October is Black History Month in the UK: a time to celebrate and reflect on the legacy of the black pioneers, cultures and communities that have shaped London’s history.
Of course, the capital is full of entertainment to mark the occasion, including talks, exhibitions and even TV programmes. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of London’s best upcoming events into a handy calendar for you to browse at your leisure.
October – Three Little Birds on ITV (mid/late October)
This brand new ITV drama, written by Sir Lenny Henry in collaboration with Russell T Davies, tells the story of Windrush, based on Henry’s own mother. Our heroes are two sisters Leah and Chantrelle and their friend Hosanna, who come to Notting Hill to start a new life in their home in Jamaica. Henry himself said he cried every time he watched the montage, which gives a good idea of how moving it will be.
October 1 – Fresh Cuts launches on ITV.
ITV’s Fresh Cuts initiative returns for Black History Month. Four up-and-coming black filmmakers will take the reins and produce brand new documentaries on topics as diverse as the NHS, black men’s mental health and the influence of black culture and design on British fashion.
1 October – Untold Stories: Hair on Set – Sky and NOW documentaries
Actress Fola Evans-Akingbola’s new documentary sheds light on a little-discussed topic: the challenges black stars face on set when it comes to hair and makeup. Featuring interviews with Naomie Harris, Nathalie Emmanuel and Top Boy’s Verona Rose, this promises to be a sobering and entertaining watch.
October 1 – Dear Mother on Disney+
Rapper Tupac’s close relationship with his mother Afeni Shakur has been well documented – he even dedicated a song to her – but rarely has it been explored in such detail. Now the FX series promises to shed new light on the couple, celebrating their legacy with never-before-seen footage and interviews with fellow artists Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre.
1 October – Hackney Black History Walk (Dalston), tickets Here
Head to Dalston for a walk celebrating the 75th anniversary of Windrush and Hackney’s thriving black community, which dates back over sixty years. Exploring everything from black music (including acid and soul) to gentrification and activism, there’s plenty to do and learn here.
1 October – 4 November – Young, Gifted and Black at Peckham Playhouse, more information Here
Celebrating its fifth anniversary at Peckham Playhouse, Young, Gifted and Black celebrates some of the region’s best and up-and-coming black talent in fields as diverse as theatre, film, music and poetry. This year’s program, which spans the entire month, includes a photography exhibition, Contemporary Creativity by Alex Galloway, two plays and a number of workshops.
October 3-31 Portraits of Peckham: A Black History Month Exhibition.
Located at Peckham Levels, this unique exhibition was created and curated by artist and UAL academic Sharon Bertram. Throughout the month, visitors will be invited to come and learn how she used ceramics to define identity, as well as attend some of the many workshops, including photography and beadwork classes.
October 6-28 – Here and Now: Black History Month Exhibition at the Brady Arts Center.
Arts organization Alternative Arts is celebrating Black History Month with an exhibition of work by Black British photographers. The lineup includes artists as diverse as Asik and Olufemi Olaiya. They have been selected and curated by East End photographer Sarah Ainslie and alternative arts director Maggie Pinhorn: the perfect setting for an afternoon of contemplation and exploration of African and Caribbean culture in London.
October 6 – Queen Nanny: The Legendary Maroon Chief screening + Q&A at Docklands, ticket bookings Here
This year, the London Docklands Museum is showcasing a legendary figure of resistance: Queen Nanny. Born in the 1600s, she escaped slavery and became a rebel leader of the legendary Maroons in the jungles of Jamaica. She was one of the first to master modern guerrilla warfare, and now her legacy is celebrated in a documentary by award-winning director Roy T. Anderson.
October 8 — Family Explorer Festival: “Black Natural History.”
The Natural History Museum is celebrating Black History Month with a full day of free events, workshops and tours. There will be a behind-the-scenes look at the Spirit collection with Senior Curator of Reptiles Patrick Campell (focusing on specimens from the African and Caribbean regions), workshops on how to make your own body butter and traditional weaving techniques, and talks on how black communities have shaped our knowledge of natural history.
October 13 – Randall Goosby in recital at Queen Elizabeth Hall, book your tickets. Here
Rising star violinist Randall Goosby was joined by equally accomplished pianist Zhu Wang for an evening of virtuoso music. For one evening only, they will perform the music of three great black composers and their contemporaries, including Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, William Grant Still and Florence Price, as well as the people who inspired them.
October 13 – Jordan O – Friday classes at Poplar Union Soul Cafe.
Monthly music event Soul Cafe celebrates Black History Month with a special themed event curated by local singer-songwriter Jordan O.
14 October – Cugoano250: Julianknxx performs ‘Ode to Cugoano’ at St James’ Church, Piccadilly, book tickets Here
Julianknxx wears many hats—artist, poet, director—but on October 14, he’ll take the stage for a choral performance like no other. The evening, organized in collaboration with the London Community Choir, will be an ode to the eminent abolitionist Cuobne Ottoba Cugoano to mark the 250th anniversary of Cugoano’s baptism at St James’s Church.
21 October – City of London: Slave Trade Money Trail Tour
The slave trade made Britain one of the richest countries in the world until its abolition in 1807. Its legacy is still very much evident today, not least in the buildings dotted around the City of London – now Black Rooted history tours (running throughout October) will seek to trace the city’s grisly history and trace the Lloyd family’s blood money, which helped fuel the slave trade in her first days.
21 October – Comedy Pioneers at Hackney Empire, book tickets. Here
More and more black comedians are finding success on stage and screen, and this event is designed to pay tribute to those who opened the doors first. For one night only, Hackney Empire will host a star-studded comedy line-up to celebrate them, with performances from Richard Blackwood, Slim and Eddie Nestor.
21 October – Black Book Festival 2023 at Goldsmiths, University of London, book tickets Here
Indulge your love of reading at a massive festival at Goldsmiths University. Entry to the book fair and exhibitions is free, but pay up to £12 and you can hear leading black artists and authors talk about their craft, including science fiction writer Himeka, novelist Tony Fairweather and historian Robin Walker.
24 October – Olivette Hotel in “The Conversation” at the London Docklands Museum, booking tickets. Here
Olivette Otele is Emeritus Research Professor in the Heritage and Memory of Slavery at SOAS, so she knows her stuff. Catch her at London’s Docklands Museum in conversation with Renee Landell about the role of black women in resistance, abolition and anti-colonial movements around the world. The conversation will cover Queen Nzinga and Fanny Cocker – all in all it promises to be an exciting evening.
27 October – A sonic reflection on Windrush with Dubmorphology at Beaconsfield Gallery Vauxhall.
Formed by artists Trevor Matheson and Gary Stewart, Dubmorphology is an experimental research and performance group that explores the connections between culture, history and creativity in groundbreaking multimedia installations that draw on and repurpose archival content. Their upcoming event in Beaconsfield will explore the legacy of Windrush through ambient music.
29 October – Black Image walking tour at Tate Britain, book tickets. Here
Organized by Black History Walks, this walk examines some of the most iconic works of art from Tate Britain’s collection to explore how black people have been perceived and portrayed over 500 years. From reactions to slavery to feminist and gay art of the 1900s, it truly runs the gamut and is an enlightening experience.