Four students find themselves stuck in dugsi detention – what did they do to end up here? And is there any chance of them getting on? Salma, Yasmin, Munira, and Hani each see the world and their place in it in radically different ways. Subverting Somali folk tales and reminiscing about their childhoods, they slowly reveal their reasons for being there. This hour together may reveal that they have more in common than they thought.
Drawing inspiration from 'The Breakfast Club,' this production offers a humorous and authentic exploration of the bonds formed between Somali girls. Presented by Side eYe Productions and written by Sabrina Ali, 'Dugsi Dayz' returns to NDT after receiving acclaim during sold-out previews in July.
Dates: Tuesday 3 – Saturday 14 October 2023
Location: New Diorama Theatre, 15-16 Triton St, London NW1 3BF
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Known as ‘Little Lagos’, Peckham is home to one of the largest Nigerian diaspora communities in the UK. Head down to South London Gallery for this major group exhibition looking at the connections between Lagos in Nigeria and Peckham in south east London.
The exhibition highlights the relationships, culture, shared history, communities and art that link the two places. Themes explored include transnational exchange, a sense of place and the contemporary metropolis.
There will be work showcased by thirteen Nigerian and British-Nigerian artists, bringing together sculpture, photography, sound and film.
Dates: Wednesday 5 July - Saturday 29 October
Location: South London Gallery, 65 Peckham Rd, London SE5 8UH
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Get ready to celebrate the rich heritage and achievements of Britain’s Black community at this in-person event. The event promises a vibrant atmosphere to commemorate Black history.
Discover the stories of remarkable individuals who have shaped history and continue to make a difference today. Immerse yourself in a captivating program featuring quizzes, networking, food and music.
Dates: Wednesday 11 October, 5 - 8.30 pm
Location: Anomalous Space, 36 Pentonville Road London N1 9HF
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1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair is the leading art fair dedicated to the promotion of contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora.
New and returning exhibitors will present over 170 artists working across an array of mediums from painting and sculpture to mixed media and installation. Works from established artists such as Joana Choumali, Ibrahim El-Salahi and Soly Cissé to young and emerging artists including Josué Comoe, Anya Paintsil and Edozie Anedu will be on view.
You are also invited to join a series of talks in conversation about African Photography and the revival of creativity.
Dates: Thursday 12 October - Sunday 15 October
Location: Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
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This October, Peckham Levels invites you to explore the thought-provoking project crafted by artist and UAL academic Sharon Bertram. This exhibition seeks to provide space for the often unseen stories, narratives and histories from the local community of Peckham.
The projects encourage a sense of belonging and a need for visibility, exploring individual identities through portraiture, and in this instance, working with ceramics.
In addition to the exhibition, Peckham Levels will be offering a series of engaging and complimentary workshops and talks every Friday.
Dates: Tuesday 3 October - Monday 31 October
Location: Peckham Levels, 95A Rye Lane London SE15 4ST
Head down to the Barbican this Black History Month to watch a compelling new play about the power of Black womanhood, darkness and the redemptive power of self-love, told through captivating fusion of dance, singing and live music.
"Inspired by the true story of Robinson’s grandmother who was shunned and ostracised to the dark corners of post colonial Jamaica due to her African spiritual beliefs, The Night Woman acts as a reminder that even though misery and suffering exist in the darkness, it’s also where love is made and resistance is formed.
Skilfully portraying three different women who’ve found strength in unexpected places, Robinson guides the audience on an exhilarating journey transitioning through time and generations ending in our present day, with Jamaican folk songs and Afro-Caribbean movement and music taking centre stage."
Dates: Thursday 19 October - Saturday 21 October
Location: Barbican Centre, Silk St, EC2Y 8DS
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Armet Francis developed the idea of ‘The Black Triangle’ to guide his photographic practice from 1969. In the artist’s own words, the concept was forged through a “personal need to discover the dimensions of the experiences of Black people…the triangle first came to me in thoughts of the slave trade route, that is how I came to live in the Triangle: Africa, the Americas and Europe…I had to capture it through my camera, through my work…A man reacting to his destiny."
Explore the work of a Jamaican-British photographer with an acute understanding of black consciousness, whose images are life-affirming moments that celebrate the resilience and survival of African diasporic cultures.
Dates: Friday 22 September 2023 - Saturday 20 January 2024
Location: Autograph Gallery, Rivington Place, Hackney, London
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Raphael Akuwudike and Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran play Ste and Jamie in this 30th-anniversary revival of Jonathan Harvey's iconic, coming-out and coming-of-age story, alongside Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge as Tony, Shvorne Marks as Sandra, and Scarlett Rayner as Leah.
"Teenage boys Ste and Jamie are neighbours on a South London estate. Jamie is more knowledgeable about The Sound of Music than football, while classmate Ste never misses a sports day. Both are being bullied, Jamie at school and Ste at home by his violent father and brother. One night, when things get too much, Ste seeks refuge in Jamie's flat and, sharing a bed, the boys strike up a new relationship. Together they come to terms with their sexuality and explore their feelings alongside their Mama Cass loving, rebellious friend Leah and with the much-needed emotional support of Jamie's lioness mother, Sandra."
Dates: Friday 8 September - Saturday 7 October
Location: Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, London
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Celebrating Black History Month 2023 with a free screening of 'Transnational Nigeria', an impactful and eye-opening docuseries episode highlighting the harsh reality of life for trans and queer Nigerians.
The screening will be followed by a free intimate Q&A with a panel of professionals and community members exploring themes highlighted in the episode, Black History Month, and this year's theme 'Saluting our Sisters'.
Dates: Tuesday 24 October, 6.30 - 9 pm
Location: Catford Mews, 32 Winslade Way London SE6 4JU
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Black creativity has had a profound influence on British culture and continues to be referenced to great effect, often without acknowledgement.
Spanning from the 1970s to the present day, The Missing Thread celebrates the unique visions and impact of an often unseen generation of trailblazing Black creatives who were denied access to the fashion industry, or who despite achieving great success, have had their contributions misrepresented or excluded from the story of British fashion.
Dates: Thursday 21 Sep 2023 - Sunday 7 January 2024
Location: Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
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You're invited to the second in a series of reading groups with Beaconsfield's Environmental Artist in Residence Phoebe Collings-James.
Read, sculpt or play with terracotta clay while discussing extracts from the book 'A Billion Black Anthropocenes or None' by Kathryn Yusoff. The book connects the environmental ravages of extractive mining with our universal sugar and coffee addictions; all legacies of the transatlantic slave trade.
Dates: Tuesday 24 October
Location: Beaconsfield Gallery Vauxhall, 22 Newport Street London SE11 6AY
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The evening will spotlight Black photographers and artists whose work subverts mainstream representations of the Black experience.
The night will centre around a diverse selection of TPF collaborators in conversation about the themes of their work with TPF alumni. There will be a live DJ set throughout the night, with a banging set of BHM inspired tunes, discussions, live readings, as well as a short film screening throughout the night.
Dates: Thursday 26 October, 6 – 8 pm
Location: NOW Gallery, The Gateway, Pavillions, London SE10 0SQ
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Join Europe’s largest celebration of Black literature, champion emerging talent, hear from leading voices and discover your new favourite Black authors at this family festival that aims to banish barriers to entry.
Founded by Selina Brown in 2021, this festival lauds the work of Black British authors across all genres and provides a platform for up-and-coming writers in a national event that attracts a live audience of over 4,000 people.
Dates: Friday 27 - Saturday 28 October
Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
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Mark the 75th anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush arriving in Britain on 22 June 1948 at the National Portrait Gallery with a series of collaborations, resources and events.
Visitors can view a display of ten portraits, highlighting the experiences of people who have made positive contributions to the United Kingdom. Additionally explore new portraits created by artist Kyam and poetry by Croydon’s first Poet Laureate Shaniqua Benjamin, inspired by the stories of some of Croydon’s Caribbean influencers.
Dates: Until the end of the year
Location: National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, London, WC2H 0HE
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