Archives, art, and heritage are all important to community initiative @coldislanders . We experienced this first hand at their screening of ‘Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande’ at Hoxton ‘s art’otel. Cold Islanders are using film as one of the many artistic mediums to preserve Caribbean culture (and community) in Britain.
Last few tickets remaining! Come down and join us for a Cold Islanders film screening this Sunday 8th February➡️ ‘GETTING IT BACK: THE STORY OF CYMANDE’ 🎞️+ Q&A @artotellondonhoxton 🍿
In partnership with The New Black Film Collective @tnbfc
Q&A Panellists: Director Tim Mackenzie-Smith, Saxophonist Michael “Bammi” Rose and Dummer Sam Kelly
The Story of Cymande:
In the racially turbulent UK of the early 70s, a group of Black musicians hailing from the Caribbean came together in South London with a common love of rhythms and a message of peace. They released three brilliant albums in quick succession. Even after their split, their music has lived on through generations of artists spanning across a multitude of genres. This is their story of musical survival against all odds.
Sunday, 8th February 2026 | 3PM
art’otel London Hoxton, 1-3 Rivington Street, London, EC2A
3DT
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@artotellondonhoxton@film_london@britishfilminstitute #coldislanders #Artotel #gettingitback #cymande #WhatsOnLondon #FilmLondon #tnbfc #jamaicafundraiser #jamaica #caribbean #hurricanerelief
5 things you didn’t know (or maybe you did)!
TICKETS OUT NOW: link in bio! Admission | £5🍿
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A Cold Islanders film screening this Sunday 8th February➡️ ‘GETTING IT BACK: THE STORY OF CYMANDE’ 🎞️+ Q&A @artotellondonhoxton
In partnership with The New Black Film Collective @tnbfc
Q&A Panellists: Director Tim Mackenzie-Smith, Saxophonist Michael “Bammi” Rose and Dummer Sam Kelly
The Story of Cymande:
In the racially turbulent UK of the early 70s, a group of Black musicians hailing from the Caribbean came together in South London with a common love of rhythms and a message of peace. They released three brilliant albums in quick succession. Even after their split, their music has lived on through generations of artists spanning across a multitude of genres. This is their story of musical survival against all odds.
Sunday, 8th February 2026 | 3PM
art’otel London Hoxton, 1-3 Rivington Street, London, EC2A
3DT
.
.
.
.
@artotellondonhoxton@film_london@britishfilminstitute #coldislanders #Artotel #gettingitback #cymande #WhatsOnLondon #FilmLondon #tnbfc #jamaicafundraiser #jamaica #caribbean #hurricanerelief
Babymother & Threads of Memory Screening – An evening with Cold Islanders at Art’otel Hoxton📽️🍿
An inspiring evening of film, photography and conversation with Juliana Kasumu (@julianakasumu ) & Danny Bailey (@itsdannybwoi )
Huge thank you to @tnbfc on the partnership and @artotellondonhoxton for the perfect venue!
#coldislanders #caribbeanheritage #artotel #filmlondon #film
Join Cold Islanders & The New Black Film Collective for a screening of “Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande”
This incredible film documents Black British musical history. Illustrated with archival footage, the story of these unsung heroes is told on screen through new interviews with the original band members filmed over two years.
The screening will be followed by and interview with Director Tim Mackenzie and legendary Founder Sam Kelly.
🔗Visit the link in our bio to book
Cold Islanders proceeds will go directly to those impacted by Hurricane Melissa
Cold Islanders in partnership with The New Black Film Collective presents:
GETTING IT BACK: THE STORY OF CYMANDE + Q&A
Q&A Panellist: Tim Mackenzie-Smith
The Story of Cymande:
In the racially turbulent UK of the early 70s, a group of Black musicians hailing from the Caribbean came together in South London with a common love of rhythms and a message of peace. They released three brilliant albums in quick succession. Even after their split, their music has lived on through generations of artists spanning across a multitude of genres. This is their story of musical survival against all odds.
Sunday, 8th February 2026 | 3PM
art’otel London Hoxton, 1-3 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3DT
Admission | £5
@coldislanders will be donating their proceeds to those affected by Hurricane Melissa.
Get your tickets now: link in bio
This event is supported by the BFI Screen Heritage Fund, awarding National Lottery funding
@coldislanders@artotellondonhoxton@film_london@britishfilminstitute #coldislanders #Artotel #gettingitback #cymande #WhatsOnLondon #FilmLondon #TNBFC
NOW SOLD OUT‼️
Only a few tickets left for this weekend's screening of Babymother with The New Black Film Collective presents:
BABYMOTHER & THREADS OF MEMORY + Q&A dance around fashion and Black British identity with artist and filmmaker @julianakasumu alongside artist, director and performer @itsdannybwoi .
Babymother:
A single mother determined to make it as a singer puts together an all girl reggae group named Neeta, Sweeta, & Nastie with her friends. Living in a housing project with little support, the odds are obviously against her. Emotionally she struggles too as she learns at her mother’s death that her actual mother is the woman she had thought was her older sister. With the help of a female agent, the group starts to get some exposure and rises above their setting.
Threads of Memory:
Unravelling the enduring influence of West African and Caribbean cultural memory on Black British fashion, Threads of Memory explores how migration, identity and resilience alongside an ever-expanding style and social exchange via moving image, shaped the evolution of a fashion movement that redefines authenticity and challenges stereotypes.
Sunday, 11th January 2025 | 3PM
art’otel London Hoxton, 1-3 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3DT
Admission | £5
Get your tickets now: link in bio
This event is supported by the BFI Screen Heritage Fund, awarding National Lottery funding
We’re starting 2026 with a classic British Caribbean film with @tnbfc
Free on 11th Jan? Come and gather at @artotellondonhoxton for a Sunday afternoon screening of Babymother (Julian Henrique) and preview of short film Threads of Memory by Juliana Kasumu for a wider discussion of Black British fashion and identity from the African diaspora. We will also be join by Director, premier and curator Danny Bailey in our Q&A 🙌🏾
Cold Islanders proceeds will go those relief for those impacted by Hurricane Melissa.
Sunday, 11th January 2025 | 3PM
art’otel London Hoxton, 1-3 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3DT
Admission | £5
Get your tickets now: link in bio
This event is supported by the BFI Screen Heritage Fund, awarding National Lottery funding
Cold Islanders in partnership with The New Black Film Collective presents:
BABYMOTHER & THREADS OF MEMORY + Q&A
The Q+A will include a discussion around fashion and identity with artist and filmmaker @julianakasumu alongside artist, director and performer @itsdannybwoi .
Babymother:
A single mother determined to make it as a singer puts together an all girl reggae group named Neeta, Sweeta, & Nastie with her friends. Living in a housing project with little support, the odds are obviously against her. Emotionally she struggles too as she learns at her mother’s death that her actual mother is the woman she had thought was her older sister. With the help of a female agent, the group starts to get some exposure and rises above their setting.
Threads of Memory:
Unravelling the enduring influence of West African and Caribbean cultural memory on Black British fashion, Threads of Memory explores how migration, identity and resilience alongside an ever-expanding style and social exchange via moving image, shaped the evolution of a fashion movement that redefines authenticity and challenges stereotypes.
Sunday, 11th January 2025 | 3PM
art’otel London Hoxton, 1-3 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3DT
Admission | £5
Get your tickets now: link in bio
@coldislanders@artotellondonhoxton@film_london@britishfilminstitute #coldislanders #Artotel #babymother #Threadsofmemory #WhatsOnLondon #FilmLondon #TNBFC
This event is supported by the BFI Screen Heritage Fund, awarding National Lottery funding
Yvonne Lynch is the founder of The Lynch International School of Dance, a Stratford-based community dance school specialising in salsa.
From 2013–2019, she hosted classes at Picturehouse Stratford before moving on to Sundays at Atherton Leisure Centre until 2022, and later at Mexicasa, The Hub, and now the Chandos Centre—all chosen for their welcoming spaces (and wooden floors!).
What began as a small class of just four people has since grown into a thriving salsa community of over 250 dancers. Yvonne’s dream has expanded beyond weekly classes into parties, workshops, bootcamps, and even cruises—spreading joy, rhythm, and connection wherever she goes.
Photography by @takenya@takenyakholness #BUILTBYWE
Here she is photographed with Patsy King, a salsa and kizomba teacher who loves learning with others. Together, they capture the energy and human connection that comes from dancing and learning in person—a powerful reminder of the joy of interaction in an increasingly digital age.
We had the joy of speaking with Faith Johnson, Founder of Caramel Rock, a fashion and creative arts education charity based in Newham. It's amazing to see the variety and quality of community spaces happening in the borough led by Caribbean people!
“We have a strong belief in shaping our future leaders and therefore we offer, in every course, a personal development plan, as well as helping young people. It is also our mission to provide people with the knowledge and expertise of the working world, to help them form a solid foundation for a brighter future. Additionally, Caramel Rock guides young people to achieve both their short and long-term goals."
We also had the privilege of highlighting Marva Rollins, co-founder of the East London Black Women’s Organisation (ELBWO)and the first Black headteacher in the London Borough of Newham.
Founded in the 1970s, ELBWO provided vital services for the community, including domestic violence support, family aid, counselling, education and training, a Saturday school, as well as outreach and befriending.
Photographed by @takenyakholness
