This month Cultured Bohemian has curated a list of London-based global majority centered events happening this month to get you through the month. With events on screen, stage, exhibitions, and talks, there is an event for everyone.
SCREEN
Sinners (15)
ODEON Greenwich & IMAX
Various Dates
Various Times
Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
Unmarried Mothers (18)
Rich Mix
2nd May
18:00
Hsiao-Peng is sent to a maternity home for young, single pregnant women – most of whom have been sent there by their embarrassed parents, who want their daughters to have the baby in secret and then adopted. Hsiao-Peng slowly overcomes her depressive thoughts and builds strong bonds with the other women; and after moving out, they continue to support one another.
Kids Fight (18) + Q&A
The Garden Cinema
5th May
15:15
Hsiao-Peng is sent to a maternity home for young, single pregnant women – most of whom have been sent there by their embarrassed parents, who want their daughters to have the baby in secret and then adopted. Hsiao-Peng slowly overcomes her depressive thoughts and builds strong bonds with the other women; and after moving out, they continue to support one another.
Desire: The Carl Craig Story (15) + Recorded Q&A
Barbican
9th May
20:30
A documentary of legendary techno producer, DJ and record label creator Carl Craig and an ode to his beloved city, Detroit.
Pierce (18)
Barbican
14th May
18:20
In this tense thriller, a young Taiwanese fencer reconnects with his estranged older brother, a convicted killer.
Almost Heaven + Q&A with director Carol Salter (12A)
Garden Cinema
15th May
20:00
Portrait of Ying Ling, a young woman training to become a mortician at one of China’s largest funeral homes.
Kuch Sapney Apne (Dreams Such As Ours) (18)
Garden Cinema
17th May
16:45
This heartwarming Indian drama is about the struggles of a loving gay couple, Kartik and Aman, who live in Mumbai.
Heartbeats and Hiccups
Rich Mix
18th May
15:15
Enter this atypical shorts programme, where unfulfilled encounters and crushes are just as transformative as romance itself.
Fashion in Film Festival 2025: Mambar Pierrette (18)
Genesis Cinema
21st May
20:30
Portrait of fortitude and care centred on a valiant seamstress single mother in Douala.
SOUNDS LIKE CHAOS PRESENTS BALLYMAN
Peckham levels
22nd May
18:00
A powerful short film by Faruq Adigun, exploring the blurred lines between psychosis and spirituality. Directed by Roisin Feeny and co-produced with VIDEOfeet, Ballyman follows Deji, a young Black man from South East London, as he navigates the city cloaked in his balaclava. As his mental state deteriorates, a new path of self-discovery begins to unfold one that’s as isolating as it is enlightening.
Youth (Spring) (18)
Garden Cinema
25th May
14:00
In this long-form visual essay, the freshness and innocence of youth ebb and flow to the beat of the capitalist system. Spring is the first part of Wang Bing’s immersive Youth trilogy, and it documents relationships as they fold and unfold amongst a group of young Chinese textile workers. Filming over five years in Zhili, a town located 150 kilometres from Shanghai, Wang’s empathetic camera focuses on the labourers toiling under tungsten lighting, producing brightly coloured children’s clothes in factories lining the paradoxically named ‘Happiness Road’. The stamina of Spring – and all involved in it – allows for humanity to flourish in otherwise merciless industrial conditions, giving the film its unique lyricism.
SCREEN
Passion Fruit
Barbican
30th April – 3rd May
20:00
Brimming with joyful movement, brutal honesty and tender insight, this coming-of-age comedy-drama follows the life of Romeo, a Black, Gay, British-Jamaican boy growing up in North London.
Shanghai Dolls
Kiln Theatre
28th April – 10th May
Various Times
When two penniless actresses meet in Shanghai at auditions for Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, they quickly become inseparable. But as political upheaval rips through China, their tumultuous friendship will alter not only the course of their lives, but the course of history. One will become China’s first female director. The other, the architect of the Cultural Revolution.
Retrograde
Apollo Theatre
8th March – 14th June
Various Times
Hollywood’s so-called Golden Age. Ten years before becoming the first Black man to win an Oscar, a young Sidney Poitier arrives to sign a life-changing contract that could make him a star. But there’s a catch. As he becomes entangled in events larger than he imagined, Sidney is forced to make an impossible choice – one that will reshape his future, the Civil Rights Movement, and the soul of a nation.
Speed
Bush Theatre
28th April – 17th May
Various Times
In an entirely average hotel basement somewhere in Birmingham, three speedsters that have been fined for aggressive driving are summoned to his class with a choice: change your ways, or lose your licence.
Brown Girls Do It Too
Soho Theatre
20th May
19:15
Just like in their full length show, they’ll explore messy realities, heartbreak, fantasies, sexpectations and navigating life and relationships as British Asian women.
How to Fight Loneliness
Park Theatre
6th April – 24th May
Various Times
‘No Hollywood end to this. No last minute rescue. This… right here… with you… is the best chance I’ve got…’
Jodie and Brad seem like they have it all. The house in the suburbs, the nice car, the fully stocked bar. But when the couple are faced with a devastating crisis, they must enlist the help of a mysterious acquaintance from Jodie’s past.
SpitNights #21 – pure poetry
The Ministry
1st May
19:00
poetry for non-poetry fans
A memorable night with the UK’s best poets, showing just how entertaining, moving and hilarious they can be using nothing but words.
Soaring: Performance and Poetry
South London Gallery
7th May
19:00 – 21:00
An evening of poetry and performance to celebrate the final week of Christina Kimeze: Between Wood and Wheel.
Late Night Jazz: Ni Maxine
Elgar Room at Royal Albert Hall
8th May
21:00
We have a laid-back attitude at Late Night Jazz at the Royal Albert Hall – customers are welcome to dance, move around, sing along, and enjoy themselves in whatever way feels most comfortable!
Big Dungeon Energy – Live Play DND Drag Show
Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club
8th May
18:30
Join drag things Richard Energy (Deathdrop), Vanilla Parker Balls, Cyro and Frigid (Winner Top of the Slops S4) as they quest for their lives in an adventure played out over five nights at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club. Will they survive and be the saviours of the realm, or will they be damned to a fate worse than hen-do brunches?
MILLENNIUM GIRLS
Brixton House
12th – 31st May
Various Times
London. The 90s. The sparkle of the new Millennium is building. For Jessica, things are about to change forever.
Stage
Livia’s Listening Party & Poetry Night
The Common press
10th May
19:00 – 21:00
The evening will feature exclusive performances by artists from STÙRM, showcasing original poetry and music from the forthcoming EP. The event also offers an exciting Open Mic—arrive early to sign up and share your voice alongside celebrated performers.
Ensemble Fioritura: Silhouettes of Passion’s Master-mistress
Conway Hall
16th May
19:30
Ensemble Fioritura’s concert explores evolving cultural perspectives on gender identity and queer life by juxtaposing two newly composed song cycles—each featuring six sonnets by Shakespeare and 2021 National Poetry Competition winner Eric Yip. These works are brought to life by Keith Pun‘s gender-defying countertenor, praised by The Guardian in a 5-star review of his recent Royal Opera House debut for the ‘brilliance’ of his ‘multiple modes in his soaring voice.
Fatoumata Diawara
Barbican Hall
17th May
19:30
Fatoumata Diawara continues to reinvent traditional African music with her latest album London Ko. Sharper than ever with her words, the GRAMMY-nominated artist strikes a perfect balance between synthetic sounds and traditional Malian rhythms.
Brew Material: Babatunde Aleshe & Kae Kurd – Work In Progress
Signature Brew Haggerston
21st May
19:00
Join multi-award-winning comedians Babatunde Aléshé (Taskmaster, Gogglebox, I’m a Celeb) and Kae Kurd (Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo, Comedy Central) as they team up for an evening of work in progress.
Marriage Material
Lyric Hammersmith
22nd May – 21st June
Various Times
Join multi-award-winning comedians Babatunde Aléshé (Taskmaster, Gogglebox, I’m a Celeb) and Kae Kurd (Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo, Comedy Central) as they team up for an evening of work in progress.
Elephant
Menier Chocolate Factory
22nd May- 28th June
Various Times
Part gig, part musical love story, part journey through Empire – ELEPHANT is a bold and magnetic exploration of identity in 21st Century Britain.
SIKISA: LIFE OF THE PARTY (FILMING SPECIAL)
The Cavendish Arms
29th May
19:30
Sikisa will bring the house down with her hilarious comedy and infectious energy. Don’t miss out on being part of the action and making memories that will last a lifetime.
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives
Arcola Theatre
26th April – 31st May
Various Times
“Men are like yam, you cut them how you like.”
Baba Segi has three wives, seven children, and a mansion filled with riches. But now he has his eyes on Bolanle, a young university graduate wise to life’s misfortunes. When Bolanle responds to Baba Segi’s advances, she unwittingly uncovers a secret which threatens to rock his patriarchal household to the core.
Exhibition
Lou Zhenggang: Shizen
Almine Rech
22nd April – 24th May
Various Times
The Shizen exhibition at Almine Rech London features twenty-one paintings created between 2018 and 2023. These recent works, while undeniably contemporary, possess a timeless quality. The exhibition includes both monochromatic works—rendered in infinite shades of black and white—and paintings infused with colour. Whether viewed up close or from a distance, each work possesses a staggering beauty, regardless of its scale.
– Simon de Pury
Huma Bhabha – Encounters: Giacometti
Barbican
8th May – 10th August
Various Times
The sculptures in this show span nearly a century of artmaking, their mediums ranging across plaster, bronze, terracotta, and found objects. Works from across Bhabha’s career are displayed alongside iconic works by Giacometti made mostly in the aftermath of World War II.
Maki Na Kamura: Desert Incognito
Michael Werner Gallery
16th May – 12th July
Various Times
Na Kamura questions how the concept of abstraction evolved over time. According to Na Kamura, painters historically did not categorise themselves as abstract or figurative, and painting seamlessly blended elements of both. In the 1950s and 1960s, a division arose between figurative and abstract painters, with abstractionists feeling the need to define themselves. Like the abstract artists of the mid-20th century, Na Kamura is a formalist, deeply concerned with composition, structure, texture, shape, form, and colour.
Tadashi Kawamata: Demolition
Annely Juda Fine Art
22nd May – 5th July
Various Times
Tadashi Kawamata is an artist who transforms our environment, he works in the midst of demolition and construction observing and highlighting socio-economic links between architectural construction and destruction. His site specific projects – made from reclaimed materials – have taken place all over the world and range from intimate transformations of a single house or apartment to the whole scale reconfiguration of towns.
AUBREY WILLIAMS: Elemental Force
October Gallery
22nd May – 26th July
Various Times
This exhibition explores Williams’ painterly techniques, investigating his highly individual approach. His intense works draw from a broad range of influential artists, particularly Arshile Gorky, one of the precursors of Abstract Expressionism and Wifredo Lam, who references African motifs and Afro-Caribbean culture; as well as the abstracted, energetic excitement of the New York School.
Leonardo Drew: Ubiquity II
South London Gallery
30th May – 7th September
Various Times
Known for his explosive sculptural works, this is Leonardo Drew’s first solo exhibition in a London institution. He creates reflective abstract pieces that play on the tension between order and chaos. Transforming and eroding materials by hand in the studio, he explores the cyclical nature of life and decay.
Christina Kimeze: Between Wood and Wheel
South London Gallery
31st January – 11th May
Various Times
Between Wood and Wheel brings together a new series of paintings and works on paper. Originally inspired by the resurgence of roller skating in Black communities, the series explores ideas of freedom, flight and escape, particularly from a female perspective.
TRANSVANGARDE: Luminous Matter
October Gallery
10th April – 17th May
Various Times
An exhibition that investigates the diverse outcomes of a meditative approach to artistic practice. Each of the artists presented was raised in the vitally different milieux of the near and far east. Each brings a fresh perspective to illuminate their experience of the world, as underpinned and enriched by the cultural and philosophical predispositions of places far beyond the western pale.
Amoako Boafo: I Do Not Come to You by Chance
Gagosian Grosvenor Hill
10th April – 25th May
Various Times
I make paintings that allow me to celebrate where I come from and what I aspire to be, while sharing unique perspectives and understanding.
—Amoako Boafo
Wura-Natasha Ogunji: space comma space comma space
Tiwani Contemporary
3rd April – 24th May
Various Times
Space comma space comma space embraces not-knowing, the breaking of habits, irreverence and the use of mistakes as integral components of the creative process. Through works on paper, the artist creates a memoir of her time inside the studio – through acts of stitching, cutting, tearing and tracing. The drawings, paintings, and collages are in conversation through shared marks and methods, as well as through titles which suggest a more literal dialogue between the works themselves.
Leonard “Soldier” Iheagwam: BLACK STAR
Kearsey & Gold
3rd April – 3rd May
Various Times
Work blends Pop Art influences with reflections on his upbringing in Lagos.
Marc Padeu: Le Mariage de Roxane
Larkin Durey
25th April – 30th May
Various Times
Padeu’s paintings capture moments of respite, repose and celebration, paying homage to the ceremonies that underpin everyday lives in an African context. Vivid and sensuous, each scene is an attempt to capture the present in full flush before it passes into memory.
Black Sound London: The Story of British Black Music
Barbican
10th March – 19th July
Various Times
A groundbreaking exhibition that demonstrates the outsized impact British Black music has had on the world stage.
Eileen Perrier: A Thousand Small Stories
Autograph
17th Apr – 13th Sep
Various Times
Contemplating class, cultural identity and belonging through the photographic portrait
Arpita Singh: Remembering
Serpentine North Gallery
20th March – 27th July
Various Times
Remembering draws from old memories from which these works emerged. Whether I am aware or not, there is something happening at my core. It is how my life flows.
– Arpita Singh
Dianne Minnicucci: Belonging and Beyond
Autograph
17th April – 13th September
Various Times
Dianne Minnicucci explores how vulnerability and discomfort in front of the camera can become acts of self-discovery and collaboration. She embraces the unease of being photographed – where to look, how to position the body – allowing these moments of uncertainty to shape this new series of portraits of herself and her young son.
Niki de Saint Phalle & Yayoi Kusama: Inner Child
Opera Gallery
3rd April – 27th May
Various Times
A two-artist exhibition featuring paintings and sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle and Yayoi Kusama. The exhibition showcases 41 artworks—7 paintings and 34 sculptures. This eclectic collection ranges from Saint Phalle’s playful yet subversive depictions of animals and the female form to Kusama’s recurring dot motif in both abstract and figurative works, with both artists’ work characterised by vibrant colours and imaginative figures that convey a playful and jubilant tone.
Talk
The Filme Shilmy Show: In Conversation with Aditya Rawal
Close-Up Cinema
6th May
15:00 – 17:00
A special edition of The Filme Shilmy Show, produced by ReelN Ltd — a live, in-depth conversation with acclaimed actor and screenwriter Aditya Rawal.
An Evening with Paula Akpan: When We Ruled
Kiln Theatre
6th May
19:00
Join pioneering historian and writer, Paula Akpan, as she presents the game-changing narratives of twelve African queens and warriors.
In conversation with Muhsin Mahmud
QMUL ArtsOne
7th May
18:30 – 19:30
Muhsin Mahmud is an award-winning British journalist from London, recognised for telling underreported stories.
Candice Chung On Chinese Parents Don’t Say I Love You
Online
7th May
18:30
Join the food journalist and writer as she discusses her poignant memoir, a bittersweet exploration of love, solitude, and the unspoken language of food.
‘IF IT DON’T EXIST BUILD IT’: Larry Achiampong & Mary Evans
The Bartlett School of Architecture
9th May
16:00 – 17:00
Join for an afternoon of film screenings, video gaming, reading installations, and thought-provoking conversations that explore Larry Achiampong’s artistic practice.
The Queer Bible: Paperback Launch with Jack Guinness and Friends
The Common press
11th May
19:00 – 21:00
Joined by writers and activists Paula Akpan, and Mendez, for a conversation about queer history, representation, and storytelling. Beautifully illustrated by queer and ally artists, The Queer Bible brings together a vibrant chorus of voices celebrating the past, present, and future of queer culture.
In conversation: Black Worlding
Barbican
11th May
12:00
Grammy Award-winning artist and director Jenn Nkiru joins Alberta Whittle and Phoebe Boswell to talk about intersectional creativity and “Black Worlding”, moderated by Tina Campt.
Christina Li: On The Manor of Dreams
Online
13th May
18:30
Interviewed by bestselling author Chloe Gong, Christina will explore themes ranging from intergenerational trauma to cultural identity in Hollywood’s golden age.
An Audience with Lola Shoneyin: In conversation with Femi Elufowoju jr
Arcola Theatre
17th May
17:45 – 18:30
Together they will delve into The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, Shoneyin’s powerful and darkly comic novel that explores polygamy, secrecy and female agency in contemporary Nigeria. Femi will be sharing insights into the creative processes and bringing it’s vibrant characters to life on stage.
If I Speak Live…
EartH
21st May
18:30
A live recording of If I Speak, the podcast where Ash Sarkar and Moya Lothian-McLean sort the personal from the political. No issue is too big – or too petty – for two of Britain’s sharpest young journalists, from dating disorders and family feuds to celeb politics and the manosphere meltdown.
Ashley Walters: Always Winning
Hackney Empire
26th May
19:30
Join us for an inspiring evening with critically acclaimed actor and director Ashley Walters as he shares his extraordinary journey from musical stardom to triumphs in acting and directing, while overcoming personal setbacks along the way.
Stephanie Yeboah: On Chaotic Energy
Online
26th May
18:30
Body image advocate and multi-award-winning content creator introduces her moving, wildly entertaining debut novel.
Events
London Afrobeat Collective + Angata + Volta45
Rich Mix
2nd May
19:30
KULA Collective are kicking things off in style with a night of electrifying live music, DJs, poetry, art, and dance. We’re bringing together artists from across disciplines to create an immersive celebration of Africa’s rhythmic heartbeat—its music, movement, and soul.
Say It With Your Chess
Queen of the South
7th May
19:30 – 00:30
Join us every week for our Chess Club link-up hosted by Queen of the South founder Donalee! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, it’s the perfect opportunity to improve your skills, challenge opponents, and enjoy the timeless strategy game.
YOKIMONO JAPANESE MARKET
RIVERSIDE EAST
11th May
11:00 – 18:00
Discover and celebrate both traditional and contemporary Japanese culture — from food and fashion to art and craftsmanship.
AXEL KANER-LIDSTROM + MARLA KETHER
Peckham Levels
11th May
19:00 – 23:30
Two of the most exciting talents on the London jazz scene join us in Peckham for a night of dancefloor-focused, jazz-inflected sounds performed live and in the round.
i am afiya / Sansha / Magerison
Brixton Brewery Taproom
21st May
19:30
A trio of artists fusing alt-folk, pop and rnb, come by for i. am. afiya, Sansha and Magerison. A pay what you like show.
POP Karaoke
Prince of Peckham
25th May
21:00
Whether you want to go classic with some Biggie, Missy or The Fugees or keep it right now with Drake, Kendrick Lamar or Kanye, this is your chance to live out your stage fantasies to London’s most loving crowd.
Cassie Kinoshi x Ensemble intercontemporain
Barbican
27th May
19:30
Spearheaded by France’s flagship contemporary music group, the new, the nearly new, and a 20th century classic are stitched into a programme that explores slavery and the Caribbean experience.
Black Culture Market – Summer – Windrush Market
The Department Store
31st May – 1st June
11:00 – 17:00
Epic pop-up event celebrating the vibrancy of African Caribbean Culture & Commerce.
If you have attended any of these venues and/or events, please leave a comment to talk about your experience. Make sure to book and be part of the culture.