FOR THE next two weekends, Knotty festival of performance takes place in Hastings, showcasing a host of inspiring artists, shows and happening on June 6-9 and June 14-16.
Produced by local arts organisation Home Live Art, Knotty features a number of innovative British Black artists and launches on June 6 in uproarious party style with Salty at the White Rock Theatre’s new Sussex Studio.
A joyous, radical cabaret for LGBTQIA+ folk and their allies, Salty is compered by leading Birmingham drag artist Yshee Black with a lineup including Mr IPM aka Azara Meghie, Harry
Alexander withThick and Tight and Bambi Jordan Phillips. The award winning show OUT created by Ray Young is at the Stables Theatre on Friday June 7 with a focus on reclaiming Dancehall culture while defiantly challenging homophobia and transphobia.
Renowned artist Harold Offeh will delve into the memories, stories and histories of the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery collection in Bring and Brag on Sunday June 9 alongside members of the local Black community.
This lively event promises an unprecedented opportunity to reshape museum narratives by delving into local stories behind everyday objects in relation to the Black Joy! Up Close and Personal exhibition.
On the final weekend, artist Sonia Hughes presents I Am From Reykjavik on June 15, building herself a temporary shelter in Hastings town centre where she will she create and later demolish. Knotty audiences and visitors can witness how Sonia and Hastings get along.
Lastly Hastings Museum and Art Gallery plays host to a new artist commission and highly anticipated premiere for Knotty 2024. The Hero’s Journey on Friday 14, Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June brings community performers and local artists together in a performance adventure celebrating the diversity, beauty and spirit of Hastings.
Led by Anna Maria Nabirye and choreographer Darragh O’Leary and produced by St Leonards creative hub Afri-Co-Lab. Anna Maria Nabirye, also Afri-Co-Lab’s Co-Founder says: “The Hero’s Journey is a show about hope and has been made over 14 weeks with 37 local community participants, 14 local arts professionals and a ‘it takes a village’, attitude with support from organisations across Hastings & Rother.
“As a Black led organisation, it’s been so important for us to build in anti-racist and harm reduction practices in the process of the work echoing our ethos at Afri-Co-Lab. This has shaped everything from how we open space in the rehearsal room to how we shape our production meetings.
“It’s pretty powerful to have two Black female producers working in this way alongside an established organisation like Home Live Art. Katy Baird, Home Live Art’s Artistic Director has been a real partner and active ally supporting this process and giving space for us to Lead.”
Ray Young, Harold Offeh, Sonia Hughes and Afri-Co-Lab have been co-curated by Playing The Race Card alongside Home Live Art.
For full Knotty information, visit www.homeIiveart.com
Shaznay Lewis has added a few more ‘Pages’ to her life story