Black History Month is a time to both celebrate and learn about black history and culture. In Greater Manchester, we’re privileged to have a wealth of African and Caribbean communities. October is an opportunity to celebrate their fundamental roles through everything from workshops, live music, comedy, food and more.
This year’s theme is Reclaiming Narratives, which aims to shine a light on black stories through history.
Here are some of the best events coming up this month…
Reimagining Black History Month with Gary Younge at Central Library
Writer, broadcaster and journalist Gary Younge will be joined by Manchester youth group the 8% Club for this discussion and Q&A session on how we can rethink the idea of Black History Month, as well as the launch of a new Black History Manifesto, organised by the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre.
Black Creative Trailblazers at Aviva Studios
Black Creative Trailblazers present their annual showcase at Aviva Studios in October. Taking place during Black History Month, guests can expect dynamic performances by Black musicians, poets and dancers, as well as fashion shows by independent designers and an art exhibition showcasing work by Black artists. The show will respond to this year’s theme of Black Resistance. Black Creative Trailblazers serves as a launchpad for emerging talent, with past participants featuring in London Fashion Week, Glastonbury and Netflix productions. The showcase highlights the exceptional contributions of Black artists, offering them significant exposure and opportunities for career advancement.
Studio88MCR Presents: #NxtUpMCR Vol. XV at Off The Square
Studio 88 present the final quarter of showcases in their #NxtUpMCR series, highlighting the best of upcoming artists from Rap, RnB and Afrobeats. Head down to Off The Square in Northern Quarter for live performances by Taylee, Official H, TRXXY, YR, Tr1zzy and Myah LASHANTAI, Arthur Junior and suprise guests. The event is also an opportunity to connect and meet like minded creatives, where you will find artists, music producers, media creatives, PR, radio and more.
Jenn Nkiru presents The Great North at Aviva Studios
British artist and filmmaker Jenn Nkiru will premiere her new film The Great North at Aviva Studios, part of Factory International’s celebration of Black History Month. Taking Manchester’s industrial history as a starting point, the film moves through the city’s Black communities and spaces – from living rooms in Moss Side to social clubs and community centres in Hulme. It is the story of Manchester told through its Black, Asian and Irish communities, spanning outwards to the North of England and the rest of the world.
Reel Talk – Rye Lane screening at Ducie Street Warehouse
The Reel Talk series is curated by Manchester-based organisation Mindseta, which champions cultural transformation, and will be presenting a series of film screenings at Ducie Street Warehouse’s Mini-Cini space to mark Black History Month. The first will be the award-winning romantic comedy Rye Lane from director Raine Allen-Miller, starring David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah as two strangers who have a chance encounter, after having both been through recent breakups. They spend the day getting to know each other to a backdrop of South East London.
Slave: A Question of Freedom at The Lowry
Slave: A Question of Freedom, the award-winning play that tells the inspirational life story of Mende Nazer, comes to The Lowry in October. Set in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan and London, the production explores her joyful childhood, and subsequent enslavement, told through music and dance. It celebrates Mende’s indomitable spirit, the beauty of the ancient Nuba culture, and the horror of trafficking and modern slavery.
Black History Month Quiz Night with Afrosocial at On The Hush
On The Hush host Afrosocial, a Black creative and professional community, where freelancers and working professionals are invited to meet and build connections. This October, they’re hosting a very special Black History Month quiz, so you can test your knowledge on various topics with fellow professionals and creatives in the city.
AMC Gospel Choir at Aviva Studios
Based across Manchester and Birmingham, the award-winning AMC Gospel Choir formed in 1993 and is one of the UK’s top live-performance gospel choirs, having performed with the Manchester Camerata and Hacienda Classical. Expect soundscapes that tingle the body and warm the heart as well as inspiring solos and musical arrangements – all organised by the director and members of the choir.
Lauryn Hill at Co-op Live
Among the most talented singers, songwriters and rappers of her generation Lauryn Hill will be coming to Co-op Live in October, joining forces once again with the legendary Fugees. Responsible for one of the greatest soul albums of all time, Grammy-trawling The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill blew minds on its release in 1998 and continues to blow minds today, with tracks like Doo Wop (That Thing), Ex-Factor and Everything Is Everything still on regular rotation. As The Fugees, with Wyclef Jean and Pras, they released The Score in 1996, an album which went seven times platinum and even now is one of the most-streamed hip hop albums of all time.
Reel Talk – The Color Purple screening at Ducie Street Warehouse
The Reel Talk series continues, curated by Manchester-based organisation Mindseta, a Manchester-based organisation championing cultural transformation, each film is created by or features Black and POC actors and directors, designed to spark thoughts and meaningful conversations this Black History Month. The second film screening at Ducie Street Warehouse’s Mini-Cini space will be director Blitz Bazawule’s award-winning 2023 adaptation of Alice Walker’s pivotal The Color Purple, starring Fantasia Barrino and Taraji P. Henson.
The Audacity Leader at Aviva Studios
Join Simeilia Hodge-Dallaway, author of the powerful new book Decolonizing the Theatre Space: A Conversation, for an on-stage discussion with playwright Keisha Thompson (Contact Theatre) about how black leaders are transforming the arts sector in the UK and across the globe. Discover how visionary Black leaders are revolutionising the arts landscape, both in the UK and around the world. Hodge-Dallaway and Thompson will delve into the book’s exploration of transformation, representation and equity in the theatre, offering hope and inspiration for a more inclusive future.
50:50 Parliament Amplifying Muted Voices – Painting and Politics at The Portico Library
Join the team at The Portico Library for a fun evening of painting and political discussions, amplifying voices that are often overlooked in Parliament. Part of the Ubuntu Festival of Events for Black History Month, the workshop will explore the intersection of women of colour in politics while painting and being creative. Get ready for a thought-provoking discussion and some amazing artwork.
Street Symphony x Afrosounds at Aviva Studios
The latest Street Symphony event at Aviva will be hosted by Tilly Tilz and Rachel from youth radio project Pie Radio. Expect a night filled with rhythm, words and community spirit as they showcase the best local talent in the realms of music, poetry and spoken word featuring MusiqByChina, Shakquille Millington, 1stly and Kike Ade. Afterwards, there’ll be DJ set from Manchester favourite DJ Kemoy B.
COBO: Comedy Shutdown Black History Month Special at The Frog & Bucket
COBO Comedy Shutdown present their Black History Month special at The Frog & Bucket. Expect an evening of laughter and celebration with a stellar line up of acts including Prince Abdi, Limahl Germain, Kat B and Kyrah Gray. You can catch them at the Northern Quarter venue on Sunday 20 October 2024.
Qudus Onikeiku Re:INCARNATION at The Lowry
Nigeria’s celebrated QDance Company bring their production Re:INCARNATION to the stage at The Lowry this October. Paying homage to the wealth of Nigerian music, the show draws on Afrobeats, born of a cocktail of jazz, soul, funk, and traditional African music. 10 young dancers and two musicians perform the cycle of life with explosive energy, marked by the urban chaos of the Nigerian city of Lagos.
Reel Talk – Blue Story screening at Ducie Street Warehouse
The Reel Talk series continues, curated by Mindseta, a Manchester-based organisation championing cultural transformation. Each film is created by or features Black and POC actors and directors, and is designed to spark thoughts and meaningful conversations during Black History Month. The third film screening at Ducie Street Warehouse’s Mini-Cini space will be 2019’s Blue Story, which follows best friends Marco and Timmy, whose friendship is shattered in the wake of London’s postcode gang wars.
7th Annual Black History Month Celebration at Rochdale Town Hall
Head down to Rochdale Town Hall for the 7th annual Black History Month celebration on Thursday 24 October. This year’s theme is Reclaiming Narratives, which is aimed at sharing the stories of Black history and culture while honouring and celebrating the rich heritage and contributions of the black community in the region. This year’s event highlights include live music and dance performances, fun games and food to enjoy, as well as drama and spoken word sessions. There will also be a raffle draw and face painting to get involved with, perfect for all the family.
Walter Rodney: What They Don’t Want You To Know Screening at Working Class Movement Library
The Working Class Movement Library will host a documentary screening to mark Black History Month. The film will explore the life of historian and activist Walter Rodney, who was assassinated in 1980 at the age of 38. Discover the links between past struggles and today’s policing, surveillance, and social movements in a film that covers Cold War conspiracies, Black Power and Rodney’s murder in Georgetown, Guyana.
Black History Month Open Archive Day at Working Class Movement Library
The Working Class Movement Library in Salford opens its doors in celebration of Black History Month, giving visitors the opportunity to explore their archival collection on black radical history. There is also the chance to see their International Solidarity Poster Exhibition.
Black Coffee at The Warehouse Project
The legendary Black Coffee, undisputed king of South Africa’s dominating house music scene, returns to The Warehouse Project in October after his debut set last year. Playing his only UK show outside of London, he’ll lead the charge at the main Depot stage, where he will be joined by grime icon Skepta, who will bring his Más Tiempo show to Manchester. Deep house originator Kerri ‘Kaoz’ Chandler and South African DJ and producer Desiree complete the Depot stage line-up, whilst the unique 360° booth at the Concourse is set to welcome the fabulous Jayda G alongside TSHA, Themba, William Djoko and Krysko. Meanwhile, under the arches of the Archive, Jaimiie, Airrica and FKA Mash will take to the controls, while able support comes from Mix Stress and WHP’s venerable resident Krysko.
Gwafuvegan x Eat Well Supper Club at Kampus
Gwaufegen is teaming up with Eat Well MCR for a flavour-packed plant-based supper club celebrating Cameroonian cuisine. Part of the Eat Well, Do Good festival, founder and chef at Gwafuvegan Ngwafu is pulling out all the stops for her biggest supper club yet. The menu will showcase West African flavours using the best of British seasonal produce. Guests will experience natures honey from pine cones Ngwafu foraged and fermented over months to a home fermented vegan crème fresh. This is plant based cooking elevated, putting the planet first without sacrificing on flavour.
Reel Talk – Babymother screening at Ducie Street Warehouse
The Reel Talk series continues, curated by Mindseta, a Manchester-based organisation championing cultural transformation. Each film is created by or features Black and POC actors and directors, and is designed to spark thoughts and meaningful conversations during Black History Month. The fourth and final film screening at Ducie Street Warehouse’s Mini-Cini space is the 1998 musical comedy drama Babymother, set in Harlesden, West London, and starring Anjela Lauren Smith as a single mother trying to make it in the dancehall scene, co-starring Wil Johnson, Jocelyn Jee Esien and Caroline Chikezie.
Black History Month: Adult Creative Writing Workshop at Urmston Library
Join the team at Urmston Library for an exciting adult creative writing workshop this October. Celebrate and explore the lives of influential Black figures from Trafford through storytelling and writing. Hosted by local organisation Mindseta, the adult workshop is the perfect opportunity to craft, create and connect with local history.
