ADVANCE NOTICE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Green Room, 54-56 Whitworth Street West Manchester.M1 5WW UK Tel 0161 957 5900 (bold) artBlacklive-Celeb' Manchester Festival (bold) October 4th & 5th, 1997 Saturday and Sunday 11am until 11pm Black History Month (bold) Join the Black Arts Alliance in a unique celebration of Black History Month on October 4th and 5th, Saturday and Sunday, from 11am until 11pm. The artBlacklive- Celeb' Manchester Festival is proud to present ten productions that break the barriers of traditional performance art whilst addressing the diversity of Black culture within a historical and contemporary context. Departing mid-morning with a packed lunch and suitable clothing (well, it rains a lot in Manchester!), the travellers will journey on a luxurycoach for a day of Performance Art that will educate, entertain, amuse, and emotionally question. Performances en-route from one performance site to the next, called "Ripple Effects", ((C) ICA) will be enjoyed by the travellers, as well. Included in the production are the following artists and companies: Site I (the Roman Fort Castlefield) is "African Legionnaire" performed by Senator Fraser Munro. (bold) Hot upon the heels of the confirmation that all mankind originated from Africa comes "African Legionnaire" which takes you on a journey to Roman Manchester circa 4AD. The Legionnaire introduces an age when the "savages" were English and civilisation encompassed nations now presumably "third world". This work will indeed provide both culture and shock to a nation often ignorant of its past. 'African Legionnaire' features text and performance in a rare outdoor public performance. Site 2 (Walk the Plank at Salford Quays) " Man in the Belly of the Slave Ship" performed by the Los Angeles-based Hittite Empire in collaboration with, British artists. (bold) >From the legacy of The Golden Triangle, these New Wage Slaves will move into the future remembering the names of all the Afrikans who came to these shores as slaves. This work will dance the first steps of the Black Man In The New World and explain how the New World Order got rich off his sweat and labour. Get ready to get broke off. Site 3: Pumphouse "Ripple Effect" "Annandaa: The Goddess of Food" performed by Maya Chowdhry and Nita Basu Chaudhuri. (bold) Exploring the kitchen as a battle-ground, the audience follow the journey of a young Indian woman who wants to cook to heal the wounds of her family; and to deflect the war between her parents. Food as culture is explored alongside the symbolic aspects of family meals, using visuals, images and movement, and poetic text/monologue to tell the story. "Ice Cream & Magic" performed by Chila Kumari-Burman & Magic.(bold) What do you do when the kids call you "Paki", but like your dad because he is the only ice-cream vendor in the area? You celebrate him in the best way you know how, with your artistic expression. Ice cream is the 'faved' dessert of many. Here the visitor will enjoy Liverpool's finest within a creative environment of graffiti art and fine art murals juxtaposed by slide project and video. The exhibition supporting Chila's performance will be on show to the public from September through January, with performances only -on October 4th and 5th. Site 4: Green Room Studio "Ripple Effect" "Moving On" performed by Muhammad Khalil and Bisarka Sarker. (bold) Place yourself in Liverpool with a traveller from North Africa and another from India. Soon you will begin to understand the roots of The Homing Chant. The incense awakens memories, the berimbau sounds, and the scented candles light the way back home. Performed in English and Bengali. Green Room Main Stage "Home is Where the Heart Kicks", performed by I'M McKenzie, Dorothea Smartt, and Kumel Kaur Lillian. (bold) Where is home and what can it offer? Comic and emotive stories will tell. "Sweet Sadie" performed by Djola Branner. (bold) A masterly interweaving of the sadness of Alzheimer's disease and the right to be Gay. The production incorporates live music, film, dance, and narrative. It crosses the boundaries of race and sexual identity and is an inspiring piece for artists and audience. It does not ask for tolerance; it demands understanding, acceptance, and respect. "...Branner's solo piece is funny and sad and all the things that don't get talked about in the relationship between a boy and his mother..." San Francisco SENTINEL California's Gay & Lesbian Newsweekly." "Story of M" performed by SuAndi. (bold) "A Funny, profound and provocative performance that takes on the history of prejudice and ignorance and shines as a testimony of survival." -Lois Keidan, Director Live Arts, ICA, London, England. ".. a meaningful piece for black history month" VICTORIA NEWS, British Columbia. Having toured extensively across the UK, France, Ireland and America, this performance is now acknowledged to be of great importance in the archiving of Black British life. Exhibition of work by solo artist Kevin Dalton Johnson (bold) will be on show in the Green Room Foyer from September through October 8th. The evening will end with a live music set supported by the Manchester Festival. Funded by the Arts Council, NWAB, Visiting Arts. Special Thanks to It's Queer Up North, The Quarter Club, Green Room, Dave Moutrey. TICKET PRICE 25 for the full day. Selected tickets may be purchased for Walk the Plank and Green Room events. Performances at Pumphouse and Roman Fort are free. (bold) ACCOMMODATION BAA recommends Hotel Campanile for out of town visitors. At a weekend of 29-95 per room sleeping 1,2,0r 3 the best rates in the city. Tel 0161 833 1845 F 0161 833 1847