Signalling the end of Black History Month, an integral time period within British history acknowledging the contribution of Black Britons, the inaugural A Time to Breathe Festival, curated by Greta Mendez MBE – an influential figure within the carnival movement for the past four decades – looks to celebrate creatives who have made incredible contributions to the arts. The multi-disciplinary event consisting of Batuke, contemporary dance, Calypso, choreo-poem, Lover’s Rock and more. Creatives taking part including Carol Leeming MBE, Iris De Brito, Jordana Mba, Richard Lessey, Ballet Soul, Gerrard Martin Dance, Akeim Toussaint Buck, Yassmin V Foster, Sheba Montserrat, Lorna Sutara Gee, Dennis Bovell MBE, Dr Carol La Chapelle, Dot Wong, Cleo Lake, Genesis Mas and Sandra Goldling. Ahead of the event, Carol Leeming MBE tells us more about her show The Dreadful Dance of Ms. iniquity, which will kick off the festival on Tuesday 26th October at the venue formerly known at the Stockwell Playhouse.
You’ll be taking part in the A Time To Breathe Festival at the venue formerly known as the Stockwell Playhouse – how are you feeling ahead of the event?
I’m feeling wildly excited about it. I’m so excited because Greta Mendez MBE is someone I absolutely admire, she’s a legend. When it was revealed who the wonderful artists on the lineup were, I was just thinking ‘What a great gang to be amongst’, for someone like me coming from Leicester! It’s wonderful, I’m so very excited.
Recognising the need for single mothers to have that much needed mental, emotional and spiritual support, the Only Giving Back Unconditionally Colllective, fronted by Chimna Orji have returned with their second project, Haven Nurture, a relaxing escape for young single mothers. Taking place at the Battersea Arts Centre, the therapeutic event will continue on with OGBU’s mission of supporting their local community, having previously created care packages for NHS workers during the pandemic last year. Ahead of the retreat this year, Chimna tells us more about this very thoughtful initiative!
A condition concerning the function of the ovaries, Premature Ovaries Insufficiency (POI) relates to the reduction of eggs produced and an inconsistency in Oestrogen and Progesterone levels – hormones that have an overall impact on women’s health and well-being. Also referred to as the ‘Early Menopause’, POI differs from this due to the age in which it happens, POI a term used to refer to anyone experiencing it under the age of 40. Exploring this little known or talked about condition in the theatre company’s latest show Flushed, writer and co-founder of Theatre Unlocked Catherine Cranfield talks about taking part in Park Theatre’s ‘Say it, Women’ double bill and creating work in collaboration with POI charity The Daisy Network, of which she is an ambassador of.