Britain’s Black Cabaret Queen of the 1930s

Monday 23th May

Illustrated talk about this superstar who was in an all Black TV show in the 1940s and toured Germany, India, New York and Italy

 

Evelyn Dove was an amazing, famous and well-respected entertainer who was as popular in World War Two as Dame Vera Lynn. A student of the Royal Academy of Music in 1917, when there were very few black people in attendance ,she went on to excel in the 1940s. Compared, at the the time ,to Josephine Baker, she was the darling of BBC Radio and TV and pioneered all Black shows on the channel.

Stephen Bourne has written the only book her life ‘Evelyn Dove Britain’s Black Cabaret Queen from Jacaranda Books. In this presentation he will take us through:

  • What was cabaret and its role in European society
  • Edric Connor, Winifred Atwell and Black musical collaborations long before Windrush
  • Race and gender issues, first Black singer at the BBC
  • BBCs blockbusting ratings due to Black talent
  • The climate for African/Caribbean stars in 1930s Europe
  • Memory and legacy,who followed in her footsteps
  • The Sierra Leone, World War 1 and Harlem connections
  • All Black Bands and their popularity post World War 1
  • Rare,personal and exclusive photos of her
  • Why is she not better known?

Plus Q&A

This is an online event at 6.30pm UK/GMT time. The Zoom link will be sent to your email. Check your JUNK MAIL when you register and just before the event starts.

Black History Walks and Twentyin2020

‘Black History Walks in London Volume 1’. This is part of Black publishing house, Jacaranda Books revolutionary Twenty in 2020 initiative to publish 20 books by 20 Black British authors in 2020. An unprecedented feat. ‘Black History Walks in London Volume 1’ is the 20th of that series but was delayed to this year due to the Coronavirus.

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