Get ready: this year, HOME Manchester are celebrating Black History Month (artwork here by Summer May design) with a curated season of events that will run alongside their core programme. Aiming to uplift, inspire and entertain, the season will celebrate Black creative excellence across film, theatre, art, music and comedy.
The programme has something for everyone – from the long-awaited return of Manchester’s original Black comedy night, to thought-provoking interactive panel discussions where audience members will be invited to join industry experts and film creatives and contribute to the conversation.
There’s also a series of family-friendly events just in time for October half term: take the kids along to an arts and crafts drop-in workshop, or enjoy a mini-musical Storytime audio play together at home or on the go.
HOME is shining the spotlight on ground-breaking Black artists working in a huge range of formats across the North West and beyond.
The season’s specially curated film programme explores non-traumatic Black experiences on screen, celebrating Black joy, love, and light within the Black narrative.
Catch award-winning Aretha Franklin documentary Amazing Grace (2018) on the big screen, or discover Melvin Van Peeble’s stark and intimate exploration of the double life of a black soldier in the U.S. Army in The Story of a Three Day Pass (1967).
Visual art lover? Head over to HOME’s Inspire Gallery for a brand new textiles exhibition and a newly commissioned mural reflecting on the strength of Manchester and its people.
HOME Sound Sessions will round off the year with an eclectic musical extravaganza in December, featuring soul singer Yemi Bolatiwa, SheBeKeke, and Manchester-based alternative soul and pop artist Zahyón.
We’ve picked out some must-sees of HOME’s Black History Month season.
This filmed performance invites you to join Fehinti Balogun on a journey into the world of environmental activism as he explores the place where the climate emergency and social justice meet.
Can I Live? combines original hip-hop and spoken word to present an uplifting and energising call-to-arms.
This interactive panel discussion invites you to join industry experts and film creatives to investigate the question: What does it mean to redefine the Black narrative through film?
The panel will highlight essential conversations about Black experiences that challenge the expectations of trauma on screen, discussing uplifting cinematic moments, pride and culture.
Visit HOME for an evening of celebration and good vibes as three Black artists from across the North West take centre stage to perform back-to-back performances. London-born soul singer Yemi Bolatiwa is a frequent face of Manchester’s live music scene. As a live act, she writes and performs tracks with RnB melodies, deep soulful vox over Hip-hop, DnB & Garage inspired grooves. SheBeKeke likes to turn her poems into songs. Not all words can live on the page. She has supported artists such as Kae Tempest, The Last Poets, Saul Williams and OSHUN. Her work has been presented at high profile venues and platforms such as Tate Modern, Blue Dot Festival and Glastonbury’s Rum Shack Stage. Meanwhile, Nigerian born, Manchester-based, alternative Soul & Pop artist Zahyón is a singer/songwriter and musician whose approach to music has already positioned him as ‘one to watch’ amongst music industry players.
HOME Comedy Club is back and proudly presenting the return of Manchester’s original premier Black comedy night. The brainchild of Trevor Dwyer-Lynch, actor, MC and comedian, Laff Til Ya Fart’s “A Night of Positive Laughter” presents comedy lovers with a stellar line-up from the UK’s Black comedy circuit. Annette Fagon, nominated as Best Newcomer at the 2006 Black Entertainment Comedy Awards. Vince Atta, creating on-the-spot musical entertainment with loop pedal and beatboxing, and Roger D, a regular performer at Jongleurs, The Glee and major comedy clubs throughout the UK. Clayton Jones, whose observational comedy covers everyday topics of marriage, kids, being mixed raced, school life and living in Wigan.
- Words:
- Rachel Kevern
- Published on:
- Tue 12 Oct 2021
A 1995 American romance film starring the likes of Whitney Houstan and Angela Bassett, Waiting to Exhale follows four female friends as they navigate careers, family and romance.
Forest Whittaker’s adaptation of Terry McMillian’s best-selling novel explores the ups and downs of life from the perspective of African-American women with warmth and humour.