As Londoners prepare for the first Covid-19 restriction-free summer in three years, many Black entrepreneurs have begun hosting outdoor events across East London. The legacy of outdoor events is returning as concerns surrounding the pandemic have diminished. With African and Caribbean food, music, and small-business stalls, these festival-style events demonstrate how London is redefining how communities socialise.
According to the Greater London Authority, nearly 14,000 people visit a grassroots music venue in London every night. When the pandemic hit, these events were put on hold. Black-owned venues such as The Mix in Dalston have several events lined up to bring the local community together.
A.O.N Dynasty was one of seven acts that deejayed at one of The Mix’s recent events, “The Journey”.
“It was incredible to see the turnout, people have definitely been waiting to hear their favourite songs in a party setting instead of their bedroom,” he says.
Music Venue Trust’s Annual Survey 2019 stated that grassroots music venues sold tickets for a total of £129 million with £161.5 million invested in the delivery of live music events. These pre-pandemic statistics are the latest available data following the two years of restrictions.
“People have been waiting to go out and socialise for over two years now,” says A.O.N.
“It’s a beautiful thing to witness as a musician — seeing communities come together who may not have mingled so much before”
Nightclubs and bars are not the only businesses contributing to this rising sense of community togetherness; outdoor markets and culinary events are too.
Black Eats LDN is the UK’s first and only Black-owned restaurant directory. They now host several outdoor events in the Hackney area. Founder, Jackson Mclarty, launched Black Eats LDN during the pandemic in May 2021. He has witnessed first-hand how authentic food and music can bring communities together.
Mclarty said they intended “to make sure that all communities supported these events and not just the Black community”. “While hosting our events in the heart of East London, we noticed that the South Asian communities were being brought together, along with the Black community”.
In 2021, Black Eats LDN hosted 26 days of ‘Black Eats Hackney’. This showcased 174 different businesses and over 90,000 patrons.
Jackson believes that the outdoor aspect of these events creates a sense of freedom, not only physically but financially. An indoor venue has limited capacity and requires hiring. Jackson says he can grant free entry to anyone who wants to visit an outdoor space.
“So far, Black Eats Hackney has seen ‘anywhere from 2 to 8000 people’ attending their events in a single day”
“It’s really important that our events are free so I’m not creating a barrier or pressuring anyone to have to make an investment,” he says. “It’s about these small businesses and the good vibes at the end of the day.”
Jackson also faces some challenges with hosting his events outdoors, such as the unpredictable British weather. A lack of public toilets and hand washing stations can also create uncertainty. This is especially relevant to those who are still cautious about the safety of events following the pandemic.
The open space and fresh air, however, allow authentic food to be prepared correctly, “especially for West African and Caribbean communities as many of their dishes are traditionally barbecued”. Indoor venues cannot cater to this style of cooking. This “ultimately degrades the quality of the experience as a whole,” said Jackson.
“Providing these levels of authenticity and high-quality experiences is crucial for integrating societies,” says A.O.N, “especially after such a long period of separation.”