ICA is closed from the 30 May – 3 June inclusive.
Book tickets
We invite you to spend an evening taking in conversations, poetry, and afro-beat jazz music to celebrate the release of Theresa Lola’s second poetry collection Ceremony for the Nameless (publishing into Penguin Poetry on 7 November, 2024).
The book broaches the question, what is really in a name? It explores how names and the act of naming shapes our identities, our aspirations, what we carry and how we belong. Theresa is joined by British-Ghanaian writer Caleb Azumah Nelson for a thoughtful discussion about the themes and writing of the book.
Ceremony for the Nameless begins with a traditional Yoruba naming ceremony, a key event in the culture to formally introduce a child, celebrated with joyful songs. In keeping with the musical and rhythmic backdrop, Theresa will be accompanied by Afrobeat and jazz instrumentalists throughout the evening, including Deanna Wilhelm, KK Brown, and Faye Thompson.
Copies of the book will be available for purchase, and Theresa Lola will be signing books briefly after the event.
The book broaches the question, what is really in a name? It explores how names and the act of naming shapes our identities, our aspirations, what we carry and how we belong. Theresa is joined by British-Ghanaian writer Caleb Azumah Nelson for a thoughtful discussion about the themes and writing of the book.
Ceremony for the Nameless begins with a traditional Yoruba naming ceremony, a key event in the culture to formally introduce a child, celebrated with joyful songs. In keeping with the musical and rhythmic backdrop, Theresa will be accompanied by Afrobeat and jazz instrumentalists throughout the evening, including Deanna Wilhelm, KK Brown, and Faye Thompson.
Copies of the book will be available for purchase, and Theresa Lola will be signing books briefly after the event.
Theresa Lola is a British Nigerian poet and writer and was appointed the Young People’s Laureate for London in the year 2019-20. In 2018 she was awarded the Brunel International African Poetry Prize. She holds an Mst in Creative Writing from University of Oxford. In 2022 the poem ‘Equilibrium’ from her debut poetry collection, In Search of Equilibrium, was added to OCR’s GCSE English Literature syllabus.
Caleb Azumah Nelson is a British-Ghanaian writer, photographer and filmmaker. His debut novel Open Water won the Costa First Novel Award 2021. Caleb's second novel, Small Worlds, was praised for being “unmatched in its musicality and sensitivity” and won the 2024 Dylan Thomas Prize. Both Open Water and Small Worlds have been optioned for screen, with Caleb adapting. He is also working on an original series, Endless, with Element Pictures and an original feature, The Last Stop, with Heyday and Film4.
Deanna Wilhelm is a trailblazing Black female trumpet player from London, celebrated for her dynamic performances and her role in advancing the presence of women in brass music. She founded London’s first all-female brass band, creating a platform for female musicians in the brass scene. Deanna has played with renowned artists such as Eve and Alicia Keys, contributing her talents to major projects like Netflix’s Bridgerton and The Crown. She has also toured internationally with The Go! Team, showcasing her versatility and passion for live music around the world.
KK Brown is a versatile percussionist, vocalist and multi instrumentalist. She draws from her Caribbean heritage, blended with deep musical roots from Brazil and West Africa with a background of Gospel and Neo Soul. Her achievements span acclaimed performances at renowned music festivals like Shambala, Boomtown, Medicine Festival, Great Escape, Love Jam and All Points East as well as venues and events like the Jazz Cafe, Boiler Room, the Grand Prix, Greenwich Maritime Institute, Somerset House, Southbank, and RichMix.
Faye Thompson is a saxophonist and bass clarinettist living in London. She is known for the distinctive but versatile voice she has on her instruments, borne from electronically processing much of her playing. Faye's unique approach has led her to perform internationally with artists across a range of genres, including with Grammy-nominated poet Aja Monet, folk-pop singer-songwriter Cassandra Jenkins, UK jazz quintet Neue Grafik Ensemble, and all-female brass trailblazers She's Got Brass. She also performs solo, creating live experimental ambient music as Efti's Project.
Caleb Azumah Nelson is a British-Ghanaian writer, photographer and filmmaker. His debut novel Open Water won the Costa First Novel Award 2021. Caleb's second novel, Small Worlds, was praised for being “unmatched in its musicality and sensitivity” and won the 2024 Dylan Thomas Prize. Both Open Water and Small Worlds have been optioned for screen, with Caleb adapting. He is also working on an original series, Endless, with Element Pictures and an original feature, The Last Stop, with Heyday and Film4.
Deanna Wilhelm is a trailblazing Black female trumpet player from London, celebrated for her dynamic performances and her role in advancing the presence of women in brass music. She founded London’s first all-female brass band, creating a platform for female musicians in the brass scene. Deanna has played with renowned artists such as Eve and Alicia Keys, contributing her talents to major projects like Netflix’s Bridgerton and The Crown. She has also toured internationally with The Go! Team, showcasing her versatility and passion for live music around the world.
KK Brown is a versatile percussionist, vocalist and multi instrumentalist. She draws from her Caribbean heritage, blended with deep musical roots from Brazil and West Africa with a background of Gospel and Neo Soul. Her achievements span acclaimed performances at renowned music festivals like Shambala, Boomtown, Medicine Festival, Great Escape, Love Jam and All Points East as well as venues and events like the Jazz Cafe, Boiler Room, the Grand Prix, Greenwich Maritime Institute, Somerset House, Southbank, and RichMix.
Faye Thompson is a saxophonist and bass clarinettist living in London. She is known for the distinctive but versatile voice she has on her instruments, borne from electronically processing much of her playing. Faye's unique approach has led her to perform internationally with artists across a range of genres, including with Grammy-nominated poet Aja Monet, folk-pop singer-songwriter Cassandra Jenkins, UK jazz quintet Neue Grafik Ensemble, and all-female brass trailblazers She's Got Brass. She also performs solo, creating live experimental ambient music as Efti's Project.
Book tickets
07:00 pm
Tue, 12 Nov 2024
Cinema 1
Ticket information
- All tickets that do not require ID (full price, disabled, income support) can be printed at home or stored in email
- For aged-based concession tickets (under 25, student and pensioner) please bring relevant ID to collect at the front desk before the event.
Access information
Cinema 1
- Both our Cinemas have step free access from The Mall and are accessible by ramp
- We have 1 wheelchair allocated space with a seat for a companion
- All seats are hard back, have a crushed velvet feel and they do not recline
- These are our seat size dimensions: W 42 x D 45 x H 52
- Arm rest either side of the seat dimensions: L 27 x W 7 x H 20
for the following requirements:
- We have unassigned seating. If you require a specific seat, please reserve this in advance
- Free for visitors where ticket prices are a barrier, please email
Schedule
7:00-7:45pm – In Conversation
7:45-8:00pm – Audience Q&A
8:00-8:40pm – Performance
9:00-9:30pm – Book Signing
7:00-7:45pm – In Conversation
7:45-8:00pm – Audience Q&A
8:00-8:40pm – Performance
9:00-9:30pm – Book Signing
Red Members gain unlimited access to all exhibitions, films, talks, performances and Cinema 3.
Join today for £20/month.
no. 236848.