Black History Month 2022: 5 Ways to Celebrate in Newcastle

October is upon us which means one thing: Black History Month. Celebrated in the UK since 1987, the month-long observance is all about recognising the all-too-often overlooked accomplishments of Black British people.

In the spirit of Black History Month, we’ve rounded up an array of events taking place in Newcastle over the course of October designed to both honour and educate about Black history and culture. Read on for the best ways to celebrate Black History Month in the city.

Watch a film at Tyneside Cinema

Inspired by the recent release of Oscar-winning filmmaker Jordan Peele’s latest film Nope, Tyneside Cinema are hosting a film season titled Set it Off: A Tribute to Black Genre Cinema that runs until early November. The packed programme features films spanning all kinds of genres – from horror and sci-fi to Western and fantasy – and is helmed by some of the most talented Black filmmakers in cinema history. During October, catch critically acclaimed movies including Ganja & Hess, Atlantics and An Oversimplification of Her Beauty.

Go to a gig or club

Two of Newcastle’s top music venues are putting on events in celebration of Black History Month this October. Head to The Globe on 6th October where Newcastle-born songstress Georgia May and London lyricist Simeon Hammond Dallas will each play a set before Bristolian singer-songwriter and headliner Lady Nade takes to the stage with her indie folk-infused soulful sound. Meanwhile, the legendary Newcastle club World Headquarters is marking Black History Month with a series of gigs from Black musicians including Detroit techno pioneer Jeff Mills (14th October), south London rapper-producer Ayrtn (18th October) and DJ-producer Amaliah (22nd October) before ending the month with Rave Against Racism - a night of techno, progressive house and Afro house benefiting the anti-racism charities Love Music Hate Racism and Stand Up To Racism.

Image: West Indian women in civilian dress with luggage, 1943 (c), National War Museum

See an exhibition

Newcastle City Library are celebrating Black History Month with Listen to this Story, an exhibition and programme of events featuring illustrations, books, archives, talks and activities for all ages that celebrate the works of Black British children’s authors and explore the representation of Black people in children’s literature. Over at the Discovery Museum, their Stories of Service exhibition explores the experiences of African and Caribbean émigrés who came to live in Tyneside during World War II and runs until 30th October.

Attend a talk or conference

Every year, Newcastle University sponsors a Black History Month lecture as part of its INSIGHTS lecture series which is free to attend and open to the public. This year’s lecture, Why History Matters, takes place on 27th October and is led by Professor Hakim Adi who will discuss his own experience of Black History Month alongside his latest book African and Caribbean in Britain: A History. Earlier in the month (15th October), The Common Room is hosting Teakisi Woman Talk – an annual Black History Month conference organised by Teakisi CIC which this year is themed around building inclusive communities.

Catch a show at Northern Stage

Diversity and inclusivity are at the heart of Northern Stage’s ethos and during October they’re staging a trio of productions that make for must-see theatre during Black History Month. From 4th to 8th October, Oscar Wilde’s iconic play The Importance of Being Earnest gets a fresh retelling with an all-black cast directed by award-winning theatre director Denzel Westley-Sanderson. Later in the month, Quiet Rebels – a thought-provoking play set in a not-too-distant dystopian future in which interracial marriage is outlawed – runs for two nights (12th to 13th October). Finally, from 18th to 22nd October, the theatre will be home to Noughts and Crosses – a tale of two star-crossed teens living in a racially segregated society where Black people are the ruling elite.