Black History Month in ballet and dance

October is Black History Month in the UK and Ireland while it is called Black Achievement Month in the Netherlands and some events are held to celebrate it across Europe.

In ballet and dance, the Royal Ballet hosts a free exhibition, Pioneers of Black British Ballet, at the Linbury Theatre foyer during October. It is a collaboration with the Black British Ballet project, which aims to bring the untold story of British Black dancers since 1940s in the centre stage through this touring exhibition.

Indeed, have a look at the Black British Ballet’s timeline and dancers pages. They are quite an eye opener for me.

The Royal Ballet also presents the Black Generations mixed programme, followed by Legacy. Legacy is curated by the company’s fabulous principal Joseph Sissens for 29-31 October. “Sissens invites Black and Brown dancers and choreographers from around the world in this special event designed to champion and celebrate Black and Brown ballet artists,” the programme details say.

The critically acclaimed Ballet Black is on a UK national tour throughout October and will perform the Heros mixed bill at the opera house in November. If you are new to the London-based Ballet Black, have a look at the movie clip of The Waiting Game .

In the Netherlands, Prince Credell, Policy advisor for Diversity & Inclusion at Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT), is conducting the Recentering Narratives Project. He interviews artists of colour who contributed to NDT in the past and publishes them.

This cannot be the full list of what’s-on to celebrate the Black History Month. Drop me an email and let me know other related events.

The image is from the Black British Ballet’s news release.