Black History Month has been celebrated in the UK for 30 years and marks the achievements of black communities through arts and cultural activities. As a part of our contribution, The Drum has an exciting agenda of performances that are not to be missed.
The Drum kicks starts the month with the profound play Streets Paved with Gold, Thu 2 Oct, 7.30pm. Taking you on a journey into the life of the character Augustus Cleveland Johnson, who arrived in London in 1948, Streets Paved with Gold is a one-man show that explores themes of hope, identity and change. Celebrating the 60th anniversary of The Empire Windrush, the play weaves together thrilling and informative pictures of those that plunged themselves into a place of new beginnings full of threats and promises.
Legendary saxophonist Andy Hamilton will also be gracing The Drum’s stage on Sun 28 Sep, Sun 26 Oct, Sun 30 Nov, Sun 14 Dec, 1pm. The performance on Sun 26 Oct, features Andy performing a very special session to celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Empire Windrush’s arrival on British shores.
As Oct is Nigerian Independence Day, The Drum will be showcasing local artists and organisations from the Nigerian community, on Sat 4 Oct, 12-9pm. The day will feature a range of events and activities including information stalls, art workshops, a children’s corner, Nigerian question time, a premier Nollywood film screening called Irapada (Redemption) and a post-show discussion with director and co-producer Kunle Afolayan.
Another special treat comes in the form of Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Sat 4 Oct. When it comes to afrobeat, expectations are high when your last name is Kuti. With the grace, energy and strength of his father, Seun Kuti leads the legendary Fela Kuti’s band, Egypt 80 on stage. Representing the most original incarnation of afrobeat today, the talented Seun Kuti, with the original line up of Egypt 80, will pay tribute to his father’s legacy and perform tracks from his debut album Many Things. With soulful voices, solid brass section and incomparable African percussion groove expect a high-energy, spectacular show. Newstyles’s DJ Ade kicks off the night with his lively energetic sounds.
To round off the celebrations, The Drum welcomes The Maharajah and the Kohinoor, Wed 15 Oct, 1pm & 7.30pm. Charting one of the most illustrious episodes in British history The Maharajah and the Kohinoor is a touching tale of love and loyalty. The play follows the story of Duleep Singh, Maharajah of Lahore and King of the Sikh Empire, who was deposed at the age of eleven and sent to England.
Separated from his mother, he arrived on the shores of England and was immediately adopted by Queen Victoria. Encouraged by her majesty, Duleep Singh established solid relationships with the Royal family over the years. However, injustices and insincere intentions eventually drove him into the throws of exploitative meddlers who offered allegiances but left him isolated. He dies penniless and alone in a desolate hotel in Paris in 1983.
Accompanied by a workshop and discussion for young people
The Drum also has profound exhibition entitled Soon Come by artist Anne Marie
Salmon, Mon 6 Oct- Fri 31 Oct, artist talk Fri 17 Oct, 7pm. Soon Come is a
photography exhibition that celebrates the passengers of The Empire Windrush who
helped pave their way for the steady stream of Caribbean migrants that followed.
Following on from the hugely successful show Sweet Tooth, Rivers to Cross, Thu 23 Oct, 7.30pm, will take you on a multimedia journey throughout history into Colonialism and Empire, segregation and the Civil Rights Movement, the arrival of Windrush and more.
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