Rise Up 2023: Cabaret Event

Rise Up 2023: Cabaret Event

Join us for a exciting opening night of Rise Up for artistic exploration and expression! Our cabaret evening will feature a diverse array of performances, including poetry, spoken word, dance performance, and a captivating theatre performance.

Courtney Ama Stoddart (Spoken Word/Poetry)

Courtney Stoddart is an acclaimed Scottish poet, writer and performer. In June 2019, Courtney took part in the BBC Radio 1xtra and BBC Contains Strong Language Festival Word’s First Talent Scheme, making it to the final 12. She was selected to be published in an anthology by Own It! London and edited by Jude Yawson, co-writer of Stormzy’s Rise Up: The Story So Far. Stoddart starred in Hannah Lavery’s ‘Lament for Sheku Bayoh’ for 3 years running at the Lyceum Theatre and has represented Scotland at FLUP! literary festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, whilst also being named as one of YWCA’s 30 under 30 in 2020.

She has appeared on a panel at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, featured on Damian Barr’s Big Scottish Book Club on BBC Scotland and published in Neu Reekie’s #Neu Voices. As of 2021, she was announced as an Ignite Fellow with the Scottish Book Trust, and gained a First Class Masters degree in Creative Writing from the University of Glasgow. Courtney was also recently commissioned alongside Poet Laureate Simon Armitage for the the BBC Centenary.

Safeena Rashid (Comedy)

Safeena is a fully qualified Scottish advocate who delved into the world of comedy after thinking about a racist comment made to her. When she thought about the stupidity of it in the cold light of day, it dawned on her that she could probably turn it into stand-up. In 2019 she contacted different open mic places, performed and enjoyed it so much that the comedy dream was born. As a So You Think You’re Funny 2022 semi finalist, she’s quietly contemplating her future of law vs comedy.

Dorine Mugisha (Dance)

Dorine Mugisha is a dancer, choreographer and instructor. She performed and competed across the UK and internationally with London based The Archetype (World of Dance UK, World of Dance LA, Hotstepper, Breakin’ Convention, Dancers Delight, Move it).  Then following her move to Scotland, she joined A.K.O, training, teaching, choreographing and performing at events such as UEFA Euro 2021, Elevate dance and more.

She is currently focusing on her individual path as an artist, primarily through W(h)aacking. She has been entering battles across Europe, winning competitions such as Waack The World (Greece) and Disconnection Jam (UK), finalist at Werk The Floor (UK). She has also been focusing on doing research on identities, recently performing at Open Art Surgery in Edinburgh, as well as reconnecting with Tanzania, performing and sharing there. She is continuing to develop that piece of work and will be performing at The Fringe Festival, Breakin Convention and at the Rise Up Festival.

She continues to learn, develop, share and unapologetically rediscover her love for dance and the infinity of freedom in movement. She advocates that everyBODY can dance

Sara Sharaawi (Theatre/Play)

Rise Up

Rise Up! Festival is a celebration of some of the many diverse voices and visions that shape Aberdeen and Scotland’s Black and PoC creative communities. Join us at the Music Hall and Lemon Tree for three days of art, music, and dialogue that challenge, inspire, and unite. Curated by We Are Here Scotland in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts.

See the whole programme here.