Windrush To Bristol: events programme to honour ongoing legacy as well as Bristol Bus Boycott Pioneers at Bristol Beacon

Honouring the history of the Windrush generation, Bristol Beacon is hosting a programme of performance, exhibitions and events from Wednesday 19 - Saturday 22 June 2024 to continue the legacy in Bristol today. Across the three days in the run up to Windrush Day on Saturday 22 June, Windrush To Bristol will showcase the incredible impact of Black Caribbean people on Bristol, the UK and the world. 

Through the event series, Windrush To Bristol invites us to champion a more equitable city for people of all colours, cultures and class. Bristol can expect to discover the history of Windrush, dive into the music of Black Caribbean artists of Bristol and beyond, and be inspired by a more equitable vision for the future. 

Windrush The Journey, a concert and exhibition by Pegasus Opera Company, will take place across each of the three days in Bristol Beacon’s Lantern Hall.  For more than 30 years, Pegasus Opera Company has fearlessly paved the way for diverse talent in opera, and through Windrush The Journey, they will showcase a rich tapestry of music and storytelling whilst celebrating Black classical composers of the past, present and future. 

Bringing the music of Chevalier de Saint Georges, Richard Thompson and Des Oliver to the fore, with words for the opera by Bristolian Edson Burton, the performance will honour the legacy of the Windrush generation with an outstanding fusion of classical music, jazz and blues. A fascinating, immersive exhibition showcasing the work of Black British composers, photographs and local Windrush testimony, will be showcased throughout the week. 

Another brand new exhibition will collate Bristol people’s reflections and ideas around race, representation and resilience, with a vision to forge them into a manifesto to achieve racial equality for the city. From Thursday 20 June Race Cards: A Blueprint 4 Change will be on display, curated in partnership with CuriosityUnLtd, and inspired by the activism of the Bristol Bus Boycott and inspirational vision of Martin Luther King’s Dream.  

CuriosityUnLld launched #Race4Power in January 2023 at the people’s plinth. Touring Bristol with a giant card of Martin Luther King, this grassroots research project sought people’s answers to questions around race, representation and resilience. The exhibition, curated by Julz Davis, will display 500+ responses and is designed to spark a set of challenging conversations to inform the co-creation of a new grassroots-led manifesto on racial equality for the city. A new music track and anthem for change, ‘We Rise’, created by four young Bristol music artists will sit at the heart of the exhibition.

On Friday 21 June and in collaboration with St. Paul’s Carnival, a mini showcase of Bristol artists will celebrate  the ongoing impact of the Windrush-era on music through beats and bass. Back A Yard to Beacon will take visitors on a free musical journey through the key eras of Caribbean music - reggae, dub and dancehall. Taking over the foyer and transforming Bristol Beacon’s Bridgehouse into a musical showcase, artists Angel Mel, Rebekah Dinnal, Da Fuchaman and Texxus Redmoney, will share music inspired by their heritage from 5:30pm until 8:00pm. 

The night will be capped by one of the most anticipated dancehall events in the city, Masicka & Malie Donn  performing in Beacon Hall.

As well as this programme of celebratory public events, Bristol Beacon and CuriosityUnltd are also honouring 28 Bristol Bus Boycott Pioneers by naming seats in Beacon Hall at a special celebration on Thursday 20 June, to be attended by friends and family of the civil rights change makers. The seat dedication marks a permanent commemoration of the activists’ achievements in paving the way for the pivotal race relations act of 1965, following widespread celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Boycott in 2023. 

For more information on Windrush To Bristol, head to the Bristol Beacon website. To keep up to date with all news and updates, follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.