Celebrating Diversity and Innovation in Arts:
Afro Futures Festival 2025
Celebrating 10 years of artistic innovation, Certain Blacks is an East London-based arts development organisation known for championing artists from various dimensions of diversity,
From 6th to 9th March 2025, East London’s vibrant arts scene will come alive with Afro Futures, the 7th edition of Certain Blacks’ annual indoor festival. This year’s program reflects on what diverse culture has brought to Britain, collective identity, and the future of diverse voices within an evolving British cultural landscape. Afro Futures marks a milestone for Certain Blacks, aligning with the company’s 10th anniversary.
Afro Futures includes work developed within a changing cultural climate and gathers a boundary-pushing lineup of artists from various backgrounds and disciplines.
The Modern Jazz and Folk Ensemble, presents a cross-cultural retake of modern folk music. The Brownie Club and The Cocoa Butter Club, two groups known for their audacious cabaret shows, bring vibrant, late-night Asian drag entertainment originally developed at Soho Theatre. Renowned writer Oneness Sankara presents T21 Alchemy, a semi-autobiographical piece that combines spoken word, music and prose to tell the story of a British woman of African Caribbean heritage who becomes a mother to a child with special needs. The Future Brown Space by John-Paul Zaccarini explores themes of Black identity through playful performance art, inviting audiences to defy neo-colonial perspectives. The festival will also feature Roshni by Sonia Sabri Company, an interactive, feel-good piece that celebrates everyday life through Kathak dance and percussive live music.
Line-up
The Modern Jazz & Folk Ensemble (MJAFE)
(Thursday, 6 March, 7:30 pm – Rich Mix)
Blending jazz and folk, MJAFE bridges black urban culture with white rural traditions. Led by renowned saxophonist MJAFE, the ensemble will showcase fresh compositions, honouring British music traditions while bringing a contemporary edge. Tickets: £18/20.
The Brownie Club and The Cocoa Butter Club (Friday, 7 March – Rich Mix) Led by Jessica Lucia Andrade, The Brownie Club presents a late-night cabaret full of drag, song, and sultry entertainment that challenges stereotypes of Asian women, culture and performances. Expect torch songs, dance and an outstanding DJ. £10/8.
T21 Alchemy by Oneness Sankara (Saturday, 8 March, 4 pm – Rich Mix) A powerful semi-autobiographical one-woman show, T21 Alchemy tells the story of a British woman of African Caribbean heritage who becomes a mother to a child with Down Syndrome. Through spoken word, music, and prose, the show navigates themes of motherhood, disability stigma, and resilience. Work-in-progress. Tickets: £5/4.
The Future Brown Space by John-Paul Zaccarini (Saturday, 8 March, 7:30 pm – Rich Mix) This thought-provoking piece by John-Paul Zaccarini examines daily practices of performing Blackness or being Blackened. A playful yet stinging critique with roots in black consciousness, The Future Brown Space is a celebration of Black heritage and the hope for a more inclusive, post-colonial future. Tickets: £10/8.
Roshni by Sonia Sabri Company (Sunday, 9 March – Rich Mix) Roshni, meaning “light” in Persian, is an intricate dance and music performance by the Sonia Sabri Company. Inspired by the experiences of everyday people, the piece combines Kathak dance and global music styles. Through three distinctive pieces: The Call, The Light and The Wave, Roshni explores the highs and lows of life, offering a sensory journey of emotion, strength, and optimism. Tickets: £15/12.
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