Sheffield performers are among the acts taking part in a new online festival to promote disability rights during the lockdown, which will be taking place on Saturday July 11th.
Jon McClure from locally-based chart band Reverend And The Makers is one of those involved in the World Independent Living Day event as is new act Rita Resistance (pictured). WILD describes itself as “a long-term initiative to reimagine the transformation to an inclusive society with Independent Living being a central part of that vision.”
There are more than a dozen other acts appearing at the three-hour festival, ranging from blind skateboarder Dan Mancina to writer and poet Penny Pepper. There will also be comedy, a moto-cross display, martial arts, storytelling and rapping among other things to give as wide a range of disabled people’s performing talents as possible.
There will also be discussions, interviews and pre-recorded filmed segments and viewers will be able to interact with performers during the afternoon. There will be British Sign Language interpreters and live subtitles.
Founder Andy Greene, a member of the national steering group of Disabled People Against Cuts says that the original plan was to hold a festival in central London but because of the Coronavirus pandemic they decided to organise it online instead. He hopes the festival will attract younger disabled people and expose them to the politics and history of the disability movement. There are also plans to get people involved for another event in the next few months – if not in the autumn then definitely for International Day Of Persons With Disabilities on December 3rd.
Jon said: “I’m very proud to support WILD and any moves to provide a fully inclusive world for all disabled people,” while Rita Resistance added: “I will be sharing adventures of my best mate Dave, and will be premiering my brand new song. Some say I’m a drag queen, some say I’m a nuisance, but I say: “Resistance is never futile!”
The festival takes place from 3-6pm on Saturday July 11th and can be watched from their website.
