Upcoming events
Space to Be - Celebrating the Rainbow Body with Nikhita Devi
This workshop will include the principles and theories of yoga and Indian Classical dance. Participants will be guided through a series of postures and meditations, with dance exercises designed to improve balance and coordination and blending aspects of Indian classical dance, bellydance and burlesque.
About Nikhita
Nikhita's (they/them) practice is deeply rooted in their Indian heritage, based primarily on Indian classical dance, but also draws heavily from bellydance (or raqs sharqi) and burlesque. Their dance allows them to express themself and helps them connect physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually with themself, their audience and their community. They hope that infusing the movement vocabulary of classical dance styles with the sensuality and earthiness of bellydance and burlesque will help to inspire and liberate femmes, the LGBTQ community and the South Asian community at home and abroad.
The Somatics of Transformative Justice: embodying (self-)accountability & repair
*Please note: This event is for people (16+) living in Scotland who identify as both LGBT+ and as Black/a Person of Colour only.
The Somatics of Transformative Justice: embodying (self-)accountability & repair with Care
In this 2-part workshop, Care will introduce Transformative Justice (TJ) and its concepts and lineages, as well as practice centred accountability in the face of conflict. This workshop will include somatic exercises as well as a hypnotic/somatic trance to connect safely to centered accountability.
TJ is a framework created by marginalized communities of survivors of violence who did not and could not rely on institutional forms of "Justice" (courts, police...). This framework, unlike the systems of "Justice" we know, calls for radical healing as it cares to address the roots of violence to break generational cycles of harm, using accountability as a tool of agency and repair, as well as centering the voices & healing of survivors instead of the punishment of harm-doers.
This workshop will take place online on Zoom.
About Care
Care (they/them) is a light-skinned Black trans non binary abolitionist somatic practitioner, artist & doula who works on re-membering embodied experiences of awe, connection, miracles & care. Their work blooms at the intersection of Black interiority, somatic memory and queer intimacies. Always reflecting on their longing for home and belonging, they create rituals & ceremonies as portals through which displaced people can step into a healing, imaginative space unburdened by colonialism many violences.
Their practice draws from ancestral knowledge and seek to re-enact and/or recreate rituals.Their practice is grounded in an intimate relationship with the land, ancestors, Spirit, the Elements & the more than human. Care studies and professionally practices astrology, tarot, Reiki, hypnosis, somatics, Transformative Justice and doula work in Berlin, Germany.
Space to Be - Film night + discussion
For the next Space to Be we are having a film night where we will be screening one of favourite film documentaries and having a chat after about it over some yummy food provided by Luna Issa (all vegan friendly).
The documentary film touches on the cultural significance of music, mixing pop culture and social commentary.
Content warning: mention of racial and state violence.
The film will be shown with closed captions.
Space to Be - Finding your flow with Melissa
For this workshop, Exhale member Melissa Tron will be joining us with an invitation to tap into the freeing potential of intuitive writing for wellbeing and creativity.
Participants will be invited to explore different timed writing exercises using our senses, lists and image writing to find inspiration. The aim of this workshop is to lay foundations to rekindle relationship to writing, making it more approachable by finding new ways to generate creation, and overcome writer’s block. You don't need to be a writer to join, this is just an opportunity to spark interest for a forgotten craft, or nourish a fire already going. Just arrive curious :)
About Melissa
Melissa (she/they) is an artist touching from painting to poetry. With a background in Psychology and Psychedelic research, her work focuses on the movements of the mind. The content is intimately linked to the healing role of their creative process; and their meaning to breakthroughs in her understanding of consciousness.
Space to Be - Beyond Good Intentions: Building Futurist Families & Inclusive Communities with Zetta Elliot
In the workshop 'Beyond Good Intentions: Building Futurist Families & Inclusive Communities' we will use the principles of fantasy fiction writing to create characters and imagine alternative utopic realities that we can work towards building for a better future for us all.
World-building is a big part of fantasy fiction, but writers like Octavia Butler (known by some as 'the mother of Afrofuturism') demonstrate the importance of community-building too. Creating a more equitable society begins with a dream. Together, in this workshop, we will work with writing prompts to set the foundation for the families and communities we desire and deserve.
"You got to make your own worlds. You got to write yourself in. Whether you were a part of the greater society or not, you got to write yourself in." - Octavia Butler
For this community-building exercise we will develop complex characters and decide how they will move within this new world.
Everyone has a story to tell, but what is it that makes a story compelling? Do we know more about a character based on what the author reveals or conceals? We will create a profile for our new character and then practice dramatic writing by resolving conflict with others.
Space to Be - Music for Collective Healing with Effua
We’re all going to therapy😍
Join local DJ Effua on the 22nd of February as we tap into the therapeutic properties of music 🎵
Inspired by the writings of abstract artist Wassily Kandinsky, Effua will be taking us on a collective journey through musical therapeutic expression.
Participants will spend 15 minutes journaling whilst listening to a range of music designed to invoke specific emotions. The aim of this practice is to aid us in processing sensations which may be laying dormant in our subconscious.
In his work ‘Concerning the Spiritual in Art’ Kandinsky wrote:
"With few exceptions, music has been for some centuries the art which has devoted itself not to the reproduction of natural phenomena, but rather to the expression of the artist's soul, in musical sound."
Effua hopes to guide you on a sonic journey in this workshop
LGBT History Month: Watermelon Woman Screening Exhale x GFT
Join GFT and Exhale.group for this LGBT+ History Month screening of the acclaimed 1990s comedy drama The Watermelon Woman. Set in Philadelphia, young Black lesbian Cheryl works in a video store with her friend Tamara but is determined to make a documentary about the forgotten and uncredited Black actress from the 1930s known only as ‘The Watermelon Woman’. She encounters a range of people including her own mother as well as activist Camille Paglia, who help uncover the mystery — The Watermelon Woman's story proves to have surprising resonances with Cheryl’s own life as she navigates a new relationship with a white girlfriend (Guinevere Turner) — and in the process, she uncovers the hidden side to lesbian relationships.
A landmark of LGBT cinema as well as Black filmmaking, The Watermelon Woman won both the Teddy Award at Berlin International Festival and Audience Award for Outstanding Feature at Outfest in 1996. Directed by Cheryl Dunye, she also takes the lead role alongside Guinevere Turner (American Psycho, Who’s Afraid of Vagina Wolf?), Lisa Marie Bronson, activist poet Cheryl Clarke, artist Zoe Leonard and academic Camille Paglia.
Event host and Exhale.group founder Mahasin will be leading a discussion about the film with a panel of Exhale group members. Mahasin is a Glasgow-based QTIPOC+ community organiser and DJ, and the founder of Exhale.group. Exhale.group is a grassroots non-profit organisation creating safe spaces for QTIPOC+ (Queer/Trans/Intersex People of Colour)+ to dream, explore and connect. This is a captioned screening and the post-film discussion will have live captions.
https://www.glasgowfilm.org/movie/the-watermelon-woman-lgbt-history-month-discussion/
Space to Be - Yoga and Somatics with Raheema
This session will include hatha yoga and somatic movement techniques to cultivate both strength and softness and awareness of the body individually and collectively. We will close the space together with a short reflective journalling prompt.
No prior experience in yoga or somatics is necessary to join the session. You are invited to practice with curiosity and to listen to your body throughout the class.
Please arrive by 6:00pm so we can get started on time.
Spare yoga/exercise mats will be available however, please bring your own if you have one at home.
About Raheema
Raheema Sayed finds joy in creativity and exploring diverse mediums of expression. Connecting to nature, body movement, awareness and imagination allows her to connect to her internal world, find inspiration and connect with others and the world around her. Raheema has a certification in 200-hour Hatha and Kundalini Yoga teacher training.
Currently, she studies Creative Writing through the Open University and is completing a 60-hour certificate training in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy from The Embody Lab.
Space to Be - Journalling and Moodboarding for 2024
Join us on fresh in the New Year for some intentional journalling and moodboarding to help us reflect and learn from 2023, and look forward to 2024.
We understand the pressure of reinventing yourself and making big resolutions for a new year, so instead of pressuring yourself to change your life, we recommend small, tangible steps that will help you to bring more positive actions into your life. This will be a safe space to think about what these might be and how to do it.
Whether you have a goal to make more friends, get a new job or connect more with nature - no matter how small or grand your plans are for the year ahead, it can be helpful to visualise this and have a moodboard remind yourself of what you want to achieve.
We will provide the paper, pens, collaging materials etc. and some prompts to help you reflect.
There will also be tea and (vegan) snacks for brain fuel!
Festive party
We understand that this time of year can be difficult for members of our community and so we wanted to create a special gathering where we can all come together and enjoy a meal and some festive fun, whilst feeling free to be ourselves in a safe environment.
All food served will be vegan friendly, please let us know asap if you have any allergies and we can try to accomodate this.
This event is for anyone aged over 16 years old who identifies as a person of colour and as LGBTQIA+.
We can reimburse travel costs for getting to the event, just bring your receipt/travel ticket along and let us know if you need this.
If you have any questions or want to talk to Mahasin about additional support for attending please email them at Mahasin@exhale.group. They will also be at the event to help out and offer support to those who need it.
Space to Be - open creative session
Following our programme of Space to Be workshops, we are hosting an open space every 2-3 weeks for LGBTQIA+ people of colour to come and chat, create and relax.
Whether you are working on something specific, want to try something new or just want to come to meet others in the community - everyone is welcome!
Space to Be - open creative session
Following our programme of Space to Be workshops, we are hosting an open space every 2-3 weeks for LGBTQIA+ people of colour to come and chat, create and relax.
Whether you are working on something specific, want to try something new or just want to come to meet others in the community - everyone is welcome!
Space to Be - open creative session
Following our programme of Space to Be workshops, we are hosting an open space every 2-3 weeks for LGBTQIA+ people of colour to come and chat, create and relax.
Whether you are working on something specific, want to try something new or just want to come to meet others in the community - everyone is welcome!
Film screening and community discussion
Exhale.group will be hosting a screening and community discussion around two short documentaries on the Gay Black Group founded in London in the 1980s, and another on the impact of Malcolm X on racial equality movements in Scotland.
Doors open at 8:00pm, the screening will begin at 8:30pm followed by a discussion about the films and free food.
This portion of the event will be closed for Black and People of Colour only and is free to attend but cash donations to contribute to the cost of catering are welcomed.
This event will be followed by Black-led club night ORISHA (11pm-3am)
Music from the black diaspora with:
Babyjaii
IRA
Plantainchipps
Tickets can be purchased here: EXHALE x Orisha at Bonjour, Glasgow · Tickets (ra.co)
Bonjour Glasgow, 37 - 45 Saltmarket, Glasgow G1 5NA
Black History Month party
Join us for a special gathering for Black History Month, celebrating and connecting the Black LGBTQIA+ community in Scotland. This in-person event will be held on Thursday, October 12 at The Dream Machine, 257 London Road.
Art workshop 3 (Space to Be) CC
A workshop to teach you how to make a necklace with a little friend! A craft that makes you feel secure and protected. Christian Noelle Charles used to make these as an assistant at the Pan African Village during her times working at the New York State Fair in her hometown. It was an opportunity to understand how gathering and community is so important to her and making something this small can have such an impact. She is so honored to share this practice and create Beadie Babies with the Exhale community.
Art workshop 2 (Space to Be) Valeria Gascón
Join us for a workshop where we combine the magic of tarot cards with the power of music and the spirit of collective care. Let's explore how these creative elements can help us build a more caring and connected present (and future). We will reflect on community and collective care through the creation of a collective playlist and illustrations.
Art workshop 1 (Space to Be) ZAZA Zine
Breathe! ZAZA is coming through with a chill little scrapbooking workshop, perfect for unwinding & light networking with some of the cool, cool people that rock with us.
We have prepared some zesty prompts to inspire your art piece 🖼️ the zaza girls are some chatty patties, so of course we will have a lil circle time to talk about & visualise the ideal creative environment and what we can do to make the creative scene in scotland completely inclusive, fun & progressive!
Writing workshop 3 (Space to Be)
Do you have a vision of a better tomorrow? Do you want to explore how to create a utopian society, a harmonious community and a fulfilling self? In this workshop, we will collaborate to imagine the future and express ideas through creative writing. Together, we'll envision what our community could be and our ideal place in it. We'll create a collective piece that showcases our voices and perspectives in shaping a connected world.
Writing workshop 2 (Space to Be)
Participants will use creative writing to engage with cultural legends of exploration, migration and imaginary islands. By examining the phantom places found in myths and stories we will step into the history of queer havens and begin to imagine what queer paradise could look like as an isolated place.
Writing workshop 1 (Space to Be)
This workshop will consist of an exercise that is about and touches on cultural dispossession either through historical trauma or present alienation. What does it mean to exist as a new constant in a land that is hostile to parts of your existence, that is hostile to the idea of you having a face outside of western society.
Film workshop 3 (Space to Be)
HUSS is an Arab performance + Visual artist based in Glasgow. Tackling personal and cultural themes, his discipline involves experimenting and combining elements such as installation, sculpture, visuals and audio to culminate in immersive performance pieces. Huss uses his work as a Queer person of colour to raise issues facing the Arab world that lack acknowledgment in western society, especially queer laws and how much it has always censored and endangered artists like himself. He is always striving to produce work that both immerses and captivates audiences in unexpected ways to tackle important issues that need spoken about more.
In this session, we will explore the intersection of queerness and Arab identity through a curated selection of short films created by talented queer Arab artists.
During the workshop, we will delve into the complex themes of identity and censorship within the realm of film. Through lively discussions and brainstorming sessions, we'll examine the diverse approaches employed by these artists to navigate and challenge societal norms. We'll explore how these filmmakers navigate the delicate balance between self-expression, cultural authenticity, and the realities of censorship.
This workshop aims to create an inclusive space where participants can share their perspectives and engage in meaningful dialogue. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, an art enthusiast, or simply curious about the queer Arab experience, this workshop offers an opportunity to gain insights, broaden your understanding, and celebrate the power of storytelling.
Film workshop 2 (Space to Be)
Our second film workshop will be facilitated by Zimbabwean-Scottish Queer artist Natasha Thembiso Ruwona.
Natasha is interested in how Afrofuturism and psychogeography can meet through experimental forms of storytelling. Through her practice, she investigates healing and well-being by exploring relationships between the environment and creativity.
Living Memory*
In this workshop we will watch the short film maud. and create a space for discussion and making in response to the themes of the film, which include memory, archiving and our relationship to our environments.
maud. [15m] 2022, is a call to celebrate the life and work of the Scottish-Ghanaian artist Maud Sulter (1960 - 2008) who grew up in the Gorbals, Glasgow. Maud had an extremely diverse output of artistry; writing, image-making, curating, filmmaking, and sound. Her significance on multiple fronts - as a Black Scottish, Black British, African, Ghanaian, queer, working class and female artist has until recently largely gone uncelebrated. The film considers her memory through conversations with Black artists who are making art in Scotland today, and reflects on Maud’s important contributions to excavating history, challenging art world politics, and community-building.
(image credit Xavier LaCroix)
Film workshop 1 (Space to Be)
Our first workshop will be facilitated by Glasgow-born filmmaker and artist Joanne Lee.
Joanne focuses on knowledge that comes from within our bodies (embodied knowledge). Translating what it means to make and see from the periphery sits at the heart of their moving image, writing and conversations. They’re interested in the possibility for new narratives to emerge that are based on slow living, healing and community.
Launch event
Join us for an evening of food and music to celebrate the launch of our first project Space to Be!
This event will give you the chance to meet others interested in the project and to find out more about Exhale and our work. It is open to anyone who identifies as QTIPOC+ and is interested in knowing more about Space to Be, and our work.
The event is free to attend and we will provide food, music and information packs about Space to Be, and Exhale.
If you need travel costs reimbursed to get to the event please let us know and we can help.