London Transport Museum is kicking off a new series of Museum Lates with a jam-packed evening of music, talks and creative workshops to mark the opening of the brand new exhibition, Legacies: London Transport’s Caribbean Workforce.
The exhibition celebrates the generations of Caribbean people that have shaped London’s transport history and culture, featuring the stories of first, second and third generation Caribbean people, from those who worked for London Transport in the 1950s and 1960s to today’s TfL employees. Inspired by the themes of the exhibition, the Legacies Friday Late on 18 March will immerse visitors in London’s Caribbean culture. Join talks from historians, artists and TfL employees who will be delving into Caribbean British experiences, discover the story of Windrush through augmented reality, and get into the spirit of Carnival with steel pan drumming lessons and a carnival tiara making workshop.
At the Friday Late visitors can:
· Explore the Windrush story through augmented reality. Meet artist and creative consultant Patricia Lalla and explore her AR experience ‘Please Mind the Ghosts’, which brings characters of different eras and ethnicities to life to examine the legacy of this historical moment.
· Discover ‘what we didn’t learn in history class’ with historian Dr Angelina Osborne MBE as she talks Caribbean British history.
· Catch a steel pan drumming performance by players from Endurance Steel Orchestra then give it a go yourself.
· Meet Basil Olton, artist, curator and Director of Highgate Art School and hear about his experiences curating artists of Caribbean heritage, making art accessible, and his own family’s ties to London Transport and their legacy of challenging racist structures in the workplace and the Union.
· Make your own carnival tiara with costume designer Shari Royer – whose outfits adorn Notting Hill Carnival performers – and spot her dazzling Carnival headpiece in the Legacies exhibition.
· Join Gloria George, for her talk ‘A 30 year TfL journey’ as she – the daughter of Windrush Generation parents – delves into her family history and its links to London Transport, recounts her own experiences within the organisation, and shares the crucial work she does today as the Chair of TfL’s Raising Awareness of Culture and Ethnicity Staff Network Group.
· Dance the night away to a set of Caribbean music from the 1950s to today, courtesy of former Tube driver turned disc jockey, SharkyDJ.
The event is the first in a new Friday Lates series, which offer guests the chance to enjoy a post-work culture fix at special themed events as they explore London Transport Museum’s galleries and exhibitions after hours.
Visitors can peruse the Museum after opening hours and catch up with friends with a drink from the pop-up bar, where the Museum’s must-try signature red Routemaster cocktail will be on offer.
Guests can explore the brand new Legacies exhibition to discover how people from the Caribbean have shaped London’s transport story, then weave their way through the atmospheric passageways of the award-winning Hidden London exhibition in the Global Gallery – now extended by popular demand.
After the event, continue to celebrate carnival style at a London Caribbean Restaurant The Rum Kitchen
Hosted by creatives, journalists, writers, scientists and historians, each event features themed activities inspired by London’s history, heritage, and culture.
Tickets to all Friday Late events cost £15 (Concession £12) and can be booked online ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/museum-lates. 18:30-21:00. Over 18s only.
