News / Coronation
Cinema to host ‘anti street-party’ coronation event
A cinema is hosting an “anti-street party” to mark the coronation of King Charles III.
‘What are we celebrating? Anti-street party and discussion panel‘ is being hosted by the Cube and invites critics of the British Empire to discuss the imperialistic roots of the monarchy over cake.
On May 6, the same day as the Westminster Abbey ceremony, the event in Kingsdown encourages guests to question the role of the royals in modern society and “the complex history of colonialism that the institution represents”. Organisers called it an attempt at “counter programming for the coronation”.
is needed now More than ever
Bedecked with anarchist bunting, the Cube, which is run by a non-profit cooperative, will host a panel discussion reflecting on Britain’s colonial history, the publics’ relationship with the royals today and the future of the institution.
Panelists will include academics with expertise ranging from anthropology and anarchism to the role of Britain in New Zealand’s Maori indigenous history.
The volunteer-operated cinema and arts space has been based in building on the edge of Stokes Croft since 1998 – photo: Bristol24/7
Later in the evening there will be a more extravagant ‘big gay Diana party’ celebrating the princess as a symbol of LGTBTQ+ unity and “resistance to the perceived anachronisms of the monarchy”.
In an exclusive interview with Bristol24/7, programmer Rosa Eaton said: “In the evening we are choosing to celebrate Diana Spencer rather than her ex-husband.
“She was a friend of the gay community when they were few are far between, and we are throwing a big campy party in her honour.”
Here the event morphs into more of a riotous theatrical party, with a DJ and open mic and drag performances from Bristol drag king Frank Electric and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a performance and protest group that originated from 1970s San Fransisco and uses drag and religious imagery to satirise issues of gender and morality, and draw attention to social injustice.
Speaking about the event overall, Eaton said they hope “to hold a mirror up to the coronation celebrations and explore some of the horrors that occurred in the name of the crown; often on the other side of the world, far from the public gaze.”
A street party is being held in Clifton Down on May 6 – photo: Betty Woolerton
Thousands of street parties and celebrations have been registered across the country, with almost a million people signed up to celebrate the monarch’s official inception during the bank holiday weekend.
In Bristol, similar celebrations are being organised: the Clifton Observatory will host ‘The King’s Coronation Afternoon Tea‘; while at Bristol Cathedral, choirs from around the city will unite for ‘Sing for the King, Bristol’s Coronation Tribute‘.
Tickets are on sale here
Main image: Cube Cinema
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