Serendipity is marking the beginning of Black History Month in Leicester with a wonderful lineup of Black artists across platforms from music and poetry to textile art and dance.
BHM will be an opportunity to showcase emerging talent and celebrate trailblazers who have paved the way. The four Black artists performing at the event are Jada O’Neill, Kelis Darko, Rose Aïda Sall Sao and Ty’rone Haughton.
Budding singer/songwriter Jada O’Neill is originally from Barbados and raised in Antigua and Barbuda. O’Neill shapes soulful melodies inspired by her Caribbean heritage. Her music style is influenced by great artists such as Nina Simone and Amy Winehouse.
An emerging textile designer specialising in fashion print is Kelis Darko. Darko takes her influences from an amalgamation of West African heritage and the young Black Brit subculture. Having just graduated from De Montfort University, Darko draws inspiration for her work from sculptural African hairstyles, textural plant forms and the abstract lines of Fauvism.
Rose Aïda Sall Sao has worked and performed with Tom Dale Company, Tribe Dance Company, Gecko Dance Company, Seke Chimutengwende, Vocab Dance Company and many others. Alongside her dancing, Sall Sao also writes poetry and spoken word. Her work will be an exploration combining her movement practice with her writing.
Ty’rone Haughton is a poet focusing on social observations, identity and vulnerabilities. He has performed across the UK on tour supporting artists such as Akala and John Berkavitch. Haughton’s international work has seen him produce writing retreats in The Gambia, Valencia and a European tour with a cohort of other British artists.
The BHM Live event takes place at the Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester on Saturday 1 October at 7 pm. Book your tickets now.
Black History Month is also being marked over at Curve, find out more about their programme of events in October.
