Lyric Hammersmith’s three-day festival will celebrate Black talent and creativity, featuring stage performances, music and food.
Now in its third year, For the Culture: Celebrations of Blackness Festival spotlights a line-up of creatives across more than 15 live events during Black History Month.
Taking place from 24 to 26 October at the arts venue in Lyric Square, King Street, the festival combines a vibrant mix of free and paid events. It’ll begin with a musical theatre performance by emerging Black British talent, as well as a workshop designed to boost mental health and wellbeing.
Curated by the Lyric’s associate director Nicholai La Barrie and BAFTA-Award nominee Nathan Bryon, the exciting series of events also includes free DJ sets each evening, while the rich flavours of African and Caribbean cuisine will be on offer for festival-goers.
Inspiring programme
Nicholai La Barrie said he was “incredibly excited” to unveil the full line-up for this year’s For the Culture Festival.
“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,” added Nicholai.
“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.”
The thrilling mix of events during the festival includes comedy, cabaret, dance and poetry.
Among the line-up is acclaimed poet Kareem Parkins-Brown, who will present his existential poetry talk show Bougie Lanre's Boulangerie from 8.30pm on Thursday 24 October.
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, the show is set to bring plenty of laughs to the audience.
Artistic workshops
Aspiring creatives can get a behind-the-scenes look at how to navigate the artistic industries with two workshop sessions on Friday 25 October.
Shepherds Bush-born actor, screenwriter and bestselling author Nathan Bryon will lead a masterclass from 2pm, while award-winning writer Tyrell Williams will share valuable insights and a toolkit of writing tips from his critically acclaimed play Red Pitch from 4pm that day.
The festival’s curator Nathan Bryon explained:
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.”
Cabaret and comedy
Highlights at the festival also include a one-off Queer cabaret from The Cocoa Butter Club, taking place at 8pm on Friday 25 October, as well as a comedy night from 6pm on Saturday 26 October.
Music lovers can immerse themselves in the festival’s dedicated evening of soulful sounds from artists Natalie Lindi, Ashaine White and Gabrielle Sey.
Running from 8.30pm on Saturday 26 October, the festival’s For the Music event promises to provide an escape into an inspiring soundscape from the three musical artists.
The festival runs in conjunction with the Lyric’s Main House production of Lorraine Hansberry’s ground-breaking civil rights story A Raisin in the Sun, which is running from 8 October to 2 November 2024, with director Tinuke Craig set to share her insights during a discussion and Q&A.
Find out more about all the events at the Lyric’s For the Culture: Celebrations of Blackness Festival.
