in the beck, how Humbug Billy’s fatal sweets led to a change in the law. Find out how Worstedopolis came into being, who haunts a central hotel, links with the Brontës and snippets of secret stories along the way.
3. Tai Chi and Qigong – Movement and Balance with Phil Sheirdan and Helen
Gt Victoria Hotel – 80 max
Easy Tai Chi and Qigong movements, along with some relaxing breathing.
4. Tadhamon – Palestinian Campaign Choir with Janet Wood
Fountains Church – 50 max
Songs which celebrate the strength and resilience of the Palestinian people, their courageous actions to resist occupation.
5. Commoners Campaign Choirs material with Boff Whalley
Fountains Church – 35 max
Looking at making responses to events. Looking at several songs to see how they were put together to suit specific events and situations.
6. Heritage songs with Alice Phelps – Bradford Friendship Choir Leader
City Hall – 100 max
Learn a Popular Arabic Song. In the hour-long workshop I will teach an arrangement of the popular Arabic song ‘Nour El Ein’ by the Egyptian artist Amr Diab. There will be harmonies, dancing and a lot of energy!
7. Songs of Hope with Penny Stone
Gt Victoria Hotel – 50 max
Learning harmony songs that are designed to give hope and navigate the world around us.
8. Campaign Songs with Janet Russel-Bridging Border leader
City Hall – 25 max
Singing for Change – not coins! A song session focusing on short, easy to learn songs, written mostly to known tunes, used at demos and protests. With input and songs from other songwriters and campaigning choir leaders. Song sheets produced by Liverpool people’s choir, Sheffield, Raised Voices, East Lancs Clarion, and more, will be used to sing songs and provide ideas for new songs. These songs generally have humour and wit, so there will be good laughs as well as very poignant moments here.
9. Ukulele Jamming with Martin Brooks and Val Turner (Bradford Performers)
Kala Sangam – 10 max
Workshop 1 Beginners Ukulele. Do you have a Ukulele you’ve never picked up? Well now’s the chance to learn a few easy chords and strum along to a couple of songs. We will have a few spare ukuleles you may borrow. No experience necessary.
Workshop 2 Bring your Ukulele to the session and with a few basic chords we’ll sing and play some familiar songs. Song sheets with chords will be provided.
10. Gospel songs with Leroy Johnson – tbc
City Hall – 100 max
Lift Your Voice and Sing. A session where singers from different vocal backgrounds can come together to share their passion for gospel music and create a vibrant community.
11. Resilience in Changing Times with Ali Burns
Gt Victoria Hotel – 60 max
Changing times call for new songs that celebrate everything it means to support and uphold ourselves, our local and global communities. Join Ali Burns for a feel-good workshop of recently written songs focussing on growing and supporting our individual and community resilience.
12. Natural Voice Technique sharing with Keely Hodgson & Mike Leigh
Kala Sangam – 50 max
Songs of Justice, Peace and Connection with Keely Hodgson and Mike Leigh will teach simple acapella songs from the Natural Voice Network that will mindfully create connection and draw our attention, whilst encouraging and inspiring us to sing with heart and voice.
Both Mike and Keely are experienced choir leaders and song practitioners and will be happy to share tips and techniques on teaching with the NVN principles for those interested in leading songs and choirs.
13. Music to the Eye-Singing with Signing with Paul Whitaker (OBE)
City Hall – 30 max
Learn some songs in British Sign Language with Paul Whittaker and members of the Musical Hands Signing Choir.
14. LGBTQI influenced material with Ian Akroyd – Gay Abandon Choir Leader
Gt Victoria Hotel – 100 max
Sing Healthy, Sing Strong, Sing Together. The workshop will use warm-up exercises and singing to highlight aspects of vocal health and technique, group music-making and musical interpretation. Together we will explore ways in which even simple repertoire can be prepared and performed in engaging, rewarding and musical ways.
The repertoire will resonate with aspects of the LGBTQI experience of resilience, celebration and growth. Ian Akroyd, Music Director of Gay Abandon, West Yorkshire’s LGBT+ choir, the European Queer Choir and Cantabile, a chamber choir in Leeds.
15. Create a choir pennant with Janice Thornton
Fountains Church – 2-3 people per choir – 24 max
Make a colourful pennant for your Choir – materials and canes provided. Size 40cm x 1 metre approx- if you want to consider any design ideas beforehand.
16. Lucky Moyo- Call and Response Singing
The Cathedral – De Lacy Centre – 50 max
Sing with Lucky to share his energetic, emotional colourful singing, made up of fun, movement and easy repeats.
