ILKLEY is invited to continue the town’s Yorkshire Day celebrations on August 1 as a concert to mark the occasion promises to blow the roof off Bradford Live.
‘Yorkshire Calling’ features the power of the 50-strong Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, passion of the BBC Radio Leeds Bantam of the Opera Choir, and pride in Yorkshire with poet, Ian McMillan – best known as the Bard of Barnsley.
The concert is the brainchild of one of Yorkshire’s leading composers, and conductor of the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, Ben Crick.
Ian’s whip-smart verse is paired with Ben’s goosebump-raising score, brought to life by the mighty Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra.
The poems tell the larger-than-life stories of Yorkshire folk through the ages who have helped forge the county, from a 7th-century swineherd to inventors, cricketers, and musicians.
Special guests include Bradford City legend, Chris Kamara, who is ambassador of ‘The Bantams,’ music legend Aled Jones, and a special performance from the Leeds-based international concert pianist Yuanfan Yang.
It will be the first evening concert in the glorious 3,000 plus seater venue.
Ben Crick said: “Bradford Live is, the region’s stunning new venue. This is where the world will come to tell their stories – but first, we're grabbing the mic. This Yorkshire Day, don’t just wave a flag – come hear your history set to music, poetry, and a bit of cheek. Yorkshire Calling is our story, loud and proud.”
Aled Jones will be performing a selection of songs from his stellar career, and is keen to visit God’s Own County as he has family links to the area.
Aled said: “I’m so pleased to be part of such a historic occasion in Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture. I’d like to think of myself as something of an honorary Yorkshireman as my wife is Keighley born and bred, so it’s always nice to come back to my family’s second home and even better to do so and perform.”
It will be an extra special night for Chris Kamara, who will be reprising his unforgettable duet with Aled Jones from their appearance on ITV’s Britain Get Singing during the concert. The former Sky Sports presenter reduced the judges on the popular show to tears with his duet, and he can’t wait to do it again for the special Yorkshire Day audience in Bradford
Chris Kamara said: “It’s been an incredible journey to date with Bantam of the Opera, performing at Valley Parade and even on the Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2. Now to be part of the first concert at Bradford Live, singing with Aled again, it’s unbelievable!”
Yorkshire Calling is the headline event of this year’s Yorkshire Day celebrations on Friday, August 1, which are being held in Bradford and Ilkley and are led by The Yorkshire Society in partnership with Bradford Council and Ilkley Business Improvement District.
The day starts with the civic celebrations, where Lord Mayors and Yorkshire Society members from across the county will visit Bradford City Hall, before heading to Ilkley for a Lord Mayors parade, church service and civic lunch at the fantastic King’s Hall & Winter Gardens.
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