What's on for Black History Month in Edinburgh and Glasgow
A round-up of the best theatre, music and talks in celebration of Black History Month 2019 in Scotland
Think Scottish history is all about old white folk? Think again. This Black History Month, a range of community and cultural organisations are staging events across Edinburgh and Glasgow to challenge the institutional prejudices and gaps in the public record that have led to the erasure of BAME experiences in Scotland. And in these troubling times, it's arguably more vital than ever to challenge our preconceptions, but also honour the endurance, sacrifice and achievements of these individuals and communities that paved the way for a more equal, compassionate society. Here's some of our top picks of events taking place in the forthcoming month.
The Drift
Hannah Lavery delivers a powerful spoken word performance that exposes accepted notions around Scottish history and identity, through an autobiographical exploration of Lavery's experiences of growing up mixed-race in Scotland.
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 10 October, £15 (£5–£12; students £10).
Grin
Dance and performance collective V/DA stage this physical challenge to the hyper-sexualisation of African and Caribbean dance, fusing dazzling light, costuming and choreography to a pulsating soundscore. The duet will be performed by Divine Tasinda and Kemono L.Riot, choreographed by Mele Broomes (VOID).
Tramway, Glasgow, Fri 11 – Sat 12 October, £12 (£10).
SQIFF
The Scottish Queer International Film Festival screen three features showcasing diverse facets of Black identity. Fabulous and Father Figure (Thu 3 Oct) explore ballroom culture in contemporary Europe, foregrounding the vital importance of the QTIPOC community in this thriving cultural scene. Portrait of Jason (Tue 15 Oct) sees sex worker and entertainer Jason Holliday tell his life story to filmmaker Shirley Clarke, while Calalai: In Betweenness (Tue 22 Oct) depicts the culture of South Sulawesi Bugis, who believe humankind have five different gender expressions.
CCA, Glasgow, Thu 3, Tue 15, Tue 22 Oct, free.
Black Abolitionists in Scotland
Professor Celeste-Marie Bernier from the University of Edinburgh discusses the presence of African-American abolitionists Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Josiah Henson, Sarah Parker Remond and Frederick Douglass in Scotland, followed by a screening of the documentary Strike for Freedom: Frederick Douglass in Scotland.
CCA, Glasgow, Thu 10 Oct, £6.
Sing Sistah Sing!
Celebrated mezzo-soprano Andrea Baker pays homage to the voices and histories of African-American women artists throughout history and their role in the civil rights movement, such as Leontyne Price, Marian Anderson, Donna Summer, Nina Simone and the great Billie Holiday.
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow, Fri 25 Oct, £10.50 (£5–£8.50).
Mitchell Curious: Revisiting the 'Old Country Houses of the Old Glasgow Gentry'
View history in a new light at this exhibit, which re-frames Thomas Annan's 1870 photography collection of 100 mansion houses belonging to the 'old Glasgow gentry' in the context of these owners' connection to the slave trade. This exhibition will feature the photographs alongside documentary evidence.
Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Mon 21 Oct, free.
Shakara: Time to Move
Showcase of spoken word, live music and DJ sets from people of colour living in Glasgow, asserting their take on what it means to be a Black Scot.
GoMA, Thu 24 Oct, free.
Barber Shop Chronicles
Inua Ellams' play explores the vibrant communities of men who barber shops in London, Johannesburg, Harare, Kampala, Lagos and Accra, foregrounding the stories and relationships that are forged in this environment.
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Wed 23 Oct–Sat 9 Nov, £14–£33.
Edinburgh and Black History
Talk exploring the long history of African, Asian and mixed-race people in Scotland's capital, spanning from the 16th century to the present day. Learn about the Africans who enjoyed high status in the Royal Court and the foundation of the Indian Association of Edinburgh in 1883, which remains active to this day.
Longmore House, Edinburgh, Wed 16 Oct, free.
Edinburgh Caribbean Association Walking Tour
Lisa Williams of the Edinburgh Caribbean Association leads this walking tour through Edinburgh's Old and New Towns, highlighting its historic connections to Asia, Africa and the Caribbean through the city's many majestic edifices and statues.
St Andrews Square, Sun 6, Sun 13, Sun 20, Sun 27 Oct, free.