William Kentridge’s work draws on South African culture and history as well as classical influences. He plunges his audience into a multi-sensory experience combining theatre, dance, music, film, drawing and animation. His show Sibyl is presented at Châtelet in Paris. Kentridge used his art to oppose apartheid and since the birth of the Rainbow Nation … Continue reading “South African Theatre, Music and Dance”
Over a long career Faith Ringgold has used her art to support civil rights for African Americans and feminist causes. The first retrospective of her work in France makes the message clear through its title “Black is Beautiful”. Ringgold was born in 1930 in Harlem and grew up surrounded by the art, literature and music … Continue reading “Faith Ringgold: Black Art Matters”
You may have never heard his name before, but you’ll never forget it after watching this film or even just the trailer for Till, written and directed by Chinonye Chukwu. These B1 activities explore the heart-wrenching story of 14-year-old Emmett Till who was lynched for misjudging Jim Crow conventions in the 1950s segregated American South. … Continue reading “Emmett Till”
Equestrian performer Bartabas started his “Cabaret of Exile” series with a show about the Jewish culture of Eastern Europe. Now he has focused on Irish Travellers for his latest Zingaro show, that has proved so popular that it has doubled its run. This is the first time that a show in France has paid tribute … Continue reading “On the Road: Irish Travellers”
Blackhistoryintwominutes.com is a site devoted to producing two-minute videos on just about any topic you could think of in African American history. For Black History Month, we’ve selected a few that fit well with topics Speakeasy and Shine Bright have covered. The site is financed by African American billionaire philanthropist Robert F. Smith and the … Continue reading “Great Short Videos on African American History”
South African photographer Zanele Muholi describes themself as a visual activist. For the last 20 years, Muholi has explored the depiction of black women and the LGBTQIA+ community. Muholi’s photos are included in several modern art collections around the world and the major exhibition of their work at Tate Modern in London from 2021 has … Continue reading “Zanele Muholi: Visual Activism”
On 19 January, New Zealand’s Prime Minister announced that not only would she not seek re-election this year, she was resigning with effect on 7 February. On 19 January, New Zealand’s Prime Minister announced that not only would she not seek re-election this year, she was resigning with effect on 7 February. Ms Ardern said … Continue reading “Jacinda Ardern Resigns as NZ Prime Minister”
Canada has a new national celebration: Ribbon Skirt Day will be held every year on 4 January. The idea came from a young First Nations girl, Isabelle Kulak, now 12, who wanted Canadians to recognise and celebrate indigenous culture in the form of the ribbon skirts and shirts many tribes create. The country already has … Continue reading “A First Nations Schoolgirl Inspires a New Canadian Celebration”
The British Royal Foundation is awarding five Earthshot prizes a year till 2030 for innovative ideas to help the planet. The 2022 winners were announced at a ceremony in Boston, Massachusetts, on 2 December hosted by Prince William. The winning projects are based in Australia, Britain, India, Kenya and Oman. The first Earthshot Prizes were … Continue reading “The Earthshot Prizes: Class of 2022”
Maxwell Alejandro Frost is 25, the minimum age to be a candidate for the House of Representatives. And he just won a seat in Florida: he’ll be the first member of Gen Z to sit in the U.S. Congress. Frost was standing for Florida District 10, a safe Democrat seat in his native Orlando. He … Continue reading “At 25, He’s Heading to Congress”
