WELCOME TO BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2025
It is a pleasure to welcome you to Black History Month Leicester 2025. Now in its thirty-eighth year, Black History Month continues to provide a vital platform for reflection, recognition and celebration of the histories, achievements and cultural contributions of the African and African Caribbean Diaspora.
This year’s theme, Intersection: Diasporic Dialogues, explores the connections forged through shared struggles, cultural resistance and global movements for justice. It invites us to consider how Black identities are shaped across continents—through dialogue, memory and collective resilience.
2025 marks several key anniversaries: 40 years of Leicester Caribbean Carnival, 60 years since the Race Relations Act in the UK, 5 years since the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, and 200 years of diplomatic relations between Colombia and the UK.
These milestones remind us that Black history is dynamic, global and deeply rooted in the present.
This year’s programme brings together a rich and diverse mix of exhibitions, films, performances, talks, literature and community events. From the launch of Bridging Worlds by Igor Tavares and Reel Histories at Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage, to intergenerational showcases, international screenings and local heritage tours - there is something for everyone.
Black History Month remains an essential moment for Black voices to take centre stage, but it is also part of a wider, year-round commitment to amplify these voices and build a more inclusive cultural landscape.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to Black History Month Leicester 2025. Your support ensures that Black arts and heritage are not only celebrated but sustained.
Pawlet Brookes MBE CEO and Artistic Director Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Black History Month 2025 here in Leicester - a city proud of its diversity, creativity and commitment to inclusion. Each October, Black History Month provides an important opportunity to celebrate the contributions of African and African Caribbean communities to our shared history, culture and civic life.
This year’s theme, Intersection: Diasporic Dialogues, resonates strongly with Leicester’s global outlook and multicultural identity. As we mark significant anniversaries - 40 years of Leicester Caribbean Carnival, the introduction of the UK’s Race Relations Act 60 years ago, and the independence milestones of Zimbabwe, Gambia and Somalia - we are reminded that Black history is not confined to the past, but a living, evolving legacy shaping our present and future.
Across the month, a rich and diverse programme of exhibitions, theatre, talks, music, film and community events will offer space for reflection, learning and celebration. My thanks go to all the artists, organisations and community leaders who have worked so hard to bring this programme to life.
I encourage everyone, residents and visitors alike, to take part in Black History Month 2025 and continue to support Black voices in Leicester all year-round.
Sir Peter Soulsby City Mayor of Leicester
Black History Month Launch
Wednesday 1 October | 7.00pm
Studio Box and Corner Gallery, Serendipity £10 | £8 + £1 booking fee | £45 Reel Histories Pass
Presented by Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage
Celebrate the opening of Black History Month 2025 with an evening of powerful storytelling and reflection.
W: serendipity-uk.com
T: 0116 482 1394
E: info@serendipity-uk.com
EXHIBITION OPENING: IGOR TAVARES –BRIDGING WORLDS
In the Corner Gallery, artist Igor Tavares unveils a new body of work. Through the lens of his Guinea-Bissau heritage, Tavares follows in the footsteps of artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and David Hammons, positioning the canvas as not just a site for aesthetic exploration but a space to interrogate memory, colonial legacies and the visual language of resistance.
Image Credit: Still of Cathy Tyson in Lilian (2022). Brown Girl Films
SHORT FILM SCREENING AND IN CONVERSATION WITH CATHY TYSON
Join us for a screening of three short films exploring the Caribbean and Black British experience, followed by a live In Conversation with acclaimed BAFTA award-winning actress and director Cathy Tyson, discussing her creative career and directorial debut, Lilian.
Includes a complimentary beverage on arrival for Reel Histories Pass holders.
FEATURED FILMS:
THERE ALL ALONG
Dir. Keisha V Thompson | 34 mins
This film shares the untold story of women who participated in the Trinidad and Tobago Black Power Revolution. The presence, importance and impact of female participation in the events of 1970 is presented through the first person accounts of women revolutionaries, their male counterparts and scholars in the fields of sociology and gender.
RIOTS AND RUMOURS OF RIOTS
Dir. Imruh Caesar | 1981 | 34 mins | UK | English
The film explores the origins of radical Black consciousness in 1980s Britain by charting the experience of the preceding generation. Part essayistic meditation and part oral history, the film layers audio-visual archive material with recorded testimony.
LILIAN
Dir. Cathy Tyson | 2022 | 15 mins | UK | English
A sensitive portrait of Lilian Bader, one of the first Black women to join the Royal Air Force, in this a poignant directorial debut by Cathy Tyson. The story picks up fifteen years after the Second World War and is a bittersweet reflection on life as a Black British woman in the mid-twentieth century. Lilian was the winner of the Grand Prize for Best Screenplay at the Flickers Rhode Island Film Festival in 2022.
Exhibition
ARTIST OF THE SEASON: IGOR TAVARES –BRIDGING WORLDS
Throughout October Monday to Friday, 10.00am – 5.30pm Corner Gallery, Serendipity Free
Presented by Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage
In the Corner Gallery, Serendipity is proudly showcasing the vibrant creativity and cultural contributions of Black artists, honouring the rich heritage of the African and African Caribbean Diaspora. Artist Igor Tavares unveils a new body of work that interrogates memory, colonial legacies and the visual language of resistance. Igor Tavares’ work will be available to purchase throughout the exhibition.
W: serendipity-uk.com
T: 0116 482 1394
E: info@serendipity-uk.com
History and Heritage
40 YEARS OF LEICESTER CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL
Thursday 30 October | 7.00pm Studio Box, Serendipity Pay What You Can
Presented by Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage
LEICESTER BLACK HISTORY BUS TOUR
Saturday 25 October | 12.00pm – 5.00pm African Caribbean Centre
£20
Presented by Opal22
Hop aboard Opal22’s iconic red double-decker for an unforgettable journey through Leicester’s rich Black history. Back by popular demand for Black History Month 2025, this much-loved tour takes you through the city, revealing powerful stories, hidden histories and landmarks that have shaped the local Black community.
Spaces are limited, so book your tickets now and secure your seat on this moving experience!
W: opal22.co.uk
E: info@opal22.co.uk
Leicester Caribbean Carnival was founded in 1985 to promote togetherness and integration for everyone in Leicester, in the wake of civil unrest. This event will feature the premiere of a new documentary and publication to celebrate 40 years of the Leicester Caribbean Carnival. Poetry, interviews and archive materials celebrate the joy and creativity of the Caribbean Carnival as intangible cultural heritage alongside its continued relevance as a site of socio-political commentary and the struggle for emancipation.
W: serendipity-uk.com
T: 0116 482 1394
E: info@serendipity-uk.com
SEARCHING FOR MY SLAVE ROOTS – FROM GUYANA’S SUGAR PLANTATIONS TO CAMBRIDGE
Wednesday 8 October | 7.00pm
Leicester Central Library
£5 | £3
Presented by Leicester Libraries
Malik Al Nasir, author and poet, will be delivering a talk based on his book, Searching for My Slave Roots. The talk will be followed by a Q&A and there will also be the opportunity to purchase the publication.
W: tinyurl.com/mr6drhc5
T: 0116 454 0290
E: central-library@leicester.gov.uk
BRITAIN REWRITTEN: DECOLONISING THE ARCHIVE WITH ROBERT BECKFORD AND EMMA DABIRI
Thursday 16 October | 3.00pm
University of Leicester
£30
Presented by Opal22
Britain Rewritten brings Robert Beckford and Emma Dabiri to Leicester for a powerful exploration of colonial legacies in archives and museums. Opal22 are working alongside Leicester’s cultural and heritage institutions to bring you this thought provoking event. Through keynote talks and an interactive panel with industry experts, the event asks: whose stories are preserved, whose are silenced, and how can we build inclusive, community-led histories?
W: opal22.co.uk
E: info@opal22.co.uk
Image Credit: Robert Beckford
CRACKING THE WILLIE LYNCH
CODE PART 1: BREAKING THE CHAINS ON OUR BRAINS
Saturday 18 October | 5.00pm
African Caribbean Centre Free
Presented by X-ellent
Cracking The Willie Lynch Code is perhaps the world’s first seminar created to tackle a unique condition that many Black people unwittingly suffer from, which finds its origins in the infamous Willie Lynch publication entitled, Let Us Make a Slave - The Origin And Development Of A Social Being Called The Negro. This system offered enslavers the procedures of exactly how they could maintain control of Black people through an insidious process of psychological containment. In his speech in 1712 on the banks of the James River, Lynch proudly boasts that his method would, "…control the slaves for at least 300 years."
W: x-ellent.com
E: info@x-ellent.com
CRACKING THE WILLIE LYNCH CODE PART 2: WE ARE ONE!
Saturday 25 October | 5.00pm African Caribbean Centre Free
Presented by X-ellent
“Africans Versus Caribbeans”, often seen as a comical source of irreverence and entertainment, is another principle found in the works of William Lynch that encouraged the enslaved to focus on perceived differences – instead of obvious similarities. This attitude only perpetuated disunity, hostility and self-hatred in the minds and lives of those who consciously or unconsciously practiced it. The “we are one” community seminar will help us recognise the damage we continue to do to our communities with this practice – but, more importantly, how we can put an end to this intergenerational “curse” once and for all.
W: x-ellent.com
E: info@x-ellent.com
Film
REEL HISTORIES
1–29 October 2025
Studio Box, Serendipity
Tickets: £10 | £8 Concession + £1 Booking Fee Reel Histories Pass: £45*
Presented by Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage
Reel Histories is a bold and compelling film programme for Black History Month 2025 that amplifies the cinematic legacies of Black communities across the globe. From poetic reflections on the Windrush generation to revolutionary struggles in the Caribbean, South America and the UK, these films explore themes of resistance, visibility and identity. Reel Histories invites audiences to witness stories both hidden and heralded, as told through ground-breaking narrative, documentary and short film.
W: serendipity-uk.com
T: 0116 482 1394
E: info@serendipity-uk.com
* The Reel Histories Pass includes access to the BHM Official Launch, all screenings and in conversations within the Reel Histories programme and a complimentary beverage at each screening.
THE BLACK PANTHERS: VANGUARD OF THE REVOLUTION
Wednesday 8 October | 7.00pm
Director: Stanley Nelson Jr USA 2015, 115 mins
Language: English Genre: Documentary Certificate: 15
The first feature-length documentary to explore the Black Panther Party, its significance to the broader American culture, its political awakening for Black people and the lessons learnt since. The film weaves a treasure trove of rare archival footage with the diverse group of first-hand accounts: police, FBI informants, journalists, white supporters and detractors, and Black Panthers who remained loyal to the party and those who left it.
MARIGHELLA
Wednesday 15 October | 7.00pm
Director: Wagner Moura Brazil 2019, 2hrs 35mins
Language: Portuguese with English subtitles Genre: Drama and History Certificate: 18
This film charts the last five years in the life of Brazilian writer, politician and revolutionary Carlos Marighella (1911-1969), who resisted the military dictatorship and became a hunted enemy of the state. Part of the official selection for the Berlin, Stockholm and Seattle International Film Festivals, Marighella was initially barred from distribution in Brazil.
I AM CUBA (SOY CUBA)
Wednesday 22 October | 7.00pm
Director: Mikhail Kalatozov
Cuba/Soviet Union 1964, 2hrs 21mins
Language: Spanish with English subtitles
Genre: Drama and History
Certificate: PG
I Am Cuba is both a landmark of radical political cinema and a visual masterpiece. Four explosive vignettes capture Cuban life on the brink of transformation, as crushing economic exploitation and inequality give way to a working-class uprising. Suppressed as propaganda for decades, I Am Cuba is an essential watch for cinematic and political discourse.
PAULINE BLACK: A 2-TONE STORY
Wednesday 29 October | 7.00pm
Director: Jane Mingay
UK 2024, 92mins
Language: English
Genre: Documentary
Certificate: 15
Pauline Black, lead singer of 2-Tone band The Selecter, tells her extraordinary life story in the same frank manner that helped shape her as an iconic, era-defining female musician. Looking back at her own ground-breaking experience in this feature documentary, Black traces how her legacy came about and how it is relevant to the world today, especially when society pushes the boundaries of gender, politics, race and identity. The film screening will be followed by an In Conversation with Pauline Black, exploring her career, identity, activism and creative legacy.
INFECTIOUS: FILM SCREENING, LIVE PERFORMANCE AND Q&A
Saturday 11 October | 7.30pm
Attenborough Arts Centre Pay what you can
Presented by Taylormade Studios
Infectious: Mad About The Boy is an anthology of short films about the potential healing power of art, and Black Health Matters. Part one of this project, "Mad About The Boy", is a jazz soul poetry film about emotional wellbeing and sensually transmitted dependency in Diaspora which explores the question: "Who do they see when they see us?". The film features the musical artists Randolph Matthews, Lacey Adigwu and Caroline Archer. The screening will be followed by live performances and a Q&A with the director.
W: attenborougharts.com
T: 0116 252 2455
E: arts-centre@le.ac.uk
Image Credit: Production shot from Pauline Black: A 2-Tone Story
Image Credit: Still from Soy Cuba.
BLACK RESISTANCE AND POWER OF THE SUPERNATURAL
6 – 27 October
Phoenix
Presented by Phoenix
Inspired by Ryan Coogler’s sublime horror Sinners, Phoenix presents an intoxicating, compelling series of films which focus on multi-faceted, powerful narratives of Black Resistance: supernatural subjects of Black Southern Gothic, Vampires, and Hoodoo / Conjurer Root Medicine. These films acknowledge and highlight deep complex traumas whilst holding space for African Diaspora Ancestors and their enduring spiritual cultural legacies: knowledge and folklore which were handed down, offering various forms of healing and justice.
W: phoenix.org.uk
T: 0116 242 2800
DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST
Monday 6 October | 7.30pm
£5.50 - £10.50
Director: Julie Dash USA 1991, 1hr 52mins Language: English Genre: Family/Romance Certificate: 12A
At the dawn of the twentieth century, a multi-generational family in the Gullah community on the Sea Islands off the coast of South Carolina – former West African slaves who adopted many of their ancestors’ Yoruba traditions – struggle to maintain their cultural heritage and folklore while contemplating a migration to the mainland, even further from their roots.
EVE’S BAYOU
Monday 13 October | 7.30pm
£5.50 - £10.50
Director: Kasi Lemmons USA 1997, 1hr 49mins
Language: English
Genre: Thriller/Drama Certificate: 15
Kasi Lemmons’ spellbinding feature debut is an evocative journey into the maze of memory, steeped in fragrant southern-gothic atmosphere. In 1960s Louisiana, a young girl (Jurnee Smollett) sees her well-to-do family unravel in the wake of the infidelities of her charming father (Samuel L Jackson). Rooted in Creole history, folklore and mysticism, Eve’s Bayou is a scintillating showcase for a powerhouse ensemble of Black actresses.
GANJA & HESS
Friday 17 October | 8.00pm
£5.50 - £10.50
Director: Bill Gunn
USA 1973, 1hr 53mins
Language: English
Genre: Horror/Drama Certificate: 18
Flirting with the conventions of Blaxploitation and horror cinema, Bill Gunn’s revolutionary independent film Ganja & Hess is a highly stylised and utterly original treatise on sex, religion and African American identity. Duane Jones (Night of the Living Dead) stars as anthropologist Hess Green, who is stabbed with an ancient ceremonial dagger by his unstable assistant (director Bill Gunn), endowing him with the blessing of immortality and the curse of an unquenchable thirst for blood.
BLACULA
Saturday 25 October | 8.00pm
£5.50 - £10.50
Director: William Crain USA 1972, 1hr 33mins
Language: English
Genre: Horror/Fantasy Certificate: 15
In this Blaxploitation classic, an African prince travels to Transylvania in 1780 to seek help from Count Dracula in ending the slave trade, but has a curse placed on him. Awakening two centuries later in 1970s Los Angeles, “Blacula” goes on a killing rampage. Discovering a woman he believes to be the reincarnation of his late wife, Blacula already has a vampire-hunting doctor on his trail.
SINNERS
Monday 27 October | 7.30pm
£5.50 - £10.50
Director: Ryan Coogler USA 2025, 2hrs 11mins Language: English Genre: Horror Certificate: 15
“You keep dancing with the devil, one day he’s gonna follow you home”. Director Ryan Coogler (Black Panther) reunites with his Creed star Michael B Jordan for this delicious slice of southern gothic horror. Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (both played by Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
Poetry and Literature
AFTER 4 WOMEN –MAD ABOUT THE GIRLS BUT STILL WE RISE
Saturday 11 October | 2.30pm
Attenborough Arts Centre
£7
Presented by MULTiTRiBE
An exploration and re-sharing inspired by Nina Simone's famous song, Four Women, through a multidisciplinary workshop of conversation and art: creative writing, movement and music. We shall deep dive into transforming Black female stereotypes, to re-frame, reclaim and uplift ourselves by exploring and invoking powerful archetypes. Led by MULTiTRiBE including artists Mellow Baku, Louise Katerega, Linda Bradshaw, Leah Golde and women of Diasporic community, embodying the cultural practices of honouring ancestry, re-imagining futures and healing traditions.
This event is open to Black and Brown women/womxn.
A free public sharing will be open to all as part of 'Mad About the Boy' screening by Vidal Montgomery at 7.30pm.
W: attenborougharts.com
T: 0116 252 2455
E: arts-centre@le.ac.uk
TELLING TALES WITH SANDRA A AGARD
Thursday 16 October | 9.30am – 2.30pm | 6.30pm
St Barnabas Library | Leicester Central Library
£5 | £3 | Free
Presented by Leicester Libraries in Partnership with Leicestershire Guild of Storytelling
Sandra A Agard Hon FRSL has been a professional storyteller, writer and literary consultant for over forty years. She has worked in a variety of venues and settings in the UK and internationally. These include schools, colleges theatres, libraries, prisons and in the community. Sandra creates unique interactive storytelling experiences that will make you part of the story. For this event Sandra will concentrate on her wide range of African, Caribbean and world stories, drama, songs, literature and games.
St Barnabas Library is hosting free sessions for schools from 9.30am – 2.30pm and Leicester Central Library is hosting the event for adults at 6.30pm, which requires a ticket purchase.
W: tinyurl.com/mr6drhc5
T: St Barnabas Library 0116 454 3250
E: barnabas.lib@leicester.gov.uk
W: tinyurl.com/mr6drhc5
T: Leicester Central Library 0116 454 0290
E: central-library@leicester.gov.uk
SUANDI: LEADING AGAINST TIME
Thursday 23 October | 7.00pm
Studio Box, Serendipity
Pay What You Can
Presented by Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage
An event to celebrate the first substantial selection of poems by SuAndi, recipient of the Benson Medal by the Royal Society of Literature, which recognised her poems’ fierce, vividly powerful and dramatic depictions of women’s lives in Manchester, the city she grew up in, of Black communities and the lives of those whose voices are not often heard, even now, in contemporary British literature. SuAndi's poems defy easy categorisation and make visible on the page a remarkable trailblazing writing career.
W: serendipity-uk.com
T: 0116 482 1394
E: info@serendipity-uk.com
JOHN AGARD
Thursday 30 October | 7.00pm - 9.00pm
Attenborough Arts Centre
£5 | £10
Presented by WORD! and Renaissance One
A special evening celebrating the poetry and words of international poet John Agard and local poet sensations, creating a space for conversation, performance and a Caribbean-style lime. John Agard is a poet, playwright and short story writer who grew up in Guyana, where his love of language stemmed from listening to cricket commentaries on the radio.
W: attenborougharts.com
T: 0116 252 2455
E: arts-centre@le.ac.uk
AFRICAN HERITAGE MUSIC ALLIANCE
Saturday 4 October | 2.00pm
African Caribbean Centre Free
Presented by X-ellent
The official launch of the African Heritage Music Alliance (AHM) undeniably forms the backbone of all modern popular music. Often erroneously called “Black music”, AHM will continue to create, innovate and motivate musicians, producers and songwriters well into the future, to continue spreading ever evolving musical branches with obscured but deep African roots. The African Heritage Music Alliance will dedicate itself to help reclaim and preserve these very same musical origins in an unashamed, honourable and respectful manner.
W: x-ellent.com
E: info@x-ellent.com
A SONGBATH IN CELEBRATION OF BLACK ANCESTRY
Monday 6 October | 12.00pm
LCB Depot
£7
Presented by BAKUYARD PRODUCTIONS
Honouring ancestral heritage with breath, song and mantra in a voice-led sound bath with antidisciplinary artist Mellow Baku. Playing instruments with roots in her mixed Indigenous Black cultures with live vocal looping to create a vibe for inspiration and release. You are invited to bring an object for circle sharing or just come as you are, with options to participate, or simply immerse in a sensory, sacred and inclusive space.
W: lcbdepot.co.uk
T: 0116 261 6800
E: info@lcbdepot.co.uk
Theatre and Performance
AND STILL I RISE
Friday 3 October | 7.00pm
The Y Theatre
£25 Family Ticket | £10 | £6
Presented by 2Funky Arts
2Funky Arts presents radical new performances, in various artistic styles, that are poignant, heroic, honest and compelling. Created by emerging Midlands-based artists from Black, African and Caribbean backgrounds, expect pieces that turn the personal into political in ways that stir raw emotion. And Still I Rise will dig deep into feelings around prejudice, power and Black Lives Matter. Using music, poetry and more, this is a jewel of a showcase notto-be-missed!
W: ytheatre.co.uk
T: 0116 255 7066
E: boxoffice@ytheatre.co.uk
BLACK HISTORY MONTH SCRATCH NIGHT
Friday 3 October | 7.00pm Curve Theatre Free
Presented by Curve
Join us for an evening of bold new ideas and creativity, showcasing inspiring performances in development by local and emerging artists. Come and support new work and be part of the creative conversation! If you are interested in being a part of Scratch Night, please email: artistdevelopment@curvetheatre.co.uk.
W: curveonline.co.uk
T: 0116 242 3595
E: tickets@curvetheatre.co.uk
Image Credit: Scratch Night by Jonathan Pryke
Theatre and Performance
BETTER TOGETHER SHOWCASE
Monday 6 October | 6.00pm
Curve Theatre
£8
Presented by Kainé Management
Better Together is an intergenerational programme, bringing senior citizens of the Windrush generation, young migrants and people of Black heritage together to explore migration to the UK. Workshops over the summer will research and record these experiences and allow the participants to get to know each other, compare experiences and develop art presentations. The project ends with a celebration held at Curve, including presentations, performances, awards for participants, as well as the launch of the webpage and project booklet. The show will also contain performances of African and Caribbean songs, spoken word and more.
W: curveonline.co.uk
T: 0116 242 3595
E: tickets@curvetheatre.co.uk
THE JAMES BROWN EXPERIENCE: A TRIBUTE TO THE KING OF FUNK
Sunday 19 October | 7.30pm
De Montfort Hall
£33 | £29.50 | £26
Presented by Cuffe and Taylor in association with The James Brown Family Foundation
Celebrate the original soul legend in an immersive concert experience that goes beyond imitation and captures the essence of the Godfather’s unmatched legacy with The James Brown Experience. Get involved in the movement as you watch high-octane dance numbers, heart-wrenching ballads, and timeless classics that have inspired generations of musicians and activists alike to Get on the Good Foot and Say It Loud!
W: demontforthall.co.uk
T: 0116 233 3111
E: dmh-office@leicester.gov.uk
Comedy
EDDIE KADI: LET ME LAND!
Thursday 2 October | 8.00pm
The Y Theatre
£15
Presented by Live Nation
The highly anticipated nationwide debut tour from one of comedy’s fastest rising stars. A Son, Brother, Dad and Friend. From one culture to another. Join stand up sensation Eddie Kadi as he tells us how he got there. Star of Strictly Come Dancing (BBC) and Team Captain of ITV’s Sorry I Didn’t Know. Host of The Official AfroBeats Chart Show on BBC1XTRA. Eddie Kadi was nominated for Best Breakthrough Award at the Royal Television Society Awards and Edinburgh TV Awards.
W: ytheatre.co.uk
T: 0116 255 7066
E: boxoffice@ytheatre.co.uk
DESIREE BURCH: THE GOLDEN WRATH
Thursday 23 October | 7.30pm
The Y Theatre
£18.50
Presented by Ebdon Management
Authentic, curious, and gleefully irascible, storyteller and comedian Desiree Burch leads a madcap voyage through the Middle Ages - AKA the mid-life crisis, and its mandatory metamorphosis – in her new stand-up hour. Desiree brings both childlike wonder and crone-like wit to the experiences of losing sleep, relevance, knee cartilage, oestrogen, youth, and illusions in a laugh-packed hour that celebrates the fury and freedom found when you have accepted that time has ruined your plans, but roll up your sleeves to fight it anyway. Desiree is a familiar face on the UK’s biggest comedy shows, including Taskmaster, The Mash Report, Live At The Apollo, Travel Man, The Last Leg, QI, and more.
W: ytheatre.co.uk
T: 0116 255 7066
E: boxoffice@ytheatre.co.uk
Image Credit: Desiree Burch by Jannica Honey
Community
WINDRUSH CREATIVE LEGACY PROJECT
1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 October | 10.30am – 12.00pm
LCB Depot Free
Presented by Kainé Management and the Leicester Windrush Consortium
This intergenerational project will bring the Windrush generation and young people together to develop a Creative Legacy around their experiences of migration to Britain. Over five weeks participants will discuss their experiences and lessons learned as well as forge a creative work to share to the wider community. Sessions will take place every Wednesday in October 2025 and the completed Creative Legacy will be presented at Leicester Windrush Gala Dinner evening on Saturday 1 November 2025.
T: 0116 261 6840
E: info@kainemanagement.org.uk
LITTLE CURVE
Tuesday 14 October | 10.30am – 11.15am
Curve Theatre
£3 + £2 online booking fee
Presented by Curve
An early years session for children aged 18 months–5 years and their grown-ups. An imaginative storytelling workshop inspired by the Roots and Play cultural cards created by a local artist and stories of Anansi. Celebrating imagination, identity and Black History.
W: curveonline.co.uk
T: 0116 242 3595
E: tickets@curvetheatre.co.uk
GIRLS INTO STEM
Thursday 16 October | Various times Schools across Leicester
Presented by Kainé Management
An inspiring and empowering programme designed to introduce young girls to the exciting world of science, technology, engineering and maths. The day will feature a series of workshops, Q&A panels and interactive sessions led by professionals and facilitators from Kainé Management, the National Space Centre and IBM. The session will celebrate Black excellence, whilst planting seeds of confidence, curiosity and ambition - helping the next generation of Black female leaders realise their potential.
T: 0116 261 6840
E: info@kainemanagement.org.uk
AFRICAN AND CARIBBEAN COOKERY COURSE
Tuesday 21 October | 6.30pm
African Caribbean Centre
£65
Presented by African Heritage Alliance
Join us for an authentic six-week cookery course celebrating the rich culinary traditions of Caribbean and African cuisine, exploring the history and roots of favourite dishes. Facilitators include Denese Daley-Cole and Connie Francis, who bring passion and expertise to the kitchen. Whether you are a complete beginner or looking to perfect your skills, this hands-on course offers a welcoming and inclusive space to master classic dishes full of flavour and culture.
W: eventbrite.co.uk
T: 0116 221 1793
E: info@africanheritagealliance.org.uk
Image Credit: Pan-African Congress
PAN-AFRICAN DAY
Saturday 25 October | 10.00am – 4.00pm
African Caribbean Centre
£10
Presented by the African Heritage Alliance
Join us for a powerful and inspiring celebration of Pan-Africanism this Black History Month! The event promises thought-provoking workshops, compelling discussions and community empowerment. From exploring the future of African resources and leadership, to the impact of AI and the legacy of Marcus Garvey, this is your chance to engage in the key questions shaping the future of the African continent and its global Diaspora. Come, connect, learn and take action as we honour the past and shape a liberated future. Do not miss this vibrant day of learning, dialogue and unity!
W: eventbrite.co.uk
T: 0116 221 1793
E: info@africanheritagealliance.org.uk
Community
PICK YOUR NOSE – CREATIVE EDUCATION WORKSHOP
Thursday 23 October | 10.00am – 5.00pm
Highcross Leicester Free
Presented by Opal22
Join Opal22 for a fun, hands-on session just for kids! Discover the fascinating stories behind noseless African statues and what faces can tell us about culture and identity. Get creative and make your own statue to take home! Perfect for curious young minds who love to learn, imagine and build.
W: opal22.co.uk
E: info@opal22.co.uk
BLACK HISTORY MONTH COMMUNITY DAY
Saturday 25 October | 12.00pm – 4.00pm
Curve Theatre
Free
Presented by Curve
Celebrate Black History Month with us at our Community Day. An afternoon filled with free workshops, drop-in activities, and foyer stage performances that showcase local talent. Expect expressive, entertaining and engaging performances, cultural and creative activities for all and a welcoming and vibrant community atmosphere.
W: curveonline.co.uk
T: 0116 242 3595
E: tickets@curvetheatre.co.uk
RE-PRESENTING OUR ANCESTORS: YOUR JOURNEY BACK TO SELF
Saturday 25 October | 7.00pm
African Caribbean Centre
£10.30
Presented by The Business of Being
There is an ache many of us carry — the quiet pain of disconnection. Disconnection from our roots. From our culture. From the stories we were never told and the ancestors we may not have known how to honour. Re-Presenting Our Ancestors is a sacred, transformative session for anyone who is ready to live fully, love deeply, and heal courageously. In this space, we will gently explore the threads of identity, belonging and ancestral inheritance. Here, we re-present our ancestors — not as distant figures, but as living, breathing parts of our story. The session includes guided reflection, collective ritual and soulful inquiry.
W: eventbrite.co.uk
E: ade@thebusinessofbeing.com
BlackInk
ISSUE 6
Available from 1 October 2025
£16 Print | £12 Digital
BlackInk is a magazine focusing on Black arts, heritage and cultural politics. BlackInk is a creative response bringing together a range of interconnected international voices from across the African and African Caribbean Diaspora and Indigenous communities. Issue 6 explores the theme of Intersection: Diasporic Dialogues, featuring contributions from Amanda Huxtable, Professor Verene A Shepherd, Farida Nabibaks, Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, Zamzam Ibrahim and Freddy Houndekindo.
Pre-order or purchase from serendipity-uk.com
A free evening of bold new ideas and creativity, showcasing inspiring performances in development by local and emerging artists.
FRI 3 OCT • 7PM
TICKETS FREE
Booking essential
FREE COMMUNITY DAY
SAT 25 OCT • 12PM – 4PM
Includes: Free arts and craft activities, foyer stage performances, drama workshop and African & Caribbean dance workshop
To celebrate
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
, and in partnership with Serendipity, Curve will be showcasing a STAGED READING of a critically acclaimed BROADWAY PLAY in October. Full details will be announced at a later date.
Follow Curve and Serendipity on social media for more details.
Women’s Poetry Competition 2025
Two Events, One Day!
You’re invited to take part in the Annual Women’s Poetry Competition in celebration of the poetic voice of Black Women in recognition of Black History Month.
This year, the title of the competition is “Women Standing Firm in Power and Pride”. Submissions are invited for the competition
Submission & Competition Rules: To submit, your poem should be:
1. Focused on the theme.
2. 30 lines or less.
3. Include the title, the Author’s name, and contact details at the end.
Closing date for Submission is Saturday, 11th October 2025, at midnight
• Submit your poem by email to: editor.sanroopublishing@gmail.com
• Submissions must be in a Word document format.
Shortlisted Authors will be invited to read their poems at our Women’s Poetry Competition Presentation event.
Date: Saturday 1 November 2024
Venue: the Curve Theatre, RR2, Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1SB
Time: 1 pm - 3 pm
Those shortlisted are expected to attend and read their work at the presentation, as scoring will be based on how your poem reads on the page as well as in spoken-word.
Women’s Poetry Workshop
Celebrating the voices of Black Women through poetry.
Event Description and How to Join Us
Inspire your creativity, self-expression, and connection through the power of words. Join us for a special poetry writing workshop for women.
This workshop is a gentle, supportive space for women from all backgrounds to explore personal stories, celebrate identity, and build confidence through poetry. Whether you’re completely new to writing or already keep a notebook of poems, you’re warmly welcome. As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to connect with our artistic selves through poetry. Join us and have fun.
Date: Saturday 1st November 2025
Time: 11 am – 12:30 pm
Venue: Curve Theatre, Rehearsal Room 2 (RR2), Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1SB. Ticket Price: Adults £10 per person - Under 16 free.
Prior booking is required. Please register by email at: editor.sanroopublishing@gmail.com or book via Curve Theatre.
Join us afterwards for the second part of the Women’s Poetry CompetitionFree entry.
2Funky Arts presents ‘The Record Store & Black Music: A UK History - a brand-new website and documentary celebrating the sounds, spaces, and stories that shaped generations. Discover rare archives, hear from DJs, artists, and record store legends, and explore the culture that changed the game. Visit theblackmusicrecordshop.co.uk to watch the documentary, purchase the o cial book, listen to our podcast series, access Educational Resources and dive into our heritage archive.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage
Kainé Management and the Leicester Windrush Consortium
Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Kainé
Libraries in Partnership with Leicestershire Guild of Storytelling
Cuffe and Taylor in association with The James Brown Family Foundation
Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
*Please note that booking fees may apply.
Venues
AFRICAN CARIBBEAN CENTRE
Maidstone Road
Leicester LE2 0UA
T: 0116 221 1793
ATTENBOROUGH ARTS CENTRE
Lancaster Road Leicester LE1 7HA
W: www.attenborougharts.com
T: 0116 221 1793
E: 0116 221 1793
CURVE
60 Rutland Street
Leicester LE1 1SB
W: www.curveonline.co.uk
T: 0116 242 3595
E: tickets@curvetheatre.co.uk
DE MONTFORT HALL
Granville Road
Leicester LE1 7RU
W: www.demontforthall.co.uk
T: 0116 233 3111
E: dmh-office@leicester.gov.uk
HIGHCROSS LEICESTER
5 Shires Lane
Leicester LE1 4AN
W: www.highcrossleicester.com
T: 0116 242 8644
E: customerservice@highcrossleicester.com
ORGANISER
Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage
WORD! and Renaissance One
LCB DEPOT
31 Rutland Street
Leicester
LE1 1RE
W: www.lcbdepot.co.uk
T: 0116 261 6800
E: info@lcbdepot.co.uk
LEICESTER CENTRAL LIBRARY
Bishop Street
Leicester
LE1 6AA
T: 0116 299 5401
PHOENIX
4 Midland Street
Leicester
LE1 1TG
W: www.phoenix.org.uk
T: 0116 242 2800
Studio Box, Serendipity Pay What You Can
Attenborough Arts Centre £5 | £10
ST BARNABAS LIBRARY
2 French Road
Leicester
LE5 4AH
T: 0116 454 3250
E: barnabas.lib@leicester.gov.uk
THE Y THEATRE
7 East Street
Leicester
LE1 6EY
W: www.ytheatre.co.uk
T: 0116 255 7066
SERENDIPITY INSTITUTE FOR BLACK ARTS AND HERITAGE
8 Bowling Green Street
Leicester
LE1 6AT
W: www.serendipity-uk.com
T: 0116 482 1394
E: info@serendipity-uk.com
UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
Brookfield
266 London Road
Leicester LE2 1RQ
8 Bowling Green Street
Leicester LE1 6AT
T: 0116 482 1394
E: info@serendipity-uk.com
W: www.serendipity-uk.com
Facebook @SerendipityInstituteUK
Instagram @SerendipityInstituteUK
Serendipity Artists Movement Limited
Company Registration number in England and Wales 07248813
Charity Registration Number in England and Wales 1160035
Please note all details were correct at the time of going to print. Whilst every effort will be made to keep to the announced programme, it may be necessary to make changes without notice and in line with current guidelines. Refunds or exchanges will only be made at the venue or organiser’s discretion. Please see terms and conditions for further details. For information about access, transaction fees and other ticket related queries, please contact the venue or organiser.