1 – 9 November
A bold and new festival of words right here in Tottenham
The Bernie Grant Arts Centre’s Tottenham Literature Festival will highlight work by Black writers and champion diverse children’s literature. From poetry and spoken word to memoir and prose, the Tottenham Literature Festival will celebrate the word and storytelling in all its glorious forms. With a packed programme of readings, performance, talks by bestselling author, debates, films and writing workshops to fire your imagination.
Friday 1 November
Something Dark by Lemn Sissay
A rare chance to see a dramatic reading of the acclaimed one-man play by celebrated performance poet, Lemn Sissay based on his bestselling memoir My Name is Why about his upbringing in children’s homes.
Saturday 2 November
Festival Talks:
Bold Black Women
13:00 – 14.15
Hear from our panel of Bold Black Women writers, including author Candice Carty-Williams, on the joys and challenges of writing about race, gender and class.
Words, Rhyme & Power
14:45 – 16:00
Black writers, poets and performers have been transforming the English language for hundreds of years. Join our conversation on the role of words and rhyme in taking up space.
Feelin’ Good: Joy, Pleasure & Writing
16:30 – 17:45
Come and find out why writing about joy, love and pleasure can be an act of activism.
FREE Storytelling and Arts & Crafts
Join the folks at CultureTree on Saturday 2 and Saturday 9 November as they lead a fun interactive African Storytime and arts and crafts sessions at the Tottenham Literature festival.
Family Storytelling – 12:30 – 13:15
Family Arts & Crafts – 13:45 – 15:00
Family Storytelling – 15:30 – 16:15
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FREE Family Creative Writing Workshop with Storymix
13:30 – 15:00
Come and create a story together with your children in this family writing workshop.
FREE Meet the Authors: Hannah Lee and JJ Bola
15:30 – 16:30
Authors JJ Bola and Hannah Lee join interviewer Sarah Ozo-Irabor, creator of Books And Rhymes podcast, for an intimate discussion of their work.
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FREE Lets Write – Creative Writing Workshop for Black Women & Women of Colour
16:00 – 17:30
The session includes practical exercises, tools and tips for developing your writing practice and gaining confidence. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, interact with other members, and share your work.
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Thursday 7 November
Man on the Moon by Keisha Thompson
Poet and storyteller Keisha Thompson will perform Man on the Moon, using her unconventional relationship with her father, this piece explores the impact that mental health can have on the family dynamic, particularly within the context of the Black British experience.
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FILM: Revival: Women and the Word
19:00 – 20:30
Documentary about a literary road trip lead by a sisterhood of Queer Black Women.
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Friday 8 November
FILM: Devil in a Blue Dress
19:00 – 21:00
Denzel Washington gets way in over his head when he agrees to help an enigmatic white man look for a missing woman for a quick buck in pre-civil rights LA.
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Saturday 9 November
Festival Talks:
Poetry of the Mandem
13:00 – 14:15
Join poets who are pushing boundaries to reclaim narratives best representing the diverse, lively and nuanced experiences of black boys and men in London today.
Re-imagining Spaces
14:45 – 16:00
From Tottenham to Brixton, London is changing. Come and hear how black writers, musicians and artists are responding to these changing landscapes.
Fros, Rows & Prose
16:30 – 17:45
Join writer and broadcaster Emma Dabiri discuss inherited black hairstyling techniques from pre-colonial Africa to contemporary bald black women’s choices.
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FREE Storytelling and Arts & Crafts
Join the folks at CultureTree on Saturday 2 and Saturday 9 November as they lead a fun interactive African Storytime and arts and crafts sessions at the Tottenham Literature festival.
Family Storytelling – 12:30 – 13:15
Family Arts & Crafts – 13:45 – 15:00
Family Storytelling – 15:30 – 16:15
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FREE Meet the Author: Irenosen Okojie
16:30 – 17:15
Author Irenosen Okojie joins interviewer Sarah Ozo-Irabor, host of the Books And Rhymes podcast, for an intimate discussion of her work.
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FILM: Beloved
19:00 – 22:00
Oprah Winfrey plays Sethe, an escaped slave haunted by her past and the actions of her escape.
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FREE The RecordShop presents… Tottenham Originals
A superb line up of Tottenham original music talent brought to you by The RecordShop, based in the heart of Tottenham.
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#TLF2019
