Events
Women of TheWindrush: 2018
A Rise initiative that brought together a group of people at a grass roots level to design and create a replica of HM Empire Windrush. This was decided as a tribute to the 70th anniversary of the Windrush generation who arrived in the UK to help rebuild the country after the war.
The project concept was to bring back the tradition of community inclusion to showcase as a factor and representation of the 50th anniversary of The St. Paul’s Carnival set up by founder Mr. Roy Hackett and Barbara Dettering who were part of the project and who visibly took part on the float on the day.
Sisters With Voices II
On Sunday 20th May 18, an all-female line-up of singers, DJs, spoken word and other Bristol based artists took to the stage at Sisters With Voices II. In honour of the sisterhood, this event is brought to Bristol by the award-winning Ujima Radio, in partnership with St. George’s Bristol.We were proud to be asked to be producers and host this year’s proceedings.
Sisters With Voices II seeks to create an evening of powerful creative talent from the African diaspora to inspire and lift the soul through art and heritage, celebrating women of past and present through the theme of ‘African Queens.’ by ChristellePelleuer and Angie Amra Anderson.
A stellar line-up of performances which will include reggae and soul from EmpressTalibah and Nia Melody, NgaioAnyia, and Studio 7’s Rhianna.
Kim Samuels straight from the Royal weddingthe following day led the UWE Gospel choir to show the wider audience the true talent Bristol has to offer from a range of local prominent artists.
Lord Mayor of Bristol, Cllr Cleo Lake, will showcase a theatrical performance celebrating Rosa Parks, a poignant tribute to the ‘Mother of the Civil Rights Movement’ and we play tribute to the Windrush generation with the Malcolm X elders.
There was a particular emphasis on the 100 year anniversary of the women’s right to vote, highlighting untold stories of activism, with creative spoken word from Jenny Davis, FolukeAdebisi and Ros Martin.
It proved that Rise had become a well established brand to not only promote but also to lead in
advancing people from the African Caribbean heritage community of Bristol to a new direction of visiting and supporting such venues as St Georges.
Paintworks: 2015
The decision to bring a Business Expo and local artists together with informative talks and discussions on one stage and event was a pioneering experience for many who attended. The then, local Councilor, Marvin Rees who went on to become Bristol’s first elected Black Mayor, the first of its kind in Europe, was the events main speaker.
Along with a range of distinguished business people from accountants to lawyers ( Paul Whitcliffe from Walker partners, Marti Burgess Lawyer who is presently in the role of chair for St. Paul’s Carnival ), Michelle Curtis artist of‘Iconic Black Bristolian’s exhibition,’ this was one of the first places she displayed her work. Paul Stephenson OBE speaking of the struggles and sharing his journey as the representative who led the Bristol Boycott of 1963, which led to the birth of the race relations act. The event was the biggest to date and brought Rise to the forefront of community events being held in Bristol representing the people of African heritage at that time.
The Snug Bar: 2014
For international Women’s day 2014, Rise hosted a range of artistic talent from Bristol’s wider Black community including story teller, historian and writer Dr. Edson Burton.
We had some of the finest Bristol artist including Celestine, Dionne Draper, Bev Gage, Vanessa Melody, Skrilla, Ann-Marie, Yvette Decordova and Steralyn who came to support the event while taking Rise to another level. The event was a huge success promoting the idea of the next event in a bigger venue. It was also a stepping stone to finding the artistic creative talent Bristol has to offer.
Hamilton House 2013
The start of the Rise journey.
The first event was held as part of Bristol Black History month in October 2013.
Attended by over 100 people who supported the women entrepreneurs selling everything from bridal wear to cakes, Artwork, clothing and jewellery. There was time to relax with a massage in the health and Wellness area as well as entertainment hosted by Ms. Sherrie Eugene Hart, the first black woman to anchor a regional news programme and who is at the heart of broadcasting on community relations. The event was provided a platform for many women to showcase their talent, sometimes for the first time.
