Cultural events across Newcastle and Gateshead marking the 50th anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King Jr receiving an honorary degree from Newcastle University.
A cultural programme of events freedomcity2017.com
Martin Luther King Jr Painting by Artist Derek Russell
A partnership between
A partnership between A partnership between
Freedom City 2O17
WHAT’S ON.
Lectures 10 Insights Public Lecture Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
We unite in celebration of the legacy of Dr Martin Luther King Jr as artists, cultural venues, academics and communities come together to mark the 50th anniversary of Dr King receiving an honorary degree from Newcastle University. On 13 November 1967, Dr King made an impromptu speech; his last public address outside the US before his assassination.
3 Oct
12 We Shall Overcome! America and the Civil Rights Movement in Northern Ireland 17 Oct
12 Platforma Festival 19 – 31 Oct
14 Street-sound Galaxy 27 Oct
17 Multi-faith observance
As relevant today as they were 50 years ago, Freedom City 2017 explores what Dr King called three ‘urgent and great problems’, ‘the problem of racism, the problem of poverty and the problem of war’.
26 Sept – 31 Jan
10 KING
6 Oct – 2 Nov
10 Where do we go from here? 3 Oct – 19 Nov
11 FREEDOM 7 Oct – 1 Dec
12 Starless Midnight
20 Oct – 21 Jan
18 Freedom City Comics
15 Rise up: Ending Racism, Poverty and War 2 – 5 Nov
16 The Mighty Stream – poems in celebration of Martin Luther King 11 Nov
17 Public art on campus 13 Nov
19 Shahidul Alam: Kalpana’s Warriors 1 Dec – 11 Jan
Sept – Nov
14 Diverse Voices: John Agard and Grace Nichols 26 Oct
19 Diverse Voices: In Conversation with Catherine Johnson and Patrice Lawrence
Performance Art
Music 13 Songs of the Civil Rights Movement
04 Freedom on the Tyne
15 The Austerity Playbook
09 The Suitcase
15 From the Sky to your Hands
29 Oct
14 – 16 Sept
14 Juice Festival
1 Nov
8 – 11 Nov
17 Unspoken
24 Oct – 13 Nov
20 – 28 Oct
16 North East Gospel Choir
13 Pink Sari Revoloution
11 Nov
31 Oct – 6 Nov
18 New Tyneside Orchestra: Dr Martin Luther King Jr Concert
Exhibitions
18 Nov
On Sunday 29 October, join us for Freedom on the Tyne, as we remember the courage and sacrifice of those that have led the long march for civil rights and we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. This unique event, supported by Arts Council England will see an epic performance of theatre, music, dance and art through the streets of Newcastle culminating in a memorable and uplifting finale on the Tyne Bridge.
09 Rhyme Scene
16 Nov
24 Nov
Freedom City 2017 is about communities coming together to ask what they can do to address war, poverty and racism. Artists, musicians, performers and children and young people will present a city-wide programme that explores the three themes and remembers Dr King’s iconic visit to Newcastle.
Art
Decedance © Daniel Pincus
Welcome.
08 Three days… a Queen, a Prince and a King 8 Jul – 16 Dec
08 To Honour a Great and Good Man
12 Nov
11 Not as it is written: Black Pittsburgh in voice and image 7 Oct – 1 Dec
7 Sept – 30 Nov
Get involved and play your part in Freedom City 2017.
All events correct at time of going to press but please check website for details freedomcity2017.com
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Platforma Festival
Dr Martin Luther King Jr © Newcastle University
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Artist impression, Freedom on the Tyne
Events.
Freedom City 2O17 On Sunday 29 October a great drama will engulf NewcastleGateshead, inspired by Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy and epic civil rights struggles, past and present, from across the globe. Out of the buildings, through the streets of NewcastleGateshead and onto the iconic Tyne Bridge, will come a unique afternoon of theatre, music and dance; a modern passion play to honour and celebrate the courage and sacrifice of those who have led the long march for civil rights. Starting in locations across the city, four stories from Selma, Alabama 1965; Amritsar, India 1919; Sharpeville, South Africa 1960; Manchester, England 1819 will be woven together with the Jarrow March and other UK struggles, in a unique immersive performance and pageant featuring a local cast of hundreds. As night falls, an uplifting climax on the Tyne Bridge will bring the city to a standstill for a memorable and inspirational moment of light, sound and theatre.
SAMA 2007
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FREE EVENT
SAMA 2007
Sunday 29 October 3pm – 6pm
FREEDOM ON THETYNE Freedom on the Tyne is conceived and directed by Tim Supple, scripted by Roy Williams and produced by Mike Griffiths with production by DAT Events.
Thanks to:
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Events.
Freedom City 2O17 You can experience this unique event in many ways – follow one story from start to finish, move from one to another, or join a story along the route. The four stories begin with immersive performances, then spill out onto the streets in four processions. Each procession will stop for a startling short outdoor performance before marching to become two dramatic pageants, gathering momentum as they join for an uplifiting finale on the Tyne Bridge.
FREEDOM ON THETYNE
The Tyne Bridge Join our stories and processions as they gather on the Tyne Bridge – the iconic symbol of the North East that links Newcastle and Gateshead. In the first ever performance event on the bridge we will celebrate the inspiring visit of Dr Martin Luther King Jr to Tyneside fifty years ago by paying homage to those who gave their lives and by recognising how our stories resulted in positive, meaningful change. Be with us on the bridge when we unite for an unforgettable epic finale of performance, sound and light that will send Dr King’s unshakeable message of peace, justice, equality and cooperation into the night sky and across the Tyne.
Sunday 29 October 3pm – 6pm
FREE EVENT
THE PAGEANT
The Turning of Martin Luther King Selma, USA, 1965
Artist impression, Freedom on the Tyne
Civil Rights march from Selma to Montgomery World History Archive / Alamy Stock Photo
Following the violence of the first Selma to Montgomery march across the Edmund Pettus bridge and the second attempt at which Martin Luther King stunned his followers by turning back, a group of young activists join a meeting of Civil Rights leaders as they debate what to do next. Attend the meeting and face the difficult choices surrounding the best route to the right to vote; march with King on the third attempt, calm, strong, peaceful and defiant, toward the bridge and feel the tension and uncertainty…will the troopers attack again or will you cross the bridge with King? • Indoor Performance: The Boiler House, Newcastle University 3.25pm • Outdoor Performance: Grey’s Monument 4.35pm
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The Haunting of General Dyer
A White Man’s Burden
The Ballad of Peterloo
Amritsar, India, 1919
Sharpeville, South Africa, 1960
St Peter’s Field, Manchester, 1819
In the aftermath of the Amritsar massacre, in which troops under British command killed and wounded hundreds of unarmed people, General Dyer faces trial for his actions. Join the inquiry and listen to the testimony of Dyer and the victims while you weigh up the cross examination and opinions of the likes of the young Ghandi and Churchill. Join the restless spirits of the dead as they haunt General Dyer in a wild fury of music, mask, costume and dance. Finally witness the event itself – what will it take for Dyer and the British Empire to accept responsibility?
At a police station in Sharpeville, a group of officers are preparing to face another demonstration against the infamous pass laws – requiring all black men and women to carry personal details. Hear the perspective of the heavily outnumbered white officers as the sound and song of the protesters moves closer. From the other side of a flimsy metal fence, see the protesters approach and hear their stories and demands. Follow the story as the police lose their nerve, a shot is fired and panic, tragedy and injustice follow.
Faced with years of famine and chronic unemployment, protesters dressed in their Sunday best, gather at a demonstration to listen to the words of the radical orator Henry Hunt. Hear their ballad of suffering and poverty; join the gathering and follow the carnival of song, dance and music; witness how the cavalry – flushed from success at Waterloo – are ordered to arrest Hunt. Gasp in disbelief as they charge through the crowd.
• Indoor Performance: The Assembly Rooms, Fenkle Street, Newcastle 3.30pm • Outdoor Performance: Bigg Market, Newcastle 4.30pm
• Starting Performance: Riverside, Newcastle Quayside 3.20pm • Outdoor Performance: Live Theatre, Broad Chare, Newcastle 4.20pm
• Indoor Performance: St Mary’s Heritage Centre, Oakwellgate, Gateshead 3.30pm • Outdoor Performance: Baltic Square, Gateshead Quays 4.35pm
Scenes from the Jarrow Crusade, 1936 (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images)
The Jarrow March North East England Protesting against the unemployment and poverty suffered in Tyneside in the 1930s, 200 men marched to London to petition for the re-establishment of industry in their home town. Join the Jarrow marchers, led by the great Ellen Wilkinson, in this celebration of the UK’s proud traditions of civil protest and social justice. Alongside miners, anti-war, anti-racism, poverty action, women’s rights, and LGBT groups, each with their own banners, chants, music and energy, march together for our continued fight for positive change. • Performance: Newcastle Theatre Royal 4.50pm
These events are not ticketed. Indoor performances will be managed on a first come first served basis.
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Events.
Rhyme Scene 26 Sept – 31 Dec Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books
Freedom City 2O17
TICKETS – NORMAL ADMISSION CHARGES APPLY Help blow the case wide open with the Rhyme Squad in this popup poetry trail! Can words make change? Is a poem a question or an answer? What messages do our crack team of young writers have for the universe? Do they want to use their words to be activists?
Three days… a Queen, a Prince and a ‘King’ 8 Jul – 16 Dec South Shields Museum and Art Gallery
This unique, interactive installation around the Seven Stories building will be developed over the course of Freedom City 2017. The Rhyme Squad (15 young people from Walker Technology College) and Chief Poet-in-Residence Rowan McCabe will spend the Autumn hunting for inspiration in archive material from the Seven Stories Collection, taking part in themed masterclasses with poets from across the UK and exploring their own interests & concerns about freedom and other complex global/personal themes. Join the Squad for guided tours on Saturday 11 November!
FREE ADMISSION This new exhibition celebrates 40 years since World Heavyweight Boxing champion Muhammad Ali visited South Shields, featuring images and objects from his visit. southshieldsmuseum.org.uk
To Honour a Great & Good Man 7 Sept – 30 Nov Philip Robinson Library, Newcastle University FREE ADMISSON Archives from Newcastle University’s Special Collections tell the story of Dr King’s visit: what led to his nomination, the preparations for the visit and what happened on the day itself.
sevenstories.org.uk
www.ncl.ac.uk/library/specialcollections/explore/current-andpast-exhibitions Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s Honorary Degree Ceremony Monday 13 November 1967. Credit Newcastle University Special Collections
The Suitcase 14 – 16 Sept Northern Stage
Rhyme Scene
TICKETS FROM £10 Based on a true story, The Suitcase is set in 1950s South Africa and tells the story of a young newly married couple who leave their rural village for a better life in Durban. Alienated, unemployed and poor, Timi steals a suitcase left on a bus which brings dramatic consequences and unexpected turns. The best African storytelling with lyrical music by jazz legend Hugh Masekela. The Suitcase
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northernstage.co.uk
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Events.
FREEDOM 7 Oct – 1 Dec Great North Museum: Hancock
Freedom City 2O17
FREE ADMISSION Great North Museum: Hancock presents FREEDOM a new work by Newcastle University’s scholar-filmmakers Ian McDonald and Geetha Jayaraman. FREEDOM is a conceptual installation that celebrates the political energy of Dr Martin Luther King Jr and underscores the ‘fierce urgency of now’.
Insights Public Lecture – Fickling Lecture on Developments in Children’s Literature
Directed by Ian and produced by Geetha, FREEDOM takes the visit of Dr Martin Luther King to Newcastle University 50 years ago to receive an honorary doctorate as the setting for an exciting visual collocation of the visit alongside and against archive material and contemporary visuals.
3 Oct Curtis Auditorium, Newcastle University
Produced by Interventions with the support of Great North Museum: Hancock, FREEDOM is fortunate to have the acclaimed filmmaker and artist, John Akomfrah as an advisor to the project.
FREE ADMISSION, FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS
greatnorthmuseum.org.uk
Baroness Floella Benjamin OBE, working peer, children’s campaigner, author and actress, will discuss ‘Facing adversity with a smile’.
Image: Charles ‘Teenie’ Harris American, 1908–1998 Large group of protesters Downtown with signs reading “Fight poverty, not Hanoi,” “SAV-CAP in the Hill,” and “LBJ where’s your support?” for demonstration against curtailment of anti-poverty program, January 1967 black and white: Kodak Safety Film H: 4 in. x W: 5 in. (10.20 x 12.70 cm)
Not as it is written: Black Pittsburgh in voice and image
This Insights public lecture is sponsored by David Fickling Books and hosted by Newcastle University’s School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics, in partnership with Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books.
7 Oct – 1 Dec Great North Museum: Hancock FREE ADMISSION
Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Heinz Family Fund, 2001.35.6802 © Carnegie Museum of Art, Charles “Teenie” Harris Archive Funded by Newcastle Institute for Social Renewal and the Newcastle University Humanities Research Institute.
Newcastle University academic, Dr Ben Houston, has gathered hundreds of spoken recollections of race relations and the civil rights struggle in Pittsburgh, USA. These will be presented alongside historic photographs from the Charles ‘Teenie’ Harris archive held by the Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh.
ncl.ac.uk/events/public-lectures
greatnorthmuseum.org.uk
Where do we go from here? 4 Oct – 18 Nov Ex-Libris Gallery, Newcastle University
Baroness Floella Benjamin OBE, Credit Ayo Banton
FREE ADMISSION A student-led multi-media exhibition on the theme of social justice through art and culture. Curated by and featuring the work of students from across the School of Arts and Cultures. The exhibition will build on the work of discussion groups and a new cross-School module in social justice in the arts.
KING Preview 6 Oct – 5pm-7pm 6 Oct – 2 Nov Gosforth Civic Theatre FREE ADMISSION Artist Frank Briffa presents his painting ‘O King’, based on a piece of music celebrating Dr King by Italian composer Luciano Berio. Ten pastel drawings complete the exhibition. gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk
‘O King’
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Events.
Freedom City 2O17
Platforma Festival 19 – 31 Oct Various venues FREE ADMISSION
We Shall Overcome! America and the Civil Rights Movement in Northern Ireland
The 4th national Platforma Festival brings together artists, organisations, policy makers and academics to discuss and celebrate the arts by, about and with refugees and migrants. Various events will take place in Newcastle during Freedom City 2017 including a conference, performances and screenings. platforma.org.uk
17 Oct Tyneside Irish Centre FREE ADMISSION In 1963 women in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, picketed the local council to protest against appalling housing conditions and discrimination in housing allocation in the area. They held placards claiming ‘If our religion is against us, ship us to Little Rock’ and ‘Racial discrimination in Alabama hits Dungannon’, indicating the resonance and influence the civil rights struggle in America in the 1950’s and 1960’s had in Northern Ireland.
This is part of a series of lectures with Dr Sarah Campbell, Newcastle University. Check the website for details. tynesideirish.com
Songs of the Civil Rights Movement 24 Oct – 13 Nov TICKETS VARIOUS PRICES Northern Roots presents a stunning array of artists whose music has soundtracked the civil rights movements in the USA, Jamaica and the UK. Borderline, performing as part of the Platforma Festival, Credit Jose Farinha
Starless Midnight 20 Oct – 21 Jan BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
Pink Sari Revolution 31 Oct – 6 Nov Northern Stage
FREE ADMISSION Co-curated by leading artist Edgar Arceneaux who has worked extensively with Dr King’s archive and BALTIC’s Chief Curator Laurence Sillars, BALTIC presents a major group exhibition of international artists whose work, each in its own way, sheds light upon this contemporary condition within a framework of the important legacies of Dr. King. A solo presentation of Arceneaux’s work will be mounted simultaneously. balticmill.com
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Events include Reggae legends Black Uhuru at Wylam Brewery, 24 Oct; Martha Reeves and the Vandellas headlining the North Sea Sounds DFDS ferry to Amsterdam on 3 Nov; Culture with Afro Fusion duet Ladies of Midnight Blue at the Cluny, 8 Nov; Rapper Akala storming Riverside, 9 Nov; Voices of Virtue Gospel Choir performing civil rights classics, A Change is Gonna Come and Heaven Help Us All at Hoochie Coochie, 10 Nov and the Earl of Pitt Street, 13 Nov; The Saze Project at Sage Gateshead 11 Nov. Freedomcity2017.com
TICKETS £10 Starless Midnight at BALTIC, Hinkle Untitled 81
Fifty years ago, in 1967, the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) was founded in Belfast to campaign against discrimination. This talk will examine the role of transnational networks in shaping Northern Ireland’s emerging civil rights movement and explore how these links are reinforced through memories and commemoration of the movement. In doing so, it will question whether the comparisons between events in the US and Northern Ireland in the 1960s are useful or limited.
Songs of the Civil Rights Movement
In the ‘Badlands’ of Uttar Pradesh, where violence against women can be traced back to Indian mythology, one woman has raised an army to say “no more”. She is Sampat Pal, the formidable and fearless leader of the Gulabi Gang, a movement of over 400,000 women fighting for their rights in a uniform of blazing pink saris. An explosive new drama created by a unique collaboration of award-winning Indian and British Asian artists led by Curve Associate Director Suba Das (Ravi Shankar’s Sukanya, Wipers, East is East). northernstage.co.uk
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Events.
Freedom City 2O17
The Austerity Playbook, Credit Dior and Eloise Ferry
The Austerity Playbook 1 Nov Stage 3 at Northern Stage TICKETS £10
Juice Festival
‘How Poverty was Challenged in a Freedom City’
20 – 28 Oct Various venues
André Pink (Dende Collective) in association with Mark O’Thomas and Andrea Vicari present a work-in-progress performance of a new jazz musical, based upon ground-breaking research by Professors Laurence Ferry and Ileana Steccolini of how austerity unfolded in Newcastle and across the world. Located in the mythical city of Burnside in the North East of England, characters come together in a space where the human cost of austerity brings its playbook into stark view. This workshop performance will be followed by a post-show discussion with the artistic team and researchers.
SOME EVENTS MAY BE CHARGED. CHECK WEBSITE FOR DETAILS In response to the three issues of war, poverty and racism, Juice has programmed a number of events inspired by Freedom City 2017. Our Time (Saturday 21 October), an after-hours night at Great North Museum: Hancock. A party full of music, performances, installations and workshops, celebrating how young people can take inspiration from the past and present to shape the future. What Once was Ours (Friday 27 October) at Northern Stage, created against the background of Brexit, uses the direct words and opinions of young people to explore how politics and national values impact on the complex lives of one family. juicefestival.co.uk What Once Was Ours, Juice Festival
Diverse Voices: John Agard and Grace Nichols
Street-sound Galaxy
26 Oct Seven Stories Bookshop
TICKETS £3.00 per person (event only, additional admission charges apply)
TICKETS £4.50 inc drink on arrival. Suitable for 16+
Join us in the Seven Stories Bookshop for this special twilight event, with poets John Agard and Grace Nichols. Grace and John will be reading a selection of their poetry, responding to the Freedom City 2017 themes of war, poverty and racism. This will be followed by a question and answer session and book signing. sevenstories.org.uk
27 Oct Seven Stories Bookshop
Rap, rhythm and rhyme combine in a rare joint performance by John Agard and Grace Nichols. Another opportunity to hear from two of the biggest names in contemporary poetry! Followed by Q&A and book signing. Suitable for ages 8+. sevenstories.org.uk
With the kind support of the Economic and Social Research Council, Newcastle University and Durham University. northernstage.co.uk
Rise Up: Ending Racism, Poverty & War From the Sky to your Hands
2 – 5 Nov Tyneside Cinema Join Tyneside Cinema for a special three-day programme of visual art, film and events dedicated to the three evils facing society that Dr King spoke of in his acceptance speech. The programme brings together community leaders, local businesses, academics and invited guests from across the North East to address how far we have to go in creating a truly equal society free from the shackles of racism, poverty and war. The full programme of events is available on the website tynesidecinema.co.uk/rise-up
From the Sky to your Hands 8 – 11 Nov Live Theatre TICKETS FROM £10 In 2008 Joana took part in From Home To Newcastle, a Live Theatre verbatim piece about asylum seekers and refugees. Almost ten years later this new play catches up with Joana – how have things changed for her and her family, including Osvaldo, now a typical Geordie teenager? Performed by Joana herself alongside actors from Live’s Youth Theatre, From the Sky to Your Hands tells, in their own words and with music and humour, a story of parenthood, longing and belonging. live.org.uk
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Events.
Freedom City 2O17 Jackie Kay, The Mighty Stream
Public art on campus 13 Nov Newcastle University Renowned sculptor, Nigel Boonham has been commissioned to create a stunning bronze statue of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. which will be installed on the Newcastle University campus.
North East Gospel Choir
www.ncl.ac.uk/events/collections/art
11 Nov Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead FREE ADMISSION, DONATIONS WELCOME The Shipley Art Gallery welcomes visitors to an afternoon of Gospel music from the North East Gospel Choir. The performance includes renditions of popular gospel songs, including: People get ready there’s a change coming; Wade in the Water; Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me around; Eyes on the Prize/Hold on; I woke up this morning with my mind set on freedom; I’m on my way; Oh freedom and We are soldiers in the army of the Lord.
Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s Honorary Degree Ceremony Monday 13 November 1967, Credit Newcastle University Special Collections
Unspoken 12 Nov Newcastle Theatre Royal TICKETS £10
shipleyartgallery.org.uk
A co-production between the Royal British Legion, the Drive Project and Newcastle Theatre Royal, Unspoken brings to light the trials and tribulations of the lives interrupted and forever changed by war, exploring the things we don’t get to hear about or are just too afraid to ask. Importantly, it gives a voice to the individuals who often lose theirs; wounded, injured and sick Service Personnel, veterans and their family members.
The Mighty Stream – poems in celebration of Martin Luther King 11 Nov King’s Hall, Newcastle University
theatreroyal.co.uk
TICKETS £6 £4 CONCESSIONS £2 NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
St Nicholas Cathedral
Multi-faith observance 16 Nov St Nicholas Cathedral FREE ADMISSION In keeping with Dr King’s view that love is ‘the unifying principle in life’, leaders of different faiths will come together in Newcastle city centre for a public demonstration of togetherness, followed by a Christian service at St Nicholas Cathedral, to which people of all faiths and none are welcome. This is being co-ordinated by Newcastle University Chaplaincy.
The launch of a new anthology of poems addressing the themes of Dr King’s speech at Newcastle University in 1967. This will be published by Bloodaxe Books and edited by Jackie Kay and Carolyn Forché. ncl.ac.uk/ncla
stnicholascathedral.co.uk
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Carolyn Forche, The Mighty Stream
Unspoken
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Events.
Freedom City 2O17 Diverse Voices: In conversation with Catherine Johnson and Patrice Lawrence
Diverse Voices: Into Crongton with Alex Wheatle
24 Nov Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books
23 Nov Percy Building, Newcastle University
TICKETS £2.50 Writers Catherine Johnson and Patrice Lawrence will talk about their work, and reflect on issues around children’s literature and race. Chaired by Darren Chetty, UCL Institute of Education, this event closes the Diverse Voices? Curating a National History of Children’s Books symposium.
TICKETED BUT FREE ADMISSION
New Tyneside Orchestra: Dr Martin Luther King Jr Concert
Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2016 winner talks about his young adult novels Liccle Bit, Crongton Knights and Straight Outta Crongton. How do the Freedom City 2017 themes play out in Crongton, where gangs rule the streets?
18 Nov St Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle
Delivered in partnership with Newcastle University’s Institute for Social Renewal.
TICKETS £10, CONCESSIONS AVAILABLE
research.ncl.ac.uk/diversevoices
Catherine Johnson and Patrice Lawrence
sevenstories.org.uk
The New Tyneside Orchestra and its Musical Director Monica Buckland present a programme of music inspired by the life of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, bringing together works from prominent African-American composers William Grant Still and Adolphus Hailstork with more widely played classics by Aaron Copland (Fanfare for the Common Man) and Duke Ellington (Three Black Kings). Joining the orchestra to feature as narrator in Copland’s Lincoln Portrait will be MP for Newcastle Central, Chi Onwurah. One of the leading amateur orchestras on Tyneside, the NTO has been making music in Newcastle since 1970 and regularly performs four concerts a year at venues across the region. newtyneorch.org.uk Freedom City Comics, Credit Brick, Matthew Grenby and Lydia Wysocki
Freedom City Comics Drawing on the expertise of academics at Newcastle and Northumbria Universities, a comics anthology will depict the people and stories associated with the civil rights history of the North East, from John Lilburne in the 17th century through to Dr King’s honorary degree ceremony in 1967. You can pick up a copy from early October. Freedom City Comics will be distributed across Newcastle University campus and around the city. research.ncl.ac.uk/fccomics
Shahidul Alam: Kalpana’s Warriors
Shahidul Alam: Kalpana’s Warriors 1 Dec – 11 Jan (open Wed-Sat 12 – 5pm) Artist Talk and reception: Friday 8 Dec, 6pm Bamburgh House, Market Street, Newcastle FREE ADMISSION Through this powerful installation, acclaimed Bangladeshi photographer, artist and activist Shahidul Alam explores issues of racism, social injustice and civil war in his study of the disappearance of Kalpana Chakma. Exhibition presented by NEPN and Breeze Creatives. www.northeastphoto.net
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Schools.
Freedom City 2O17
Schools Programme Freedom City 2017 aims to bring Dr King’s legacy to life for a new generation and empower them to contribute towards tackling the great problems of war, poverty and racism. It is doing this by educating and informing young people on the themes of the speech. In this way, we hope to encourage young people to think about the world they live in and how they can change it for the better. For more information visit www.freedomcity2017.com/schools Children from Christchurch Primary School
Dr King
Freedom City 2O17
at Newcastle University By Professor Richard Davies, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Engagement and Internationalisation, Newcastle University
School Pack A set of free teaching resources aimed at students aged 7-16 has been developed as part of Freedom City 2017, to help teachers and students explore the legacy of Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement. The materials include lesson plans, hand-outs, worksheets, music recordings and presentation slides covering a wide range of subjects.
An honorary degree was the highest mark of distinction the University could confer and came at a time when Dr King was seen as an increasingly controversial figure, particularly in relation to his stance on the Vietnam War and capitalism.
Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s Honorary Degree Ceremony Monday 13 November 1967 Credit: Newcastle University Special Collections
The 50th anniversary of his visit to Newcastle provides a unique opportunity to remember this momentous occasion and to ask not only how far society has come in that time but also what more needs to be done to address the three great challenges of racism, poverty and war which Dr King spoke of.
Conference delegates at the International Development Society Conference Saturday 18 February 2017, Credit Chris Bishop
Ouseburn Learning Trust Academic Response
The Ouseburn Learning Trust, a group of seven primary schools and one secondary school in the east of Newcastle, have developed MLKTyneside-Fifty, a bespoke package of activities that challenge and stimulate thinking about Dr King’s legacy and impact.
Freedom City 2017 includes research and teaching projects inspired by Dr King’s themes and led by Newcastle University academics.
Teesdale School Students at Teesdale School are working towards an evening of music and art inspired by Dr King on Friday 10 November. The art department is working on pieces reflecting on the themes of war, poverty and racism. The centrepiece of this exhibition will be a giant collage portrait of Dr King, contributed to by students from Teesdale School and others across the North East Learning Trust.
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Newcastle University students past and present are also contributing to Freedom City 2017. One way they are doing this is by sharing their reflections on the significance of Dr King’s honorary degree. In a series of short films, available on the Freedom City 2017 website, graduates who were present at the 1967 ceremony, and current students, talk about the impact that Dr King’s work has had on them.
Jack Taylor, President of the Newcastle University Student Union 2016-2017 addresses delegates at the International Development Society Conference Saturday 18 February 2017 Credit: Chris Bishop
Keeping a legacy alive Newcastle University, and indeed the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, has a strong history of support for civil rights and social justice. The award of Dr King’s honorary degree is just one example of this. As part of Freedom City 2017, the University will award honorary degrees to a number of public figures in recognition of the significant contribution they have made in the fields of social justice and racial equality. We very much see the 50th anniversary of Dr King’s visit as an opportunity to reflect on our institutional practices and will be actively taking forward a programme of work to embed equality and diversity across the whole University. Among our legacy initiatives we will be working towards accreditation under the Disability Charter and Race Equality Charter. In this way, and through other initiatives, the University aims to keep Dr King’s legacy alive.
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Freedom City 2O17
The legacy of a dream
Each project within Freedom City 2017 has been developed with legacy in mind, seeking a lasting impact in tackling at least one of the great challenges of war, poverty or racism which Dr King spoke of in his 1967 Newcastle speech. Decadance Theatre Credit Brian Finke
Inspired by Dr King and his campaigns and accomplishments, partners involved in the programme are working to improve their practices in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Support and thanks Freedom City 2017 wouldn’t have been possible without the support of many individuals and organisations including: Freedom City 2017 Steering Group members:
Freedom on the Tyne Creative Associates:
Arts Council England; Eclipse; Gateshead Council; Great North Museum: Hancock; Harambee Pasadia; NE1; Newcastle Council; Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service; Newcastle United Football Club; Newcastle University; Newcastle University Students’ Union; NewcastleGateshead Initiative; Northern Roots; Northumbria University; Tyne and Wear Archives & Museums; ZENDEH; Also thanks to Chi Onwurah MP, Patron of Freedom City 2017.
Dan Adams; Alison Ashton; Debbie Fionn Barr; Bethany Elen Coyle; Katie Ebner-Landy; Amy Golding; Holly Irving; Taeko Koji; Pauline Malefane; Annie Rigby; Hannabiell Sanders; Deepak Kurki Shivaswamy; Phil Supple; Jennifer Weber and Roma Yagnik. Along with the hundreds of volunteer participants and community groups, dancers, musicians and performers that took part.
NewcastleGateshead cultural venues and organisations:
the future
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art; Dance City; Gem Arts; Gosforth Civic Theatre; Harambee Pasadia Festival; Juice Festival; Jumpin’ Hot Club; Live Theatre; NEPN; NewBridge Project; Newcastle City Hall; Newcastle Theatre Royal; New Tyneside Orchestra; North East Gospel Choir; Northern Stage; Ouseburn Learning Trust; Platforma Festival; The Word - Respect School Rap Group; Tyne and Wear Archives & Museums; Tyneside Cinema; Tyneside Irish Centre; Sage Gateshead; Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books; Side Gallery; St Nicholas Cathedral and Wylam Arts.
Freedom City 2017 aims to: • Bring Dr King’s legacy to life for a new generation, to equip them with knowledge and skills and empower them to contribute towards tackling the great problems of war, poverty and racism.
Hotel support has been provided by The County. Freedom City 2017 is a partnership between Newcastle University, Northern Roots and NewcastleGateshead Initiative. The vision for Freedom City 2017 was devised by Adam and Patrick Collerton and the city-wide programme has been curated with partners across the city.
• Enable artists to create internationally significant work inspired the themes of Dr King’s speech. • Stimulate academic research and debate that will contribute towards finding solutions to the challenges posed by war, poverty and racism. The investment by Arts Council England through the Ambition for Excellence programme, seeks to bring about a step change in the audiences and workforces of the cultural organisations across Newcastle and Gateshead, to support emerging talent and develop and provide a platform for established artists.
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Workshop at Culture Lab
Engagement event – Kommunity
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