This August, a season of cultural events launches to celebrate 150 years since the birth of Croydon’s very own Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (born on 15 August 1875).

There’s probably not many of our regular readers who don’t know at least a bit about Coleridge-Taylor – but just in case, he was a Black British composer and conductor (and of course Croydon resident) who was, in the Victorian era, the most famous man of African heritage in England, and recognised as a musical genius by fellow artists (including Edward Elgar). He was known for weaving his Sierra Leonean heritage into his music and boldly navigating life as a Black artist in a White-dominated society. So all in all an extremely inspiring figure, especially considering the time he lived in. You may have seen the excellent Talawa production, Recognition back in 2023 celebrating his life. You may also have passed a building named after him (Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Centre in South Norwood) or a statue depicting his likeness (standing between Dame Peggy Ashcroft and Ronnie Corbett on Charles Street). He was also the first Black recipient of an English Heritage blue plaque in 1975, which is on the building where he lived in South Norwood. (You can read our dedicated feature from 2020 on Coleridge-Taylor to find out more about his life).

The Coleridge-Taylor anniversary celebrations kick off on 16 and 17 August with Croydon Gladi Gladi* – a weekend of free music and creativity for all to enjoy, in his honour. Street bands, community choirs, DJs and artists will take over the High Street and North End with performances, exhibitions, workshops and more.

There’ll be a Victorian style bandstand to stage performers of many cultures and genres, with a focus on accessible classical and African music. You’ll be able to catch London Mozart Players, Cable Street Rag Band, Rhythm Generation, Pegasus Opera, Bowjangles string quartet and more. For families there’ll be Baby Gospel (yes it’s a thing) and an interactive and upcycled musical playground by Play the Rig. Oh and I particularly look forward to seeing artist Jon Hicks (aka the UK’s number one speed painter) create a surprise live painting.

Left: Pegasus Opera Company; right: Tunde Jegede.

Also launching mid August to complement Gladi Gladi is an outdoor group art exhibition on display on a selection of lamppost banners in the town centre. Commissioned artists, Rayvenn D’Clark, Nicholas Daley (Bareface), Yvadney Davis, Gabriel Eka, Chioma Ince, Alvin Kofi, Henrique J. Paris, Diana Phiri-Witty and Ameena Rojee, have created work inspired by Coleridge-Taylor, which you’ll be able to see until the until the end of October. (There’s a sneak peek of the art by Alvin Kofi, BAREFACE, Diana Phiri-Witty and Yvadney Davis below.)

The Coleridge-Taylor celebrations continue into the Autumn with a BRIT School Takeover of the Croydon Clocktower on Saturday 18 October and a London Mozart Players anniversary concert on Sunday 19 October.

Croydon Gladi Gladi is on Saturday 16 August (12 noon-6pm) and Sunday 17 August (12 noon-5pm), it’s free to attend, and takes place on the High Street and North End, Croydon. Check out the Culture Croydon website and their Instagram for more details.

*Gladi Gladi means ‘happy celebration’ in Krio – a nod to Coleridge-Taylor’s mixed English and Sierra Leonean heritage.

Images courtesy of Culture Croydon – header image by Kareen Cox 

Posted by Julia