DaDaFest International 40 brings you ‘Rage, A Quiet Riot!’. 

Visit our events page to see the full programme for #DDFI40.

Rage is something many disabled artists and individuals within our community feel. There is a sense of exhaustion and hopelessness that we often encounter in conversations.  There's a feeling of deep rage that, what felt progressive and forward focused in terms of rights,access and attitude decades ago, is being eroded and we are being pitted against each other again.  

Our series of talks, workshops and research and development opportunities will address lack of access and opportunity for disabled artists, from access and finance to climate change and VR, and provide an opportunity to lend your voice and expertise to important conversations.

9^th March

A Wee Riot with Edinburgh Fringe Society

2pm – 5pm, The Bluecoat, Festival Hub

Come along to the DaDaFest hub to chat with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society’s Artist Services team about all things Fringe. In 2026, they plan to open a new, year-round artist hub in Edinburgh, and want to hear from Dadafest artists on what they’d like to see happen in this space. The drop in will allow you to find our more about how to bring a show to the Fringe, and offer an open discussion where the team who want to hear about the things that both excite and challenge you at the Edinburgh Fringe.

This drop in welcomes anyone with an interest in learning more about the Edinburgh Fringe and the different ways to get involved.

Access: Venue access information can be found here: https://www.thebluecoat.org.uk/plan-your-visit/accesibility

BSL will be available 2-4pm.

Cost: FREE

Booking: No need to book, just pop in any time 2-5pm to chat to the team

15th March 

How F*cked are we?: A Long Table discussion about the climate crisis  

6 - 9pm: Metal 

Disabled people are impacted more directly by global issues such as the cost of living, the rise of the right, and the Climate Crisis is no different.  

Using Artist Lois Weaver's Long Table format, we will be inviting disabled artists and cross-sector professionals to participate in a carefully held discussion at Metal to discuss the climate crisis. Hosted by Liverpool Artist Dora Colquhoun, with contributions from disabled artists Liz Crow (UK) and ZU-UK, (UK/Brazil),we will explore climate change and disability from local and global perspectives.  

Access: For access information for this venue click here: https://www.dadafest.co.uk/venue/metal 

BSL Interpretation and Audio Description will be available at this event. 

Cost: FREE 

Booking info: Disabled artists and stakeholders from civic and environmental groups will be invited to contribute to this round table event. A limited number of tickets will be open for public booking soon. The information gathered through this event will inform DaDa’s future Environmental Policy. To express an interest in receiving the booking details, please email info@dadfest.co.uk quoting the event title. 

16th March

Of Skin and Sound: ZU-UK, Maria Oshodi & DaDa

FACT

DaDa are thrilled to be working with ZU-UK and Maria Oshodi and co-hosting this closed research Lab. Of Skin and Sound supports the on-going work of ZU-UK into accessible immersive practice and has developed from considering increasing access to their award winning piece ‘Within Touching Distance’.

NB: This event is a closed research lab.

Monday 17th March 12 – 2pm

Online (Zoom) / FREE

Ignite: Artists Round-Table Using Creative Workshops to Imagine Better Futures of Care For - and with - People with Energy-Limiting Conditions

Artists: Khizra Ahmed, Khairani Barokka, Julian Gray, Mish Green, Louise Kenward At this round-table discussion we’ll hear from 5 artists involved in a research project led by University of Liverpool and Liverpool Hope University. The project used online creative workshops to explore better futures of care for people with Energy-Limiting Conditions. Building from the rage and exhaustion people experience due to the inadequate care currently available, workshops used zine making, creative writing, fairytale writing, drawing, collage and mixed-media to collectively build ideas of better, possible futures. Funders: The project was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) as part of their programme of public engagement to mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS: AH/X012263/1. Project partners: Healing Justice London and Chronic Illness Inclusion. This collaboration with DaDa is funded by an AHRC Impact Accelerator Award, via The University of Liverpool IAA fund. Find out more about the project here: disbeliefdisregard.uk/ahrc-project

Access: This event is online. BSL interpretation will be provided during the talk. Please let us know of any access requirements when booking.

Booking: Book your free ticket to this online session on Eventbrite.

19th March 

Disability Arts Online - ‘Telepresence Stage’Seminar & Screening 

11am – 1pm / 2-3pm: FACT 

Disability Arts Online and Telepresence Stage are delighted to present a symposium discussion and workshop event.  

11am – 1pm In the morning, two of the UK's leading disabled-led theatre companies, Birds of Paradise Theatre Company and CRIPtic Arts, will give presentations and a panel discussion on the benefits, possibilities, and future applications of unique online and hybrid performance outcomes they have developed, as part of an AHRC research project 'A Telepresence Stage for Disability Performing Arts'. This session is hybrid and can be attended in person or online.