Events & Tickets

Warwickshire Libraries Hosts ‘Kushti Kherd’ a Special Open Mic Night Celebrating Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month, 2025

‘Kushti’ is the Romany word for ‘good’ and ‘Kherd’ can refer both to ‘home’ and ‘skills/talents’.

Rugby Library will host an exclusive open mic night on Friday, June 6th, showcasing talented performers from Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman and Boater communities. This special event builds on Warwickshire Libraries' successful 2024 collaboration with Romani artist Gemma Lees, which included school workshops and a GRT Library Tour.

The evening welcomes musicians, comedians, poets and performance artists with GTRSB heritage to share their talents. Small travel bursaries are available for performers on a first come first served basis.

This celebration of GRT culture and creativity continues Warwickshire Libraries' commitment to amplifying diverse voices and creating inclusive community spaces.

When: Friday 6th June

Time: 7.30pm-9pm

Where: Rugby Library

Age: 18+ only

Build A Better Future: Conversations for Change

Thu 26 Jun 2025 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM BST Whitworth Locke (Co-working space upstairs), 74 Princess St, Manchester, M1 6JD

Join Gemma Lees, Romany Gypsy artist and advocate for a discussion about GRT History Month, the communities it celebrates and the often difficult and uncomfortable histories and realities of being a Gypsy or Traveller in today's Britain and find out the answers to the questions you never dared ask before!

After the discussion, there will be an object writing activity giving you the opportunity to delve into GRT cultures through objects of significance, such as a Roma flag, a handcrafted peg, a miniature traditional wagon or a narrow boat. Use themed papers and stickers to create a beautiful collage poem celebrating GRT History Month!

Build A Better Future Series:

Originally founded as an anti-racism book and then media club through 2020-2022, we broadened our focus to include a range of marginalised identities, experiences and important social and political focal points, renaming the group as Build A Better Future Book Club in 2023. In 2025, we are expanding the series to incorporate a range of workshops, outings and talks to continue to integrate our co-learning and community. We hope this group will provide a space and build a community for education, discussion and reflection.

Where possible we will invite facilitators with lived experience of the topic to provide stimulus and co-moderate discussions with our team- we choose to share the role of facilitation to share both the power and responsibility within the space. The club meet on the final Thursday of every other month and sessions will now be 2 hours long to create space for lengthier discussions and action point check ins and outs at the start and end of each session.

Book Club/discussion based sessions are run as in-person/online hybrid event delivery to maintain some of the increased accessibility lockdown instigated, but we would also like to build community and action around this group - so encourage people to come down in person if they can!

We intend to maintain a long term, consistent space for people to take personal responsibility and communal accountability for their allyship and coalition learning, creating a space for reflection, discussion and to hear from other voices. The group is always open to new members, or returning ones, so we’d love for you to join us!

The sessions are open to people of all genders/races/sexualities/classes/disability inclusive - if you have any specific accessibility needs in regard to the sessions, please let us know and we’ll do our very best to accommodate. For parents, single Mums, and those with a legitimate reason to be late, don’t worry we will still let you in the room! For everyone else, please try to be on time if you can so we can all be a part of the full conversation where possible.

This is a space for everyone - though we would like attendees to be aware that participants may be at different stages of their personal educational journeys. We must be prepared to push one another and address our own shortfalls to get the most out of the sessions, valuing the voices with experience, if they wish to attend.

Testimonials

"The children have responded so well to working with Gemma, where it has certainly been a highlight of their week! Gemma has always been enthusiastic and shown a real kind and caring manner when working with our children. This partnership with Gemma has had huge benefits with all our community and given children a real insight into a community, which is special to where we live." Matthew Parker, Head of School, Wolvey CofE School (Hidden Stories)

"They were brilliant sessions and the children and teachers really enjoyed and valued the playing, creating and thinking they did. Job well done!" Michelle Temperley, Programme Manager, Young People & Communities, Word Up North & Ilkley Literature Festival

"I love this, the life of Travelling community needs more exposure. This guide is amazing." Jamel Campbell, Early Years Consultant and Educator, Bleu Carrot (Tapestry Guide to GRT Inclusion)

"Working with Queer Britain and phenomenal facilitators like Gemma to positively increase our communities’ representation is truly a moment of realising that you are part of history. Truly an honour and a priceless privilege". Workshop participant, Ruarí McClay (Traveller Pride & Queer Britain)

"This is a great idea that serves specific audiences in the GRT and Neurodiverse communities. The panel were excited to see a show pitched about and for a community that is not generally represented in theatre. Liked the singalong aspect integrated throughout and all of the access considerations. Gemma was very thoughtful to make the production neurodiverse-friendly and interactive." Kate McKeown Projects Manager Mercury Musicals Development (BEAM2023, 'Mind Your Business!')

"There is such a wonderful humour that runs through this play and Gemma's instinct to play with the storytelling and the form of the piece is so interesting. There are also some wonderful details revealed about the characters that have such theatrical potential and will really come to life on stage." Gurnesha Bola, Literary CoOrdinator, Royal Court Theatre ('Mind Your Business!')

"Warwickshire Libraries has been thrilled to work with Gemma to engage with, and unpack, the local history and cultures of GRT communities. Gemma’s research, creativity and hands-on engagement has manifested in meaningful impact with local schoolchildren, families and communities throughout Warwickshire, as well as a superbly informative and fun roadshow that travelled to our libraries and even the Police HQ in Warwick. Gemma has allowed us to open up to, and challenge assumptions about, libraries within Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, as well as expand our Local Studies collection to include positive and inclusive narratives about Traveller experiences and impact." Dr Anjna Chouhan, NPO Creative Producer, Warwickshire County Council

"Gemma's writing is invigorating and when performed - sharply executed. She facilitates workshops with generosity, sharing the well-honed skills of her craft and effectively balancing the building of confidence whilst also giving constructive feedback. She encourages groups to critique each other, empowering them as readers and a thinking audience as well as writers and performers. Her administrative ability is a rare bonus too! Dodging the stereotype with ease she is organised, punctual and understands the importance of monitoring. All round one in a million!" Emma Melling, Programme Co-Ordinator, Cartwheel Arts

"Gemma Lees is a popular, engaging and accessible poet whose work and delivery is always a big hit with audiences. An experienced event organiser, workshop leader and compere/host I have no hesitation in recommending Gemma for many kinds of booking." - Tony Walsh, Poet

“Gemma’s distinctive artistic voice and eloquent translation of complex narratives, historical themes, and societal themes is an exemplar for socially engaged theatre, combining a unique blend of cultural awareness, creative innovation, and an unwavering commitment to artistic integrity. Gemma demonstrated an exceptional aptitude for character voice and presentation, working enthusiastically and encouraging and assisting other writers. This demonstrates her community and care-centred practice. She created a consistent and powerful world, showcasing her ability to blend artistic creativity with methodical research, and her commitment to precise and polished work. Gemma proved her exceptional capability as a performer - a writer, composer, actor, and singer and on stage she is compelling, with passionate, authentic performances, and a captivating voice.” Jamie Hale, Artistic Director, CRIPtic Arts, (‘Rollercoaster Dai’)

"Gemma’s background as both an artist and someone deeply attuned to issues positions her as a vital voice in art and advocacy. Gemma’s creative practice is truly inspiring, marked by a unique ability to translate complex social issues into immersive and thought-provoking installations. Her vision for the 'Non-Living Room' project captured our attention because of its potential to challenge perceptions of space, safety and exclusion." - Samra Said, Co-Director & Producer, Arts & Homelessness International

"I have been aware of Gemma and her work for a long time, and I can attest that she is a dedicated and skilled practitioner in whatever she turns her hand to. Based on her many impressive creative projects we were thrilled to invite Gemma to join the cohort of Factory International Fellows in 2024. Gemma met this opportunity with enthusiasm, curiosity and passion throughout. She was a delight to have on board at every stage of the process and truly made the most of the opportunity granted to her. Gemma's skill at making work publicly accessible, impactful and open to all is second to none and will be of immense value in future to anyone she partners with or supports." - Punam Ramchurn, Artist Development Manager, Factory International

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