Monday 4, Wednesday 6 & Thursday 7 September 2017
Film: Hotel Salvation – Picturehouse Central, London
“…this affecting comedy-drama from debut feature director and co-writer Shubhashish Bhutiani. Rajiv (Hussain, Life Of Pi) is a stressed-out accountant obliged to journey to the holy city of Varanasi with his sprightly 77-year-old father Daya, who is determined to spend his final days there. The enforced intimacy of the city’s teaming alleyways and their cramped hotel room brings father and son closer together, and at the eponymous hotel where he hopes to die, Daya instead finds a new lease of life. Much of the gentle if edifying humour in this tender tale of life and relationships revolves around Daya’s acceptance of impending death and Rajiv’s anxiety to get it over with and get back to work.”
Find out more here
Tuesday 5 September 2017
Partition: Women’s Voices Exhibition Launch by Culture Studios CIC and Aik Saath – Together as One, London
“Seventy years on from the birth of India and Pakistan, young people in Slough have been interviewing women that lived through the violence of Partition to preserve their memories and strengthen the bond between us for future generations. The exhibition launch will feature opportunities to hear from the young volunteers at the heart of this project, local women leaders, artists and special guests.”
Find out more here
Thursday 7 September 2017 – Thursday 30 November 2017
Exhibition: To Honour a Great and Good Man – Newcastle University
“The story of Dr Martin Luther King’s award of an honorary degree from Newcastle University. Drawing on material from the archives of Newcastle University’s Special Collections, this exhibition will tell the story of Dr King’s visit to Newcastle. It will look at what led to his nomination for an honorary degree, the communications and preparations building up to the visit and what happened on the day itself, as well as the aftermath and legacy of Dr King’s visit.”
Find out more here
Read the Guardian Review here
Thursday 7 September 2017 – Saturday 9 September 2017
Musical: Ishq – Sadler’s Wells, London
“Ishq is London’s first ever Anglo Punjabi Sufi musical, brought to the stage by Serendip Productions, an international award winning company from Pakistan. The legend of Heer Ranjha tells the story of a romance that created a revolutionary uproar, as one woman challenged a patriarchal society and shook it to its foundations. Using Punjabi colloquium and set against the beautiful backdrops of the Punjab, ‘Ishq’ combines classical and modern dance with a unique blend of poetry and fusion music. One of the most famous romantic folk legends of the East is brought to life through multimedia, special effects, stunning dances and original music supported by a live choir.”
Find out more here
Until Saturday 9 September 2017
Theatre: The Suitcase – Hull Truck Theatre, Hull
Adapted and Directed by James Ngcobo from a short story by Es’kia Mphahlele
Featuring Live Music composed and written by Hugh Masekela
“It’s 1950s South Africa. A young, newly married couple leave their rural village and disapproving family, for the city of Durban. Their goal to return home, rich and free. But, alienated in the city, unemployed and poor, Timi starts to lose his moral compass. Desperate to provide for his pregnant wife he steals a suitcase left on a bus not knowing what might be inside; an act which brings frightening consequences, dramatic twists and unexpected turns.”
Find out more here
Sunday 10 September 2017
Film: The Clay Bird – Picturehouse Central, London
“Set in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), The Clay Bird is a tale of a young boy sent to a madrasa by his devout father, as his small-town family comes to terms with issues of religious and cultural identity. It won the FIPRESCI prize at Cannes.”
Find out more here
Sunday 10 September 2017
Exhibition: The Place is Here – South London Gallery, London
“The exhibition presents work by over 20 black artists and collectives working in 1980s Britain. Shown at the South London Gallery the exhibition spans painting, film, photography and archival material from this pivotal decade in British culture and politics.”
Find out more here
Until Sunday 10 September 2017
Exhibition: Arthur Jafa – A Series of Utterly Improbable, Yet Extraordinary Renditions – Serpentine Sackler Gallery, London
“Jafa’s work is driven by a recurrent question: how might one identify and develop a specifically Black visual aesthetics equal to the ‘power, beauty and alienation’ of Black music in US culture?”
Find out more here
Black Europe Resources 