TIMEOUT.COM/LONDON Novembermber 3 ñ 9 2020 No. 2599
ëWe all climb the ladder togetherí Ashley Walter s guest-edit s our Black-owned business special Londoners have been searching for “Black owned business” more than ever before, so when we heard that Time Out was planning an edition dedicated exclusively to Black business and culture in the capital, we knew we wanted Ăȩ̀¸ÌâĒèÜĒ¸´ â´Ä¸Ă¸ÉÌâ´ĂÉÌûĒ¸÷ęûô¸®Ì ÜÌûû渲
Within these pages you’ll hear from Swiss, the founder èÃ̧ĂÉ¸Ü ®ÙUèćâ´ ę® áô ÌÄầ Ä÷ ûû÷èèĂûÌâÌĂÌ ĂÌĒ¸ ĂÉ Ăē¸̐÷¸¸ĘĂ÷¸á¸Üęô÷èć´ĂèûćôôèŔ˛sÌĂɸĒ¸÷ęôèćâ´ ûô¸âĂˑ ÷¸ Ü´Ìń¸÷¸â®¸® â¸á ´¸ĂèÜ ®ÙćûÌâ¸ûû¸ûˑ ®èááćâÌĂ̸û â´Ã áÌÜ̸û˛
We’ve sponsored ad space in this edition to promote ̧÷ÌÜÜÌ âĂÜ ®Ù̃èē⸴<èâ´èâćûÌâ¸ûû¸û â´ē¸̐÷¸ helping out with free mentoring and digital skills training Ãè÷̧èĂɸ÷ćûÌâ¸ûû¸ûÌâĂÉ¸Ü ®ÙUèćâ´ ę´Ì÷¸®Ăè÷ęĂèè˛ bɸēè÷ÙèÃ\ēÌûû â´Ü ®ÙUèćâ´ ęÉ ûûèÌâûôÌ÷¸´ ćû â´ē¸Éèô¸ĂÉ ĂĂÉÌû¸´ÌĂÌèâèÃbÌá¸IćĂÌâûôÌ÷¸ûęèć˛ Ü ®ÙUèćâ´ ęÌûĂɸō÷ûĂ\ Ăć÷´ ęèøĒ¸÷ęáèâĂɲ <¸Ă̐ûá Ù¸ĂÉÌû®èáÌâÄÜ ®ÙUèćâ´ ęûèá¸ĂÉÌâÄ ¸Ē¸÷ę̧<èâ´èâ¸÷® â¸ô÷èć´èÃ˛
Black Pound Day is proudly ûćôôèŔ¸´ę&èèÄܸ ´Ē¸Ŕûûôèâûè÷¸´ę&èèÄܸ PEIGH: RICKY DARKO; ILLUSTRATION: NGADI SMART; RESTAURANT: BEZAZ empowerment and keeping London African and Caribbean restaurants Cochran recommends ten London Dreaming of suya or roti? Craving fufu and injera? Top chef James Author and broadcaster June Sarpong Sarpong on Black economic Black stars crossroads crossroads a diverse, progressive city At the PAGE 45 PAGE 22 7 City life Inside This issue ofTimeOut This issue in notimeatall 16 Ashley Walters 22 35 Things to Do 45 Food & Drink 50 Love Local Brilliant British historian David Olusoga says it’s high time we got more Black creatives and crews into TV and film June Sarpong’s ideas for a fairer future 24 How to support Black businesses Missing out PAGE 56 FEATURES AND REGULARS 3 filling ataste gapinLondon Trap Fruits’ Peigh Asante is Trap Fruits’ is PeighAsante Time Time for change 54 Escapes 56 Film PAGEPA 28 Black publisher and bookshop, is still New Beacon Books, the UK’s oldest Radical reads GE going strong in Finsbury Park 2 8 PAGE 43 November 3 –92020
Time Out London Time Time Out LondonNovember 3 –92020 Time when I say their hair technicians are @f4fade THE THE EDITOR’S ESSENTIALS that I use and love. Believe me skilled in cutting all hair types. @timeoutlondon Guest Editor Ashley Walters is an amazing barbershop GO here character andlife.character isacelebrationofLondon’s Thisissue talents you hope. There’s to sparksome willfindsomething to alot feel What’s on,BigSmoke?I’m going to stop you from sorry turning and cultures, as well as a spotlight on its amazing Black-owned amazingBlack-owned onits aswelland cultures, asaspotlight businesses. I’m proud tobusinesses. also say we only Black commissioned the page and enjoying this tremendous issue of Time Out, but but andenjoyingthistremendous ofTimeOut, the page issue that Iknow. Through thediverse andcreative hubthatIhave optimism about ourfuture rightnow, about optimism pages inthese perhaps If you haven’t yet, it’s guessed me, Walters. Ashley TimeOut for those creatives who bless our city with its unmistakable unmistakable ourcitywithits creatives whobless for those This year has been challenging for everyone, but especially challengingforeveryone,This year hasbeen butespecially I’ve been asked by to asked ThePowers sayI’ve ThatBe been afewwords… experienced ourcapitalto be.Ifyou’reexperienced having atough time right now, isforyou. thisissue Andifyou don’t have much asked meto yourasked edit fave magthisweek: whataprivilege! You tothrough are embarkonajourney theLondon about London Hello, facebook.com/timeoutlondon writers, illustrators and photographers. andphotographers. writers, illustrators hopeful about. Thankmelater. about. hopeful I started off ordering for delivery but now I go in to collect because it’s a @onelovekitchen vibe. The food is out of this world. EAT this is on Crouch Hill. orry to stopyouorry from turning dous issue of Time Out, but but ofTimeOut, dous issue oso o rmturning from you stop to y Three things youThree things have to doinLondon @timeoutlondon 4 brand that’s growing fast. I’ve been while. Check out their stuff online. wearing their trucker caps for a @fullypaid_clothing SHOP here timeout.com/news is a rising NOT FOR RESALE 020 7813 3000 www.timeout.com London, WC1X 9JY. 77 Wicklow Street, Time Out Digital Ltd Nnamdi-Okwedy @ F4Fade Styling Itunu Oke. Hair Franklyn Photography Udoma Janssen. Cover Julio Bruno Time Out Group CEO Minesh Shah MD Global E-commerce Nicki Wymer, Zara Taylor Management Lead), Junior Olokodana (Project Project Management Nicola Foxwell Charlie Liddington, Wayne Mensah (Director), Creative Solutions Emma Myland Hooper, Robyn Eldridge, Nesha Fleischer, James Grant, Banbha O’Hagan, Natalie Reynolds, Juliet Ian Tournes (Director), Advertising Sales MD EMEA Lawrence Horne Commercial Support Katie Mulhern-Bhudia Production, Admin and Sales Dave Faulkner Head of Production Photographer Andy Parsons Ben Rowe Picture Desk Manager Art Director Bryan Mayes Editor International Commissioning Ellie Walker-Arnott International Travel Editor James Manning International Editor Sam Willis Engagement Editor Drink Editor Laura Richards London Digital Director/ Jordan Waller Head of Digital Content George Blew Commercial Copywriter Julia Robinson Commercial Designer Editor Rose Johnstone Global Branded Content Stephen Farmer Global Commercial Editor Django Zimmatore Editorial Assistant Andrzej Łukowski Culture Eddy Frankel and (Global Editor) Film Phil de Semlyen (Deputy Editor) (Editor), Alexandra Sims Events Isabelle Aron (Editor) News & City Life Features Kate Lloyd (Editor) Sarah Cohen Deputy Editor Chief Sub Editor Sub Deputy Editor/Chief London Editor Joe Mackertich Caroline McGinn Global Editor-in-Chief [email protected] Circulation [email protected] Advertising 7813 6000, Huw Oliver Katie McCabe Chris Waywell
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4.3
Open ¥• Closes Closes 20:00 at 4 PM Black Pound Day SATURDAY 7 Nov
Choose Charles’s business this Black Pound Day
Brother Charles, Camden
É ÷ܸûćÄèę¸ â´ÉÌûćûÌâ¸ûûô Ŕâ¸÷Iĸ.ûÌè÷â ḴĂɸÌ÷®èáô âę ő¸÷É ÷ܸû̐ûÜ Ă¸Ã Ăɸ÷́ â´ĂɸÌ÷É â´á ´¸ûÉè¸û ÷¸ ōŖÌâÄĂ÷Ìćø˛ Ü ®ÙUèćâ´ ęà ÜÜûèâĂɸō÷ûĂ\ Ăć÷´ ęèøĒ¸÷ęáèâĂɲbÉÌû\ Ăć÷´ ęˑ ®èâûÌ´¸÷ûô¸â´ÌâÄ´Ìń¸÷¸âĂÜę˛\ô¸â´Ü ®Ù˛#BlackPoundDay
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´Ē¸Ŕûûôèâûè÷¸´ę&èèÄܸ City life
Edited by Isabelle AronArAron @timeoutlondon@timeoutlondoon
Why Black Pound Day matters We should all be economic activists says Black Pound Day founder Swiss. He explains why having a day to spend only with Black businesses is essential to tackling systemic racism. Illustration Kingsley Nebechi
I’VE HAD THIS idea for about people understand how discrimination affects I want us to continue this initiative on the first years: to choose one day to spend us holistically as a community. It’s a long line of Saturday of every month. I want us to have more with Black businesses and call economic disparity which goes back to the slave spaces in shopping centres and supermarkets. I’d it Black Pound Day. I decided to trade. It’s systemic – and things need to change. also like [the anniversary of the first] Black Pound launch it this summer because of Black Pound Day is something people can engage Day to become a national day. It launched on the Black Lives Matter protests in London. I with to help rebalance that. June and the date is important to me: is the thought: How can I engage with this in a positive Since the launch in June, businesses have inverse of and we were celebrating years of way? I wanted to redirect the energy in our city. been highlighted in a way they haven’t before. the Windrush Generation this year in June. Instead of being political activists, people could Black businesses now have a day to say: here I am, I’ve been spending Black for more than a be economic activists. Emotions come and go this is what I do, engage with me. And it means decade, but a lot of people haven’t thought about but spending with Black businesses can help consumers can give back in an instantaneous way. it. We have to become conscious spenders to rebuild our community. One business owner said he made five figures on address the economic injustices that affect the The discrimination that we face is at all levels: Black Pound Day. Another woman told me she’d Black community. The more people become education, health, employment, the justice been saving up to pay for her son’s tuition, and on aware of that, the better society we’ll live in. ■ system and as entrepreneurs. It’s important Black Pound Day she finished raising the funds. The next Black Pound Day is on Nov 7.
7 November 3 – 9 2020 Time Out London City life E D YP ISH H Chuku’s’ reinvented egusi bowl D EAST I N S SECTI O STREET SE17
What goes into the London plates THE STREET THAT CHANGED MY LIFE that everyone bangs on about Author Candice Carty- on the street IF NIGERIAN TAPAS sounds like an traditionally, it’s a mix of blended melon Williams market of her childhood unusual concept, that’s because it is. seeds, a hearty sauce, bitter leaves and In fact, Chuku’s, run by siblings Emeka meat or fish. ‘Egusi is the soup that we ate and Ifeyinwa Frederick, bills itself as the at home, it’s our favourite’, says Emeka. I GREW UP in Streatham world’s first Nigerian tapas restaurant. Here, he explains how he gave the dish a but my family and I would The menu is built on classic Nigerian modern vegan makeover. ■ Riaz Phillips go to different markets dishes with a twist. Take the egusi stew: Chuku’s. 274 High Rd. £7.50. most weekends. East Street Market in Camberwell was my favourite. It was where my nan would get nighties, socks and knickers from. I The red stew have all these memories of ‘Growing up, our mum being in this loud market The always added red peppers filled with people from dumplings and tomatoes to her egusi ‘They’re called swallows, every walk of life. It was an stew. Our red stew is a blend and they’re made from incredibly vibrant place. of those things. Just like root vegetables. We use yam. When I was younger, with Mum’s stew, it adds Usually it’s one big ball and no sense of direction, I didn’t sweetness.’ you break it off. We make understand where exactly them smaller so they’re East Street Market was. It ready to eat.’ dawned on me when I got older and started getting the bus to Camberwell. The first time I heard ‘East Street Market’ on the tannoy, I nearly lost my mind. It had been this mythological place from my childhood and suddenly it was real. I’ve never visited the market as an adult. I wanted to leave it as it was because I was so heartbroken at The egusi Brixton Market turning ‘Egusi is the name of the into something I didn’t melon seeds that are key to understand. Visiting the the dish. It’s not honeydew same spaces and being melon or cantaloupe, it’s respectful of them since I more of a bitter melon. was a child means that I’ve The spinach We grind them in always had gentrification ‘Traditionally, there isn’t a blender.’ on my radar. So much of my a green stew. Spinach is work is concerned with how usually mixed into the egusi, things change and how we but we created the spinach The lose the connection that stew to celebrate the dish’s technique we had to them. I want to individual colours and ‘The ingredients in an remember East Street as components.’ egusi stew are usually mixed the magical marketplace I together, but we wanted to visited at the weekends. ■ present the parts separately Interview by Paula Akpan so people trying it for the first time could taste all the elements.’ Get the full picture at
timeout.com/blackldn PARSONS ANDY BOWL: EGUSI
Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 8 %Ìâ´ Üè® ÜÜ ®ÙćûÌâ¸ûû Ăblackpoundday.uk Ü ®ÙUèćâ´ ęÌûô÷èć´ÜęûćôôèŔ ¸´ę&èèÄܸˑ ´Ē¸Ŕ ûûôèâûè÷¸´ę&èèÄܸ Black Pound Day business this C Mother Be,Kings Cross \ô¸â´Ü ®Ù˛#BlackPoundDay áèâĂɲbÉÌû\ Ăć÷´ ęˑ®èâûÌ´¸÷ûô¸â´ÌâÄ´Ìń¸÷¸âĂÜę˛ Ü ®ÙUèćâ´ ęà ÜÜûèâĂɸō÷ûĂ\ Ăć÷´ ęèøĒ¸÷ę ´èēâûèē¸ÜÜĂÉ Ăûɸâèēû¸ÜÜûĂɸáô÷èøûûÌèâ ÜÜę˛ ÄÌő ÄÃè÷ɸ÷®èćûÌâ̐û ęûÉèē¸÷ ÌĂē¸âĂ Damilola Lateefat Bakare created apersonalised hoose Damilola’s hoose
Photgraphed by Lamarr Golding City life
HE’S A LEGEND
‘I remember crying in the middle of Holborn’ Londoner and Dope Black Dads founder Marvyn Harrison on his support system for Black fathers. Portrait Serena Brown
FATHER OF TWO Marvyn Harrison is one of One day, we were discussing suicide in the man in London. There was so much injustice, many Black dads in London who’s proudly and group, and four people who I’d known for ages so much oppression and a lack of wealth and publicly challenging outdated stereotypes. said: ‘I’ve considered it, I still think about it.’ I social mobility. It created a whole generation of In , he set up a WhatsApp group with remember crying in the middle of Holborn, and absent fathers. other Black fathers in the city to share their feeling overwhelmed. I thought: I want this as a experiences. That was the start of Dope Black podcast, because then we can talk about it rather When we launched Dope Black Dads, we did Dads, a support group and podcast that works to than type it out. It’s become a powerful resource. it under the banner of changing the narrative. change the narrative around Black fathers and Before the WhatsApp group, I didn’t actually cultivate a progressive, supportive community. There was one guy who’d moved to a different consider that I could just look at my life and the country, away from his ex and their child. He men who have created a new legacy of being It started on Father’s Day 2018. My daughter needed assistance with a letter he’d written to active, present fathers. was six months old, she’s my second child. I her. We all chipped in with edits, toning down I couldn’t connect with her for whatever reason. the emotion to make it more palatable. Two I think there’s been a permanent shift in the last It started to affect my mental health. I’m a proud months later, he was able to see his child. few months. People are more aware of the things person and I had to accept that it wasn’t possible that impact us and want to do something about to do something through willpower alone. The majority of our podcast listeners are women. it. There’s an intention to remove some of the I think that’s about them trying to understand barriers we had. I’m optimistic that change will I knew I wanted to talk to somebody, a way to us in a deeper way. The things that we won’t say be lasting this time or, at the very least, we’ve hit share experiences. I started a WhatsApp group to our partners, you’ll hear on the podcast. a new minimum experience. We’re never going with other dads I knew and respected and said: to go backwards. ■ Interview by Marcus Barnes ‘I’m so proud of you guys. When I get stuck I The men that birthed us in the ’70s, ’80s and Find out more at www.dopeblackdads.com think about you guys being highly functioning ’90s, that generation was going through such a Black men and fathers’. Ironically, everyone felt harsh socio-economic situation. Dads from all the same way I did. We were all keeping each races were running off all the time. There was Get the full picture at
other going without ever having to say anything. a particular psychology at that time as a Black timeout.com/blackldn HARRISON MARVYN
Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 10 Black Pound Day SATURDAY 7 Nov
Choose Natalie’s business this Black Pound Day
Bespoke Binny, Wood Green
Former therapist Natalie Manima gave herself a year to make her homeware hobby a full-time business; now her aprons and oven gloves bring colour to kitchens worldwide. Ü ®ÙUèćâ´ ęà ÜÜûèâĂɸō÷ûĂ\ Ăć÷´ ęèøĒ¸÷ęáèâĂɲbÉÌû \ Ăć÷´ ęˑ®èâûÌ´¸÷ûô¸â´ÌâÄ´Ìń¸÷¸âĂÜę˛\ô¸â´Ü ®Ù˛#BlackPoundDay
Ü ®ÙUèćâ´ ęÌûô÷èć´ÜęûćôôèŔ¸´ę&èèÄܸˑ %Ìâ´ Üè® ÜÜ ®ÙćûÌâ¸ûû Ăblackpoundday.uk ´Ē¸Ŕûûôèâûè÷¸´ę&èèÄܸ City life
Meet London’s Black female academics
Why are there so few Black female professors? We shine a light on academics across the city
WHEN DR NICOLA Rollock was given a grant Nelarine Cornelius Sonia Boyce two years ago to look into the careers of Black Professor of Organisation Studies at Queen Professor of Black Art and Design at UAL female professors in the UK, there were just , Mary, University of London. She looks at how and, in 2021, will be the first Black woman to out of professors at British universities. policy can aid social inequality and injustice. represent Britain at the Venice Biennale. ‘I had so many questions,’ says Rollock. ‘Why are there so few? What was their journey? What stories and advice did they have to share?’ With her research, the academic made some recommendations for change, but she also wanted the public to engage with these shocking statistics and the stories of the professors. ‘Many of the experiences resonated with me. Some of the professors talked about a competitive, toxic and unwelcoming academic terrain.’ As well as provoking a much-needed conversation, Rollock wanted to celebrate the now Black female professors at UK universities. The result is ‘Phenomenal Women’, an exhibition at the Southbank Centre, which features portraits of the scholars by photographer Bill Knight, including the four London-based professors pictured here. Rollock hopes that people learn something from the project. ‘I want them to think: I didn’t know this data existed. I want them to be disturbed by that, but I also want them to be fascinated by these women. They come to life in Bill’s portraits.’ ■ Paula Akpan ‘Phenomenal Women: Portraits of UK Black Female Professors’. Southbank Centre. Until Nov 8. Free. Tracey Reynolds Bernadine Evaristo Professor of Sociology at the University of Professor of Creative Writing at Brunel Greenwich. Her research focuses on families, University London. In 2019, she became the migrants and gender and racial identities. first Black woman to win the Booker Prize. Get the full picture at timeout.com/blackldn
IN TERMS OF statues that Festival Hall. It was put up in of the west London Black Panthers. The city’s celebrate Black history, there’s The October 1985, when he was still in They’d meet at The Mangrove, a Bronze Woman next to Stockwell prison, but vandalised soon after, restaurant run by Frank Critchlow. tube station, which was created to so they had to re-erect it two He was an activist and had streets are honour Black women. There’s also feet higher. It’s still there a lawyer stationed at the the Mary Seacole statue next to St now. And there’s a restaurant who’d give Thomas’ Hospital. It took 12 years bust of Oliver Tambo, free advice to Black full of Black to fundraise for it and there was a Mandela’s right-hand men who’d been lot of opposition. That’s the only man, in Albert Road unfairly arrested. named statue of a Black woman Recreation Ground It’s closed now, but history in London. When it comes to men, near Alexandra Palace. there’s a plaque there there’s a statue of Nelson Mandela He lived in north in honour of Critchlow. in Parliament Square that was built London for years. It was a centre of political Black History Walks founder Nelson Mandela Tony Warner talks us through in 2007. It was supposed to be in There’s a long history activity and is a landmark some of London’s Black Trafalgar Square but Westminster in the UK of Black civil rights for the Black community. ■ history landmarks Council said no. There’s also a demonstrations. All Saints Road in ‘Black History Walks’ by Tony Walker (published
bust of Mandela next to the Royal Notting Hill was the headquarters by Jacaranda Books) is out on Dec 12. DAVIZIA/SHUTTERSTOCK CLAUDIO STATUE: MANDELA NELSON KNIGHT; BILL ACADEMICS: FEMALE
Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 12
Black Pound Day SATURDAY 7 Nov
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Ü ®ÙUèćâ´ ęÌûô÷èć´ÜęûćôôèŔ¸´ę&èèÄܸˑ %Ìâ´ Üè® ÜÜ ®ÙćûÌâ¸ûû Ăblackpoundday.uk ´Ē¸Ŕûûôèâûè÷¸´ę&èèÄܸ City life W RD DO- GOODERS O N T HE STREET Four great London causes we want to highlight right now
The most ridiculous things we’ve overheard in London this week
‘Masks are the underwear of the face!’ ‘I think my hymen grew back over lockdown.’ ‘I once went on a couple of dates Hackney Wick FC Black Ticket Sistah Space Rise 365 with a guy because They say ‘We want the Project They say ‘Can you They say ‘We support he looked like youths to think bigger They say ‘We work with see us? Can you hear young people and the Tim Vincent.’ than the environments cultural institutions, us? When it comes to community to navigate they live in. Bigger youth workers, domestic and sexual the challenges they ‘Wow, he’s really than the estates, youth organisations, abuse, rape and most come up against in life.’ keeping the bigger than the gangs, schools and charities matters, Black women Joyclen Brodie-Mends, and outside society’s to foster cultural are usually “invisible founder butt plug business expectations.’ Bobby experiences for Black in plain sight”.’ Ngozi Why we love it This alive, isn’t he?’ Kasanga, founder young people.’ Tobi Fulani, CEO social enterprise is Why we love it This local Kyeremateng, founder Why we love it It working with local ‘She lives in Bristol, team is more than a Why we love it This provides essential groups Concorde which is very football club. Through initiative works to support for women Youth Centre and much the north mentoring and make theatre more and girls from the Made Up Kitchen workshops, it aims to accessible to young, African and Caribbean to deliver meals to of the south.’ tackle youth violence Black, working- community facing locals in Hackney’s and rehabilitate class Londoners. domestic violence and Kingsmead Estate. ex-offenders. How to help Donate via sexual abuse. How to help Donate How to help Buy merch, PayPal or Patreon to How to help Sign up to to its Young Leaders donate or volunteer fund theatre tickets. volunteer or make a Fund on GoFundMe. Overheard something weird? your time as a mentor. www.patreon.com/ donation online. Follow @rise.365 on Tweet us #wordonthestreet www.hackneywickfc.com blackticketproject www.sistahspace.org Instagram. @timeoutlondon
LONDON MAKERS
In , Amarachi Clarke taught herself to make chocolate in her north London Lucocoa Chocolate 5.0 flat. Now, Lucocoa Chocolate produces Chocolate factory
bean-to-bar creations in its Bermondsey “Best chocolate in London! factory, including this solid g brick Only a few ingredients, high Y quality, and made locally” made of percent dark chocolate. Lucocoa x Bricksixty solid London brick. £12.50. www.lucocoachocolate.com DO GOODERS: RISE365; LONDON MAKERS: ANDY PARSONS ANDY MAKERS: LONDON RISE365; GOODERS: DO
Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 14 Black Pound Day SATURDAY 7 Nov
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´Ē¸Ŕûûôèâûè÷¸´ę&èèÄܸ ‘I just want a fair shot’ Guest editor Ashley Walters talks to Natty Kasambala about growing up in Peckham, the responsibilities of being Black British TV royalty and, unexpectedly, Brian McFadden. Photography Udoma Janssen
Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 Ashley Walters
IT’S A CARTOONISHLY dull day for his work as Dushane in London in London. Heavy raindrops gang drama ‘Top Boy’, a calmly spatter windows, buses splash cunning kingpin whose every move unsuspecting pedestrians, Uber is considered. prices surge astronomically as Currently in rehearsals for the next trails of red lights stand still in season of the show, Walters is getting traffic. Ashley Walters, on the back to grips with playing a character other hand, has just cruised into so different from himself. ‘Yesterday the Time Out office on a robot. it was me, [and my castmates] Kane The -year-old south Londoner is [Kano] and Micheal for five or six here to guest-edit a special issue of hours. I was just like: I’m done with the magazine championing Black- this guy,’ Walters says of Dushane. owned businesses in London. And (His husky voice adds the same it’s clear he’s already at ease with gravity it carries on screen, making it the idea of making a statement. hard to tell whether he’s joking or not Within minutes of his arrival, after a particularly deadpan delivery. Walters is in his socks, lugging the In this case, the answer is both.) wet AI-enhanced segway across Walters’s Dushane fatigue is the room to a wall socket while partly because: ‘I have none of the animatedly telling the story of fun on set.’ While the show’s more how he got it to an amused crowd. volatile scenes have included the He picked it up from ‘one of those likes of a ‘Joker’-esque prison escape, GoFundMe companies’. He even Walters’s character doesn’t often get invested in it. Then the brand went to – for want of a better phrase – lose bust, meaning that the toy – which his shit in the same way as some of the occasionally declares ‘I cannot find show’s less-hinged cast members. you’ when you’re stood out of sight ‘I’m like a referee,’ he laughs. ‘Every – is, in a sense, a limited edition. day is like “yeah, go there, collect the ‘When I bought it they said “do food. And then go back there. Oi, talk not use in the rain”,’ Walters pauses, to my man”.’ It’s the opposite of how stroking his chin for dramatic he really is: comfortably the centre effect. ‘So the whole way over here I of attention without ever really was just wondering… “Why not?”’ demanding it. In fact, he emphasises Thankfully, there is no with fake incredulity, and a finger to spontaneous combustion before we his chest, that, out of everyone on set, sit down for our chat. ‘I’m the fun one!’ The fun one Black British representation Damp and adrenaline-filled, there’s When he’s not cracking jokes a lightness to Ashley Walters off with his team, one thing that duty. He stands up to act out stories Walters does take very seriously is and teases me (falsely) for being too championing Black British stories. young to know about the rappers and Particularly through realistic tales actors he’s talking about. It’s a wildly of the capital. He thinks that a lot different energy level than you might of the issues Black people face expect from the So Solid Crew rapper- are economic. ‘I don’t really care turned-actor, given his catalogue of about slurs and monuments and past characters. statues,’ he says, ‘I just want a fair In the ¢ years that he has been shot.’ And by that he means: ‘I’m on British screens, there has often strong enough to hear you call been silent but stirring darkness to me a n***er. It doesn’t affect me, the roles he has inhabited. Walters because I know who I am. But when played Antoine in £¤ Cent’s ‘Get Rich it comes to the system being rigged or Die Tryin’’ and Ricky in ¢¤¤¦ indie in a way that disadvantages me?
STYLING BY ITUNU OKE, HAIR BY FRANKLYN NNAMDI-OKWEDY @ F4FADE; BLACK AND WHITE ALPACA BLEND MOCK NECK SWEATER £220 BY MR P AT MR PORTER MR AT P MR BY £220 SWEATER NECK MOCK BLEND ALPACA WHITE AND BLACK F4FADE; @ NNAMDI-OKWEDY FRANKLYN BY HAIR OKE, ITUNU BY STYLING ‘Bullet Boy’, but he’s most famed That’s an issue.’
17 November 3 – 9 2020 Time Out London Ashley Walters
It’s why he’s taken on this guest edit and, he explains, part of the reason why he’s supporting the initiative Black Pound Day, founded by his So Solid crewmate Swiss. He thinks that Black and non-Black Londoners have a duty to ‘wake up and understand that we’ve got to help each other to climb up the ladder’. For him, personally, that also means staying grounded here, while many Black British actors journey across the Atlantic to Hollywood. Instead, he – alongside friend and actor-producer Noel Clarke – is determined to carve out spaces for those kinds of voices within the UK industry. The pair star together as detectives in the Clarke-penned Sky buddy-cop drama ‘Bulletproof’. ‘Noel’s whole thing was, when we Clockwise from top: were younger, we all loved “Knight Ashley with Kano in Rider” with David Hasselhoff. He ‘Top Boy’, in So Solid was a detective and he had this Crew and with Noel Clarke in ‘Bulletproof’ car that talked and had gadgets or whatever. And the car was black...’ He pauses. ‘So in the playground, as kids, we would be... the car.’ For Walters, the best part of playing his ‘Bulletproof’ character, Ronnie Pike, is helping to populate that void. ‘We want to create people that [Black] kids can be like: family- oriented, moral and in a healthy relationship with a Black woman’ he says, listing off his character’s best qualities. ‘And we did it under people’s noses,’ he smiles. As a prime-time show with two Black leads that isn’t about race, featuring Black men not as the fugitives, the production hasn’t come without resistance. It took eight years of being told by TV executives with certainty that the show ‘just wouldn’t work’. He audience of the year to date, with South of the river then, the area’s dicey reputation quotes the feedback: ‘One of you a total of million viewers. But The Walthamstow poster wasn’t the preceded it. ‘I always felt safe,’ has to be white. Make one of the the image of these two strong Black first time in Walters’s career that he Walters shrugs, ‘but if you told characters Tom Hardy, make one of leads seemed to evoke a reaction has broken a ceiling impenitently someone to come to Peckham, them Benedict Cumberbatch.’ in people. Like when a billboard and faced a backlash in return. they’d be like “huh?”’ Now based in These words make me wince featuring Walters and Clarke as In , ‘Top Boy’ was similarly north London, he finds it strange visibly, but Walters looksoks bacbackk armed police ofofficers went up in antagonising. The show told stories to return and see how much it’s blankly as he reflects on that time, Walthamstow to advertise the of an inner-city underbelly that changed. Like the time rapper Joe like he couldn’t roll hisis eyeseyes backback farfar first series. WWalters lets out a many would rather have kept in the Grind invited him to a show he was enough in his head if he tried, ssoo half laugh, half sigh before shadows. The result? ‘We got shut doing at an old West Indian bakery why bother? It was a differdifferentent recountinrecounting what happened down by a lot of people. Hackney off the high street, sponsored by story when he was in thethe midstmidst nexnext:t: ‘Tw‘Twoo white fathers from Council didn’t want us to film in a Wray & Nephew. Walters stares at of it, though. Clarke evenven told the area covered up the lot of their locations. And when the me and says, ‘And there were no Walters he was glad hee guns.’ HHe explains slowly: Olympics came [in ], they were Black people in there. I was like, this attended the meetingsgs ‘So ththey took the time against ‘Top Boy’ because it showed is a bit mad?’ He raises an eyebrow without him, scared to getg a ladder, climb that area in such a bad light.’ (He’s and lists: ‘It’s Wray & Nephew... It’s of what his response up to the billboard visibly tickled as he imagines rum... It’s Joe Grind, a Black hip hop might have been. and cover them up. Olympic tourists curiously artist... and it’s in Peckham. And Walters deadpans, And they had MP searching ‘What’s Hackney like?’, there were no Black people?’ ‘I probably would’ve StStella Creasy backing only to be greeted with clips of Walters grew up good mates ripped someone a thethem.’ He was livid, Kano’s character cutting off the with Grind and his brother, the new one.’ he says. ‘There are so finger of one of his rivals.) rapper Giggs, going to all-dayers In , the show’s’s manmany posters of white Though his ‘Top Boy’ alter ego in the park and hearing artists first episode garnereded men with guns that are was east London born and bred, perform. His teenage years were
the biggest Sky One nevnever covered up.’ Walters grew up in Peckham. Back consumed by music, watching IMAGES HOGAN/GETTY DAVE IMAGE: LIVE IDRISS/REDFERNS; SAL CREW: SOLID SO LTD; UK SKY © PROOF: BULLET ROGERS; DEAN BOY: TOP
Time Out London Novembermber 3 – 9 20220200 18
Black Pound Day SATURDAY 7 Nov
Back Don’s business this Black Pound Day
K9 Exclusive Walks, Wembley
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´Ē¸Ŕûûôèâûè÷¸´ę&èèÄܸ Ashley Walters
sadly, there was the death of two teenagers caught in crossfire in Birmingham in , and a violent incident that took place after one of their shows in Luton, where a fan was beaten to death in an attack. ‘I’m not stupid. We were getting caught with guns,’ Walters is measured as he clarifies. (He was sentenced to months in a young offenders’ institution for possession of a gun.) ‘So there is definitely something to be said about that. But I don’t think they [critics] fully understood it.’ There’s a ring of déjà vu when comparing the group’s treatment to the current over-policing of drill artists, by both the Watch our media and government at exclusive video at the moment, as an alleged timeout.com/ driving force for London’s ashleywalters knife-crime crisis, rather than a symptom of it. So a thriving career amid all the controversies became untenable. They had to cancel a tour halfway through. Walters thinks for a second, ‘I suppose they call it being blackballed?’ Looking forward Now a dad of eight, with more than years of experience navigating British music and TV, Walters has found a passion for discovering and mentoring new talent. Whether it’s a wannabe actor who approaches him in his local park in Crouch End or a student at Kingdom Drama School, which he runs with film producer Najan Ward, he hopes to inspire young Black talent. His biggest piece of advice: it’s going to be hard, you’re going to hear a lot of ‘nos’ and it’s going to take forever to succeed. ‘Only percent of it is going to be bliss,’ he says. ‘So actually, the part you need Biggie Smalls, Camp Lo and Jay-Z had been drinking,’ says Walters. underdogs. In many ways, Asher to embrace is the percent: the on ‘Yo! MTV Raps’ –‘I think that ‘We had to walk past his table to D and the rest of So Solid Crew hardship. That’s what’s going to was the first time I saw people like go collect this award and you can became that same kind of beacon shape you and mould you.’ me represented in the mainstream imagine like of us, walking in for young Black people as the stars Given the chance, would he media’ – and listening to pirate our leathers, gassed up, with our of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’ had been for him: live through all the hardship he radio stations like Supreme FM and bandanas and that.’ Britain’s own street rock stars. experienced again? He’s at his most Delight FM. That’s how Walters Walters remembers the boyband The indeterminately large earnest as he poses the question to discovered hip hop crew So Solid at member heckling them repeatedly, ensemble managed to blend me, and possibly himself too: ‘How . First as a fan, then as a member, saying, ‘you don’t deserve it!’ UK garage and hip hop with a can someone like me go to prison, under the moniker Asher D. ‘Next thing, one of our guys dystopian aesthetic as they rapped at the height of my career, for nearly He looks back on the time with says, you know, “shut up”. And (and sang) in an unapologetic a year, be in all the papers, but still the crew fondly, but there’s one then someone throws champagne, manner that was fairly new to come out and be sitting here today particular memory that stands and then someone throws a glass, the British mainstream. There doing what I’m doing?’ out... ‘Brian McFadden’s gonna and then,’ he claps his hands, ‘it was a grit and chaos to them that Answering before I can: ‘There’s hate me for this.’ becomes this mass brawl.’ either enticed or enraged all who a positive in every negative in life, It wasn’t all punch ups, the witnessed it. so just…’ he screws his face up in a The Brit Awards 2002 collective had been working away at With the group ascending to playful scowl, ‘...fucking find it!’ ■ The year is , the event is the shows on pirate stations for a while fame at a time when gang violence Brits, and So Solid have just won before they took the music industry and crime were on the up in the Best Video for ‘ Seconds’. Brian by storm. With the release of chart- UK’s major cities, So Solid found By Natty Kasambala who writes on music and McFadden is sat with his then- topper ‘ Seconds’ they soon their lyrics blamed for incidents culture. @nattykasambala
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Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 20
Black Pound Day SATURDAY 7 Nov
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During lockdown, Kiera-Lorelle and her brother Lewis launched an Ã÷è̃ ÷̸ â â´ēÉèܸÃèè´Ä÷许÷ę ÌĂ̐ûâèē âèŔÉ<èâ´èâ staple for everything from banana ketchup to baked goods. Ü ®ÙUèćâ´ ęà ÜÜûèâĂɸō÷ûĂ\ Ăć÷´ ęèøĒ¸÷ęáèâĂɲbÉÌû\ Ăć÷´ ęˑ ®èâûÌ´¸÷ûô¸â´ÌâÄ´Ìń¸÷¸âĂÜę˛\ô¸â´Ü ®Ù˛#BlackPoundDay
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´Ē¸Ŕûûôèâûè÷¸´ę&èèÄܸ A great leap for ward needs an honest look back Author and broadcaster June Sarpong says engaging with Black history and supporting Black-owned businesses are essential to a fairer future. Illustration Ngadi Smart
AS WE LEARN to deal personal and communal pride. To be with the devastation part of The Legacy List, the official and uncertainty of a charity for the redevelopment of global pandemic and the Stratford area after the Olympic the racial reckoning we Games, was an incredible privilege see unfolding on the streets of the and an honour. US, UK and beyond, it feels like the However, in just over a decade, world is at a crossroads. And that my city and my country started includes London. to feel very different. That The noughties definitely felt like burning optimism and resilience an upward trajectory for the city, symbolised in the Olympic flame characterised by opportunity and had seemingly burned out or even aspiration. London was quickly been extinguished. Where the becoming the international capital spectre of terrorism had failed to of the world, where people from all divide us, it seemed that inequality different backgrounds were able and identity would prove a far to feel at home. Difference was not more potent force. Difference had racial origin? I believe that we all becomes a point of controversy. something to hide. It was exciting, become divisive. need a greater understanding and This will continue to be confusing vibrant and valuable – something So, where does London go from awareness. And to achieve that, we and frustrating until we take on that our Olympic bid team found here? What needs to happen for it need to do something that may seem the uncomfortable task of looking out in . Winning the right to to remain an ethnically diverse, paradoxical. We need to look back to back and doing a proper analysis of host the Games, not just in London progressive city that strives to leap forward. Quite simply, we need our story. The full story. And when but in Newham, the borough of my be inclusive of both difference to teach Black history properly. we do that, the movement against birth, was a moment that, to me, and tradition? What do we as For those of us working within teaching Black history – which is felt comparable with the election Londoners need to do to heal our the inclusion and equity sector, it essentially part of our shared story of Barack Obama – something that city and get back on course, to can be confusing and frustrating – and the ban on teaching critical would previously have been thought move forward towards a better when a drive for greater fairness race theory and diversity makes a of as impossible. It was a moment of future for everyone, regardless of and justice for marginalised groups lot more sense.
Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 22 FOUR TO SUPPORT
June’s fave Black- owned businesses worth your time and money
Kelechnekoff Fitness Founded by ‘fitness badass’ Kelechi Okafor, this Peckham studio is allabout inclusivity and fun in fitness. 161 Sumner Rd. Charlotte Mensah An award-winning salon on Portobello Road, run by the pioneering British- Ghanaian hairstylist. 347 Portobello Rd. Sika Designs Clothes designed in London and made in Africa. Positive change is at the heart of the company’s ethos. www.sikadesigns.co.uk Spinach and Agushi Starting off at Broadway Market in Hackney, this To be white and actively anti- It means educating yourself on the businesses. Of course there is much supper club now brings racist is to acknowledge and contextual journey of individuals more that needs to be done to create the flavours of Ghana overcome the consequences of the who are not operating on a level real systemic change. However, toyour door. historical pursuit of power by those playing field and asking yourself this one simple act – carefully www.spinachandagushi.com who have shared your identity but why they’re not. considering how and where you not your values. It’s imperative to One of the fastest ways to deploy your resources – can go a understand and accept the reality level the playing field is through long way to making a real difference of the impact this legacy has had the economic empowerment in our city. London already has the on ‘others’ who do not share all of minority communities. So diversity and creativity for you to of your elevated characteristics. here’s a new habit for allies to patronise should you choose to. I’ve This is not about the victimhood consider: committing to actively even made a few suggestions to get Get the full picture at of one group or blaming another. supporting Black-owned you started. ■ timeout.com/blackldn
23 November 3 – 9 2020 Time Out London A guide to ditching old, embarrassingly unethical spending habits and making shiny, new, better ones. Words Jessica Morgan. Photography Ricky Darko. Illustrations Naomi Anderson-Subryan
right side of it. Black literature, however, is not the Typically concentrated in urban areas that have Remember: only thing that I’d encourage people to consume. been hit hardest by lockdown restrictions, Black- Even before the pandemic, opportunities owned businesses are bearing the brunt of the purchasing is political for Black businesses were slim. Black-owned nation’s collective economic hardship. businesses are four times more likely to be My advice to those wishing to show solidarity? Every item you buy pushes the rejected for loans. Black victims of fraud are more Put your money where your mouth is and support world in a direction. Which than twice as likely to be denied a refund by their Black-owned businesses in your area. This isn’t way it goes is up to you, says banks. All minority ethnic groups are subject to just about giving a leg up to an innovative few. MP David Lammy higher interest rates. This is about ensuring Black communities can Pre-existing funding gaps and financial continue to thrive once the pandemic is over. Over the past five months, I’ve received prejudice already represented a toxic Shopping is not a neutral act. Decisions about countless emails from people asking me what combination. Throwing a global pandemic how to spend your money impact the distribution they can do to be effective allies in the struggle into the mix created a truly poisonous blend. of wealth. We need to make personal choices to for racial equality. Most commonly I’m asked Nearly two thirds of Black and Asian business support business owners who are struggling, from to recommend books that can help people owners said they were unable to access state- all racial backgrounds – but this should include understand, navigate and challenge their own backed loans and grants in the early days of the a focus on Black businesses, which have been structural privilege. If there is anything that gives pandemic. This is just one reason why Britain’s affected more than most. Together, by making me hope that history is being made right now, it’s minority-owned businesses have been choices to support those most in need, we can
that so many people are determined to be on the disproportionately hit by the coronavirus crisis. protect jobs and wealth for every community. UK REFINERY29 AT WRITER JUNKIES STAFF UP THE MAKE IS @ MORGAN KITENGE JESSICA GERRI BY PORTRAITS ALL FOR UP MAKE AND HAIR
Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 24 Go here!
‘Running a shop in the pandemic has been trying’ I chose to follow my Supporting Black-owned passion, which just so Gynelle Leon launched Prick London, businesses is a small happened to be in a very a cactus shop in Dalston, as the way to try and level out white, male industry. houseplant trend kicked off in the playing field. Due My presence alone shows to the disruption of that you can succeed in our communities, the any industry you want and, slave trade and other being a visible Black female colonial acts, we lack the owner on the high street, We are the first and only Running a business in a generational wealth that inspire other Black people. cacti and succulent pandemic has been trying. other communities have. boutique in London. I went from having all my I love plants, especially All of our plants are systems in place – staffing I’d love people to support succulents. They are great low maintenance and childcare – and then our business by making a for my wellbeing and they and long-living, which these all went out the habit of leaving reviews. fill me with wonder. I am suits [our customers’] window. At the same time, Or by following and liking constantly learning and modern lifestyles and the business increased posts on social media. love passing that on. contemporary interiors. five-fold. 492 Kingsland Rd.
25 November 3 – 9 2020 Time Out London Buy Black
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Do you buy independently once and then never again? Get yourself on the mailing list for some extra good subscription boxes. Take The Spring, a bimonthly box of ethically produced and Black-owned self-care products. Think luxe lip scrubs and fragrant organic candles. If self-care to you means books not beauty, then Black Book Box has you sorted. For a month, you’ll receive a mystery read and a selection of gifts delivered straight to your door. October’s box was impressive, featuring ‘To Sir, With Love’ by ER Braithwaite, plantain chips and more. Listen to Black-run podcasts
Black Gals Livin’ Jas and Victoria discuss mental health, pop culture and ‘random shenanigans’, focusing on issues affecting the Black community.
No-brainer – chicks dig smooth heels. Suddenly Ditch your bad my bedroom looks like the promo pic for a new Channel doc called ‘The Hoarder Next Door’. shopping habits If you’re going to put pennies into someone’s pocket, put your spend where that makes a Comedian Munya Chawawa difference. It’s been a really tough year for small 2 Queens in a Pod on how to stop being a terrible, businesses – and I don’t want to see them go broke Join Iman Leila and Leah Mai as terrible person just because I cba to shop smarter. Slowly but they chat about the government’s surely, I’m making changes, so here are my tips on lockdown measures and other I’m a scrimper. Yep, I’m a cheapskate, shopping smaller and supporting indies: important topical matters. a miser, a man with an arse so tight it deserves a . If there’s an item you want, check on Google cameo in the ‘WAP’ video. I’m the guy who walks whether there’s a place selling it locally. You may into a top-tier establishment and asks the waiter end up turning a two-day delivery into a two- for a ml serving of its finest tap water. minute walk, and your hard-earned cash goes However, over lockdown, I became a deranged straight to the seller. spending machine. Susan from Halifax’s anti- . How good does it feel knowing the person fraud team has been in meltdown: how did Munya who made your product? Have a little pree on Chawawa transform from the Holy Father of Insta, see who you’re buying from and what you’re Frugal to The Wolf of Reckless Spending? investing in – and then enjoy a warm glow in your The culprit: the internet – an infinite sea soul as you press ‘pay’. 90s Baby Show of objects and accessories at one’s fingertips. . We all love that smug feeling of being asked, Somehow, presenters Fred Seriously: a transparent kettle that emits blue ‘Where did you get that from?’ People love Santana and Temi Alchemy light during boiling? Yes, please. Novelty false finding hidden gems, so spread the word on small
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Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 26
Black Pound Day SATURDAY 7 Nov
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Stylist Simone Connell encourages self-expression through her label, ô÷è´ć®ÌâĸĒ¸÷ęĂÉÌâÄÃ÷èás¸ûĂÃ÷Ì® âà ®¸á ûÙûĂèXèû U ÷Ùûb̃ûÉÌŔû˛ Ü ®ÙUèćâ´ ęà ÜÜûèâĂɸō÷ûĂ\ Ăć÷´ ęèøĒ¸÷ęáèâĂɲbÉÌû\ Ăć÷´ ęˑ ®èâûÌ´¸÷ûô¸â´ÌâÄ´Ìń¸÷¸âĂÜę˛\ô¸â´Ü ®Ù˛#BlackPoundDay
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´Ē¸Ŕûûôèâûè÷¸´ę&èèÄܸ XxxxxxxBuy Black
Change your industry Gavin Lewis runs #talkaboutblack, a campaign to diversify the corporate world
What’s #talkaboutblack about? I work in finance where there’s an acute under-representation of Black professionals. The aim is to get rid of the issues behind that, which are broader than the industry.
What are those? Economic deprivation and underperformance in education. The industry historically recruits in its own image. Even if Black people get in, they often don’t have mentors. And, of course, there’s racism.
What’s the impact of this? We lose a lot of Black talent. Plus, Go lack of diversity in investment companies exacerbates problems here – like how Black-owned businesses too struggle to get funding. What can people take from your campaign? If your industry has a diversity issue, make people aware. That said, it’s not only the role of Black people to do this. We’re leading #talkaboutblack to drive the awareness, conversation and action for change. www.twitter.com/talkaboutblack ‘Seeing elation on people’s faces Work out in this ‘I started Damihow to showcase is priceless’ Black women in fitness,’ says founder Dami Howells. ‘They are South Londoners Peigh Asante very under-represented.’ Her range It all started with the (right) and Baff Addae launched and the rest of our is filled with slick styles, but the lilac custard apple. We Trap Fruits London this year when community. Trap cycle shorts () are the most . were paying £5 for they saw a gap in the market for Fruits has given them www.damihow.comdamiho co a Jamaican custard Black fruit sellers a chance to earn a apple, going to the living. In January, wholesalers to get it the team was just and picking some up us. Nowwe have five for our friends and otheremployees. family. That was when us, so we wanted to better to give you a we realised there was change the narrative service than someone Bringing joy to a gap in the market. and make our who looks like you, someone’s day makes community healthier in speaks like you and us happy. Delivering We couldn’t believe the process. comes from a similar fruit and seeing the that Black people background as you? elation on their face weren’t selling fruits We must support when we’re at their that originated from Black businesses What’s powerful is our door is priceless. their home countries. and support Black ability to create jobs www.instagram.com/ It didn’t sit right with communities. Who for family members trapfruitslondon
Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 28
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Fitness instructor Kelechi Okafor runs a range of dance and yoga classes that make everyone feel welcome, regardless of size, sex or race. Ü ®ÙUèćâ´ ęà ÜÜûèâĂɸō÷ûĂ\ Ăć÷´ ęèøĒ¸÷ę áèâĂɲbÉÌû\ Ăć÷´ ęˑ®èâûÌ´¸÷ûô¸â´ÌâÄ´Ìń¸÷¸âĂÜę˛ \ô¸â´Ü ®Ù˛ːÜ ®ÙUèćâ´ ę
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2 Support ventures that 6 look out for others Iona Mathieson and Romy St Clair are co-owners of Sage Flowers in Peckham. Their course, FutureFlowers, is for non- white florists looking to train
‘FutureFlowers was born from wanting to remove some of the real barriers to entry that non-white people face trying to get into floristry: courses that 1 cost thousands of pounds, not feeling welcome, not being able 3 to undertake paid internships for experience due to other priorities, such as needing to earn more money or care for family members. 5 The whitewashing of our industry is doing everyone a disservice, though unfortunately, those within it don’t always seem to see that.’ 4 232 Rye Lane. Eat these Let Black makers restyle your shitty flat 1 Check out this woven African cloth, like this 4 Featuring messages Black aesthetic on the African Food Boxes, delivered soft lilac bowl (£32) lampshade (£41.99) in like ‘Trust in your front row’. The website straight to your door, provide you made by La Basketry, gold, purple and blue. journey’, the pretty is soon to launch, but with all the ingredients to make an ethical homeware www.bespokebinny.com notepads (£18) from follow the company on delicious meals , like spicy-and-p yand brand offering Hyphen London will Instagram for details. sweet puff puff or jollof rice, at home.home. handmade baskets 3 Made using natural help you make it to the www.instagram.com/ www.african-foodbox.comwww.african-foodbox.com by female artisans soy wax infused end of WFH season. thecornrow fromSenegal. with essential oils, www.hyphen-london.co.uk www.labasketry.com Selfmade’s sage-and- 6 This Lac Rose cushion rosemary candle (£24) 5 Collapse on to a cover (£25.50) from 2 As Bespoke is the aromatherapy cosy beanbag (£125) OsimeHome, in this Binny, CBT therapist equivalent of a long, from The Cornrow, Ankara print, is named Natalie Manima sells long weekend at an ‘an affordable, vibrant after the stunning pink handmade homeware extremely bougie spa. home and lifestyle edit lake found in Senegal. produced from West www.selfmadecandle.com that puts the modern www.etsy.com
within communities. There’s Don’t forget more ownership. But what makes it difficult for Black businesses long-running is gentrification of areas which alienate certain customers who seek businesses too local businesses to shop with. As we’ve been there for so many years, Sam Mensah and own the real estate, we’ve been runs Uncle John’s able to cement ourselves within the Bakery, a family community. I love that our legacy is business inspiration for the generation that I am in and for younger generations,
‘Over the years, I’ve seen more to see that they too can achieve CHASSEROT SCOTT MENSAH: SAM PARSONS; ANDY STUFF: NICE support for Black-owned success in business.’ businesses in terms of diversity 76 West Green Rd.
Time OutOut London November 3 – 9 20220200 30 Black Pound Day SATURDAY 7 Nov
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Bookmark a few Also directories Best for beauty go here Afrocenchix has your hair sorted. Meanwhile Brown Beauty Talk has a huge list of Black beauty brands. Best for homeware Snatch up clothes, beauty products, jewellery and homeware from more than businesses listed at Ebonyx. Best for books From novels to non-fiction, you’re spoilt for choice at vendor marketplace Wakuda. Best for food Jamii gives you a year of discounts ‘I love to for Black-owned businesses for just deliver good . Best for services food to people’ The people behind Black Pound Day say that Black-owned service Roger Shakes, head chef and businesses (from law firms to I feel proud delivering owner of Roger’s Kitchen, set up with different flavours, plumbers) are often the most food to people. It feels the restaurant with his business like peanut, mango hidden. Its directory fixes this. so special when they partner in September and coconut sauce. come back again. I have cooked for I grew up cooking with Samuel L Jackson, as Drink this my grandparents in We launched three waking up early to well as Paul McCartney Jamaica. They were weeks ago. It’s really deal with cleaners and and Ashley Walters. Zobo (hibiscus) is infused into bevs incredible cooks. brave of us to launch other staff. Before, I It’s an honour. on special occasions in Nigeria and during a pandemic. But used to work my hours is believed to have healing powers. I have been working in we have customers and go home. Now I People need to support We can’t confirm how healing it is Camden restaurants in andpeople collect manage all of it. Black businesses when used to brew beer, but we can for 19 years. Everybody their takeaways. more. If we don’t stand verify that Suyaman’s Zobo Pale Ale knows me, so it was People can’t find this on our own feet, we is very delicious. ■ the best time to It is hard and you flavour anywhere in hold ourselves back.back. wwww.onemileend.comww.onemileend.com launch a new business feel the stress of the England so they travel But we need to comeome because it was easy business. You sleep far and wide for our together more, too.oo. for people to find me. less because you’re Caribbean food. I work 71 Camden Rd.
Download Plan your Christmas these apps presents now
Forget Deliveroo. If your stomach It’s easier to make ethical choices when you’re not racingacing calls for well-seasoned soul food, down Oxford Street on Christmas Eve, grabbing the download Chopstreets. Founder nearest festive shower gel set you can get your handss Vivian Ngwodo launched the app on. Instead, make a list, check it twice and get orderinging after discovering how difficult it from Black-owned businesses now. Stuck on what too get?get? was to locate African and Caribbean Check out Maya Njie Perfumes, a niche fragrance brandand restaurants. Now, users can find with scents deeply rooted in the founder’s Swedish and them all in one place. For the beauty West African roots. Or if a friend is Going Through It,t, gift aficionados, look no further than them one of Loveness London’s luxurious scented candles,andles, Sharmadean Reid’s Beautystack, a packed full of calming essential oils. Want to give thee ggiftift clever app that allows you to browse of a timeless Christmas decoration? March Muses offersffers beauty trends and book treatments Black angels to stick atop the tree, as well star babiess and Get the full picture at at the touch of your fingertips. nativity sets to decorate your house this holiday season. timeout.com/blackldn
Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 32
Black Pound Day SATURDAY 7 Nov
Back Valerie’s business this Black Pound Day
Jacaranda Books, Holborn
Award-winning independent publisher Valerie Brandes has a simple ethos: make space on the bookshelf for diverse ideas and writers. Ü ®ÙUèćâ´ ęà ÜÜûèâĂɸō÷ûĂ\ Ăć÷´ ęèøĒ¸÷ęáèâĂɲbÉÌû \ Ăć÷´ ęˑ®èâûÌ´¸÷ûô¸â´ÌâÄ´Ìń¸÷¸âĂÜę˛\ô¸â´Ü ®Ù˛#BlackPoundDay
Ü ®ÙUèćâ´ ęÌûô÷èć´ÜęûćôôèŔ¸´ę&èèÄܸˑ %Ìâ´ Üè® ÜÜ ®ÙćûÌâ¸ûû Ăblackpoundday.uk
´Ē¸Ŕûûôèâûè÷¸´ę&èèÄܸ Mahdis Moghadam, owner of Piacere restaurant, London
Google is providing free 1-to-1 mentoring to help your business adapt.
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2 guests 2 yes Things to Do Things to do in London
Written by Stephanie Phillips timeout.com/thingstodo @timeoutlondon
We’re celebrating events centring Black artists, performers and organisers, like ‘Dub London: Bassline of a City’, an exhibition full of retro shots of Londoners cutting loose in front of speaker stacks. Turn to p to read more. ADRIAN BOOT / URBANIMAGE.TV / BOOT ADRIAN
35 November 3 – 9 2020 Time Out London Things to Do Painting sesh E Sip ’N Stroke Sip ’N Stroke painting sessions give budding artists (and people who just want to splash some paint on a canvas) the chance to unleash their creativity in a party atmosphere near Old Street. The theme for the event is neo-soul. Punters are encouraged to get into their fanciest gear and enjoy a cocktail or two with a brush in hand to the sounds of late-’s R&B. Once you’ve created your finest work, hop on the open mic to perform your best Montell Jordan impression. Sink Pong. Nov 4. From £20. Y A T N R D Spoken A FF word AA R TT YY S The Poet’s Corner For anyone who’s missed snapping their fingers in a crowd to the beat of a particularly spectacular rhyme, listen up. After a brief move online, The Poet’s Corner, a poetry and spoken-word night, is back at the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton. The now bi-weekly socially distanced event (which often sells out) sees some of the UK’s finest up-and-coming poets grace its stage. Beret and cigs optional. Black Cultural Archives. Dec 4. £7.50.
Memory Is a Weapon What makes us who we are? Is it art, language, history or something entirely different? The Being Human Festival is a celebration of Sip ’N Stroke humanities research and features events across the country. One of the highlights of the season is Memory Is a Weapon, an online Opal Tometi, Alicia Garza gave event which invites Black female birth to BLM, one of the most potent artists and activists to reimagine a political movements of a generation. new world post Covid, told through Hear Garza discuss her new book video essay, spoken word and ‘The Purpose of Power’, which asks musical performances. how we can inspire others to fight for Nov 13. Free, register in advance. a world free from discrimination. www.beinghumanfestival.org Available to stream until Nov 5. From £5. www.southbankcentre.co.uk
Caleb Femi in conversation with Brenda Emmanus: Big online ‘Poor’ ‘Oh my God, he’s just stirring me. talks Destroying me’, is what Michaela Coel had to say about the debut book Alicia Garza: ‘The Purpose by Peckham poet Caleb Femi. Find of Power’ out more about his ‘love letter to the Along with fellow community endz’ at this online talk. Scratch That organisers Patrisse Cullors and Nov 5. From £5, register on Eventbrite.
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Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 36 Things to Do
C Hoopla: Do the Right group Do the Right Scene. The Theatre that Scene performers for the night have credits At times like these you’ve got to on Radio , Comedy Central and the thinks laugh, at least that’s what the folks BBC, so we’re expecting a lot of big over at Hoopla Improv think. After a belly cackles from those ‘Yes and…’ S Dylema brief break, the London Bridge event moments. Conversations on self-love and is back with a socially distanced The Miller. Nov 6. £5. Black female beauty take centre show from the all-Black improv stage as spoken-word artist Dylema S Scratch That presents a new exhibition. As well After a summer search for fresh as a performanceance of her powerfpowerfulul new writingwriting talentalent, the work piece ‘What If a Black Girl Knew?’, of two Black writerswr will be Dylema’s paintingsintings will be performedperformedby by yyoung actors on view. Therere will also in the Theatre PPeckham be guest spotsts from network. TheT theatre’s up-and-cominging artists resident ddirectors like songwriterter Chelle worked withw the OT. Cultural nights out performersperformer and writers are at a premium,ium, to test thesethe scenes in so an exhibition-ion- their unpolishedun form performancee for a live audience. If hybrid is you’re looking for a the ideal way to get out lockdown and supports young combo. BlackBlac talent, this Theatre is theth way to go. Peckham. Nov 7. Do the Right Scene Theatre Peckham. From £10. NoNov 4. From £10.
The NT returns with an exploration of Black Britishness
C ‘Death of recovery following England: Delroy’ recent (not Covid- The NT could have related) emergency returned with surgery. And so up another David Hare steps another fine play. Instead, it’s homegrown acting staging a brand-new talent, Michael work, written and Balogun, to take directed by Black the lead. British playwrights The character of Clint Dyer and Roy Delroy featured heavily Williams. ‘Death of in ‘Death of England’, Historical walk England: Delroy’ will but only in name. be a sequel-of-sorts We got to know him C Black Abolitionist to their production through the eyes of Walking Tour ‘Death of England’, his childhood friend, The history of abolition is often a considered take Michael. Here, Delroy’s told through the eyes of charitable on the current story takes centre English people, ignoring the racism discourse stage. He is arrested agency of Black people. This central that actually while on his way to London walking tour brings back addressed the dynamics of British social class, visit his girlfriend in hospital. During his time in that agency to former enslaved a key factor in distinguishing the UK experience custody, he reflects on the moments in his life African-Americans, who in the from that of our comrades across the pond. that might have led to a different future – giving nineteenth century travelled to Told through the eyes of Michael, a white, us an exploration of a Black working-class man Britain and made a lasting mark on working-class man – played by a charming confronting his relationship with Great Britain. the country. On this educational Rafe Spall – the first play was clever in the way If ‘Death of England’ is anything to go by, Dyer outing organised by Dr Hannah it forced us to reckon with the flawed ‘good- and Williams have delivered a play we urgently Rose Murray, you’ll be able to tread people-cannot-be-racist’ argument. need, and one we’ll likely be talking about for the same path as Frederick Douglass The sequel was initially announced with Giles years to come, when the closure of London’s or visit the spaces where journalist Terera – who won an Olivier for his performance theatres will be a distant memory. ■ Ida B Wells spoke about the horrors in the original West End cast of ‘Hamilton’ – JN Benjamin of lynching to captivated crowds. in the lead role. Sadly, Terera is currently in National Theatre. Until Nov 28. From £20-£69. Meet at Freemason’s Hall. From Dec 9.
SIP ’N STROKE: @SHARPINGTON_PHOTOGRAPHY; SCRATCH THAT: ORISTE-ETEMI OLUGBO; OLUGBO; ORISTE-ETEMI THAT: SCRATCH @SHARPINGTON_PHOTOGRAPHY; STROKE: ’N SIP PHOTOGRAPHY NORMSKI © ENGLAND: OF DEATH Free, register in advance.
37 November 3 – 9 2020 Time Out London Rising to the challenge
What does it take to run a successful small business – and steer it safely though 2020? We meet Samuel Mensah, the CEO of Uncle John’s Bakery, to find out how he did it with the help of Google
he Ghanaian-owned Uncle TJohn’s Bakery, which specialises in bread, cakes and sweet treats, has been proudly serving the people of Tottenham and beyond since 1995. Samuel Mensah, the son of the company’s founders, took over six years ago and has been building the bakery’s profile ever since. As we’ve seen with many local businesses, Covid turned 2020 into a rocky year, with sales and footfall dramatically decreasing. But with enough resilience and creativity – and a little help from some of Google’s free products – Mensah and countless others have been able to weather the storm, alongside tackling the difficulties that come with being a Black small-business owner. How did the genesis of Uncle Support these awesome Advertisement feature John’s Bakery come about? Black-owned businesses When my parents came over, they began noticing that people in their community didn’t really have a Samuel picks out three of chance to get the kind of quality his favourites in London goods they would back home. So 25 years ago, they decided to do Bespoke Binny their own thing and set up the African print homewares business. Word of mouth spread, ‘I like how this business showcases getting the news out about the the heritage and culture behind bakery, and it just grew from there. the brand. It also has a similar story to ours, coming from humble Why did you choose to follow beginnings.’ @bespokebinny in your parents’ footsteps by running the business? Jamii It wasn’t something that I wanted A discovery platform to get into because I saw it as my and marketplace for parents’ business, but I stepped Black British businesses in because I saw that they had ‘Uncle John’s Bakery is part of reached a glass ceiling. Plus, as this network, which is a portal for I got older, I started to realise the shopping, food, drinks and clothing power of legacy and ownership and brands. It’s so intuitive and user- what it meant, not just for me, but friendly!’ @ukjamii for generations to come, including my daughter. It spurred me on to TreasureTress step up. Hair product discovery box ‘I love knowing that when my nine- How has Covid-19 impacted year-old daughter gets older, she’ll your business? have a go-to brand where she can We’ve had our ups and downs. I shop and know that they’re catering think one of the main things has for her hair.’ @treasuretress been the impact on the mental wellbeing of staff and low customer Reviews are an important GROW YOUR morale. The bakery being an part in helping people decide essential food business means that where to shop. Leave a review BUSINESS we provide something people need for the local businesses you daily so it’s been okay to a certain love to help them thrive. WITH GOOGLE degree… but we’ve definitely seen a decline in footfall. Google My Business free tools are here to help you at any stage of your journey:
How have some of Google’s Build your online profile products helped you to adapt By creating a complete Business throughout 2020? Profile on Google Maps, you can We were already planning to bring display your operating hours, in an online delivery service for our delivery options, booking availability bakery, which we fast-tracked when and more. You can use your profile the pandemic hit. To let people know to respond to Google Reviews, and this was now an option, we updated share offers directly with customers our Google My Business listing to help keep them coming back. in Google Maps with links to the ordering platform. For those in areas Create a website where we couldn’t directly deliver, Google My Business can help you we used Google Maps data on our build your first website for free. Its own website to help people find their built-in features let customers call, nearest stockist. message, book services, place orders and more. Why do you believe it is critical for people to actively support Enrol in a course Black-owned businesses? Through its Digital Garage, Google I think it’s important for people offers free online courses which to support Black businesses, are designed to grow your business particularly those within your – including digital marketing and community, because this is where making sure people find you online. you live; it’s an extension of you. It also gives young Black people more options for what they can aspire to and create.
Find free Google tools for your business at g.co/helpforbusiness Things to Do
‘Windrush: Portrait of a Generation’
Learnin’ skills Virtual theatre Into the N Headties and headwraps ‘The One Woman Black archives Although a well-tied headwrap History Show’ can be your best friend when your Originally conceived as a socially S ‘We Are Here’ tresses just aren’t doing what you distanced outdoor performance, At its new home in The Sojourner want, the history of headwrapping ‘The One Woman Black History Truth Community Centre in has a long and complex connection Show’ will be streamed online for Peckham, The Feminist Library to the Black community. As part families and other inquisitive types opens its archive to the public of Camden Black History Season, looking for a carefree way to soak with an exhibition that shows just Sandra Soteriou of headwrap up essential knowledge. Listen how central Black women have company Knots will walk attendees to Afro Caribbean folk tales and always been to the British feminism thorough the cultural significance of sing along to original songs about movement. It gives insights into wearing headscarves in the African key moments and figures in Black how grassroots groups ran radical diaspora. Bring your own fabric and British history, while appreciating campaigns in the ’s and ’s, with make it fashion. the origins of traditional Caribbean a rich display of posters, badges and Gabeto. Nov 11. Free, register in advance music and dance. flyers from the movement’s history. Ayanna Witter-Johnson on Eventbrite. Nov 28. Free, register in advance on Eventbrite. The Feminist Library. Until Nov 30. Free.
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Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 40 C ‘Dub London: Bassline of a City’ Queer BEHIND THE Heard in the political cries of Black British culture and the rebellion excellence of bands like The Clash, dub is a CABARET slice of soundsystem culture that E What’s Good has influenced countless genres of For the uninitiated, a self- music. ‘Dub London’ is an attempt proclaimed bad bitch can change to explore its connections to culture, your life, make your dreams come Sadie Sinner spirituality and fashion. Postponed true and spark your wildest desires. from March because of the THING, From the sounds of it, you can find the exhibition finally opened last the best of them at cabaret night month. Among the displays is What’s Good, where the Bad Bxtch the iconic Channel One speaker Cabaret will be rolling into town. stack that has appeared at Notting A celebration of all body sizes and Hill Carnival every year since shapes, expect a night of queer , along with plenty of retro excellence and copious rump- photographs of Londoners letting shaking as artist Shakona Fire loose by the speakers. brings dance, politics and dad jokes Museum of London. Until Jan 31 2021. crashing into The Glory. Free, register in advance. K The Glory. Nov 11. £6 per person, E E book per table. E N D W Jazz fest I N S Cyber N Ayanna Witter- E Johnson R A V parties The EFG London Jazz Festival is known for bringing The Online Carnival new, often avant-garde, talent to the That annual summer highlight of stage, and this year is no different. drinking rum and pineapple juice One of the many standout acts at pm, dancing with randoms next on the roster for is classical to the soundsystem and losing your cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson. The mates in the crowd at Carnival just Mobo-nominated artist is known wasn’t meant to be this year. To for her brand of eclectic classic soothe our bass-loving needs, the S The Cocoa Butter Club soul, heard on her debut album show went online this summer. It Over the last four years, The Cocoa Butter Club has been coming up in ‘Road Runner’ and its neo-soul- was such a success that Rampage, London’s cabaret scene. Led by Sadie Sinner, the company celebrates influenced first single ‘Crossroads’. one of the biggest, baddest and performers of colour, many of whom are queer, from all walks (and Witter-Johnson made lockdown loudest soundsystems at Carnival, struts and sashays) of life. Mixing spoken word, aerial displays and infinitely more bearable with her will be bringing its mix of dancehall, drag, its showcases serve as one big fabulous reminder that Black and streamed performance for the Royal jungle, garage and R&B to our brown cabaret artists not only exist but are here to stay – with flair. Albert Hall way back in April, and we screens this winter, too. couldn’t be more excited to see her Dec 5. Free. Find out more by following How did The Cocoa Butter Club get started? work the strings in real life. @ rampagesound on Instagram. ‘Back in 2016, I decided to put the wheels in motion because when The Jazz Cafe. Nov 17. £14. I attended a Pride event that year, I saw that there were no Black No Bass Like Home lesbians booked on the cabaret stage. When I talked about it on online Reggae has made a lasting forums, the responses were “maybe there are no Black lesbians in impression on the UK. You name cabaret” or “maybe there are none that are good enough performers ’em, Brent made ’em. Trojan Records to be on stage”. My response was, “obviously you haven’t seen me Photography was founded in the borough and perform”. So I created a showcase to help talent scouts easily find both Britain’s first homegrown us, but then it became clear that, actually, people who shared our S ‘Windrush: Portrait of a reggae band, the Cimarons, and identities wanted to see us perform too.’ Generation’ singer Janet Kay (the first British- In this recently-opened photo born Black female reggae artist to What can we expect at one of your showcases? exhibition at Brixton Library, the score a UK number one) were from ‘There’s just always such beautiful energy, it’s palpable and you can Windrush Generation are given the area. Is all this news to you? feel it from both performers and the audiences. I would honestly the admiration they fully deserve Then it’s time for an education. At describe it as a sacred space.’ in award-winning photographer the No Bass Like Home lockdown Jim Grover’s illustrative photo party, you can get a crash course How do you manage the business side of things? story. Originally shown in with a seven-hour online festival ‘It’s tricky sometimes finding the balance, especially because I’m also at the Oxo Gallery as part of the of music from the borough’s reggae age-mates to most of the people in our company. It can be complex... seventieth anniversary of the and bass pioneers, all curated by making those tough business decisions. I’d say we’re doing an okay job arrival of the SS Empire Windrush, Xtra DJ Seani B. As well as the though – many people assume that we’re a fully fledged company.’ the photographs – many of which Brent stars there’ll be acts from were taken in Brixton – show the Florida, Miami and Jamaica. Most How has the London cabaret scene changed over the last few years? family gatherings, Sunday services importantly though, there’s a live ‘It’s very white, but at the same time it’s not, because all of these and rowdy domino games that set from Willesden royalty, Janet exciting initiatives and projects are popping up... London is really DIY, are part of the daily lives of the Kay herself. with people creating for themselves the spaces that are needed to Caribbean community. Nov 15. Free. Find out more at champion and celebrate their communities.’ ■ Interview by Paula Akpan WINDRUSH: JIM GROVER AT WWW.WINDRUSHPORTRAITOFAGENERATION.COM; SADIE SINNER: HOT DOG STUDIOS; SADIE SINNER: HOT DOG STUDIOS DOG HOT SINNER: SADIE STUDIOS; DOG HOT SINNER: SADIE WWW.WINDRUSHPORTRAITOFAGENERATION.COM; AT GROVER JIM WINDRUSH: Brixton Library. Until Mar 31 2021. Free. www.brent2020.co.uk Next show: The Albany. Nov 13. From £9.
41 November 3 – 9 2020 Time Out London Things to Do
ONE UNMISSABLE THING
Lynette Yiadom- Boakye: ‘Fly in League with the Night’ British artist Lynette Yiadom-Boakye’s work focuses on fictional Black subjects created from found images and her own imagination. The figures wear contemplative facial expressions and relaxed postures, often captured in dark palettes that are potentially representative of any era. See these expressive oil paintings up close at the first major UK survey of her art. Tate Britain. Nov 18-May 9 2021. £13.
Steve McQueen ‘Year 3’
and physical exhibition. It explores take art from the walls of galleries Must-see art themes of intimacy between the and museums and bring it out to Fundraiser sexes, the politics of hair, Black the people, to be shown everywhere C Steve McQueen: ‘Year 3’ feminism, and the connections from launderettes to billboards. E BlackOut Hackney Wick The diversity, hope and future of between art and healing. Held at J/M Artists from the borough have As protest becomes part of our the next generation of Londoners Gallery, the physical exhibition is a created new pieces. They are all daily lives, finding new ways to is captured in Steve McQueen’s the chance to view work by Nigerian different in style, with one fight for what’s right while ambitious ‘Year ’ project. The artist Oluwole Omofemi and the thing in common: each CAU protecting our spirit will Turner Prize- and Oscar-winning Jamaican-born Tony Daley. is inspired by Brent. D S be necessary to keep O E artist invited every year class in the J/M Gallery. Nov 4-10. Free, register in advance One of those artists O going. BlackOut aims city to have their photograph taken. on Eventbrite. is Yasmin Nicholas, S to do just that by The resulting exhibition captures a who has developed G becoming a platform generation at a crucial stage in their a new collection of N for under-represented development, with the potential to collage works, ‘The E H Black voices that become whoever they want. Children of the Sugar’, E D A S brings together the Tate Britain. Until Jan 31 2021. Free. Alfresco art which are made with C passion of protest with poetry and found images the joy of a festival. The first W ‘#CantStopOurFlow’ W Brent Biennial: Yasmin drawn from the histories that event, held at Colour Factory in The question of how Black artists Nicholas form her Brent identity. See how Hackney Wick, features Basement create work for their community The arrival of a full-scale biennial many you can find. Jaxx vocalist Vula Malinga. will be at the centre of this online was a first for Brent. The idea was to Various locations in Brent. Until Dec 13. Free. Colour Factory. Nov 21. From £10.
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Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 42 Things to Do
No Ordinary Book Shop Brilliant After a struggle to find books with positive representations of Black bookshops people, Angel Miller took matters into her own hands. She opened No S Round Table Books Ordinary Book Shop, stocking books Though a relatively new arrival in for and about Black youth. Miller’s Brixton Village, Round Table Books library is available to peruse online feels like it’s been around for years. and travels the city in pop-up form, The shop started life as a pop-up appearing in local libraries and town event organised by children’s halls. Follow No Ordinary Book Shop publishers Knights Of, to celebrate on social media for updates. diversity in kids’ literature. After an www.noordinarybookshop.co.uk overwhelmingly positive response to the stall, Round Table Books N Pepukayi Books became a permanent fixture in Set up by activist Elder Pepukayi, Brixton and is packed with a wide Round Table Books this Tottenham bookshop based in selection of children’s books and 4.5 the The Maa Maat Cultural Centre comics. It’s the perfect place for the Book shop sells African-centred books. The young (and not so young) to mooch “Gorgeous shop with a literature spans many topics from G brilliant selection of exciting around for an afternoon. kids books” Black pride to Black history. 97 Granville Arcade, Coldharbour Lane. 366A High Rd. www.instagram.com/ www.instagram.com/roundtablebooks peppayourmind
The UK’s first Black publisher is still educating us, 50 years on
N New Beacon been key not only in Books amplifying the work Waking up super of Black writers, but early. Picking the ensuring that we have perfect outfit. a place to showcase Slicking your hair our achievements. down with brown New Beacon Books gel. Glossing is a fundamental your lips. This part of Black British might sound like history that provided preparation for the blueprint for when going ‘out out’ in I co-founded Black the Before Days, Girls Book Club – a but for me that literature and social was my weekend events platform that ritual for getting celebrates literature by Shopping ready to meet Black womxn writers. my girlfriends Speaking of La C Afro Pop to venture to 76 Rose, the novelist, Until very recently, Afro Pop market Stroud Green playwright and critic was known as ‘Afro Pop Peckham’, Road and visit New Beacon Books. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o wrote: ‘John La Rose is and took place every week on Rye This was the UK’s first publishing house and immensely aware of the revolutionary potential Lane. Now it’s moved locations bookshop specialising in the works of Black of literature and culture in the world today. As to Canary Wharf. It might be far writers. Founded by Trinidadian political and a writer, publisher and cultural activist, he has removed from what some Peckham cultural activist, poet, writer, publisher John La helped in the growth of many writers in Africa, locals affectionately call ‘Little Rose and his partner Sarah White in 1966, it Caribbean, Europe and America. Rarely has Lagos’, but the free weekly market is has been a safe haven for those of us wanting anybody come into contact with him without still packed full of African-inspired to lose ourselves in the work of Black writers for being affected by his generous, searching, arts, crafts, jewellery, homeware, more than 50 years. modern renaissance spirit.’ fashion and more, all made by Black- The world of Black authors was not New Beacon is not just a cultural institution: owned indie businesses. Visit its prominently featured on the school curriculum it is a safe space for Black writers and readers ‘literature lounge’ for books on Black but, at New Beacon Books, I got my education. alike. Seventy-six Stroud Green Road is the history and African culture, have an I was introduced to the works of Ralph Ellison, birthplace of Black British literature – and African heritage photoshoot in the Bernardine Evaristo, Jackie Kay, Audre Lorde somewhere I can call home. ■ media studio or hit up the ‘mind, and Sister Souljah. Fellow patrons would Melissa Cummings-Quarry, co-founder of Black body and spirit health hub’ where signpost me to books that they thought a young Girls Book Club. experts will be on hand to help you Black girl needed to read. The bookshop has 76 Stroud Green Rd. www.newbeaconbooks.com get a post-lockdown glow. PAINTING: TIE THE TEMPTRESS TO THE TROJAN 2018, COLLECTION OF MICHAEL BERTRAND, TORONTO, © COURTESY OF LYNETTE YIADOM- LYNETTE OF COURTESY © TORONTO, BERTRAND, MICHAEL OF COLLECTION CHRISTELIS 2018, THEO TROJAN PHOTO THE WESTMINSTER. TO OF TEMPTRESS BOROUGH THE LONDON TIE PAINTING: STATION, TUBE PIMLICO AT BILLBOARDS 3 YEAR MCQUEEN: STEVE BOAKYE; 59 Millharbour, E14. Every Sat. Free entry.
43 November 3 – 9 2020 Time Out London
Black Pound Day SATURDAY 7 Nov
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timeout.com/eatdrink @timeouteatdrink
Beza Ethiopian Food Where does a top chef go when he’s hungry? Kate’s Café Nigerian tapas, wood-smoked meat and a Beza Ethiopian Food Tucked away in Plaistow, this spot that does vast Ethiopian sharing platters. This Ethiopian joint does 1simple spot is worth travelling ’s picks his favourite 4vegan food, sure, but not that to – and not just for its extensive list James Cochran you’d notice meat missing! Its vast of tasty gin cocktails. The real draw? Black-owned restaurants in London sharing platters are made up of all The British and Ghanaian fusion kinds of vegetable and pulse stews menu here is a mega who’s who of that are served nestled into an injera. every African comfort carb: plantain, Really flavourful and addictive yam, rice, fufu – you name it. British Caribbean culture. And they chains you’re more likely to see stuff. It has an outdoor space, which 174 Balaam St, E13 8RD. serve up some great rotisis too. in GreenwGreenwich. Its menu is small is good news at the moment. Various venues. See www. but succsuccinct: you can choose 8A Sayer St, SE17 1FH. Island Social Club islandsocialclub.com for details.. betweebetween beef, chicken or ram Marie Mitchell and Joseph suya – bboneless or on the bone. The Tramshed Project 2Pilgrim have created an Alhaji Suya You can also get kilishi here – a I met Dominic Cools-Lartigue inclusive space with Island Social This Nigerian spotot versioversion of jerky that originated 5around a year ago. He’s a Club. The duo run food projects 3specialising in suyaya in Hausaland – if you’re pioneer of the street-food scene around the city – from storytelling (grilled seasoned meat)) looking for even more – he was the original founder of supper clubs to their bright and airy makes a welcome protein gains. Street Feast – and he’s also an avid Haggerston pop-up – all with the change from the Unit 15, Angerstein Business supporter of Black Lives Matter.
JAMES COCHRAN: JESSICA JILL PHOTOGRAPHY JILL JESSICA COCHRAN: JAMES aim of helping people connect to copy-and-paste Park, SE10 0RT. That’s why I teamed up with him on
455 November 3 – 9 2020 Time Out London Food & Drink
More on what chefs eat at timeout.com/recipes
Smoke & Salt
Smoke & Salt 4.7 Small plates restaurant this project. Tramshed is a socially “The pheasant dish we had was out distanced dining room in a massive of this world” gallery space. I’m doing some of the food and so is Zoe Adjonyoh (Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen) and a few others. Smoke & Salt Expect lots of fried chicken from I first went to Remi and me – plus co-working spaces and a 7 Aaron’s spot when they were bar as well. in Pop Brixton and was blown 32 Rivington St, EC2A 3LX. away by what they were producing from a tiny kitchen. Now they’re The Bash in Tooting. They offer an ever- There are no fancy Instagram changing menu of beautiful small 6 flower walls enticing people plates created using traditional in at Tottenham’s The Bash. In fact, methods such as smoking, curing unless you’ve been taken here by and preserving. But what I love most someone before, it’s unlikely that about them is that they try to make this unassuming gem would be their food reflect the diversity of on your radar – but it should be. south London and the UK. It does really simple African and 115 Tooting High St, SW17 0SY. Congolese cooking that’s incredibly high quality. Its grilled fish and Chuku’s meat options are so tasty and the I’ve not been here yet, but I’m value is off the charts. I love that its 8 dying to go. The founders, customer base is powered by word Emeka and Ifeyinwa, are siblings of mouth: it really says and they combine the Nigerian a lot about the standard of flavours they ate as kids with tastes its cooking. they found while living in Spain Chuku’s
COLE CHIRON MITCHELL: CLUB/MARIE SOCIAL ISLAND DICKSON; REBECCA CHUKU’S: CHUKU’S: REBECCA DICKSON REBECCA CHUKU’S: 71-73 West Green Rd, N15 5DA. and Martinique. It’s great to see a
Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 46 Food & Drink
brother-and-sister team doing what they love: capturing the spirit of their childhood eats and culture, and serving it up with flair. Would you expect anything less from Nigerians? 274 High Rd, N15 4AJ. Michael’s BBQ Kitchen This Brixton restaurant is 9 quite new on the scene but it’s doing awesome things. Chef-owner Michael cooks traditional smoked meats. Everything is smoked with natural wood (the proper way). He does my absolute favourite smoked pork belly pieces in the whole of the city and some very, very great jerk chicken too. Not into smoky stuff? The fried chicken is really banging too – but not quite as good as mine, ha! 292 Brixton Rd, SW9 6AG.
Kaieteur Kitchen Now in Enfield, this 10 street-food truck was one of the best in Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre (RIP). Run by chef Faye Gomes since , it focuses on Guyanese food. The influence of India in the cooking here is great and pronounced: the rotis are something else, there’s amazing grilled chicken and an ace playlist. ■ 750 Hertford Rd, EN3 6PR.
James Cochran is one of the contributors to ‘Community Comfort’, a cookbook featuring more than 100 recipes from Black, Asian and minority ethnic chefs, raising funds for BAME Covid victims.
Island Social Club
47 November 3 – 9 2020 Time Out London Roti Joupa
Say it loud!loud!
Showinggy your support for an eatery you here is no doubt that 2020 love can eextend far beyond paying the T has been incredibly tough on small businesses across the bill. TogetherTogether with Google, wwe’re here to capital – but the hard-hit hospitality inspire youyou with excellent BBlack-owned industry faces unique challenges. spots too eat and drink at – and to Today we’re shining a light on some brilliant Black-owned businesses provideprovidee tips on how you can help and celebrating the people that Black-ownedBlack-oowned businesses thrive run them. We’ll also show you how to give a little bit of help to local businesses using Google Maps Three Little Birds features, and by getting involved in Google’s #DearLocal campaign. Advertisement feature
Google Maps can show you which places offer takeaway Three Little Birds and delivery options (like Roti Joupa!), so you can continue This little Jamaican café nestled on to support your local even if Coldharbour Lane in Brixton (with you prefer to stay in a second location in Clapham) is a local favourite, with reasonably- priced dishes and a rum bar that packs a punch. A way of celebrating her roots, owner April Jackson’s boutique eatery offers an escape to the Businesses (like Ikoyi!) can Caribbean with its remixed now let you reserve your classic recipes and table online within Google authentic cocktails. Maps, which means you can If you try one thing, help the restaurant better it should be… The crispy manage capacity and golden sweet plantain. Various locations. #DEARLOCAL Trap Kitchen South London’s Prince Cofie Owusu, Chuku’s otherwise known as Shakka, set Is there a local up the celeb favourite back in 2016 business you in Manchester. Now with a second Eat of Eden signature snack – fluffy, hot roti would be lost restaurant in Balham, the previously With branches in Shepherd’s Bush, filled with chickpea curry and without? Google online takeaway business has Clapham, Brixton and Lewisham, spiced, slightly sweet condiments. is encouraging drawn huge support from famous Eat of Eden has taken London’s Staff are super-friendly and more people to share fans, including Stormzy and vegan-friendly food game up a than happy to take you through the the love for their model Leomie Anderson, for notch. Boasting pumpkin and daily baked goods selection or other favourite local its decadentbang bang prawns chickpea curries, lentil stew and menu highlights – one of which is spots on social, andmac ’n’ cheese. a host of plant-based burgers, its macaroni pie, topped with sweet then leave a Google If you try one thing, it should be… this spot is perfect for some filling tamarind sauce. review to help The generous half slab, which Caribbean nosh. If you try one thing, it should be… others discover it. offers a choice between snow crab If you try one thing, it should be… Buss-up shot (shredded buttery roti) Here’s how to get cluster and lobster tail. The sharing platter, so that you with a curry of your choice. involved: 76 Bedford Hill, SW12 9HR. can get a taste of everything: we’re Various locations. talking dumplings, callaloo (leafy 1 Take a selfie outside Chuku’s veg with spices), stews and more. Ikoyi a business you love Touted as the UK’s first, and only, Various locations. When Lagos-born Iré Hassan- (or just a photo of the Nigerian tapas restaurant, Chuku’s Odukale co-founded this central business if you’re is headed up by brother and sister London restaurant with his friend camera-shy!). Make duo Emeka and Ifeyinwa Frederick. Jeremy Chan (who had previously sure the scene you’ve Growing up in east London, the pair Google Maps can show you cooked at high-end restaurants shot complies with dreamed of bringing a slice of their the popular times for some like Noma and Dinner by Heston Covid-19 guidance. heritage to the capital – but the local businesses to help you Blumenthal), Londoners relished idea to put a unique tapas-inspired visit when it might be easier their first taste of West African- 2 Search Instagram spin on traditional dishes came to socially distance influenced fine dining. With a stickers for ‘dearlocal’ about during Emeka’s time living Michelin star under its belt, this and add Google’s in Spain. Word spread as the duo joint is all about innovative and #DearLocal sticker. opened their first pop-up in 2016, creative gourmet dishes, including and, following a highly successful Roti Joupa creamed spinach ehuru and aged 3 Tag the business crowdfunding campaign, they For London-based Trinidadians, short rib with suya. in your post using finally opened their long-awaited Roti Joupa is like a home away from If you try one thing, it should be… their handle. permanent restaurant in Tottenham home. Opened by a Trinidadian Plantain caramelised in ginger at the beginning of the year. family back in Clapham in 2001, and kombu. 4 Tag three friends If you try one thing, it should be… this Caribbean café has now 1 St James’s Market, SW1Y 4AH. and nominate them to Suya meatballs: delicious expanded to Finsbury Park and share a #DearLocal grilled beef with ginger, chillies and Shepherd’s Bush, gaining a cult For loads more tips on how to selfie too. a spiced kuli kuli (peanut) blend. following as it goes. It’s best known support Black-owned businesses, 274 High Rd, N15 4AJ. for its doubles, the country’s turn to page 24.
Help people discover the local businesses you love by leaving a Google review Love Local Love Local
Edited by Kate Lloyd timeout.com/lovelocal
The Crouch Hill youth club that’s making stars A community project in Ashley Walters’s neighbourhood is changing the lives of the kids who live there. Portrait Anselm Ebulue
THE NUMBER OF youth clubs in London deeper than that,’ Smith explains. It offers has nearly halved since , yet their one-to-one sessions, residential trips, historical importance in providing a safe mentoring and skills-based workshops. space for young people is still unmatched. He sees places like it as spaces where those And Shawdon Smith is one man who pushed to the outskirts can have their knows this all too well. He’s dedicated his potential nurtured. ‘Young people in our life to uplifting the young people in his area want to make a difference and do community through Ambitious Academy. something constructive,’ he says. The centre aims to support the youth And now Smith and his community of Archway and on the nearby Elthorne have found their calling in film. Working Estate – where he grew up – through alongside production companies, they are mentoring schemes, connecting them to telling their own stories. In collaboration professionals and showing them they are with youth-led media organisation Fully valued and seen. Focused and Arsenal in the Community, After finishing university and returning in Ambitious Academy created home, Smith knew he wanted to work the short film ‘Drawn Out’, which gives with the young people in his community, a glimpse into the harsh realities some reaching them in a way that parents or experience in the capital. Since its release, teachers often couldn’t. ‘I just said “this is the film has had more than million my passion, this is what I want to do”.’ YouTube views. Its success has seen Crouch End Although he says the estate he lives on Ambitious Academy’s young people has a ‘pretty bad history’, Smith always appearing in shows like ‘Top Boy’ and understood the potential of the people who ‘Bulletproof’. ‘We’re trying to get funding grew up around him and had first-hand so we can continue creating films,’ he says. experiences of the power of youth centres. Smith is proof of the power of Jacqui Sealy ‘Me and my friends always used to go every community. ‘It’s not about money or has run Crouch week when we were young!’ he says. making an income for me, it’s more of just End florist The While Ambitious Academy is a having that moment when a young person Blossom House wonderful place to socialise, ‘it’s a lot can be proud.’ ■ Niellah Arboine since .
Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 50 Love Local
Love Local
Time2chill ‘It’s a 100 percent plant-based cosy coffee shop with organic coffee beans and teas that are sourced from Scotland. The bagels are delicious. Also, they do the best vegan burger I have tasted. Beata, the owner, only opened a few weeks ago, but Kimura has made her mark in the area already. They ‘WhatALEXANDRA can I say… it has the also have a secret garden that is covered most amazing sushi I have tasted. and accessible through the cold It’s always soPARK busy. My favourite is weather. Love it.’ almost anything with salmon in, so when 316 Park Rd. I feel like something warm, I will have a donburi bowl with mixed seafood. And I also love, love, love uramaki with tobiko prawn, asparagus and spicy salmon.’ 167 Priory Rd. Rejuven8 ‘I love this place. Ihad my first facial here and go back regularly – it’s so clean, warm and friendly. Itoffers really lovely mini spatreatments.’ 224 Middle Lane.
Hornsey PRIORY PARK The Curl Bar London ‘It’s the place to go to get CROUCH your curls looked after. It does excellent conditioning treatments. END I take my granddaughters here to PLAYING get their hair treated. It’s great FIELDS for a spoiling session.’ 210 Middle Lane. CROUCH END
Gift ‘It’s a stationery shop right by the clock tower in Crouch End. It has some absolutely gorgeous and stylish Bottle pens, notepads and all you need to Apostle keep your home office going. The ‘It’s a wine, beer and spirits staff are so friendly, especially heaven. They can get anything you lovely Tiffa, the owner.’ want. My partner and I order our 14 Topsfield Parade. favourite champagne here. They also give wine-tasting evenings – they are so knowledgeable.’ 49 Park Rd.
51 November 3 – 9 2020 Time Out London Love Local
The Peckham pub that’s a community hub It’s only taken Prince of Peckham three years to become a local institution
‘PUBS SERVE THE communities in which left long-standing residents out in the cold, and free drinks for NHS staff, as well as space they reside. Without pubs there’s no outlet, it was crucial that the pub was one where for co-working’ no mutual social ground, and the pandemic everyone could coexist. There’s a pervasive myth that pubs are an has highlighted how necessaryssary they are,’ ‘Being BlBlackac and from south-east inherently white cultural phenomenon. But says Clement Ogbonnaya, owner of London has afforded me insight Ogbonnaya puts this down to how owners Prince of Peckham. into every llayera of the community, have traditionally approached the space. Since it opened its doors in , allowing me to cater for all. Ownership ‘My dad never went to the pub and, as a Prince of Peckham has becomeome within hohospitalityspi is predominately Nigerian-born Brit, it wasn’t so prominent a cult favourite in the area. white. My mission is to reinvent in my upbringing,’ he says. ‘Yes, they are still Inspired by how the pubcupub culture, making it more quite white in their ownership and clientele barbershop in the Channell accaccessiblees and welcoming for but I’m here to change that up, for sure. show ‘Desmonds’ became all,’ hhe explains. The pandemic Nobody should feel unwelcome in a public a hub for local Peckham has sseen Ogbonnaya double house, ever.’ residents, Ogbonnaya dowdown on his efforts to wrap his With quiz nights hosted by the quirky wanted to provide a space armarms around the community Kweens Quizzes, football match screenings for the community by the thathat he says has ‘stuck with and variety shows compèred by drag artists, community. Set against thee [Pr[Princein of Peckham]’. He adds: the pub is keeping Peckham nightlife alive backdrop of Peckham’s rapidpid ‘We ooffer discounts for local against the odds, while maintaining its Clement Ogbonnaya ■ regeneration that has oftenn busbusinesses,in students and OAPs inclusive edge. Kemi Alemoru EBULUE ANSELM IMAGE: MAIN
Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 52 Love Local
The Livesey Exchange Cyndi ‘Not yet fully open, but one to watch out for. This multipurpose space delivers creative workshops, SURREY LINEAR cultural programmes and spaces for skills CANCAL PARK development. Nick Okwulu, the brains behind it, is an unsung community hero who has tirelessly supported many strands of the community in the area – he even gave us advice.’ 135 Bird in Bush Rd.
Gisella WILLOWBROOKE Boutique ESTATE Cyndi ‘[A place] for those CLF very special occasions, Gisella Art Lounge Boutique has been Peckham High Cyndi ‘Owned by grassroots Street’s personal styling stalwart for 29 creative Mickey Smith, who famously years. It’s done pieces for the likes of saved the Bussey Building with CLF, this Doreen Lawrence and Gina Yashere, cosy bar is a calm oasis in the centre and is run by mother-daughter of Peckham with a beautiful rooftop team Gisella and Jan Asante.’ area. I love the eclectic music played 95 Peckham High St. there, plus – shameless plug – I Peckham DJ there every so often.’ Food Hall 4A Station Way. Monique ‘A firm lunchtime favourite for us. The Zionly space is home to three food outlets: Queens Road Peckham Manna Copeland Jerk Centre, Steamer Cyndi ‘Delicious, and Izatu’s Kitchen, offering affordable Caribbean vegan Caribbean, ChineseCOSSALL and Sierra food that’s fondly and originally Leonean cuisine.’PARK knownin the Black diaspora as 74A Rye Lane. Bidhaar italcuisine.Thechickpea and Monique ‘We love potato curry is gorgeous.’ getting choice bits from Unit 41, Rye Lane this self-described Afro-urban IndoorMarket. fashion, art and lifestyle outfit. I got a swanky Ankara-designed Peckham Rye mug there the other day.’ 133A Rye Lane.
Little Sister Cyndi ‘[Owner] Nicola always selects quality pieces for the store, great prices too! I NUNHEAD can’t get enough of her wares. The last purchase I nabbed there was an amazing £10 ex-factory shirt that always gets a compliment when I wear it.’ 12-14 Holdrons Arcade. Peckham
Cyndi Anafo and Time Out’s Love Local campaign supports Monique Tomlinson local food, drink and culture businesses are directors at in London. Find out how you can help the hairdressing hub places that make our city great. Peckham Palms. timeout.com/lovelocallondon
53 November 3 – 9 2020 Time Out London Escapes
Edited by Ellie Walker-Arnott timeout.com/daytrips
WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH Black Girls Camping Trip
Tianna Johnson tells Paula Akpan why she wants to share the therapeutic power of pitching a tent, and ensure nature doesn’t feel like a white space
WHEN LONDONER TIANNA of campers, from party people to Johnson set off on an impromptu exercise enthusiasts, the heart of camping trip in North Carolina in Black Girls Camping Trip hinges , she had no idea that it would on healing and vulnerability be the genesis for creating Black within a welcoming and receptive Girls Camping Trip, a London- environment. ‘A lot of our attendees based outdoor retreat for Black have experienced different forms women and non-binary of violence, such as people. ‘We watched domestic or sexual the sunrise from the ‘Nature is abuse, at the hands mountains and it was of men. Through incredible. It was my stronger being Black, they also first time camping, so experience racial often feels like a white pastime. have to rely on the network of people when I came back to than any violence in the UK. ‘When it comes to us thinking about around you.’ the UK, I tweeted one When you’re healing getting away, it’s often about going Tianna and her team have had to night asking if any individual’ from traumas, it’s to other cities,’ shares Johnson. ‘I consider Covid as they devise their Black girls wanted to important for it to take think one of the powerful things next adventure, due to happen in go camping with me.’ place in as safe a space about Black Girls Camping Trip is August . ‘We’ll be planning our Johnson woke up the as possible.’ that it’s in the UK, not even that far trip as normal with social distancing next day to a flood of With percent of from London, but you’re isolated and we’re also looking at masks.’ enthusiastic responses. Black people in the UK and that pushes you to look inwards.’ In the meantime, the organisation The first trip took place living and being raised And camping is not easy – it requires has been running ‘e-campfire’ three weeks later. in cities and urban teamwork and trust. ‘You’re battling sessions, such as therapeutic writing Alongside activities spaces, taking time out with nature, which is considerably with author Bolu Babalola. ‘When
that cater to all sorts surrounded by nature stronger than any individual, so you we’ve been physically around the PYE/SHUTTERSTOCK. CHRIS TRUST: NATIONAL FOREST NEW THREADGOLD; VANESSA TENT:
Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 54 Autumnal day trips from London Five amazing reasons to leaf (sorry) London this autumn
New Forest National Park
HIBERNATING IS SO autumn 2019. As seaweed wrap or a warm seaweed bath. long as we’re allowed to go outside our Bonus: the venue has uninterrupted views flats – and the city – we’ll be doing so. of the waves so you can pretend you’re at (Day trips are totally allowed under Tier 2 the beach without having to deal with the rules, FYI, as long as you don’t mix with practically Arctic sea breeze. other households indoors.) Treatments from £25. www.haeckels.co.uk The pretty-much-essential The Sunday lunch workshop The Rose has stood as a landmark on One way to get through this chilly, frankly Deal’s high street for more than 200 years. miserable season is to gain some serious These days it’s the kind of place you want to campfire, that’s literally where all baking skills and load up on handcrafted retreat to after a long, blustery beach walk the best conversations take place, carbs. Make a day of it and take a class at and never leave. If, after a lazy lunch in the with jokes, learning and healing. Two Magpies Bakery in Darsham, Suffolk. plush dining room, you actually can’t bear We wanted to create that in people’s Try out pastry in the Scandi baking class to depart, book a room for the night, then all homes,’ explains Johnson. or learn how to make perfect, and highly you’ll need to do is make it up the stairs. Whether people join the coveted, sourdough. www.therosedeal.com retreat online or IRL,L, JohnsonJohnson Classes from £65. www.twomagpiesbakery.co.uk hopes attendees willl get a better The ultimate autumn walk understanding of authenticuthentic The otherworldly bookshop TheNew Forest National Park, an ancient rest and relaxation. ‘If you’re St John Boys House, also known as the woodland nestled between Bournemouth somebody who goess to a spa Crooked House, is well-known for its super and Southampton, is the perfect spot for massages, yes that’sat’s how wonky, leaning architecture. Built in the for a break from the city. The area has you technically like to rest but seventeenth century, the three-storey 140 miles of footpaths to tread, as well you still have to be vulnerableulnerable building in Canterbury is now home to as rolling heathland and free-roaming in front of a strangerr as ttheyhey Catching Livessecond-hand bookshop. ponies. Take a trip to any of the idyllic touch you, and that, to me, Treat yourself to a classic to read curled up villages nearby (we like Brockenhurst is not true relaxation.n. I want in bed and, before you leave, take a snap of and Beaulieu) and pop into a pub for a people to be able to learnearn the building. It looks a bit like 2020 feels. pint of Ringwood and some local fare. ■ how to rest authenticallycally www.catchinglives.org Stephanie Phillips in ways that aren’t www.newforestnpa.gov.uk difficult or expensive.ve. You The huge sigh out just need to know howow to After the year we’ve had we all deserve a carve out the space.’ ■ treat and Haeckels in Margate is where Find more seasonal scenes at we want to cash in ours for a treatment Find out more at Tianna Johnson timeout.com/daytrips www.blackgirlscampingtrip.comcom inspired by the sea, like a detoxifying
55 November 3 – 9 2020 Time Out London Film
Edited by Phil de Semlyen timeout.com/film @timeoutfilm
‘It’s the exception that proves the problem’ Steve McQueen’s five-film anthology ‘Small Axe’ is a masterpiece, but opportunities for London’s Black filmmakers are still painfully limited, writess filmmaker and historian David Olusoga
IF YOU WALKED on films, and behind the failures of to a film set in London today lies a long history of missed and more than a third opportunities and false dawns. Justst of the crew – camera, as long is the list of Black directors sound, lighting, who made breakthrough films costume, make-up – were Black but were never given the funding or Asian you would really notice or support to make follow-ups. it. It would feel unusual. Yet for It is the same story over and over a production based in London, again: careers with no second acts;; where much of the UK’s film and initiatives created to bring about TV is made, a production team change but didn’t; breakthroughs that was more than a third BAME that weren’t. would merely be a reflection of the These failures have long been One of the few areas where there despite these success stories, Black capital’s ethnic make-up. Around disguised by the success of Black has been progress is in the writers’ people make up just percent of percent of economically active British actors. But how much of that room. The list of Black British TV screenwriters, and when Black Londoners are BAME. In the UK’s success can the UK lay claim to? Idris writing talent is long and growing. writing rooms produce scripts, film and TV industries, what Elba, John Boyega, Letitia Wright, Writers like Lennie James, Levi with roles for Black British actors, should be entirely normal Daniel Kaluuya and many others David Addai, Baby Isako and others the crews assembled to make them would seem like an aberration. made it on US TV and in Hollywood are booked up months, often years, often fail to include Black people – as TV and film have a race problem. long before producers here in advance. Theresa Ikoko was the multiple reports testify. The last big push for change, recognised their headline potential. driving force behind ‘Rocks’, a rare This year, spurred into action the BFI’s Diversity Standards, And the success and visibility of British film with genuine diversity by Black Lives Matter, the TV and introduced back in , have not Black British actors camouflages on both sides of the camera. Getting film industries have made new succeeded in radically improving the UK’s failures in behind-the- their names attached to a project promises and launched initiatives.
BAME representation in British camera diversity. can open doors and wallets. But We may well look back at as a STEVE IMAGES; PADOVANI/AWAKENING/GETTY SIMONE OLUSOGA: DAVID COLE SHEYI © MCQUEEN:
Time Out London November 3 – 9 2020 56 ‘Small Axe’ is reviewed at timeout.com/film
WhiteW and Blue’, ‘Alex Wheatle’ and ‘Education’‘E plot the history of Black BritainB from to . This springsp saw Michaela Coel’s ‘I May DestroyDes You’ astonish audiences. WithW Coel playing the lead character, About Endlessness writingw and directing, it’s arguably beenbe the most talked-about drama of the year. Both McQueen and Coel are extraordinaryex talents, but they LIFE IS SAD and ridiculous in the deeply original arear also the exceptions that prove films of Roy Andersson. The Swedish director’s theth problem. The careers of two black comic movies are more collections of dry, geniuses,ge with unusual and unlikely offbeat, painterly vignettes than feature films careerca paths, does not mean the race in any traditional sense. This new one, scarce problemp has gone away. What their on laughs and brief, may be his last, says the workw offers is a glimpse of what we 77-year-old. It’s smaller in scale than his last two, arear missing out on. 2014’s ‘A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on When will we know that TV and Existence’ and 2007’s ‘You, the Living’. It also filmfi have properly addressed their has a more maudlin air to it overall than those racera problem? What Black and others – which, if you’ve experienced their bleak AsianA producers and writers long absurdity, you’ll know is saying something. forfo is the day when they can easily Great art brings perspective, and let’s face hireh crews that reflect London’s it: we could all do with some of that right now. population.p They long for the day There’s plenty of everyday pain and suffering whenw they are no longer told that to chew on here, as well as filmmaking craft theirth stories are ‘uncommercial’. to swoon over. We hear the voice of a woman TheT industry gatekeepers who argue recalling various people she’s met, and that’s the thatth audiences will only warm to only clear connection between the scenes that charactersch like themselves apply unfold – each of them single-frame, thatth judgment selectively. While static shots, drained of colour and WHAT IS IT… BlackB stories are said to be ‘niche’, The latest opus featuring everyday-looking, extra- thereth is never any shortage of films pale characters, as is Andersson’s Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx fromSweden’s andan series about another one of donof deadpan, signature style. Britain’s smallest minorities: the RoyAndersson. There’s a man crying on a bus rich. Ninety-three percent of us because he doesn’t ‘know what chapter change in the story of Black do not attend private schools; he wants’. There’s another facing WHY GO… film and television in the UK, but percent of us do not go to Oxbridge. For the anaesthetic- a firing squad (a nod to Goya, one not just because of decisions made Yet it is never suggested that free dentist of Andersson’s favourite painters). by industry power brokers. Two audiences might struggle to connect scene.Ouch. Elsewhere, a priest is going through of the most significant projects with posh people. When the stories a crisis: ‘What should I do now that of this year are the work of Black of the percent of us who belong to I have lost my faith?’ he asks the Director Roy Andersson British creatives. Both, in different BAME communities are deemed as doctor. ‘I’m sorry, I have to catch a (12A) 78 mins. In cinemas ways, put Black British experiences mainstream as those of the percent bus,’ is the reply. That’s Andersson’s and on Curzon Home and Black characters centre stage. who go to private schools we will worldview in a nutshell: we stare Cinema Nov 6. This month sees the release of have made progress, and McQueen into the existential abyss daily – and ‘Small Axe’, five incredible films and Coel will no longer yet life still ticks over, beautiful in by Steve McQueen. Between them, be exceptions. ■ its banality and miraculous that it ‘Mangrove’, ‘Lovers Rock’, ‘Red, ‘Small Axe’ airs on the BBC starting Nov 15. exists at all. ■ Dave Calhoun
57 November 3 – 9 2020 Time Out London Film
MY STREAMING SALVATION Samurai Champloo Film writer Kambole Campbell on his ‘THIS WORK OF small-screen happy place and frayed familial bonds. It fiction is not an immediately ticked all my boxes. accurate historical Shinichirō’s love of splicing portrayal. Like we care. genres seeps into every detail, from Now shut up and enjoy Mugen’s breakdancing-like fighting the show.’ With these title cards the style to scene transitions that use anime series ‘Samurai Champloo’ record scratches. ‘Champloo’ offers announced itself to me with an electric combination of chanbara amusing aggression three years (sword-fighting) and a frankly ago. It saved me during a lonely incredible soundtrack. period stuck at home, and I’m still But it’s not just the style that comforted by it now. It follows a keeps me coming back. Its epic vagrant, a rōnin and a young girl odyssey story is a balm at a time as they travel across Edo-era Japan when the living room walls to find ‘the samurai who smells occasionally seem to be closing of sunflowers’. Their adventure is in. The show’s in-your-face weird, wild and moving. style also makes a lot of room The man behind it, Shinichirō for gentle contemplation about Watanabe, already gave us the jazz- bonds between people from tastic sci-fi ‘Cowboy Bebop’ (check different backgrounds and it out at Funimation). Also blessed countries. ‘Samurai Champloo’ with seriously Spotify-able theme is occasionally melancholic but music, ‘Samurai Champloo’ marries it’s also hopeful in its interactions hip hop and Japanese history – all between strangers – a show where with a thoughtfulness that I love and you end up cherishing the memories deep themes that include repressed of even the briefest encounters. ■ feelings, intergenerational change Available on Netflix now.
Love Child
SAHAND AND LEILA flee from The film’s great achievement is Iran to Turkey after their extra- to show how faceless bureaucracy marital affair leads to the birth of pervades every aspect of life. their son Mani. Towards the end Buying a bike, attending a school of this often heartbreaking doc, play, having a day out: everything is Sahand asks Leila: ‘Do you think coloured by the spectre of rejection. we’re expecting too much from Sahand compulsively checks the life?’ They’ve just learned that United Nations portal to see if their Donald Trump has closed the US case has progressed. to refugees from seven Muslim Every positive step is countered countries, ostensibly to protect the with a setback. Years pass, as country from terrorists. Sahand we see the couple move from the and Leila are not terrorists but they breathless anxiety of escape to the are in danger. Adultery is still a daily grind and occasional good capital crime in Iran. Leila fears she times. They can finally get married. could be stoned to death; both fear They fall out over Mani’s birthday: their families could be arrested, you feel that it’s almost a relief to even tortured. Leilaeila has direct their frustration at ssomething a saintly family. Mani initially angrily It’s that link that makes this film so pretended that Mani is else for a change. ‘Their ssystem,’ rejects Sahand as his real father; powerful. Sahand, Leila and Mani’s her husband’s child.hild. says Leila, ‘it destroys people.’p Sahand inexplicably contacts situation is everyone’s situation, Now they are stuckck in ‘Love Child’ swesweepsep you someone in the Iranian secret just with the pressures, fears for the Turkey in agonisingng up in its story, thought service. Part of the predicament future and endless self-questioning bureaucratic it’s barebarely of the refugee, it shows us, is that amplified a thousand times. Are we limbo, a family sentisentimental. you never know if you’re doing the expecting too much from life? Yes. of unrecognised TheyThey’re never right thing. But it also reminds us No. I don’t know. ■ Chris Waywell
parts. prpresentedes as that that’s the same for any family. Available on PVOD Nov 6. RANMAR MORTEN © CHILD: GRAGE; ESBEN © MOTHER: CHILD LOVE MANGLOBE; CHAMPLOO: SAMURAI
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