Ahead of James Baldwin’s 100th anniversary in 2024, Bristol Ideas is joining forces with various arts and culture organisations around Bristol to host Baldwin in Bristol, a long weekend of events (19 to 22 October 2023) around the city celebrating the life and work of the great writer.
James Baldwin – one of the best, most passionate, honest and committed writers of the 20th century – remains essential reading 26 years after his death. His novels and essays had huge impact in his time and are more relevant today than ever. He taught generations of readers and campaigners the realities of racism and how we might find ways to move forwards.
Bristol will play host to a performance of the american vicarious’s radically staged production of Debate: Baldwin vs Buckley, a cabaret night of poetry, dance and drag celebrating the great writer, and an exploration of Baldwin and cities on film.
During the afternoon of Saturday 21 October, Words of Colour welcomes writers and creatives to The Creators Space, a workshop on craft and creative activism at Arnolfini. 2pm to 4pm, tickets from £8.
In the evening, Words of Colour and Raise the Bar present Conversations with Baldwin: LIVE, a cabaret of poetry, dance and drag celebrating the work of James Baldwin with a line-up featuring Deepraj Singh, Ernest the Drag King, Muneera Pilgrim and Saili Katebe, along with other special guests. 7.30pm to 10pm, tickets from £6.
Baldwin in Bristol is presented by Bristol Ideas in partnership with the american vicarious, Arnolfini, Bristol Old Vic, Film Noir UK, Raise the Bar, Watershed and Words of Colour and is made possible with support from the BFI FAN Audience Fund, Arts Council England and others.
