Welcome back, everyone!
I hope you’re all doing well. Can you believe we’re at the end of October already? It’s like time’s simultaneously frozen and racing at warp speed, and it’s sending me! Haha! You don’t even want to know about my dumpling escapade. Well, too bad, you’re getting the story anyway.
So, I’m hosting Black History Month markets every Wednesday at work, and this one week, we had Calabash join us. They make the most divine Caribbean food! I took a dumpling home, unwrapped it, and had to take a picture of its perfect fluffiness before I could even take a bite. It was sweet, soft, and fluffy, basically heaven. I took a bite, put it down to savor, and when I looked back… the dumpling was whole again! No sign of a bite! I’m telling you, it was surreal. The flavour was in my mouth, there was still dumpling in my teeth! I had bit the dumpling!!!!!! I definitely bit the dumpling!!!!! I promise you now! Before anyone says, ‘the smell made me think I’d tasted it!’ I have no sense of smell! So sorry!!!!!! Next theory! My friend at an open mic said I must be “glitching.” Haha! My other friend at another open mic said he thinks I’m leaping into the future! This is a theory I’m not apposed to as it’s not the first time this has happened to me!
Take ‘Rising Rhythms’ for example! I wrote a WHOLE musical this year. Fully wrote it, had the songs recorded on my phone and everything. And now… it’s vanished! Like, I still have the voice notes and the texts where I told my friend about it, but the musical itself is gone. WHERE IS MY MASTERPIECE? **Miss Trunchbull voice** Can you answer me that? Haha! No but seriously if you have any theories, let’s talk in the comments!!!
Now that’s out of my system, let’s talk Black History Month. Has anyone else felt completely exhausted this year? I’m over here attending and organising and facilitating events, feeling equal parts blessed and inspired, but wow, it’s intense. I keep wondering why we need to condense this celebration into one month. It’s so much more than that. Maybe we could spotlight with special online campaigns in October but honour our culture all year? I don’t know, just a thought because so many beautiful events are being lost because the month is so over saturated! I want to be everywhere, with everyone and I can’t! And, I know I’m not the only one who feels that way.
For those of us in race equality work, the spotlight doubles in October and any of these cultural landmark times of year! It’s like there’s this magical expectation for us to do everything everywhere, and I’ve been out more this month than ever in my life. I’m fighting for my life out here! Haha! Literally! I never wear makeup! Tell me why I now NEED IT! Haven’t left the house without it in a month. I’m carrying my work laptop in the bags under my eyes! Hahahaha.
For those who know me, you know how much I love and appreciate our culture. I’m emotional at the best of times, but Black History Month has had me in tears!!!! From start to finish, from awe, joy, admiration… you name it. I’m basically dehydrated at this point! My eyeballs have shrivelled up like prunes!!! Not but seriously! There’s been some amazing events that just deserve recognition!
It hasn’t all been work and attending events as audience! I have also performed and co hosted an independent open mic night! Myself and my insanely talented Bestie Leah Watson Lee decided to give it a go after threatening for some time! So our monthly open mic night ‘More Than Words’, will travel around the city. Opening the stage to new audiences and creating a safe space for creative exploration!
Our first one, Held in Heal studio’s was a joint effort from the owner of heal studio’s, Wes Leah And Myself! It went exceptionally well! Not an empty seat in the house and an array of talent donned the stage! We were ecstatic with how it went and we can’t wait to host our next one in November! We’ll hopefully see some of you there!
I also tested out a bit of poetry at a 20 Stories High open mic night. After they held a creative drop in. Giving artists a chance to get career advice and practical tools to navigate the arts industry! Listening to poetry from other artists is always inspiring.
I finished my month of appearances at the Lipa Black Ball. Held by Lipa university students. I performed a poem ‘Black By Popular Demand’. The poem is written to a white audience and for the most part it was. They received it beautifully and it felt like a really special moment. In an intimate setting, celebrating my Blackness in an institution that has been historically known for excluding people who look like me! Thank you to Cherise Weaver Head Of EDI at LIPA! Not only do I thank you for inviting me to perform and speak about the race equality hub, but for also bringing Lipa forward and creating spaces and faciliting access for our black and brown communities!!!!
Two events this month in particular stand out, and they deserve a spotlight.
The first is Emergence as Empowerment at the Tung Auditorium, Liverpool University. Starting with a conversation between My amazing friend Ellis Eyo Thompson and then Kelechi Okafor! Giving us a deep and profound insight into the astrological make up at the time of significant events for the Liverpool Black Communities. Kelechi inspired us with her own personal journey of growth and emergence lead by Ellis and his wisdom. The conversation was both deep and light hearted! Gave us real food for thought and had us belly laughing at the same time! That’s part of our power, being able to hold a space and speak to our people. It was a beautiful thing to experience!
The conversation and Q&A where followed by- Delado-Rising From The Ashes Documentary Produced and Directed By Ellis! This documentary was one of the most moving, authentic, inspiring pieces of work I’ve ever seen. Capturing the essence of the Liverpool 8 Black community through the legacy of the Delado Dance Company. This company’s influence on Liverpool and National Black culture in the 80s and 90s was groundbreaking, empowering a generation to celebrate their African and Caribbean roots and perform that pride in the face of exclusion. Seeing the ex-Delado members reminisce reminded me of the power of art in our culture, how it’s a voice of resistance and a bridge to connection. It reaffirms the greatness that I was born into and fuelled my fire to continue creating art and documenting my journey and my history!!!
Valerie Watson spoke passionately and had us all in absolute stitches!!!! The way her presence commands a space, I can only imagine being an audience member and watching her dance! She talked about the inspirational , great Teacher who invested in and believed in these young Black artists, introducing them to their roots and, against all odds, making their culture visible in a society that refused to accept it. We sat comfortably, some on the edge of our seats as we observed heartwarming reunions between members and their teacher and saw the spark in their eyes as they remembered old times! The laughter brought tears to my eyes! Seeing our elders in such a pure and beautiful way. I’m still bawled over by it now! It’s a legacy I felt honoured to witness, especially with Ellis, who captured it all in a way that preserves these stories for future generations. Knowing the journey you have been on to get here is just awe inspiring. Big shout-out to you, Ellis—what a gift you’ve given us!
The second event was the African Routes Revival at The Black-E. For those of us in the community sector, this building holds countless memories, and under new leadership, it’s reclaiming its place at the heart of Black arts culture in Liverpool and beyond. The Revival showcased exquisite Black talent from all over the country, featuring workshops with Irie Dance Company, Capoeira For All, performances and powerful conversations, it was truly a space for everyone.
I was, once again, moved to tears by the sheer talent and resilience of our community. The performances where outstanding! How the dancers manage to tell a story with movement never ceases to amaze me! The work our elders and ancestors put in to build this legacy is astounding, and I’m excited to see how the next generation picks up that torch. We are truly the makers of the future.
So, October has been… a lot, but in the best way. I waited until the end of the month to share this months blog because I wanted to shout out everyone who made this month so memorable. Thank you for journeying with me. Until next time, stay blessed!
God bless, and see you soon!
Brodie Arthur 
Leave a comment