To celebrate Black History Month we’ve rounded up some of the events that are taking place throughout October 2020 that you can take part in.
All of the events recommended are COVID-secure. Remember to regularly visit our COVID-19 Safety Hub, the Liverpool City Council’s COVID-19 section and the Government’s COVID-19 section for the most up-to-date guidance.
Katumba dance and drum performance
Brazilian drums, spectacular choreography, fire, dance and theatre are set to take centre stage at the Bombed Out Church this Halloween. Katumba will immerse the audience in the myth and magic of Orishas (or Orixás) – also known as Afrocentric Superheroes. Traditionally from West Africa, Orishas are forces of nature who mediate and unite the other world and humanity.
As well as the evening performance, the Katumba Drumming and Movement group will also be performing pop-up shows in the city centre during the day.
Where: St Luke’s Bombed Out Church, Leece Street, Liverpool, L1 2TR
When: Saturday 31 October, 4.30pm-8.30pm
Tickets: Free to attend. Pre-booking is essential.
Liverpool Responds: Enabling Equality and Diversity
In the wake of the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, the Black Lives Matter movement brought the issue of systemic racism to the forefront of debate globally.
Liverpool Responds – the University’s platform developed in the shadow of the pandemic – would like you to join the panel for a very special diversity and equality event, where we will consider these issues and contemplate how much there is still to do.
Where: Online
When: Wednesday, 21 October 10.30 – 11am
Tickets: The event is free, but please book your ticket online.
Lunchtime Concerts
In celebration of Black History Month, the University’s Lunchtime Concert Series will be performing works by black composers throughout October.
All concerts start at 1pm and last for about half an hour. The concerts are free and there’s no need to pre-register. You can watch the performances on the Department of Music’s website, on their Facebook page or via the School of the Arts YouTube channel.
Podcasts, features and events – find out how else we’re celebrating Black History Month at the University.
Netflix Party
The Afro Caribbean Society will be holding a Netflix Party to celebrate this year’s Black History Month. For more information, get in touch with the Society.
Spoken word, dance and music in the city centre
A spoken word, dance and music production will take over the city centre using the poem by Francisco Carrasco to explore the lives of indigenous people from Africa, the Americas and other parts of the world.
The performances will be filmed and later shown as an online film on Saturday, 24 October.
Where: Various locations in Liverpool, including outside Central Library, William Brown St, Liverpool, L3 8EW: 9.30am & 8pm
When: 10am – 3pm, Monday, 12 October 2020
We’d love to know what you’re planning for Black History Month. Let us know by emailing Emma Gill.
Black Excellence in Industry
Liverpool Guild are recording a Q&A panel event with industry leaders including Irene Afful, who was the first black female detective to work at Merseyside Police. Irene Afful now runs her own consultancy firm.
Tisian Lynskey-Wilkie, who is a registered midwife, entrepreneur and Prince’s Trust Award winner, will also be taking part in the event. Tisian is also founder of Liverpool’s Black Mum Magic project.
The event will be co-chaired by members from the Afro-Caribbean Society.
Where: Online
When: Friday, 30 October
Tickets: The event is free and the recording will be made available on Friday, 30 October via the Guild website.
Black Professionals in Business
The Afro Caribbean Society will be hosting a Black Professionals in Business event during October. The Society will be releasing more information about the event soon. Follow the Afro Caribbean Society on Facebook to find out more.