Join us for Black History Month this October, as the UK joins together to celebrate the culture and history of Black communities.
As part of the University of Leicester, the Black Lived Experiences Steering Group (BLESG), which comprises Black students and staff studying and working at the university, have chosen this year’s BHM theme which is ‘Beyond Representation: Commitment to Change’.
This theme seeks to raise awareness of and harness a University wide commitment to improving the lived experiences, progression, representation, outcomes and satisfaction of Black students and staff by pro-actively addressing the systemic racial barriers and inequities they frequently encounter. This call to action will help to ensure that the University holds itself to account for committing to genuine and effective change which supports its Black students and staff to advance within the institution and will help to promote feelings of belonging to the university.
Across Leicester incredible organisations are hosting events throughout the month that you can take part in. This includes Serendipity who pioneer creativity, opening minds and changing attitudes across Black arts, culture and heritage, and Opal22 who work to preserve Black history and heritage through delivering creativity and passion to communities.
We invite you to take part in events, conversations, and celebrations throughout October. Alongside this there are lots of opportunities for you to get involved in our wider work around race inclusion. Let’s come together to recognise how the past shapes our lives today where change is not just promised but delivered. At Attenborough Arts Centre we have a range of performances ready for the month for you to join in on:
Leicester Jazz House presents Mellow Baku Quartet: Booksong
Thursday 15 October, 8pm – 10:30pm
£16/£7
A uniquely compelling performer with a voice that moves through all shades of feeling, Mellow Baku has spent two decades on stages across the UK and internationally.
From solo to orchestra, from 20s jazz at Cadogan Hall to touring with Afro dub band Soothsayers, from performing with Zoe Rahman to Joe Armon-Jones, from North Sea Jazz Festival to New York, Mellow is at home in the centre of live improvised musical storytelling through jazz and blues song.
Click here to book your place.
Taylormade Studios: Virgo Multiverse
Thursday 22 October, 7pm – 9pm
£10/£25 for family of four
Tales of intergalactic diaspora told through multimedia multidisciplinary melanated minds and movement combined with open source software and lo-fi hardware.
Immersive Arts Awardee Vidal Montgomery presents and produces an interactive multimedia exploration of themes if identity and citizenship.
(Logos x Mythos) + (Reason x Emotion) + (Reality x Fantasy) + (Science x Fiction) + (Afro x Futurism) + (Steam x Funk) = Virgo Multiverse.
Click here to book your place.
