London’s Cocoa Butter Club is celebrating cabaret artists of colour this Thursday
By Will Stroude
This Thursday (September 29), north London will host a celebration of drag, burlesque and variety performance by artists of colour as the Cocoa Butter Club heads to Camden for its next showcase.
The night, which is held in either Kentish Town and Covent Garden each month and is described on their website as “A spirited soiree celebrating performers of colour within cabaret with regular events,” combines Neo-Soul, R’n’B, Mowtown and Jazz, with side-show, vogueing and more for a night of “culturally expressive” and exhilarating cabaret.
Described as a “creative clap-back,” the Cocoa Butter Club aims to provide a night where diverse performers can take centre stage.
“As creatives, when faced with the issues of cultural appropriation, lack of representation and even black-facing in cabaret, we had no choice but to create something beautiful in response,” the organisers explain on their website
“So, we set up the alternative option for those who don’t want to see trivialising, appropriating or clowning of our cultures, but perhaps experience how fabulous our histories and cultures are, as told by us”.
The night also includes a networking event to help artists find new contacts and build their careers.
“We exist to promote the fact that performers of colour are creating and in a multitude of mediums, and whilst our cabaret may not always look the same, please consider how artists draw on their past, present and futures and create work which reflects this.”
Venue: Her Upstairs, 18 Kentish Town Road, NW1 9NX.
Time: Networking hour – 7pm – 8pm. Performances begin at 8pm.
Cost: Free!
Register to book tickets here.
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