DaDaFest

DaDaFest was founded as Arts Integrated Merseyside (or AIM) as a part of the Shape Arts network in 1984. AIM was integral to the early campaign for greater equality and access for disabled people, but was not disability led.{{cite web | url = http://disabilityarts.creativecase.org.uk/creativecase-DaDa-Disability-and-Deaf-Arts | title = DaDaFest Case Study | date = | website = disabilityarts.creativecase.org.uk | publisher = Disability Arts: Creative Case | accessdate = 12 April 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130624064144/http://disabilityarts.creativecase.org.uk/creativecase-DaDa-Disability-and-Deaf-Arts | archive-date = 24 June 2013 | url-status = dead }}

With John McGrath as its Development Officer,{{cite web |url= http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/chronology_disability_arts_1976_1989 |title= Disability Arts Chronology   1976 - 1989: (1986) |date= 16 January 2009 |website= disabilityartsonline.org.uk |publisher= Disability Arts Online |accessdate= 2 February 2017 |archive-date= 4 December 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211204231625/https://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/chronology_disability_arts_1976_1989 |url-status= dead }}{{cite web| title = Interview: Under the Skin with John McGrath | url = http://www.dadafest.co.uk/2017/01/interview-under-the-skin-with-john-mcgrath/ | website = dadafest.co.uk | publisher = DaDaFest | date = 23 January 2017 |accessdate= 2 February 2017 }} the organisation became one of the UK's first disability control-led arts forums after it broke away from the Shape Network and set itself up as North West Disability Arts Forum (NWDAF) in 1986. It was formally constituted in 1990, with Mandy Colleran becoming its director.{{cite web | last = Bidder | first = Joe | title = Ruth Gould: Creative Force in Disability Arts | url = http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/profile_of_ruth_gould | website = disabilityartsonline.org.uk | publisher = Disability Arts Online | date = 8 May 2008 | accessdate = 6 June 2017 | archive-date = 19 June 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170619150940/http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/profile_of_ruth_gould | url-status = dead }} The organisation eventually re-branded itself to 'DaDa - Disability and Deaf Arts' in 2008 and again to 'DaDaFest' in 2012.

DaDaFest delivered its first international festival in 2001 and continued to put on yearly festivals until 2010 when it became a biennial. The festival has since taken place in 2012 and 2014 (8 November 2014 – 11 January 2015).{{cite web|title=DaDaFest International 2014 Announced|url=http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/dadafest-international-2014-announced | website = disabilityartsonline.org.uk | publisher = Disability Arts Online}}

The organisation works with a number of partners to deliver the festival. These include: National Museums Liverpool, Liverpool Biennial, The Bluecoat, Liverpool Everyman, Liverpool Playhouse, FACT, Unity Theatre and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic amongst others.

DaDaFest International 2014 presented work produced by artists close to their home in Liverpool as well as internationally that will challenge ideals and celebrate disability culture. A programme of music, dance, live arts, comedy and much more was presented." Highlights included:

• Amadou and Mariam - Amadou and Mariam, the Grammy Award nominated musical duo from Mali and DaDaFest International 2016 headliners, produce music that infuses traditional Malian sound with rock guitars and instruments from Cuba, Egypt, Syria and India in a combination that has been dubbed "Afro-blues".{{cite web | title = Amadou and Mariam headline DaDaFest 2016 | url = http://culture.org.uk/2016/01/amadou-and-mariam-headline-dadafest-2016/ | website = culture.org.uk | publisher = Open Culture Merseyside Arts & Culture | date = January 2016 | access-date = 2016-12-07 | archive-date = 2016-12-20 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161220074313/http://culture.org.uk/2016/01/amadou-and-mariam-headline-dadafest-2016/ | url-status = dead }}
• The Viewing by Matin O'Brien, Sheree Rose and Rhiannon Aarons - The Viewing is the final of a trilogy of works which were originally conceived by Rose and Bob Flanagan to address his early death from cystic fibrosis.{{cite news | last = Jones | first = Catherine | title = 7 reasons DaDaFest will be the most outrageous festival this year | url = http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/7-reasons-dadafest-most-outrageous-12179796 | work = Liverpool Echo | publisher = Trinity Mirror | date = 15 November 2016 }}
• DaDaFest International Congress – "All the world's a stage… But not if you can't get on it." - The two-day event explored how the arts are delivered from artists and practitioners from across the globe, and how the context within which we operate makes for exhilarating, diverse, disruptive and radical arts work.{{cite web | title = Events – Skin Deep: DaDaFest International 2016, Liverpool | url = http://disabilityarts.online/events/dadafest-international-2016/ | website = disabilityartsonline.org.uk | publisher = Disability Arts Online }}
• Assisted Suicide: The Musical - Disabled activist, actor and comedian Liz Carr has chosen the spectacular world of musical theatre as the backdrop to explore the complex and controversial subject of assisted suicide in her new show.{{cite web | title = Assisted Suicide The Musical | url = https://www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/whats-on/assisted-suicide.html | website = unitytheatreliverpool | publisher = Unity Theatre, Liverpool | access-date = 2016-12-07 | archive-date = 2016-12-20 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161220100608/https://www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/whats-on/assisted-suicide.html | url-status = dead }}
• Guide Gods - Using dance, live music, humour and interviews with religious leaders, academics and deaf and disabled people, acclaimed performer Claire Cunningham goes on a perilous quest to explore how the major world faiths view deafness and disability in this witty and illuminating show.{{cite web | title = DaDaFest: Guide Gods, Claire Cunningham | url = http://www.artinliverpool.com/events/dadafest-guide-gods-claire-cunningham/ | website = artinliverpool.com | publisher = ArtinLiverpool.com | date = 1 December 2016 }}

DaDaFest International 2014 presented a "breathtaking array of high quality disability and Deaf arts from around the world."{{cite web|title = DaDaFest International 2014 Announced|url=http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/dadafest-international-2014-announced | website = disabilityartsonline.org.uk | publisher = Disability Arts Online | date = 30 June 2014}} Highlights included:

• Art of the Lived Experiment - Curated by Aaron Williamson, this exhibition addressed the idea that life and art are in a state of continual change and uncertainty.{{cite web|last1=French|first1=Jade|title=DaDaFest International 2014: Art of the Lived Experiment|url=http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/dadafest-2014-art-of-the-lived-experiment-review | website = disabilityartsonline.org.uk | publisher = Disability Arts Online | date = 14 November 2014}}
• The Ugly Girl by Terry Galloway (US) - a no-holds barred play with a wildly comic twist on the stereotype of a queer, disabled, intellectual trouble-maker.{{cite web|last1=Cliffe-Thompson|first1=Roger|title=The Ugly Girl Review|url=http://www.dadafest.co.uk/2015/01/review-of-the-ugly-girl/ | website = dadafest.co.uk | publisher = DaDaFest | date = 21 January 2015}}
• Backstage in Biscuit Land - the highly acclaimed show{{cite news|last1=Gardner|first1=Lyn|author-link = Lyn Gardner|title=Backstage in Biscuit Land – Tourette's and theatre make a joyous combo|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/aug/09/backstage-in-biscuit-land-edinburgh-festival-2014-review-tourettes|work=The Guardian | date = 9 August 2014 }} from Jess Thom.
• Staff Benda Bilili - the super-band appeared at the Philharmonic Hall.{{cite web|last1=Nunes|first1=Sinead|title=Liverpool Philharmonic: Staff Benda Bilili|url=http://www.artinliverpool.com/liverpool-philharmonic-staff-benda-bilili/|website=artinliverpool.com|publisher=ArtinLiverpool.com|access-date=2016-02-19|archive-date=2016-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222433/http://www.artinliverpool.com/liverpool-philharmonic-staff-benda-bilili/|url-status=dead}}

The 2012 festival brought together a large collection of exhibitions and performances. These included:

• Niet Normaal - Difference on Display - This was an exhibition created by Ine Gevers and Garry Robson that brought together the work of 24 artists from across the world. It was adapted from an earlier exhibition that premiered in Amsterdam.{{cite news|last=Jones | first = Amy|url=http://www.thedoublenegative.co.uk/2012/07/niet-normaal-difference-of-display-reviewed/ |title= Niet Normaal Review |work=The Double Negative |date= July 2012 |accessdate= 12 April 2013}} The theme that this exhibition discussed was 'What is normal? And who decides what normality is?', this was a question that the creator herself deemed as 'unanswerable' but that it was 'worth debating anyway'.{{cite news|url=http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-culture/liverpool-arts/2012/07/12/interview-curator-ine-gevers-on-the-dadafest-exhibition-niet-normaal-at-the-bluecoat-99623-31366176/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505042830/http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-culture/liverpool-arts/2012/07/12/interview-curator-ine-gevers-on-the-dadafest-exhibition-niet-normaal-at-the-bluecoat-99623-31366176/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 May 2013 |title= Interview with Ine Gevers |work =Liverpool Daily Post | publisher = Trinity Mirror |date= 12 July 2012 |accessdate= 12 April 2013}}
• Changing Capacities - Changing Identities - This was a seminar that was part of the 2012 festival and was organised by the University of Liverpool's new Thinking on Living with Dying research network. It discussed how the changes to peoples' lives caused by illness and disability is not always a loss.{{cite web|url=http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/Events?item=3526 |title= DadaFest 2012: Changing Capacities: Changing Identities at The Foresight Centre, Liverpool | website = disabilityartsonline.org.uk | publisher = Disability Arts Online |date= |accessdate= 12 April 2013}}
• The Eavesdropper - This was an intervention at the Walker Art Gallery by artist Aaron Williamson. Williamson explored the 'secretive dialogue' lurking beneath the gallery's paintings. He also took up residence at the gallery throughout DaDaFest 2012.
• The House of the Moles - This was a play created by Terry Galloway that worked with UK- and US-based performers and musicians about the American Ugly laws in the period between 1940 and 1950.

In 2010, DaDaFest celebrated their tenth year.{{cite web|title=DaDaFest International 2010|url=http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/DaDaFest-International-2010 | website = disabilityartsonline.org.uk | publisher = Disability Arts Online}} The 2010 programme explored the theme of Objects of Curiosity and Desire, investigating identity and our place in an ever-changing world.

Highlights included:

• A few Objects of Curiosity and Desire - a joint exhibition of the work of Tom Shakespeare, Tanya Raabe and Simon McKeown at The Bluecoat.{{cite web|last1=Bennett|first1=Susan|title=Review: A few Objects of Curiosity and Desire|url=http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/DaDaFest-International-2010?item=1431&itemoffset=2 | website = disabilityartsonline.org.uk | publisher = Disability Arts Online}} This exhibition also featured work by Fourth Plinth artist and Turner Prize nominee Yinka Shonibare.{{cite web|last1=John|first1=Cathy|title=DaDaFest 2010: Disability arts, the new avant-garde?|url=http://www.lickingthehoney.org/2010/12/dadafest-2010-disability-arts-the-new-avant-garde/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208145419/http://www.lickingthehoney.org/2010/12/dadafest-2010-disability-arts-the-new-avant-garde/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-12-08|website=Licking The Honey | date = December 2010}}
• Oska Bright - short films made by people with a learning disability were shown from the Oska Bright Film Festival (Brighton).{{cite web|last1=Bennett|first1=Susan|title=Oska Bright Review|url=http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/DaDaFest-International-2010?item=1434&itemoffset=5 | website = disabilityartsonline.org.uk | publisher = Disability Arts Online}}
• GIMP – the UK premiere of Heidi Latsky's performance.{{cite web|title=DaDaFest International 2010 Highlights|url=http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/DaDaFest-International-2010?item=1430&itemoffset=1 | website = disabilityartsonline.org.uk | publisher = Disability Arts Online}}

While the festival every two years may be the main attention of the organisation, DaDaFest also organises various projects and initiatives outside of the festival programme.

Projects that DaDaFest has organised or is currently organising are:

• DaDaFest Rookies - DaDaFest Rookies aims to increase employability within the creative sector for young disabled people through training, mentoring and placements within arts organisations. The project will see more disabled people involved in training, mentoring and placements within arts organisations.{{cite news | last = Smith | first = Matthew | title = Local disability arts charity receives major funding boost |url = http://www.yourmovemagazine.com/local-disability-arts-fund-receives-major-funding-boost/19246 | work = Your Move Magazine | date = 17 August 2016 }}
• Young DaDaFest - DaDaFest organises various projects that involve young people, these include: steering groups that allow young people to make decisions for other projects; short films and a separate youth festival. DaDaFest also enables young people to earn Arts Award accreditation. Since the start of the young people's program in 2002, DaDaFest has had 2000 people involved in youth projects.
• Disability Equality Action Training - This is a scheme that addresses the issues faced by disabled and deaf people regarding access to everyday opportunities. Participants on the course are taught about these issues and gain an understanding of how to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, Human Rights and how to work without bias. The training promotes working to the Social Model of Disability.
• Hands On - This is a website and network set up in 2011 designed to provide deaf people working in the arts with a place to share ideas and network with others in the industry.{{cite web |url=http://be-hands-on.ning.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130415061204/http://be-hands-on.ning.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 April 2013 |title=Hands On Site |website=be-hands-on.ning.com/ |publisher=Hands On/ DaDaFest |accessdate=12 April 2013 }}
• Arts-Life - This is a research project with the aim to increase the attendance of disabled and deaf people, including older people at arts venues and events around Merseyside. It also aims to improve the experience that people have while attending. It is led by the Liverpool Arts Regeneration Consortium.

• Mandy Colleran – Former director
• Laurence Clark- stand-up comedian. He started his career with DaDaFest and continues to perform at the festival.{{cite news|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-entertainment/echo-entertainment/2010/11/22/preview-comedian-laurence-clark-at-the-bluecoat-as-part-of-dadafest-2010-100252-27690278/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505021736/http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-entertainment/echo-entertainment/2010/11/22/preview-comedian-laurence-clark-at-the-bluecoat-as-part-of-dadafest-2010-100252-27690278/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 May 2013 |title= Laurence Clark at the Bluecoat | work = Liverpool Echo | publisher = Trinity Mirror |date= 22 November 2010 | accessdate= 12 April 2013}}
• Amadou and Mariam - The Grammy award-nominated afro-funk duo headlined DaDaFest International 2016.{{cite web | title = Amadou & Mariam | url = http://www.liverpoolphil.com/whats-on/amadou-and-mariam | website = liverpoolphil.com | publisher = Royal Liverpool Philharmonic | access-date = 2016-12-07 | archive-date = 2016-12-20 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161220081503/http://www.liverpoolphil.com/whats-on/amadou-and-mariam | url-status = dead }}
• Dame Evelyn Glennie - Scottish percussionist. She performed at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall as part of DaDaFest 2012.{{cite news|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-entertainment/echo-entertainment/2012/07/27/dame-evelyn-glennie-on-relishing-fresh-challenges-as-she-prepares-to-perform-at-dadafest-in-liverpool-100252-31482734/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505045330/http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-entertainment/echo-entertainment/2012/07/27/dame-evelyn-glennie-on-relishing-fresh-challenges-as-she-prepares-to-perform-at-dadafest-in-liverpool-100252-31482734/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 May 2013 |title= Dame Evelyn Glennie DaDaFest 2012 | work = Liverpool Echo | publisher = Trinity Mirror |date= 27 July 2012 | accessdate= 12 April 2013}}
• Mat Fraser - actor, musician, writer and patron of DaDaFest.{{cite web|url=http://madeup.lv/interview-with-dadafests-mat-fraser |title= Interview with DaDaFest's Mat Fraser | website = madeup.lv |publisher=Made Up |date= 20 November 2010 | accessdate= 12 April 2013}}
• Mike McCartney - performing artist, photographer and patron of DaDaFest.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Arts+festival+will+be+biggest+and+best+yet.-a0154400154 |title= Article on DaDaFest 2012 (incl. Mike McCartney section) |publisher=The Free Library |date= | accessdate= 12 April 2013}}
• Liz Carr - actor, stand-up comedian, broadcaster and international disability rights activist.
• Sir Bert Massie CBE - Former Chairman of the Disability Rights Commission and is a patron of DaDaFest.{{cite AV media | people= Sir Bert Massie | date= 31 October 2012 | title= Sir Bert Massie DaDaFest Launch Speech 2012 | medium= YouTube | publisher= DaDaFest | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6gKjs2klt0 | accessdate= 12 April 2013 }}
• Julie McNamara - artist, writer and patron of DaDaFest.
• Kaite O'Reilly - Writer, Playwright, Dramaturg, Director, teacher and identifies herself as a disability artist. She is also a patron of DaDaFest.

• 2005 - Merseyside Tourism Award for Best Small Event.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2006/11/24/capculture_dadafest_feature.shtml |title= DaDaFest Capital of Culture Article | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110318151817/http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2006/11/24/capculture_dadafest_feature.shtml | archive-date = 18 March 2011 | work = BBC News |publisher=BBC |date= 24 November 2006 |accessdate= 3 February 2017 }}
• 2008 - Shortlisted 'Best Event in 2008' (Mersey Tourism Awards)
• 2008 - 'Putting the North West on the map' (Art 08 Awards)
• 2012 - Lever Award - In 2012 DaDaFest won the coveted £10,000 Lever Prize {{cite web|url=http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2012/01/25/dadafest-celebrates-winning-the-lever-prize-99623-30192784/ |title= DaDaFest wins Lever Prize | work = Liverpool Daily Post | publisher = Trinity Mirror |date= 25 January 2012 |accessdate= 12 April 2013 }} established by the North West Business Leadership Team.

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.dadafest.co.uk Official site]
• [http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/?location_id=16&item=108 Disability Arts Online Directory]

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