Icons of Black British culture come together for one historic night showcasing reggae music as the soundtrack to 1970s and 80s Black Leeds and Britain.
Live performance from Brinsley Forde (Aswad) and Dennis Bovell (dub producer and lovers rock creator) provide the dub soundtrack to 80s activism and uprisal whilst ‘Queens of Lovers Rock’ Janet Kay and Carroll Thompson sing the era’s anthems of love and women’s empowerment.
Inspired by sound system classics of the era in which they came together, O.P.D. (Original Phoenix Dance) founders of the pioneering Phoenix Dance Company will perform their first joint original dance creation in over 30 years.
Revered Leeds designer Clyde Sheriffe’s Gabiccis & Pleats will also depict Black British style of the times. Hosted by actors and UK Black comedy legends, Eddie Nestor and Robbie Gee, the evening will be set against Leeds community imagery. Powerful, moving and joyful this will be a night to remember.
Rebellion to Romance is part of the Jamaica Society Leeds’ Out of Many Festival, an extensive Leeds-based festival to celebrate 60 years of Jamaican independence. Staged in partnership with Leeds Playhouse, with the generosity of Leeds 2023 and the kind support of Gabicci.
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