On Saturday 18th October more than 75 women and girls will appear as a flashmob in their ‘ruby slippers’ in City Park, proving that there really is ‘no place like Bradford’.
The ’75 Dorothys’ will be wearing their own outfits with their own take on ‘ruby slippers’ – red glitter biker boots, cowboy boots, trainers and heels among them, celebrating the diversity of the women and girls living in Bradford. The youngest of the ’75 Dorothys’ will be just 10 weeks old (wearing a pair of ruby bootees knitted by a member of Saltaire WI). The group will include pupils, staff and parents from Eastwood Primary School in Keighley, a small group of deaf participants, and dancers from Dance United Yorkshire. The oldest ‘Dorothy’ taking part is 70 years old.
’75 Dorothys’ is the brainchild of Bradford arts company Irregular (Arts), inspired by the 75th anniversary of the iconic film ‘The Wizard of Oz’ starring Judy Garland. Jenny Wilson, Artistic Director at Irregular (Arts) said: ‘We’ve been exploring the themes of The Wizard of Oz with groups of women and girls and have been really moved by what they’ve shared with us. 75 years on the idea that Dorothy could find the power within herself to live her own dreams is still an inspiring and relevant idea, especially for women and girls.’
Alongside the ‘flashmob’ Bradford Big Screen will show a short documentary film by Shanaz Gulzar of the ’75 Dorothys’ project. This will be followed by a free showing of the original 1939 film ‘The Wizard of Oz’, with support from Bradford City of Film.
75 Dorothys is a project by Irregular (Arts) with financial support from the National Lottery via Arts Council England Grants for the Arts and from Bradford Council. The project has also been supported by Bradford City of Film; Born In Bradford (coinciding with the Born In Bradford Festival event on 18/19 October); and Forsters Bistro. Irregular (Arts) have been running sessions with women and girls groups in Bradford throughout September 2014 towards creating the ‘flashmob’ event.
For further details of this and future projects, please visit:
www.irregulararts.com
facebook/Irregulararts
@irregulararts #75Dorothys
