This piece grew out of a gently amusing thread I’d posted to Facebook on the subject of English passive aggression. Why?
Category Archives: diversity
Arts and Social Grants, tips and tricks
Arts and Social Grants, tips and tricks – if you work in the arts or with communities, or with a combination of both, this is probably something you’re in need of. In recent weeks various bodies from the Arts Council to private trusts and the National Lottery have started releasing funds for individual arts practitionersContinue reading “Arts and Social Grants, tips and tricks”
Equal Stages
I’m featured in a book called Equal Stages: Standing Up for Identity and Integrity in the Performing Arts, Vol 1. It’s never going to be a best-seller, that’s not the point of the book. It is going to be something which helps to inform the journey that communities and cultures need to make as they comeContinue reading “Equal Stages”
The new normal
Nothing’s ‘normal’ any more. For all of us, what’s happening now can, to put it plainly, mess with your head.
Imagining the future
In summer 2019, I was on panels discussing Decolonising Culture (Royal Academy) and Reimagining Britain (Queen Mary, University of London/ Wasafiri Magazine’s 35th anniversary). Many themes ran across both these experiences, foremost among them: Imagination can be a revolutionary act, and revolutions never end. Imagination and revolution are about words, voices, ideas, and actions; they’reContinue reading “Imagining the future”
Natacha Atlas – Strange Days
I heard a live preview of Natacha Atlas’s album STRANGE DAYS at an intimate gig in Blackheath earlier this summer. It was an extraordinary experience, hypnotic, transporting, musically accomplished, and unsettling too – a perfect metaphor for the times we live in. The album is out now, and its title – STRANGE DAYS – perfectlyContinue reading “Natacha Atlas – Strange Days”
How to Write About Africa
How to Write About Africa is a satirical essay by the Kenyan writer, activist and wit, Binyavanga Wainaina. It’s an interesting and illuminating read – a perfect antidote to the colonial narrative.
Indian Water Pickle and Paratha
I used to love my Mother’s Indian Water Pickle, eaten as a child with freshly made, flaky, buttery Paratha and a daal. It’s a North Indian classic. Like most pickles, it’s a way of preserving veg into the winter months. But let’s face it, it works any time of year. This particular pickle uses carrotContinue reading “Indian Water Pickle and Paratha”
Indian Food
Authentic Indian and South Asian food in the UK is on the up. Reflecting the authentic flavours, techniques and regional differences of India is something younger chefs and entrepreneurs excel at, and are going all out for. Not before time. So much Indian food in Britain was junk, and outside our bigger cities, still is.Continue reading “Indian Food”
Developing Audiences
As someone who works in the Cultural Industry, I’m fascinated by the ongoing evolution of audiences: the way that some stick to what they know, detest change and just want to see their cultural and social type reflected while others feel freer to experiment, see new work which challenges them and respond to that, andContinue reading “Developing Audiences”