A special exhibition and premiere showcasing the inspiring pioneers of Black British ballet is coming to Liverpool.
The City’s Central Library is to host the exhibition, from 31st October to 30th November, which will be one of the showpiece events of Liverpool’s Black History Month celebrations.
The groundbreaking exhibition is based on the research of Dr Sandie Bourne, a dancer, choreographer and academic, who brings together archival photographs, films and interviews to explore the under-representation of Black artists in British ballet.
The touring exhibition, funded by a £245,500 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, will visit 25 libraries across the UK, with Liverpool Central Library being one of the key stops.
The celebration of Black dancers kicks off with Island Movements, an original Windrush-themed ballet.
This free event will be staged at Discover in Central Library on Friday 18 October at 4pm
Island Movements tells the powerful story of a family from the Windrush generation, beginning with a young Caribbean soldier during WWII and following the family’s experiences throughout their life in the UK.
After the performance there will be a Q&A with the dancers and creators, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this special piece.
This moving ballet will open the wider exhibition, celebrating the rich yet often overlooked contributions of Black British ballet dancers from the 1940s to today.
Pioneers like Brenda Garratt-Glassman, the first Black British student at the Royal Ballet Upper School, and Darren Panton, the first Black British student at the Royal Ballet boarding school, are among the trailblazers featured.
Throughout November, Liverpool Central Library is inviting people to take part in dance, writing, and photography workshops, panel discussions and a virtual reality experience as part of the exhibition’s activities.
For more information and to book your place for performances and workshops please visit: https://www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/bhm/
Cllr Harry Doyle Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing & Culture: “We’re incredibly excited to bring this exhibition to Liverpool Central Library during Black History Month. This event is a wonderful opportunity for everyone, not just for ballet lovers. It offers an interactive experience that invites all visitors to explore the inspiring stories and rich heritage of Black British dancers who have helped shape the world of ballet. Whether you’re a long-time fan, or new to ballet, these emotionally compelling performances and workshops are the perfect introduction.”
Marsha Lowe, Director of Oxygen Arts, said: “This exhibition is an important step in giving our Black British pioneers the recognition they deserve, bringing their challenges and achievements to a much wider audience. But we want to go further, to change the perception of ballet by diversifying ballet audiences and encouraging the next generation of young Black dancers to see ballet is ‘for them’.”
Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London & South – at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted to support this project, which thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, will mean that more people will be able to get involved with, protect and learn about the exciting heritage right on their doorstep. Heritage has a huge role to play in instilling pride in communities and boosting local economies, and this project is a fantastic example of achieving those aims.”
Isobel Hunter, Chief Executive of Libraries Connected, said: “Public libraries, with their diverse audience base and commitment to democratising culture, are the perfect venue for this ground breaking exhibition. There has never been a better time to celebrate the achievements of these Black British pioneers; it’s hugely exciting to see their stories brought to life in this way.”
