HOME announces the programme for this year’s Black History Month, celebrating Black artistic brilliance and talent across film, theatre, art, music and comedy.
This year’s programme, taking place throughout October, invites you to explore ground-breaking Black artists working in the North-West and beyond.
HOME Sound Sessions kicks off the programme with an intimate night of live music on Sat 1 Oct, and Sat 8 Oct, HOME Comedy Night presents Laff Til Ya Fart which features headliners Tez Ilyas and Dane Baptiste plus other talent from the UK Black Comedy circuit. For craft lovers and fans of a makers market, Melanin Markets Manchester arrives at HOME for the first time.
In cinema, HOME celebrates Black British filmmaking talent on screen and behind the camera, including director and writer Menelik Shabazz and actor Norman Beaton. Visual art lovers can enjoy our new window commission City of Colour by illustrator Danielle Rhoda and explore the colourful works by Venessa Scott in her first solo exhibition at HOME in our Granada Galleries.
Throughout October, you can also get an insight into the careers and backgrounds of Black creatives and artists working in the industry today with HOME’s online series Black Creatives: In Conversation.
During October half-term, families can enjoy HOME’s new Storytime Sessions – When Animals Could Talk by Ruth Awolola, online via Homescreen. Plus, we’ll be hosting free storytime workshops in Manchester libraries.
Sekeenat Karim, Project Producer for HOME, had this to say about the programme: Our Black History Month programme is about finding new and exciting ways to celebrate Black Arts and Culture at HOME. We have pulled together a programme of activity that highlights diverse stories, engages with audiences of all ages, but most importantly celebrates Black artists, Black led creativity and diverse community in Manchester, the North-West and beyond. We use our platforms across Film, Theatre and Visual Art to support innovative talent and give centre stage to artistic brilliance, with an aim to continue working with and uplifting Black artistry and voices across the year.
We invite audiences to explore, interact and be part of our carefully crafted programme and hope it serves as a powerful reminder of the exceptional talent that can often be overlooked in the mainstream arts industry.
