The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Artists of colour gather to Rise Up for weekend
Rise Up! – an event celebrating black people and people of colour in creative industries in Aberdeen and Scotland – is ready to take the Music Hall and Lemon Tree by storm.
Curated by We Are Here Scotland and commissioned by Aberdeen Performing Arts, Rise Up! will take place on Friday and Saturday with a programme of performances, talks and workshops.
Headline events include Rise Up! In Our Own Words tomorrow at the Music Hall’s Big Sky Studio, and Rise Up! With Our Voices on Saturday at the Lemon Tree.
In Our Own Words is an evening of performance by artists of colour, exploring and celebrating themes of identity, culture and a sense of place in Scotland.
The line-up includes 16-year-old Aberdeen singer-songwriter Aiysha, Aberdeen-based spoken word artist Noon Salah Eldin, Glaswegian performer Paix and poet Mae Diansangu.
The performers will showcase how the power of art can be used as a tool for social representation and change.
With Our Voices will see up-and-coming artists join more established voices who are all changing the narrative within the country’s music scene.
Aberdeen rapper Chef will join Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter Danny Cliff in a line-up which also includes Glaswegian singer Clarissa, songwriter and soundsmith Kapil Seshasayee and DJ and visual artist DIJA.
Also part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, One Mississippi is a hard-hitting play that explores how the impact of childhood experiences shape men’s adult lives.
APA director of programming and creative projects Ben Torrie said: “The sheer breadth of talent from the artists taking part is incredible and this festival is a fantastic opportunity to discover more about the diverse range of creatives here in the north-east and beyond.
“As well as the headline events there are plenty of free ticketed talks and workshops taking place on Saturday and we hope as many people as possible come along to check out what’s on offer.
“Providing a stage for emerging talent and creating space for all voices to be heard is so important for a thriving artistic environment, so Rise Up! is a hugely significant addition to Aberdeen’s cultural calendar this year.”
A series of free talks and workshops will also take place at the Music Hall Big Sky Studio on Saturday.
A group of artists will discuss topics including representation in Scottish creative industries, climate narratives, knowing your worth, and culture and identity as an artistic influence, among others.