Author: Miranda Rae

Inispired Film Festival is back for 2023 curated by Cables & Cameras!

This year’s Inspired Takeover by Cables & Cameras at Watershed is an action-packed one-day event on Sat 3rd June with screenings, talks and previews to celebrate homegrown filmmakers of colour from across the country.

Featuring contributions from rising stars of the indie film scene the Williams brothers AKA Mandem collective, and Dominique Unsworth from Resource Productions, plus a special preview of new feature film Chevalier – which opens at Watershed on Fri 9 June, a biographical drama about 18th century French-Caribbean musical prodigy Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges.

Whether you are an aspiring filmmaker trying to find your path into the industry, an established creative interested in finding ways to develop your practice, or are interested in discovering films by some of the most exciting creative talent out there, there’s something for everyone.

Gary Thompson, Cables & Cameras Founder and Producer says:

“I set up Cables & Cameras to inspire the next generation of filmmakers of colour and I’m looking forward to this latest Inspired takeover day at Watershed which brings together screenings, discussions, and networking opportunities for emerging creatives in the Southwest.
So don’t miss out – take this opportunity to get involved.“

Watershed will be offering more affordable tickets for those with low incomes by implementing a ‘pay-what-you-can’ format for the daytime events at Inspired.

Book your tickets on the Watershed website.

@cablescameras @w_shed @mandemcollective

#bristol #filmmaking #filmmaker #ujimaradio #inspiredfilmfestival

Accomplished record label Acid Jazz & Other Illicit Grooves celebrate 35 magnificent years of trailblazing music with a series of residencies touring locations across the UK where Acid Jazz was arguably the strongest influence in Birmingham, Leeds, London, Bristol and Luton.

The Exhibition starts Weds 10th May and runs until Sat 13th May with doors open 10am to 6pm and then the evenings come alive with music, Q&A’s and of course Omar on Thursday!

The Music, Arts, Dance & Culture Exhibition will host exclusive Q&As with Acid Jazz stalwarts of the scene, Eddie Piller (Acid Jazz Records/DJ), Dean Rudland (Acid Jazz Records/DJ), Omar (Singer), Snowboy (DJ), John Stapleton (DJ), Perry Louis (Jazzcotech dancer and DJ), Adam Regan (DJ), The Dig Family (DJs and promoters), Adrian Gibson (AGMP), with live performances plus many more guest artists, DJs and dancers TBA.

Expect to see exciting never been seen rare video footage, magazine and radio interviews & features, iconic photography, posters and flyers, record label artworks of the music and musicians from the dance floor archives.

The ground breaking movement unleashed its manifesto of alternative sounds; funk, street-soul, latin, hip hop with jazz, reggae & jazz poetry, disco & acid house in London club land, hosting packed out parties at the notorious Wag in Soho, Dingwalls in Camden and Blue Note in Hoxton, achieving commercial recognition with early signings that became international stars; Jamiroquai, The Brand New Heavies, James Taylor Quartet, Galliano and cult artists such as; Mother Earth, Corduroy, Chris Bands, The Night Trains, The Last Poets, A Man Called Adam, Snowboy & The Latin Section.. All originally performed at the underground venues and warehouse spaces.

Acid Jazz & Other Illicit Grooves Exhibition encapsulates the musical abundance, nostalgia and success of this pioneering label, spanning more than 3.5 decades, documenting the underground scenes to majestic independent status and standing the test of time.

Some fascinating ‘Acid Jazz’ based facts…..

• Acid Jazz was coined in 1987 as a term by DJ Chris Bangs at an Acid House night.

• Acid Jazz record started as a bedroom operation established by Eddie Piller and Gilles Peterson within 3 months of the first 45 release (Frederic Lies Stil by Galliano).

• The label expanded rapidly and re-located to London’s East End in Hoxton Square also headquarters of The Blue Note, Touch Magazine, Straight No Chaser, DJ Bob Jones, Somethin’ Else Productions.

• Acid Jazz and other Illicit Grooves Exhibition successful Launch Party took place at Leake Street, London on Thursday 25th November 2021 featuring Omar (live), Leah Weller (live), DJs Femi Fem (Young Disciples), Eddie Piller, Snowboy, Dean Rudland and lots of celebrities in attendance.

• AGMP have a long & proud history promoting Acid Jazz & Soul Funk artists to date.

Book your tickets now on the Lost Horizon website: https://www.losthorizonlive.com/

Harry Belafonte, Actor, Writer & Activist has sadly passed away.

Robeson opposed not only racial prejudice in the United States but also western colonialism in Africa. Belafonte refused to perform in the American South from 1954 until 1961.

In 1960, Belafonte appeared in a campaign commercial for Democratic Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy.

Kennedy later named Belafonte cultural advisor to the Peace Corps. Belafonte supported Lyndon B. Johnson for the 1964 United States presidential election.

Belafonte, Castro & Hip Hop:

Belafonte was a longtime critic of U.S. foreign policy. He began making controversial political statements on the subject in the early 1980s. At various times, he made statements opposing the U.S. embargo on Cuba; praising Soviet peace initiatives; attacking the U.S. invasion of Grenada; praising the Abraham Lincoln Brigade; honouring Ethel and Julius Rosenberg; and praising Fidel Castro. Belafonte is also known for his visit to Cuba that helped ensure hip-hop‘s place in Cuban society. According to Geoffrey Baker’s article “Hip hop, Revolucion! Nationalizing Rap in Cuba”, in 1999, Belafonte met with representatives of the rap community immediately before meeting with Castro. This meeting resulted in Castro’s personal approval of, and hence the government’s involvement in, the incorporation of rap into his country’s culture.