Join us to celebrate the launch of Black History Month and a wonderful line up of Black artists across artforms from music and poetry to textile art and dance. It is an opportunity to showcase emerging talent and celebrate trailblazers who have paved the way and are deserving of wider recognition.
Jada O’Neill is a budding singer/songwriter originally from Barbados and raised in Antigua and Barbuda. O’Neill shapes soulful melodies inspired by her Caribbean heritage and influenced by greats such as Nina Simoneand Amy Winehouse.
Kelis Darko, an emerging textile designer specialising in fashion print, 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 graduated from both Fontys Dance Academy and Northern School of Contemporary Dance in 2017. Aïda worked and performed with Tom Dale Company, Tribe Dance Company, Gecko Dance Company, Seke Chimutengwende, Vocab Dance Company, Alesandra Seutin and many others. Alongside dancing, Aïda writes poetry and spoken word and 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.