BlackFest 2022 Grand Launch

Following their amazing open-air event in 2020 outside the Palm House, BlackFest are heading back to the iconic venue, bigger and better, indoors and outdoors, with their Grand Festival Launch! Head along and check out their full festival line up and what they have planned for this year's festival and how you can get involved and be a part it! They're delighted to welcome back artists from our collective and some new emerging artists. Enjoy some LIVE Music, Poetry, Mini-Fashion Show, Afrodance Workshop, Yoga with Nu and Community Performances. LINE-UP INCLUDES: Poetry from 5 amazing local poets - Naami Jane Soya, Addae G, Gerry Clarkson, Lizzie Lumenates and Cassius James. LIVE Music and DJ Zeke - Starkey The Messenger, LeeTz, Nicaise Kanga, international artists Nazeem (Gambia), Yilly Ruel (Angola). And performing with us for the first time we have Andre Jahnoi decolonial Hip hop artiste, and Keith Cocker. AfroDance and Yoga workshops - Join Afrodance Nation who are set to bring high energy ampiano beats and afro fusion street dance for audiences to get involved in learning cultural dance, rhythm (indoors). And - weather permitting - they will head outdoors to experience zen and mindfulness through Yoga with Nu (please bring your own mats). Throughout the day they will also have a Family Fun Workshop in Creative Writing and Story Telling through African Fabrics and a mini fashion show by Seven Streets Fashion by Tayamaeca Hughes. Local Traders will be selling jewellery arts, crafts and artisan goodies for you to buy and enjoy. Workshops are suitable for all ages. PLUS: Community Performances Empowering Women's Project performances - a celebration of some of their Empowering Women's Project alumni. They ran the project earlier this year, bringing Queen vibes with creative writing pieces with Mahsa Mojarad and Samira Persia Kamali. The Wavertree Community Choir headed up by the award-winning choir director and vocal coach Hayli Kincade; bringing the local community together through uplifting gospel songs. To end the day they welcome Batala Mersey - an upbeat and energetic community drumming group bringing the rhythms of Afro-Brazilian samba! Light and dark illuminate each other in an exciting fusion of samba. They have limited Spaces for stalls left- if interested please get in touch on info@blackfest.co.uk.