We want to celebrate this wonderful hair texture by throwing a drink and draw event!

This is a chance to draw some Afro models, hear from great speakers, sample Afro hair products, write poetry and more.

All are welcome to join us as we focus on the experience of people with a variety of hair textures from coily to curly.

Please note that there will be limited spaces for those who want to listen to the scheduled panel discussion and draw. However, there will be many other activities taking place for those who want to socialise, write, draw, network and sample products.

Panel 1: 7:45pm 8:30pm

With Keisha Thompson, Al and Lekhani

Panel 2: 8:45pm – 9:30pm

With Keisha Thomspon, Kelly and Efia

World Afro Day®

These events aim to support and uplift the mission of World Afro Day. World Afro Day is a global day of change, education and celebration of Afro hair and identity. Since 2017, they have been endorsed by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human rights.

Learn more here.

Speakers’ bios – more to follow

Al’s

Al Conteh is a multidisciplinary artist born and raised in Manchester, known for his work in animation (on shows such as “JoJo and Gran Gran” for Cbeebies), videography and photography (“Leaned Out” for IAMDDB, Young Identity), dance (I M Pact, MIF) and music production (Layfullstop, Shiloh Minnot, Piqasso). He strives to bring international visibility mainly to the non-white Northern UK communities, As he feels both are generally underrepresented; in all forms of visual media (fiction and non-fiction) and other artforms.

Lekhani

Lekhani is an actor, writer and theatre maker based in Manchester. Born in Cumbria and of mixed heritage – Malawian & English. She is a queer, working class and neurodivergent woman. She trained at London South Bank University and Identity Drama School.

Theatre performances credits include: SEVEN at the Cockpit Theatre (The Delta Collective), TALK PROPA at CSSD and BURNOUT at Live Theatre & Arts Depot (ShyBairn Theatre Company), That’s What She Said at Unity Theatre & The Empty Space (Out The Attic), Sasha The ??? at HOME Mcr (Box of Tricks), Beryl the Dandelion at Oldham Coliseum (Manchester ADP) and her one-woman show Can I Touch Your Hair? at Theatre by The Lake, Theatre Deli (Sheffield), The Curve (Slough), Hull Truck & VAULT Festival.

Screen credits include: BBC Doctors and C4’s Everything Else Burns.

Radio credits include: BBC Radio 4’s UNTHANK for the United Kingdom series.

She has also completed writing courses such as WoLaboratory, Soho Writers Lab, Soho Comedy Labs, Tamasha Playwrights and Box of Trick’s Pen Pals. Writing commissions include Signal Fires by 45 North, Burn Bright’s Better in Person online event & BBC FAMALAM S4. Recently, her Soho Writers Lab play; Sense’s of Responsibility was part of Switch Mcr’s double bill at 53two.

Lekhani is passionate about telling stories that reflect those within society that often don’t have a voice and considers her work to be political.

ACCESS

If you have any access needs you want to discuss with us, please call the box office Monday to Friday between 10 – 10pm on 0161 274 0600.

Alternatively, you can email the box office on boxoffice@contactmcr.com, or get in touch via direct message on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram (@contactmcr on all three platforms).

Once you have been booked in a wheelchair seat once, you can book online from then onwards and do not have to call our box office team to facilitate your booking. Please do reach out if you have any questions about this process.