11 London events celebrating Black History Month in October 2023
Black History Month commemorates the diverse and vibrant history, arts, and culture of the black community. Taking place throughout October, this month-long celebration seeks to educate and inspire by showcasing the significant contributions of Black creatives. Below, we present our curated selection of arts and culture events taking place in London during Black History Month.
Rhythm in Resilience Festival
Image: The Royal Ballet is hosting "Rhythm in Resilience" for Black History Month. Photo by Budgeron Bach.
#FLODown: The Royal Ballet is hosting Rhythm in Resilience for Black History Month, curated by Joseph Toonga, their Emerging Choreographer. This festival celebrates Black and Brown excellence within the Royal Ballet by showcasing their stories and contributions through various platforms and discussions. It aims to explore opportunities for enhancing diversity within the Royal Ballet and the broader ballet sector. The festival features events like Ballet and the Black Experience highlighting diversity in dance, and Live at Lunch: Black British Ballet Project, presenting Island Movements that narrates the Windrush story and its impact on the current generation.
Date: 5–27 October 2023. Website: roh.org.uk.
Armet Francis: Beyond The Black Triangle
Image: From the series Lambeth and Brixton Tube 1994
#FLODown: Armet Francis: Beyond the Black Triangle showcases the photography of Armet Francis, a Jamaican-British artist dedicated to capturing the African diaspora's essence for over four decades. Francis, who migrated from Jamaica to Britain as a child and felt culturally disconnected, turned to photography to bridge the gap and embrace the diverse Pan-African world. His 'Black Triangle' concept guides his work, encapsulating diasporic experiences across Africa, the Americas, and Europe. Through projects like fashion shoots in Brixton Market and portraits of Empire Windrush passengers, Francis sheds light on proud and radical individuality within British history. This exhibition is part of Autograph's yearlong celebration, underlining their commitment to preserving the legacies of influential practitioners like Francis, who have significantly shaped British historical narratives.
Date: until 20 January 2024. Location: Autograph, Rivington Place, London EC2A 3BA. Price: Free. Website: autograph.org.uk.
Click here to discover more exhibitions in London celebrating Black artists.
Chineke! Orchestra: Haydn, Bologne, Beethoven
Image: Chineke! Orchestra cellos and basses © Eduardus Lee
#FLODown: Chineke!, a pioneering all-black and minority ethnic orchestra in Britain, invites you on a mesmerising musical odyssey through pre- and post-revolutionary Paris. Experience the brilliance of Haydn's "La Reine" Symphony, Bologne's virtuosic violin concerto, and Beethoven's transformative Eroica Symphony. This program is a testament to their dedication in promoting diversity within classical music, featuring renowned as well as underrepresented composers.
Date: 15 October 2023. Time: 7.30pm Location: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Price: £15 – £40. Book now.
The Night Women
Image: Julene Robinson, The Night Woman, photogtaoher Chadley Larnelle
#FLODown: The Night Woman by Julene Robinson is a powerful play exploring Black womanhood, self-love, and the resilience found in darkness. Inspired by Robinson's grandmother's struggles in post-colonial Jamaica due to her African spiritual beliefs, the play reminds us that love and resistance can thrive even in challenging times. Through dance, singing, and live music, it portrays the strength of three women across generations. Robinson, a UK-based artist with a focus on identity and heritage, developed the play as part of the Barbican Open Lab programme.
Date: 19 - 21 October 2023. Location: The Pit, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: from £18. Concessions available. Book now.
The Black British Book Festival
Image: Black Book Festival. Photo by Toyin Dawudu
#FLODown: The Black British Book Festival extends its reach beyond Birmingham by collaborating with the Southbank Centre for the first time. The festival starts with a memoir launch by Leigh-Anne Pinnock, setting the stage for a vibrant day-long celebration of Black British authors at the London Literature Festival. The following day is filled with powerful voices and diverse stories, featuring talks on the accomplishments of Black leaders in the media industry and discussions about rewriting the narrative of Black British culture.
Date: 27-28 October 2023. Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX. Click here to discover all Black British Book Festival events.
Randall Goosby in Recital
Image: Randall Goosby. Photo by Kaupo Kikkas.
#FLODown: Experience an excellent program of music by Black composers and their contemporaries, performed by violinist Randall Goosby and pianist Zhu Wang. The concert features works by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Dvořák, William Grant Still, Florence Price, and concludes with Richard Strauss's romantic Violin Sonata. Goosby's mission to highlight underrepresented composers makes this a must-see event.
Date: 13 October 2023. Time: 7.30pm Location: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Price: £15 – £52.50. Book now.
Here & Now
Image: Àsìkò, Untitled , Iya series. Courtesy the artist and Alternative Arts.
#FLODown: Alternative Arts presents Here & Now, showcasing the works of Black British photographers. The exhibition highlights perspectives on African and Caribbean culture, portraying social celebrations of black history and identity. Curated by Sarah Ainslie and Maggie Pinhorn, the exhibition includes impactful portraits, culinary tributes, and scenes reflecting African and Caribbean heritage. Artists such as Àsìkò, Olufemi Olaiya, and Tanesha Lewis contribute distinct series celebrating motherhood, honouring African soldiers' legacy, and exploring individual identity through fashion and self-narrative. The exhibition invites visitors to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of black culture and history.
Date: 6 - 28 October 2023. Location: Brady Arts Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street, London E1 5HU. Price: Free. Website: towerhamlets.gov.uk
Writing for the People: Black Joy Revisited
Image: Photo by Ketut Subiyanto.
#FLODown: A panel discussion centred on the theme of Black joy will feature contributors and special guests celebrating the young adult anthology ‘Black Joy,’ edited by Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff and Timi Sotire. The panel includes Timi Sotire, a writer and editor with expertise in music, pop culture, and politics, who co-edited the anthology. Joining her are Vanessa Kisuule, a writer and performer based in Bristol; Tobi Kyeremateng, a BAFTA-winning film and TV producer; and Roy McFarlane, a poet and playwright with Jamaican heritage. The panel will explore various approaches to writing Black-centric projects, highlighting the diversity and layers of Black joy.
Date: 21 October 2023. Time: Noon. Location: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Price: from £15. Book now.
The Museum of London Docklands
Image: Queen Nzinga Mbande By Achille Devéria, 1830s. via Wikimedia Commons. Olivette Otele in conversation.
#FLOLondon: The Museum of London Docklands is honouring Black History Month with two noteworthy events. On 13 October, a screening and Q&A session will feature Queen Nanny: Legendary Maroon Chieftainess, delving into the remarkable Nanny of the Maroons and her triumph over the British army in Jamaica.Furthermore, on 24 October, the engaging talk Olivette Otele in Conversation will explore the vital role of Black women in global resistance, abolition, and anti-colonial movements. This event aligns with the Black History Month theme 'Saluting Our Sisters,' showcasing Olivette Otele discussing stories of inspirational female revolutionaries.
Location: Museum of London Docklands, No1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL.Time: Both events will unfold from 6.30pm - 8pm. Price: both events ranges from £8-12. Website: museumoflondon.org.uk
Graceland Reimagined: London African Gospel Choir
Image: London African Gospel Choir: @thelagc
#FLODown: Experience the lively reinterpretation of Paul Simon's iconic Graceland album by the London African Gospel Choir at Alexandra Palace Theatre this October. Immerse yourself in beloved hits like Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes, The Boy In The Bubble, Homeless, and the chart-topping You Can Call Me Al. Don't miss the chance to witness the London African Gospel Choir after their sold-out triumphs across the UK, promising an uplifting musical experience!
Date: 6 October 2023. Time: 6.30pm. Location: Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY. Price: from £29.25. Book now.
Black History Month at Canary Wharf
Image: SI Martin
#FLODown: Canary Wharf is hosting various events throughout October to celebrate Black History Month, featuring talks and workshops by notable figures such as Afua Hirsch, Patrice Lawrence, and SI Martin. Highlights include a Karnival market on 5 October in Montgomery Square and SI Martin's talk on 12 October about the local impact of the 1919 race riots. Patrice Lawrence, a celebrated British writer and journalist, will host two workshops on 8 October and 28 October, aiming to inspire young creative minds. Afua Hirsch's new book, Decolonising My Body: A Radical Exploration of Rituals and Beauty, will be featured in Canary Wharf's Short Story Stations for six weeks. These events are part of Canary Wharf's ongoing commitment to cultural diversity and inclusive spaces.
Date: until 28 October 2023. Location: throughout Canary Wharf. Price: All events are free. Click here for more on events.