BlackFest launches new arts and writing projects
Liverpool’s BlackFest is behind a series of new artistic projects including film, hip hop and House music history along with a new Writers Room for new and aspiring playwrights.
The Arts Council-backed Black arts organisation says it hopes to inspire and nurture creativity across the generations in Liverpool and the wider Merseyside region.
Self-Love Film: Youth Project is designed for young people that identify as Black and will see participants learn skills around filming and editing, using creative writing and visual arts to fuel freedom of expression.
The Hip Hop for All project is being run in partnership with DadaFest and supported by Rationale Arts and is aimed at making hip hop dance arts more accessible for those who identify as D/deaf or disabled.
There will be a chance to explore dance movement, music and sounds – either virtually or in person at a Liverpool venue depending on current pandemic restrictions - with a final group performance. And the intergenerational Origins of House is aimed at creating conversations between generations through exploring the roots and Black contributions to the house music genre. People will also gain hands-on experience in music writing and production.
Meanwhile the BlackFest New Writers Programme is being backed by Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre and the Everyman and Playhouse, with the aim – Covid restrictions depending - of staging the final plays as rehearsed readings at the Everyman in June, working with a professional dramaturg, artistic director, and actors.
Speaking about the arts projects, BlackFest artistic director Jubeda Khatun says: "We want our participants to grow, enabling them to go into further education, training or employment; having a positive impact in their lives.
“The courses are very inclusive and there is something for everyone - for youth, people who identify as disabled, and intergenerational groups and individuals, who would like to explore arts and learn new skills.
“All generations have a lot to both teach and learn from each other and contribute to lifelong learning.”
For more details on all the projects and the New Writers Programme visit the website HERE