The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre today announces the full programme for the return of For The Culture: Celebrations of Blackness Festival this autumn. Curated by Lyric Associate Director Nicholai La Barrie and BAFTA-Award nominee Nathan Byron, the 2024 For the Culture Festival takes place over three days from 24 - 26 October in thematic conjunction with A Raisin in the Sun’s run in the Main House.
Since its launch in 2022, the festival continues to uplift and inspire the next generation of performers, creatives, and activists of the Black British diaspora.
The festival’s packed programme include a series of free and paid events featuring music, art, workshops, food, and exhibitions creating a space for Black British creatives to come together and celebrate with the community.
Nicholai La Barrie, Festival Curator and Associate Director of Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, said:
“I am incredibly excited to unveil the full-line up for this year’s For the Culture Festival, coming to the Lyric this autumn. Three years ago, the programme was launched as a call to action from all of us here at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre to celebrate Black Joy and uplift Black British creatives through an inspiring programme championing love and inclusivity. This October, the festival returns and runs in conjunction with our Main House production of Lorraine Hansberry’s ground-breaking civil rights story A Raisin in the Sun and over a period of three days our festival programme takes over the building with a series of curated events that celebrate culture, facilitate intergenerational conversations, and highlight community.”
Nathan Byron, Festival Curator, said: “I am over the moon to be working on For The Culture Festival with Nicholai and his amazing team, The Lyric is such an important building and one of my favourite spaces to be, so I cannot wait to help curate events that will be inspiring for all. For black creatives who are looking for community, inspiration, a sign to keep going in these tough times, I promise you will find all of that at this year’s For the Culture Festival.”
FOR THE CULTURE: CELEBRATIONS OF BLACKNESS FESTIVAL
Third year of events honouring Blackness through art, performance, conversation, love, and joy
Curated by Nicholai La Barrie and Nathan Byron
Thursday 24 - Saturday 26 October 2024
(Line-up in date order)
FOR THE NEWCOMERS
Thursday 24 October, 5:30pm I Studio
Tickets from £10.
For The Culture - Celebrations of Blackness Festival kicks off with a special welcome from festival curator Nicholai La Barrie, leading straight into our first event of the festival, For the Newcomers
In partnership with Talawa and their new co-production of Play On!, Duke Ellingtion’s sensational Jazz musical.
As a part of our commitment to nurturing new talent, we are excited to showcase the selected submission from our Artistic Residencies scheme.
Expect an exceptional musical or a play with music, still in development, created by up and coming Black & British talent.
FOR THE NETWORK: KiD iN YOU
Thursday 24 October, 5.30pm I Reuben Foundation Wing
Tickets from £7.
At KiD iN YOU, we believe that the essence of joy and wellness lies in the simplicity of play. Founded with a mission to make mental health and personal development accessible to all, we create innovative tools and experiences designed to uplift, inspire, and connect people of all ages and backgrounds. Join us on our journey to bring a little more joy, laughter, and connection into the world, one playful moment at a time.
BOUGIE LANRE’S BOULANGERIE
Thursday 24 October, 8.30pm I Studio
Tickets from £15.
Bougie Lanre's Boulangerie by acclaimed poet Kareem Parkins-Brown is an existential poetry talk show chronicling Kareem's years working in the hospitality industry, attempting to make ends meet as a Black, working-class artist who cares more about craft than consumerism.
It's the job of long-suffering waiting staff, servers and cooks to be kind; serving and embodying kindness, with a smile on each and every shift. Or is it...? Putting the 'cuss dem' in customer, through ingenious wordplay and graphic visuals, Kareem exposes a world of raging waiters, kind cooks, rude customers and gentrifying pop-ups that had audiences howling- as well as reconsidering how they behave in restaurants.
FOR THE FOOD
Thursday 24 – Saturday 26 October I Lyric Bar
Free event.
Experience the rich and diverse flavours of African and Caribbean cuisine throughout the 3-day festival. Free entry.
GIRLS CAN’T DJ
Thursday 24 – Saturday 26 October, 10pm I Lyric Bar
Free event.
Join us for 3 unforgettable nights at the festival, showcasing 3 exceptionally talented DJs handpicked by GIRLS CAN'T DJ, featuring DJ Scotty, Laura Lee, and Abigurl.
AUDACIOUS CREATION: NATHAN BYRON AND GUESTS
Friday 25 October, 2pm I Main House
Tickets from £12.
Nathan Byron is an actor, three-time BAFTA-Award nominated screenwriter and Sunday Times best-selling author.
In this session, Nathan and his two guests will lead a Masterclass on moving through artistic industries with conviction, creativity and audacity.
FOR THE CONVERSATION: TYRELL WILLIAMS
Friday 25 October, 4pm I Studio
Tickets from £7.
Join award-winning writer Tyrell Williams for an exclusive and dynamic discussion, where he will provide valuable insights into his critically acclaimed play Red Pitch. Walk away with a valuable toolkit of writing tips to enhance your own craft.
ACTING UP: COMEDY
Friday 25 October, 6pm I Studio
Tickets from £12.
Get ready to join show creator Ashley J, in this sensationally hilarious hit show, ACTing Up. Come and be part of the live and improvised comedy experience where the audience becomes part of the cast, guaranteeing a unique performance every time! Don't miss the opportunity to witness Ashley J and a lineup of London's finest talent in the ultimate improv comedy show.
FOR THE CABARET: COCOA BUTTER CLUB
Friday 25 October, 8pm I Studio
Tickets from £12.
The Cocoa Butter Club are hitting the stage at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and presenting a one-off Queer Cabaret not to be missed. This is where the melanated are Celebrated!
Celebrating everything from neo-burlesque and poetry, to drag, hoops and voguing The Cocoa Butter Club will have you screaming ‘yaaaaas queen, smell like cocoa butter up in hurr!’
FOR THE CONVERSATION: TINUKE CRAIG
Saturday 26 October, 11am I Main House
Tickets from £7.
Join the brilliant director of A Raisin in the Sun Tinuke Craig for an informative discussion and Q&A, where you will gain insight on what it takes to tackle such a famous play for a new audience and gain insight into the mind of such a prolific theatre director.
FOR THE COMPOSERS: LIAM GODWIN
Saturday 26 October, 5pm & 7pm I Rehearsal Room 3
Tickets from £7.
This transformative workshop is led by the multi-talented Liam Godwin. Let Liam take you on a creative journey of composing music for the stage, equipping you with valuable insights for your own projects.
FOR THE SCREEN: NATHAN BYRON
Saturday 26 October, 5pm & 7pm I Film & TV Studio
Tickets from £7.
Led by Nathan Bryon, one of the festival's curators., this workshop will guide aspiring screenwriters through a workshop covering structure, concept, and all the practical aspects of screenwriting.
FOR THE BODY: INGRID MACKINNON
Saturday 26 October, 5pm & 7pm I Dance Studio
Tickets from £7.
This workshop led by Ingrid Mackinnon guides audiences through captivating choreography and movement workshop that you won't want to miss!
FOR THE VOICE: HAZEL HOLDER
Saturday 26 October, 5pm & 7pm I MP3
Tickets from £7.
Led by the renowned voice and dialect coach, Hazel Holder ,this workshop is an immersive exploration of the voice, guided by Hazel's industry expertise to gain a deeper understanding of realizing your voice's fullest potential.
FOR THE COMEDY
Saturday 26 October, 6pm I Studio
Tickets from £15.
A hilarious night of comedy from some of the best Black & British comedians in London, in association with Nice N’Spiky Comedy.
FOR THE MUSIC: NATALIE LINDI, GABRIELLE SEY AND ASHAINE WHITE
Saturday 26 October, 8.30pm I Studio
Tickets from £15.
For the Culture presents ‘For the Music’, a night celebrating 3 amazingly talented, Black & British musicians, featuring Ashaine White, Natalie Lindi, and Gabrielle Sey.
