Countdown to DD DAY 2021
We are pleased to announce another feast of activity taking place on Delia Derbyshire Day 2021, fixed in the cultural calendar as 23 NOVEMBER – the date Delia’s revolutionary realisation of Ron Grainer’s Dr Who theme first beamed into British living rooms (in 1963).
The Delia Derbyshire Day 2021 programme of activities have being running from June 2021 and have been awarded funding support from Arts Council England and The Granada Foundation. The Covid proof activities have included online masterclasses, pilot online courses and producing new video resources for schools. The aim is to provide education and inspiration with the theme of imagination, especially in the recent limiting times.
Alongside publishing a variety of Delia related offerings on the DD Day website, the main focus of DD Day 2021 on 23 November will be the premiere of 2 new audio visual works produced by 4 commissioned North West England based artists, inspired by Delia and her archive here in Manchester. Science and art festival bluedot will be hosting a live streaming event with the commissioned artists and their exciting new art. Delia Derbyshire Day is very grateful for the continued support of bluedot (Winner medium UK Festival, 2019) at Jodrell Bank, Cheshire.
23 November is now a busy day internationally as DD Day now goes beyond our efforts as social media and media platforms honour Delia’ work and legacy. Previous days included a Lauren Laverne people’s playlist, a 3 minute epiphany on Mary Anne Hobbs’ show (both 6 Music) and a feature on the World Tonight (BBC Radio 4).
DD Day instigator and project manager Caro C:
“Delia consistently inspires, so we are pleased to have been able to continue to empower and enchant with our work. We are excited to share the new artists’ work as they have worked hard and let their imaginations fly. Last year, Twitter was buzzing all day and our website crashed due to traffic overload, so the momentum for DD Day must be growing!”
DD Day chair of trustees and researcher David Butler:
“One of the most inspirational qualities of Delia Derbyshire’s creativity was its gift to the imagination, encouraging us to think about the possibilities of everyday objects and sounds to be transformed into music, and listen with wonder to the world around us. Delia Derbyshire Day 2021 runs with that spirit through a range of activities and opportunities that we hope will help to nurture and spark the imagination at a time when that has been dearly needed, with so many restrictions in our lives and access to creative opportunities in the arts at risk.”
While bluedot add:
“We’re excited to be joining forces with Delia Derbyshire Day to celebrate the legacy of an iconic musician and composer, and look forward to a new generation of creators inspired by her work.”
DD Day 2021, 23 Nov happenings
The online content to be presented on 23 November will include:
- ONLINE LIVE STREAM EVENT – 7pm UK time – supported by bluedot, our commissioned artists present their new work. To be presented on bluedot’s Youtube and Facebook channels. The new works will then be available to view on our You Tube channel for 2 weeks (up to 7 Dec).
- WEBSITE CONTENT – including publishing the transcripts from our popular series of masterclasses/expert talks unpacking the work, working methods and archive of Delia Derbyshire;
- COMPETITION! Share your photo with your favourite DD Day merch on your social media on DD Day 2021 (23 NOV) for the chance to win a copy of a re-issue of Tape Leaders by Ian Helliwell – of course including Delia;
- PRESS & SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITY – follow us to receive and share some Delia love!
