Last chance to see the excellent Rock Against Racism archive exhibition

Last weekend at St Mary in the Castle: Rock Against Racism & Aba Shanti

This weekend will be the last chance to see the Rock Against Racism Research’n’Archive Project exhibition at St Mary in the Castle. The exhibition, originally planned for the De La Warr Pavilion, celebrates the international grass roots movement which began 46 years ago with a gig in an East London pub. Erica Smith reminds you to check out the classic graphics before St Mary in the Castle closes its doors this weekend.

October has seen so many events in St Mary in the Castle that it is hard to believe that the venue will close at the end of the month. Appropriately for Black History Month, the last events to be held will be the closing party for the Rock Against Racism exhibition this Friday (28 October) and an Aba Shanti gig on Saturday 29 October.

The excellent exhibition in the crypt is open all the time the cafe is open. It’s a beautiful tribute to a powerful movement with graphics that still pack a punch today – poster designs were inspired by movements as diverse as Russian constructivism, punk rock and reggae.

Rock Against Racism emerged in 1976 in reaction to a rise in racist attacks, support for the neo-Nazi National Front and mainstays of the UK pop scene – including David Bowie and Eric Clapton – making statements that inflamed racial tension.

One Love, Many Stories

Hastings resident Ruth Gregory was one of the founders of this powerful movement which used music, badges and zines to make people unite against the far right and stand up to the endemic racism of the 1970s.

She said: “Our goal was to gather and empower new creative talents by pulling in other designers, writers and photographers along the way. Most of us had full time jobs so RAR stuff was fitted into snatched spaces. Our lives were full to the brim planning strategy, gigs and working all night. We hummed along on the energy gained from making a real connection…”

The last dance…

On Saturday evening Hidden Beach bring back the Aba Shanti soundsystem for the last opportunity to dance in St Mary in the Castle. Aba Shanti has become one of the most important sound systems in the English and international dub scene, Aba Shanti travels the planet to continue his mission of unifying the people through the power of roots and dub music. Tickets are available from St Mary in the Castle’s website.

The future of St Mary in the Castle is still an unknown. Currently there are at least two groups preparing expressions of interest to Hastings Borough Council for future use of the building.

Also in: Arts News