Bringing the Beat Back to Bradford
New exhibition Bringing the Beat Back to Bradford explores the history of one of Bradford’s best-loved entertainment venues.
by spectrum
Bringing the Beat Back to Bradford, a new exhibition by Impressions Gallery, celebrates one of the city’s most iconic venues.
Previously known as the New Victoria, The Gaumont and Bradford Odeon, it has hosted dances, gigs and film screenings.
Yet this much-loved site has stood derelict since 2000.
Now, more than 90 years after it was built, it is being restored to its former glory as an entertainment hub.
Ahead of its reopening as music venue Bradford Live, Impressions Gallery embarked on major project to uncover the many memories made within its walls.
A vibrant history
Bringing the Beat Back to Bradford shines a light on the building’s vibrant history as a cinema, dance hall, music venue and bingo hall.
The exhibition features stories from the community, artefacts and memorabilia, oral histories, and a mix of official and vernacular photographs.
Throughout the exhibition, Impressions Gallery is collecting photographs and stories from visitors for display on a memory wall.
Once the exhibition is complete, they will be added to a growing digital archive of images, memorabilia and oral histories.
Bringing the Beat Back to Bradford
Bringing the Beat Back to Bradford is part of a programme of heritage activity commissioned by Bradford Live and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The free exhibition is on until March 11, 2023.
Find out more via the Impressions Gallery website here.
Spectrum Photographic produced mounted C-Type prints for the exhibition.
Bradford Live is a not-for-profit company aiming to find a long-term use for the historic former Odeon building.
The building has been derelict since 2000.