Some things that made me smile… in May

Including culture, comedy and coffee

If you’re a regular here, welcome back! If you’re new, this is my round up of some of the things that have made me smile over that past month. (You can see the previous ones here and here.) Please feel free to share in the comments anything that’s brought you joy too, whether big or small!

How has your month been? As I type, it seems that May is finally ‘Maying’ here in London. After some rather overcast days, the sun has been shining and the lighter evenings are bringing a renewed energy. 

Here’s a few of the things I’ve enjoyed over the past month:

Souls Grown Deep like the Rivers

The title of this exhibition stems from a Langston Hughes poem (‘The Negro Speaks of Rivers’), the last line of which is, “My soul has grown deep like the rivers.” I gave myself an impromptu leisure day and took myself to the Royal Academy of Arts to see Souls Grown Deep like the Rivers, which features the work of Black artists from the American South born between 1887 and 1965. 

A theme I noted across many of the different artworks (like Stars of Everything by Thornton Dial, pictured above) was the use of found and recycled materials to create powerful pieces and tell stories, not only of hardship, but also of community, family, joy, love and transcendence. I found it moving and inspirational.

If you’re in London, you can catch this at the Royal Academy until 18^th June.

Beer, Biscuits and Beautification

I love a walking tour. They’re something I tend to seek out if I visit a new place, but a tour I did last year in south west London showed me just how much fascinating history there was in the streets and buildings I pass everyday that I knew little or nothing about. So, when my friends invited me along to a tour of another part of London – lesser-known Bermondsey - I was in! 

No beer or biscuits were consumed during the tour, but they were referenced as both are crucial parts of the history and current day reality of this traditionally working class area. The ‘beer’ part was a nod to the numerous micro-breweries that can now be found in Bermondsey. Visiting the huge collection of buildings that used to house the Peak Freans biscuit factory empire (now primarily offices) reminded me the different Peak Freans brands my Mum would usually keep in the biscuit tin in our childhood home (Bourbons were my favourite btw). 

We were expertly led by Blue Badge Guide extraordinaire, Diane Burstein who reeled off reams of facts from memory with impressive ease. 

One of my favourite parts of the walk was a local market trader who spotted our group and came over to share some of his local knowledge and a few jokes in the way that only a London market trader can. 

Viv’s Coffee at Maltby Street Market

If you’re ever in the Bermondsey area, I highly recommend heading down to Maltby Street Market where you’ll find Viv’s Coffee. I know Viv from when she used to work at my favourite local coffee place, but she’s now branched out with her own brilliant business. Look no further for all your coffee needs (including fantastic espresso martinis!). 

Find Viv at Maltby Street Market on Fridays 4-9pm, Saturdays 9am-5pm and Sundays 10am-4pm. 

Congratulations to Afrori Books

I was so happy to see Afrori Books win Bookseller of the Year at The British Book Awards (The Nibbies)! In the publishing world, which can be challenging at the best of times, but even more so for those of us who are underrepresented, Afrori Books gives Black authors a platform. I feel fortunate to have my book stocked by Afrori. You can visit Afrori Books at their physical store at the Brighthelm Centre in Brighton, or shop online via their website here.

Congratulations to Carolynn Bain and everyone at Afrori Books! And thank you for all that you do.

The Rest Sessions

I love teaching The Rest Sessions. I’ve been offering these since 2020, originally online and now in-person. The most recent one in Brixton this month was the last one I have planned for a little while, but if you missed it you might be interested in joining me for Rest + Restore, an evening of contemplative practices to regulate your nervous system and restore your equilibrium on Friday 9^th June at Embody Wellness in Vauxhall - you can find the details here.

Belly laughs and La Dolce Vita

I binged watched and belly laughed at Black Ops. This new BBC comedy series from the makers of Famalam, stars Gbemisola Ikumelo and Hammed Animashaun as special constables thrown undervcover into a criminal underworld. It’s pure, silly, laugh out loud comedy to brighten your mood. 

My recent comfort TV watch has coincidentally been another BBC show, Clive Myrie’s Italian Road Trip. This one, I’ve been working my way through slowly to savour each episode. (If you like Italian food, don’t watch while hungry.) Delightful, feel good TV. 

Last but not least…

This month I’ve been playing this on repeat and dancing around my kitchen to: 

Over to you:

What’s been making you smile in May? Let me know in the comments.