Celebrate the Life of Local Comic Felix Dexter

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Town Hall hosts special event during Black History Month

A live show celebrating the life of popular actor, comedian and writer Felix Dexter will be held at Hammersmith Town Hall to mark Black History month.

Stars of music, comedy, television and radio from the African Caribbean community will perform on Saturday 15 October.

All funds raised will go to the Felix Dexter Charity and Memorial Foundation. It is raising money to build a theatre and education centre in St Kitts in the West Indies, where the performer was born. Hammersmith & Fulham Council is waiving the hall hire fee to help the charity raise as much as possible.

“This is a great event and is part of what Black History Month is all about,” said Cllr Sue Fennimore, H&F Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion.

“We’re delighted to be able to help the charity remember the life of Felix Dexter and shine a light on other fantastic performers from the black community.”    

Top acts include singer Janet Kay who topped the UK charts with ‘Silly Games’, Dennis Bovell of reggae band Matumbi and Junior Giscombe, one of the first British R&B artists to be successful in America and best known for his 1982 hit ‘Mama Used to Say’.

“Felix was probably only second to Lenny Henry in terms of black performers”, said Geoff Schuman, the charity’s chairman, who was one of Felix’s best friends.   

“He broke the barriers which many performers hadn’t been able to and was close to his own television series when he was struck down with cancer.

“There are a lot of events happening during Black History Month but I hope people will choose to go to this one.

“We’re really thankful to H&F Council for helping us. It’s not just for the black community; I hope everyone will come and enjoy performers from all different genres coming together, who have given their time for free.”

Felix’s most recent television appearances include starring in the BBC’s Fast Show, Citizen Khan and Absolutely Fabulous. He regularly performed in H&F, including at the Apollo and the Shepherd’s Bush Empire. He died in October 2013.

The show on 15 October will run from 8.30pm to 11.30pm with dancing after until 2am.

Tickets cost £25 or £18 for standing only at the Eventbrite website.