Apples and Snakes in association with Jazz re:freshed and The Albany present: Cece’s Speakeasy
As global temperatures rise, the quality and quantity of our crops decreases. In the not-so-distant future, coffee bean production will halt – caffeine will become extinct. By 2050 there will be no more chocolate.
Step forward into 2031…
Welcome to Cece’s Speakeasy.
A place for truth-seekers, chocolate lovers and coffee drinkers.
For adventurers.
For those with a story to tell and those who want to listen.
A place to indulge in the forbidden delights of an espresso martini,
devour a hot chocolate and just kick back, relax and immerse yourself.
A place for the people.
Set in a future world where coffee and chocolate are nearly extinct, Cece’s Speakeasy is an immersive poetic experience where storytellers, poets and musicians share new work exploring hope and action during the climate emergency.
A Word From Cece
It’s 2031. I have responded to the local effects of the rise of global temperatures. Agricultural crops around the world are suffocating in the heat and so is the faith of the people that things will ever change.
Since the early 2010’s, coffee and chocolate have been severely impacted by the warming planet Earth, and so, in the not-so-distant future, coffee bean production will halt – the coffee plant will become extinct. By 2050 there will be no more chocolate.
Yet Cece’s is underground, forging networks, amongst the roots of trees.
It is a place for truth-seekers and those still in awe and wonder of this Planet floating in black space. These seekers are asking questions about where we’re really headed as s species, without the fear-mongering.
Cece’s is a space for chocolate lovers and coffee drinkers. For adventurers. For those with a story to tell and those who want to listen.
Cece’s Speakeasy is an action of hope.
#HopeIsAVerb – @FehintiBalogun
It’s a place to drink prohibited espresso martinis, and spiced chilli hot chocolate. To witness the choreography of chicken seasoned in cacao and devoured by the many who resist , the dissident and lovers of food as medicine.
Come kick back and immerse yourself in story and tale, poetry, music and song. Join those who know a free and healthy world is possible as we flex the muscle of imagination in the real time.
Welcome To My Work, Welcome to Cece’s Speakeasy!
Cece’s Online
Storytellers, poets and musicians explore hope and action during the climate change emergency. You can follow on this conversation in this online game. Explore a sustainable future where people, chocolate and coffee thrive.
Play online.
About Cece’s Speakeasy
Following the success of Cece’s Speakeasy in London in June/July 2021,
Cece’s Speakeasy was a live performance show hosted at The Albany in June/July 2021. It was the first show in person that Apples and Snakes put on after the pandemic.
After the performances, Cece’s expanded its message across the country. 12 emerging artists in the Midlands and South West were commissioned to create poetic artworks as part of a campaign on climate justice, colonialism, writing and activism. Ahead of COP26, live events and community workshops were held in Leicester and Bristol to showcase this work and keep the dialogue going.
Watch the South West Activists’ poetic videos.
Mexican Hot Chocolate
If all this reading about chocolate has made you crave this yummy treat, why not make some Mexican hot chocolate? It’s perfect on a cloudy day, and with its sweet, creamy texture, your friends and family will beg for more!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 teaspoon cinnamon
5 cups milk
2 beaten eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla
Method:
- In a large saucepan, add the milk, sugar, cinnamon and chocolate. Stir over a medium heat until the chocolate melts.
- When the chocolate has melted, add the remaining 4 cups of milk. Stir constantly until hot.
- Remove one cup of the hot mixture using a ladle. Add the beaten eggs to the cup of hot mixture that you removed, and mix until thoroughly blended. Add the egg mixture back into the saucepan.
- Heat through. When hot, add the vanilla.
- As an optional step, you can beat the mixture with an electric blender to make it more frothy.
- Ladle into cups, top with whipped cream, and add a cinnamon stick for an extra special touch.
Production and Creative
The London Production
Featuring: Jan Blake, Anthony Joseph, The Repeat Beat Poet, Safiya Kamaria Kinshasa and Amyra León.
Musicians: Eric Appapoulay, Isobella Burnham, Renato Paris, Jermaine Amissah, Westley Joseph and Marcina Arnold.
Cece’s London Activists: Anneliese Amoah, Bhumika Billa, Cherry Eckle, Eileen Gbagbo, Lashay Green.
Artistic Director: Zena Edwards
Musical Director: Eric Appapoulay
Design: Paul Burgess
Producer: Lisa Mead
Music Consultancy: Yvette Griffith
Artwork: Justin McKenzie
Activist Mentor: Kat Francois
Activists Producer: Natalie Fiawoo
Project Developed: by Zena Edwards & Lisa Mead
Production Manager: Ben Stephen
Design Assistant: Carly Brownbridge
Carpenter: David Larking
Sound Engineer: Ed Burton
Photography & Video documentation: Garth Thomas
Cece’s Speakeasy is an immersive poetic experience commissioned and produced by Apples and Snakes, in partnership with UK Jazz tastemakers, Jazz re:freshed and The Albany, and co-commissioned by Season For Change.
Meet the Production Team
Meet the Storytellers
Meet the Musicians
Meet the London Activists
Meet the Midlands Activists
Credits
Season for Change, is a nationwide programme of artistic and cultural events that celebrate the environment and inspire urgent climate action.
Commissioned by Season for Change, a nationwide programme of artistic and cultural events that celebrate the environment and inspire urgent climate action. Led by Julie’s Bicycle and Artsadmin, and supported by Arts Council England and Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
www.seasonforchange.org.uk #SeasonforChange @jointheseason_
Cece’s has received additional support from “The London Community Foundation” and “Cockayne – Grants for the Arts”, the PRS Foundation’s The Open Fund for Organisations, Jerwood Arts and The Garrick Trust.
