Honouring the Black Roots of Blues
We love the Blues. We love the music, the dancing and the way it brings people together.
October is Black History Month in the UK, and this year’s theme is “Honouring Our Communities”. It invites us to recognise the contributions of Black people whose creativity, care and commitment shape and sustain communities across the UK.
At Our Social Space, this also prompts us to reflect on the African American communities who created the Blues music and dance we enjoy and share here in Belfast.
Black British and African American histories are connected, while having distinct experiences and cultural traditions. Our focus on the Blues reflects the origins of the music and dancing we share. We also encourage you to explore the histories, experiences and contributions at the heart of Black History Month in the UK.
Music, movement and community
Blues music emerged within African American communities in the southern United States during the late nineteenth century, drawing on musical traditions including work songs and spirituals. Its history is connected to slavery and its aftermath, segregation, migration and everyday life.
The Blues makes room for sorrow, but also humour, love, joy and celebration. It expresses a whole range of human experiences through music and movement.
Blues dancing developed within African American communities alongside the music. It encompasses different social dances and regional traditions, shaped by the people, places and music around them. Improvisation and individual expression are important parts of these dances, with dancers responding to the music and bringing their own personality to the movement.
These are living traditions. Black musicians, dancers and teachers continue to create, teach and shape them today.
Sharing our love of the Blues in Belfast
This summer, our Hidden Dancehalls event, part of the Fleadh Cheoil Fringe, offered another opportunity to share a little of Blues music and dance culture with people in Belfast.
Earlier this month, we hosted our first Black Mountain Blues Festival, welcoming dancers for a weekend of live music, learning and social dancing with visiting teacher Dexter Santos.
These events sit alongside several ways to explore a shared love of music and movement at Our Social Space.
Through our Blues dance programme, Carrie Montgomery and Declan Allison, who teach as Blues Belfast, introduce people to Blues rhythms, movement and social dancing, alongside the history and culture behind the dances.
Our The Flicks Hut: Rooted in Rhythm cinema series offers another way to explore music, stories and cultural histories through film.
Our new Rooted in Blues: Stories, Rhythm & Belonging programme starts on 9 November. Lee Hedley (Leed Hedley Blues Band frontman) will share his love of the Blues through storytelling, Gareth Hughes (Gareth Hughes Blues Band vocals and harmonica) through beginner Blues harmonica, and Blues Belfast through dance history and beginner-friendly dancing.
Alongside each activity, there’ll be a cuppa and conversation, exploring what the Blues means to us and what would encourage more men to get involved.
Guests and learners
As white Europeans, Carrie and Declan come to the Blues as guests and learners in an African American cultural tradition. We love the music and dancing, while recognising that the histories and lived experiences from which they grew are not our own.
This year, Our Social Space’s co-founder and Blues dance instructor, Carrie Montgomery, has travelled to eight European Blues dance festivals to continue learning and build connections with the wider Blues dance community.
For us, sharing the Blues means continuing to learn about its roots, crediting its creators and learning from Black musicians, dancers, teachers and historians. As we build our own community here in Belfast, we want that understanding and respect to remain part of what we share.
Black History Month offers a moment to highlight these roots and contributions. That learning continues throughout the year.
Explore further
Learn more about Black History Month UK 2026 and “Honouring Our Communities”.
The Spurlock Museum’s exhibition, Blues Dancing and Its African American Roots, explores different dance traditions and their histories.
The Library of Congress offers an introduction to Blues music, including historical recordings to explore.
Join us
Find out more about our Blues dance programme and The Flicks Hut cinema evenings at www.oursocialspace.org.uk.
To express an interest in Rooted in Blues, complete our sign-up form.
