Ten exceptional artists from across the Midlands are bringing powerful new stories of Black history, identity, and culture to audiences in Birmingham, Derby, Leicester, and Nottingham this October as 2Funky Arts’ And Still I Rise embarks on a major regional tour in celebration of Black History Month.
Spanning dance, spoken word, poetry, rap, and song, the showcase presents newly commissioned work by creators from Black, African, and Caribbean backgrounds. Each artist has crafted an original piece exploring Black heritage alongside the contemporary experiences, conversations, and issues shaping Black life today. The tour provides a vital platform for emerging creative talent while offering audiences four evenings of compelling live performance.
The showcase opened at the Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham earlier this month and continues its run across the region, visiting Derby Theatre on Friday 16 October and Leicester’s Y Theatre on Friday 23 October. The tour concludes at the Nottingham Arts Theatre on Thursday 29 October, with all performances beginning at 7.30pm.
2Funky Arts Director Vijay Mistry noted that the initiative serves as a unique platform for up-and-coming creatives to examine critical themes around history and culture, promising an impactful and thought-provoking experience for theatregoers.
The diverse line-up features a dynamic mix of disciplines and voices from across the region. Spoken word poet Ryan Dre Sinclair and multidisciplinary movement artists Rikkai Scott and Holly Francis bring striking physical theatre and verse to the stage. Musical talents range from the jazz-grime fusion of NEONE and soul vocalist Maia Sudha to rapper Jonathan Akinsete, R&B artist Drippo Joel, and powerful poet Tamika Steadman. They are joined by Nottingham-based writer Alexis Florentina and high-level dance artist Anthony Sempebwa.
Supported by Arts Council England alongside partners Punch, Baby People, and Radio2Funky, And Still I Rise stands as a vibrant centerpiece of this year's cultural calendar. Full tour schedules and ticketing details are available through the respective venue box offices.
