Grace Will Lead Me Home: Amazing Grace, Colonialism, and the Fight for Justice
Join us for a powerful and timely exploration of John Newton's life and his iconic hymn, "Amazing Grace", on the occasion of his 300th birthday. This special event delves into the link between the beloved song and the slave trade, its enduring status as a protest against oppression, and its profound relevance to today's legacies of colonialism.
Presented by the acclaimed quartet of Angeline Morrison, Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne, Jon Bickley, and John Palmer, "Grace Will Lead Me Home" is a live show built around songs from their critically acclaimed album, for one of the top ten folk albums of 2024 Mojo magazine and Morning Star.
This performance is the culmination of a three-year Arts Council-funded project, which has already produced a rich tapestry of exhibitions, podcasts, videos, lectures, and seminars. The live version of "Grace Will Lead Me Home" masterfully weaves together traditionally inspired and new songs, interwoven with poignant excerpts from 18th-century diaries and writings by figures like Newton, Wilberforce, and Equiano.
Through this unique blend of music and historical narrative, the show illuminates all facets of Newton's complex life, tracing how "Amazing Grace" evolved into such a potent statement of protest and what its message means in our modern world.
Don't miss this insightful and moving event promises to challenge, inform, and inspire.
