BLM Fest presents: Black Lives Matter Festival #WeMove, a three-day-only landmark cultural event.

BLM Fest presents: Black Lives Matter Festival #WeMove, a three-day-only landmark cultural event. Join a community of Black creators as they take over Somerset House to celebrate the Black experience through art, activism, education, sport, conversation, healing, and joy.

Established by dynamic artistic director and activist Kayza Rose, BLM Fest is expanding the narrative around Black Lives Matter by collaborating with a global network of Black voices, cultural producers and change makers to create a space for Black joy and expression.

Hosted by Back2Life with live sets from DJ’s Donch and Melody Kane throughout, Black Lives Matter Festival #WeMove features art, live performance, films curated by Minute Shorts, an exhibition by the renowned artist DYLEMA, a series of panel discussions and workshops from leading Black voices including Jacari W. Harris from the George Floyd Foundation, and a headline performance from Shaé Universe. BLM fest will act not only as a celebration but as a springboard for its future community commission; an initiative that will grow across the next 5 years to actively collaborate with Black artists and creators.

Black Lives Matter Festival #WeMove will run over three dates at Somerset House; October 1st and 2nd before returning for a final day on October 22nd .

Day One overview

October 1st 13:00- 21:30

Day one, hosted by Back2Life with DJ Donch, day one of the festival offers healing and expression through community-led workshops – from poetry and painting to movement and talks. Our panel discussion series is a point of reflection and activation, with talks from Rhiane of Black Girls Hike, Jacari W. Harris from the George Floyd Memorial Foundation through to Melz Owusu of Free Black Uni. Our headline exhibition spotlights British Nigerian illustrator Tinuke Fagborun, who celebrates diverse storytelling through colourful and optimistic artwork.

Day Two overview

October 2nd 14:00-22:30

Day two, hosted by Back2Life, presents a programme with a focus on moving image, a and live performance, with sets from DJ Donch throughout the day, a film programme curated by Minute Shorts, performances from a variety of celebrated artists across disciplines – the poet Keith Jarrett, and UK Grime artist Andella Shuggs to name a few – culminating in our headline act – globally acclaimed singer-songwriter Shaé Universe.