BlackFest celebrates city talent this September

A week-long festival celebrating the work of Black and minority ethnic artists returns to Liverpool venues in September.

BlackFest runs from September 23-29.

The grassroots festival was founded in 2018 by director/theatre maker Jubeda Khatun and artist/producer Blue Saint.

It aims to showcase an eclectic mix of work from Black and ethnic creatives across community spaces and established city venues. This year’s festival programme features dance, visual arts, music, film, spoken word and theatre.

It opens at the Unity Theatre on September 23 with a 20-minute immersive exploration of Black experiences through dance, excerpts of spoken word poetry and music. That will be followed by two work-in-progress plays - Locks by Ash Nugent and Half Moon by Tayo Aluko.

Among other highlights is a Rhythms Night at 24 Kitchen Street on September 25, promising performances from up and coming Liverpool artists as part of a celebration of original music.

It also features KYAMI, Day Seb, PAPER PLATES and Ice, as well as festival co-founder – rapper, singer-songwriter, poet and producer Blue Saint, who will perform tracks from his new EP Enter Mynd.

Meanwhile 10 actors of colour bring a unique collection of audition monologues from the book Hear Me Now to life in a one-night special performance at the Everyman on September 26.

And on September 28, the Bluecoat hosts a spoke word and poetry night featuring five spoken word artists who will take their audience on a journey through Black British experiences, as they place their identity and culture centre stage.

BlackFest runs from September 23-29. Full programme details and booking HERE