Derby City Council is driving forward Chapel Street Arts Centre, the former premises of Déda, as part of the city’s vibrant art scene and launching an exciting new programme of events.
As the building’s owner, the Council has been working with partners and stakeholders to explore options to ensure the premises remains a vital cultural and community asset for the city for years to come.
It has supported organisations like Hubbub, an integrated theatre company working with learning disabled adults, Derby College and a host of grassroots cultural and community providers to continue their activities in the building since Déda ceased operating. Culture Derby, the city’s new strategic development agency are now also based in the building.
The newly renamed Chapel Street Arts Centre is now welcoming audiences to a diverse programme of events facilitated by the Council’s Derby LIVE events team, from concerts and dance classes to innovative theatre and a spectacular drag pageant.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, said:
We recognise the huge value that cultural institutions bring to the vibrancy and wellbeing of our city. That’s why it was so important to me that we stepped in to fill the hole that Deda left and why we’re committed to keeping this building as a cultural space for dance and the arts.
The new programme at Chapel Street Arts Centre is a testament to this commitment, and we’re thrilled to see it come alive once again with fantastic performances and workshops for everyone to enjoy.
The centre will continue to nurture young talent in the city. September will see the launch of LIVE Wires, a collaboration between Derby LIVE, Ancestories, and The Lost Boys. This dynamic new program will offer weekly arts and theatre workshops for young people aged 16+ and 18+. Each session will be led by experienced professionals, providing hands-on training and mentorship in everything from acting and directing to stage design and lighting.
The building has always been a hub for dance and there continues to be a wide variety of weekly classes on offer, including jazz, commercial, tap, salsa, street dance, ballet, and burlesque. Meanwhile, the popular Cube Salsa Evenings return on the first Saturday of the month from September, offering a lively night of Latin rhythms.
Music lovers can look forward to a series of performances, presented by Derby Jazz. Hejira, on Friday 26 September, will see Hattie Whitehead lead a seven-piece band in a stunning tribute to the late works of Joni Mitchell.
On Friday 17 October, catch the award-winning pianist Robert Mitchell and his new electric power trio, Little Black Book, with their unique and exceptional sound. The musical journey continues with an international quartet re-imagining the music of Ahmed Abdul-Malik in أحمد [Ahmed] on Sunday, 16 November.
Looking ahead to the new year, The Pocket Ellington will recreate the classic Duke Ellington sound with a small but mighty ensemble on Friday 13 March.
The autumn programme also features a diverse range of theatrical and variety performances. On Saturday, 18 October, eight fierce competitors will go heel to heel in the first-ever Derbyshire Drag Pageant, showcasing extravagant costumes and original performances to be crowned the county's next drag superstar.
Oddsocks Productions premieres its hilarious new story, Florence Nightingale: The Lady With the Hammer, on Saturday 25 October. This play challenges the ‘men know best’ medical establishment with Florence's radical, yet effective, ideas.
The Bad Flower Burlesque Revue is a spooky theatrical spectacular to celebrate Halloween in style! Join Derby’s queen of cabaret Fleur du Mal and a host of haunting stars (including local talent from around the East Midlands) on Friday 31 October, for a night of thrills, chills, and excitement.
Prepare to become part of the action with The Lost Boys’ and Derby LIVE’s co-production of 1984: The Thought Police. Running from Thursday 6 November to Saturday 8 November, this immersive experience puts the audience in the middle of a Thought Police Training Seminar, where they must decide whether to enforce the Party’s rules or resist.
Finally, plans for the festive season are already well underway as Merry Elwin drops in for a magical Christmas adventure! Paul Broesmith and The Lost Boys will present their latest production, The Adventurous Elf, a heartwarming show perfect for families that celebrates the spirit of Christmas and the beauty of cultural diversity.
All this and more can be found in Derby LIVE’s latest What’s On guide for Sep-Dec, or by heading to the Derby LIVE website. Enquiries about the building should be directed to spacehire@derby.gov.uk.