Refract:24, Trafford’s leading arts festival is back for 2024 summer

July 21, 2024 M&D team 0 Comments festivals, Trafford, Waterside Arts Centre

Waterside’s annual and experiential summer festival
is back for 2024 from Tues 23 July to Sun 28 July.

Trafford is delighted to announce the line up for its leading summer arts festival at its award-winning venue Waterside. This vibrant spectacle transforms the spaces inside and outside to offer visitors innovative ways in which to experience live music, dance, performance and events.

$Magician and illusionist Ben Hart on the way to Refract:24 | photo by Matt Crockett, Mar24$ Internationally acclaimed magician and illusionist Ben Hart will be dropping into launch Refract before returning to Edinburgh for another Fringe run. The real-life witch and Britain’s Got Talent finalist brings HeX, a curated collection of Ben’s favourite and most exciting material from the last decade alongside new ideas fresh from his laboratory, guaranteed to put a spell on you. Ben’s shows are a unique kind of alchemy. Funny, dark and baffling, Hart’s an altogether new species of conjurer. Audiences won’t want to miss this chance on Tue 23 and Wed 24 July to catch the star of stage and screen up-close and in real life.

Refract is absolutely delighted to welcome Reem Anbar, who will also be joining the launch of the festival in the Chambers on 23 July. Reem is an internationally renowned Palestinian oud player and musician. Growing up in Gaza, she became known as the region’s first music therapist and appeared regularly on many stages and media platforms. She now performs internationally as a solo oud player and leader of Gazelleband. She will be joined by guest vocalist Nour Sima.

$Autin Dance’s Street Games at The Refract festival, Trafford$ Refract’s free, family-friendly outdoor performances begin on Thu 25 July with Autin Dance’s Street Games. This promises to be inclusive and accessible fun featuring street games, live music and dance with BSL performance and interpretation. Audiences can expect games from around the that everyone can get involved in, hosted by three fabulous Game Hosts and party music sets from EIF Sound and Music. Street Games continues on Fri 26 July.

Waterside is absolutely honoured to have The Untold Orchestra as part of the Refract line up this year. Joined by guest vocalists, Nicole Battick and Dija Bhlue, The Untold Orchestra presents Summer of Soul on Thu 25 July, with a sensational show of soul classics; hits from artists such as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and more.

The Untold Orchestra bring orchestras into the 21st century through memorable performances celebrating musical icons from the last 100 years, exciting collaborations with up and coming and internationally acclaimed artists, and through community projects for people across the city.

Artistic director Sam Davies said, We’re thrilled to be working with Waterside on Refract Festival. It’s a beautiful venue, in a great place and we can’t wait to dance the night away celebrating some amazing soul music.’

Families can also expect to be wowed by Brimstone – The Dragon! A roaming outdoor theatrical experience that sparks imagination and instils wonder with children and their families. The six-metre long Giant Dragon puppet, is brought to life by four highly skilled puppeteers to tell the magical and adventurous story of Brimstone, a fearsome and misunderstood beast from a hidden island. Brimstone will be entertaining audiences on Fri 26 & Sat 27 July.

There are loads of free events happening throughout on Waterside Plaza for families (particularly Thu 25 to Sun 28 July) so plenty for people to come and see, hang out and have a lovely time.

List of events and more information at www.refract.org.uk