Free multicultural festival celebrating diverse arts and heritage returns to Brighton Dome
9 Nov 2023
The annual festival honouring Brighton’s diverse community, Family Day – Take Part returns bigger and bolder to Brighton Dome and other venues this Sat 11 Nov. The programme, from organisers, African Night Fever, offers over forty Black, Asian and ethnically diverse arts, culture and heritage activities completely free to the public in Brighton Dome's foyer, Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre and next door at Brighton Museum.
There’s no surprise why this spectacular event is expected to attract over 2,000 visitors throughout the day - with a dazzling array of stalls, performances and irresistible food, the festival will also feature heritage talks and exhibits to raise awareness and highlight Brighton’s diaspora roots - from Africa, the Caribbean, East and South-East Asia, West Asia, Asia, Middle East, Latin America and beyond.
Create and celebrate
Express yourself through multiple art, dance and music workshops, or (if you're more of an observer!) sit back and enjoy the incredible Vocalpatchwork Gospel Choir and performances of Indian, flamenco, samba and masquerade dance.
Make sure to stop off for face painting, henna tattoos, head-wrapping and more decorative arts on your wanders around the festival...
History and heritage
Don’t miss the new project by African Night Fever, “The Seeds of The Atlantic Slave Trade” - a Q&A featuring historians, researchers, and music and spoken word performances, that draws upon the city’s connection to the African and Caribbean slave trade legacy and music heritage.
You can explore and expand your writing skills with taster workshops by Writing Our Legacy and The Refugee Buddy Project. Children and young people are also invited to contribute to a new Hidden Sussex anthology and map that has been created by under 18s around Brighton.
Other events include “The Shining Lights of Service” talk, covering the stories of Indian soldiers from WWI, and the “Proud To Be” photography exhibition.
Ebou Touray, CEO of African Night Fever, says:
“Bringing culture and highlighting contributions of people of Global Majority is a proud moment to celebrate our community cohesion in the city. We’re thankful to the artists and all our supporters and everyone who is contributing to the programme.”
This year’s Family Day — Take Part is organised by African Night Fever, in partnership with Brighton & Hove Black History, Writing Our Legacy, Brighton Dome, Brighton & Hove Museums and supported by BIMM, Hills Sound and Vision, Brighton & Hove Buses, Arts Council England, Brighton & Hove City Council, South East Dance, and The Trust for Developing Communities.
