And Still I Rise

And Still I Rise showcases powerful new performances for Black History Month, across dance, poetry, spoken word, rap and music.

Ten Midlands-based artists from Black, African and Caribbean backgrounds have created work that is brave, honest and highly evocative. Each brings their own unique voice to their performance, often turning the personal into the political.

Featuring:

Ryan Dre Sinclair (@ryan_dre_sinclair) – spoken word poet, theatre-maker and founder of Empower Poetry, blending humour with depth.

Rikkai Scott (@kai_4sure) – performer, choreographer and Artistic Director of Rhythmflow Dance, combining hip hop, contemporary and tap.

NEONE (@neone_wonderer) – musical alchemist, mixing genres to create unique, signature sounds through an eclectic Jazz-grime fusion inspired by Neo-soul.

Maia Sudha (@maiasudhamusic) – drawing influence from soul, pop and R&B, creating songs that combine honest lyricism and vocal expression.

Jonathan Akinsete (@jono.a_) – passionate about rap, spoken word and singing, using music to connect, inspire and move people.

I Put the T in Poetry (@i.put.the.t.in.poetry) – transforms lived experience into performances that invite healing, connection and social change.

Holly Francis (@.hollybolly.) – a choreographer whose practice unpacks identity and cultural heritage, investigating layered human experiences in historical and contemporary contexts.

Drippo Joel (@drippo_joel) – the UK's answer to a sound you thought you'd lost – the warmth and swagger of noughties R&B, rebuilt for right now.

Alexis Florentina (@exisflor) – a Black and Filipino poet, playwright and fiction writer, and member of the Nottingham Black Creatives Network.

Anthony Sempebwa (@anto._13s) – a high-level dance artist specialising in hip-hop, while drawing from house, krump and Afro dance styles.

Expect an evening of frank storytelling, movement, rhythm and fresh perspectives – celebrating the creativity of regional Black artists while exploring prejudice, power and everyday truths in an unmissable production.

And Still I Rise is commissioned by 2Funky Arts and supported using public funding by Arts Council England. Project partners are Punch, Baby People and Radio2Funky.