Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp
@kenneththarp.bsky.social
British/Nigerian Arts & Culture Professional / former professional dancer / loves music, dance, theatre, art, literature, tennis, sea-kayaking, outdoor swimming.
Meanwhile in the USA 🇺🇸…
"improper ideology"
This is monstrous ‘Orwellian’ interference from The White House.
“Orthodoxy means not thinking - not needing to think.”
- George Orwell, 1984.
"improper ideology"
This is monstrous ‘Orwellian’ interference from The White House.
“Orthodoxy means not thinking - not needing to think.”
- George Orwell, 1984.
The White House says the Smithsonian Institution must submit materials about current and upcoming exhibitions and events for a review that will determine whether they express "improper ideology." n.pr/4583d8f
Today is the Smithsonian's deadline to give thousands of documents to the White House
The White House says the Smithsonian Institution must submit materials about current and upcoming exhibitions and events for a review that will determine whether they express "improper ideology."
n.pr
January 14, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Meanwhile in the USA 🇺🇸…
"improper ideology"
This is monstrous ‘Orwellian’ interference from The White House.
“Orthodoxy means not thinking - not needing to think.”
- George Orwell, 1984.
"improper ideology"
This is monstrous ‘Orwellian’ interference from The White House.
“Orthodoxy means not thinking - not needing to think.”
- George Orwell, 1984.
BREAKING: Three Palestine Action hunger strikers have ended their 73-day action after they claimed a key demand was met.
It was announced today that Elbit Systems lost out on a £2 billion contract that would have seen them train 60,000 British troops a year.
news.sky.com/story/palest...
It was announced today that Elbit Systems lost out on a £2 billion contract that would have seen them train 60,000 British troops a year.
news.sky.com/story/palest...
Three Palestine Action members end 73-day hunger strike
Three Palestine Action hunger strikers have ended their 73-day action after they claimed a key demand was met.
news.sky.com
January 14, 2026 at 9:11 PM
BREAKING: Three Palestine Action hunger strikers have ended their 73-day action after they claimed a key demand was met.
It was announced today that Elbit Systems lost out on a £2 billion contract that would have seen them train 60,000 British troops a year.
news.sky.com/story/palest...
It was announced today that Elbit Systems lost out on a £2 billion contract that would have seen them train 60,000 British troops a year.
news.sky.com/story/palest...
Reposted by Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp
White USians are making SO MANY comparisons of this moment to Nazis and the Holocaust, without once mentioning that the Nazis modeled their genocidal programs on the USA's genocidal programs against indigenous Brown ppl and enslaved Black ppl.
It's vital that we acknowledge the racism and violence that has ALWAYS been integral to the USA: a settler colony built on genocide, land theft and the most horrendous chattel slavery ever known.
To treat current ICE/policing as exceptional ignores centuries of suffering and compounds the harm.
To treat current ICE/policing as exceptional ignores centuries of suffering and compounds the harm.
January 14, 2026 at 8:08 PM
White USians are making SO MANY comparisons of this moment to Nazis and the Holocaust, without once mentioning that the Nazis modeled their genocidal programs on the USA's genocidal programs against indigenous Brown ppl and enslaved Black ppl.
Reposted by Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp
‘We will never agree to an annexation by the Americans’, says Danish defence chair
www.channel4.com/news/we-will...
www.channel4.com/news/we-will...
‘We will never agree to an annexation by the Americans’, says Danish defence chair
We’re joined from Copenhagen by Rasmus Jarlov, the chair of the Danish parliament's Defence Committee.
www.channel4.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:32 PM
‘We will never agree to an annexation by the Americans’, says Danish defence chair
www.channel4.com/news/we-will...
www.channel4.com/news/we-will...
‘With fossil fuel pollution driving the exceptional temperatures, the government wants to decarbonise the power system as quickly as possible.
Today it announced Europe’s “biggest ever” offshore wind auction – awarding a record amount of new contracts for offshore wind.’
Today it announced Europe’s “biggest ever” offshore wind auction – awarding a record amount of new contracts for offshore wind.’
UK secures record supply of offshore wind projects amid UK heat record
www.channel4.com/news/uk-secu...
www.channel4.com/news/uk-secu...
UK secures record supply of offshore wind projects amid UK heat record
Data released today by the EU's Copernicus Climate Service shows that last year was the earth's third-hottest year on record and the UK's hottest ever.
www.channel4.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:36 PM
‘With fossil fuel pollution driving the exceptional temperatures, the government wants to decarbonise the power system as quickly as possible.
Today it announced Europe’s “biggest ever” offshore wind auction – awarding a record amount of new contracts for offshore wind.’
Today it announced Europe’s “biggest ever” offshore wind auction – awarding a record amount of new contracts for offshore wind.’
Reposted by Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp
Yesterday, the Scottish Government published its draft budget for 2026-7, which once again increased its investment in culture 🔥
The picture remains mixed, but overall we are encouraged by this attempt to unlock the potential of the arts to improve all our lives 🖼️
The picture remains mixed, but overall we are encouraged by this attempt to unlock the potential of the arts to improve all our lives 🖼️
January 14, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Yesterday, the Scottish Government published its draft budget for 2026-7, which once again increased its investment in culture 🔥
The picture remains mixed, but overall we are encouraged by this attempt to unlock the potential of the arts to improve all our lives 🖼️
The picture remains mixed, but overall we are encouraged by this attempt to unlock the potential of the arts to improve all our lives 🖼️
Reposted by Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp
How little we understand of the #biodiversity we are fast-trashing.
And how we have underestimated the sophistication of not-at-all "primitive" creatures
phys.org/news/2026-01...
And how we have underestimated the sophistication of not-at-all "primitive" creatures
phys.org/news/2026-01...
How a soft coral moves its tentacles in perfect synchronization without a brain
A joint study by Tel Aviv University and the University of Haifa set out to solve a scientific mystery: how a soft coral is able to perform the rhythmic, pulsating movements of its tentacles without a...
phys.org
January 13, 2026 at 9:39 PM
How little we understand of the #biodiversity we are fast-trashing.
And how we have underestimated the sophistication of not-at-all "primitive" creatures
phys.org/news/2026-01...
And how we have underestimated the sophistication of not-at-all "primitive" creatures
phys.org/news/2026-01...
Reposted by Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp
If you've lived in authoritarian countries (I have) this sort of thing is familiar (but still not okay - it makes people rightly angry). It's staggering to think that this has become a lived reality for many Americans in just one year.
Today at 34 & Park in Minneapolis, a woman tried to drive down the street where a protest had broken out in front of a home ICE was raiding, saying she had a doctor apt to get to. ICE agents busted out her windows, cut off her seatbelt, and pulled her out before arresting her.
January 13, 2026 at 10:46 PM
If you've lived in authoritarian countries (I have) this sort of thing is familiar (but still not okay - it makes people rightly angry). It's staggering to think that this has become a lived reality for many Americans in just one year.
Reposted by Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp
Sudan’s civil war has devastated the country’s cultural heritage, effectively wiping out centuries of valuable relics.
Sudan’s cultural relics destroyed after three years of war
The more than three-year war has killed 150,000 people and effectively wiped out centuries of valuable relics.
www.semafor.com
January 10, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Sudan’s civil war has devastated the country’s cultural heritage, effectively wiping out centuries of valuable relics.
Reposted by Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp
Dear Readers, it's a dark world we live in...
- Britain’s “special relationship” looks increasingly one-sided
- the EU stands firm together,the UK stands alone
- Trump pillages Venezuela, Tories squirm & Farage calls the action “unorthodox”
But Epping brings some light to their community
- Britain’s “special relationship” looks increasingly one-sided
- the EU stands firm together,the UK stands alone
- Trump pillages Venezuela, Tories squirm & Farage calls the action “unorthodox”
But Epping brings some light to their community
Pecksniff: Starmer’s appeasement is no sanctuary in Trump’s terrifying new world
In which Mr Pecksniff lays before his readers for their approval certain observations and speculations reflecting on the political life
eastangliabylines.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 8:09 AM
Dear Readers, it's a dark world we live in...
- Britain’s “special relationship” looks increasingly one-sided
- the EU stands firm together,the UK stands alone
- Trump pillages Venezuela, Tories squirm & Farage calls the action “unorthodox”
But Epping brings some light to their community
- Britain’s “special relationship” looks increasingly one-sided
- the EU stands firm together,the UK stands alone
- Trump pillages Venezuela, Tories squirm & Farage calls the action “unorthodox”
But Epping brings some light to their community
‘government by the few and for the few,” a small group of political actors achieves “seizure and control of the economic, political, social, and cultural life of the state.”
#fascism
#fascism
Fascism!: The US Army Publishes a Pamphlet in 1945 Explaining How to Spot Fascism at Home and Abroad
It's not hard to see right now.
www.openculture.com/2023/06/fasc...
It's not hard to see right now.
www.openculture.com/2023/06/fasc...
Fascism!: The US Army Publishes a Pamphlet in 1945 Explaining How to Spot Fascism at Home and Abroad
'Fascism is a word that’s been used a great deal these last few years,' says the article pictured above (scanned in full here at the Internet Archive).
www.openculture.com
January 10, 2026 at 10:13 PM
‘government by the few and for the few,” a small group of political actors achieves “seizure and control of the economic, political, social, and cultural life of the state.”
#fascism
#fascism
Reposted by Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp
US oil giants scramble for ways to say "no" to Trump's demand that they repair and operate Venezuela's oil and gas infrastructure, as a doddering Trump stands up mid meeting to stare out a window at the demolished East Wing. www.ft.com/content/4c21...
US oil giant ExxonMobil tells Donald Trump Venezuela is ‘uninvestable’
Chief executive Darren Woods pushes back against president’s call to rush back into troubled country
www.ft.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:37 PM
US oil giants scramble for ways to say "no" to Trump's demand that they repair and operate Venezuela's oil and gas infrastructure, as a doddering Trump stands up mid meeting to stare out a window at the demolished East Wing. www.ft.com/content/4c21...
Reposted by Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp
Perfect
This is truly brilliant!👏👏✨
I wondered why I disliked Trump so much……🤭
londondaily.com/british-writ...
I wondered why I disliked Trump so much……🤭
londondaily.com/british-writ...
British Writer Pens The Best Description Of Trump I’ve Read - London Daily
“Why do some British people not like Donald Trump?” Nate White, an articulate and witty writer from England wrote the following response:
londondaily.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Perfect
Reposted by Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp
A supporter of the African Concert Series since its inception, we are honoured to have his continued support alongside Professor Emeritus Julian Lloyd Webber, as we celebrate and promote African classical music! 🎶
Read more about this appointment here🔗 theafricanconcertseries.co.uk/2026/01/09/1...
Read more about this appointment here🔗 theafricanconcertseries.co.uk/2026/01/09/1...
Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp CBE becomes Patron of The African Concert Series
9 January 2026 The African Concert Series is proud to announce the appointment of Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp CBE as Patron Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp CBE by Ivan Weiss We are delighted to announce that K…
theafricanconcertseries.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 3:31 PM
A supporter of the African Concert Series since its inception, we are honoured to have his continued support alongside Professor Emeritus Julian Lloyd Webber, as we celebrate and promote African classical music! 🎶
Read more about this appointment here🔗 theafricanconcertseries.co.uk/2026/01/09/1...
Read more about this appointment here🔗 theafricanconcertseries.co.uk/2026/01/09/1...
We are thrilled to welcome Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp CBE as a Patron of the African Concert Series!
January 9, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Reposted by Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp
Nigerian composer Ayo Bankole explores African Pianism beautifully in ‘Egun Variations’ based on an Egun theme of the Yoruba people of Nigeria.
🎥Video courtesy of Onassis Stegi, Athens, part of my African Pianism recital programme.
🎥Video courtesy of Onassis Stegi, Athens, part of my African Pianism recital programme.
August 31, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Nigerian composer Ayo Bankole explores African Pianism beautifully in ‘Egun Variations’ based on an Egun theme of the Yoruba people of Nigeria.
🎥Video courtesy of Onassis Stegi, Athens, part of my African Pianism recital programme.
🎥Video courtesy of Onassis Stegi, Athens, part of my African Pianism recital programme.
Reposted by Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp
For me, AFRICAN PIANISM was not a formal academic term I studied as a child, but rather a lived experience of my heritage that I later reconciled with my Western classical training.
Read more 👇
Read more 👇
January 6, 2026 at 10:47 PM
For me, AFRICAN PIANISM was not a formal academic term I studied as a child, but rather a lived experience of my heritage that I later reconciled with my Western classical training.
Read more 👇
Read more 👇
Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the UK Prime Minister: “It’s not for politicians to make judgments around international law”
Meanwhile, Mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani:
“ Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law.”
#Venezuela
Meanwhile, Mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani:
“ Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law.”
#Venezuela
BREAKING: “You must have a view about whether this was lawful?” - Trevor Philips Sky News
“It’s not for politicians to make judgments around international law” - Darren Jones Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister
“It’s not for politicians to make judgments around international law” - Darren Jones Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister
January 4, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the UK Prime Minister: “It’s not for politicians to make judgments around international law”
Meanwhile, Mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani:
“ Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law.”
#Venezuela
Meanwhile, Mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani:
“ Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law.”
#Venezuela
Geoffrey Robertson KC:
“The reality is that America is in breach of the United Nations charter,” he added. “It has committed the crime of aggression, which the court at Nuremberg described as the supreme crime, it’s the worst crime of all.”
#Venezuela
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
“The reality is that America is in breach of the United Nations charter,” he added. “It has committed the crime of aggression, which the court at Nuremberg described as the supreme crime, it’s the worst crime of all.”
#Venezuela
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Is there any legal justification for the US attack on Venezuela?
International law experts expect Washington to claim self-defence and face little serious pushback
www.theguardian.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Geoffrey Robertson KC:
“The reality is that America is in breach of the United Nations charter,” he added. “It has committed the crime of aggression, which the court at Nuremberg described as the supreme crime, it’s the worst crime of all.”
#Venezuela
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
“The reality is that America is in breach of the United Nations charter,” he added. “It has committed the crime of aggression, which the court at Nuremberg described as the supreme crime, it’s the worst crime of all.”
#Venezuela
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Reposted by Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp
🔴Trump's Illegal Assault on Venezuela Opens the Door to Even Darker Foreign Adventures
It's time for the President's apologists to admit that those of us warning about the grave global threat he poses were right
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/trumps-ill...
It's time for the President's apologists to admit that those of us warning about the grave global threat he poses were right
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/trumps-ill...
Trump's Illegal Assault on Venezuela Opens the Door to Even Darker Foreign Adventures
It's time for the President's apologists to admit that those of us warning about the grave global threat he poses were right
www.adambienkov.co.uk
January 3, 2026 at 12:02 PM
🔴Trump's Illegal Assault on Venezuela Opens the Door to Even Darker Foreign Adventures
It's time for the President's apologists to admit that those of us warning about the grave global threat he poses were right
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/trumps-ill...
It's time for the President's apologists to admit that those of us warning about the grave global threat he poses were right
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/trumps-ill...
Reposted by Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp
40 years ago in January 1986 organ legend Jimmy Smith returned to Van Gelder Studio to record “Go For Whatcha Know” with Stanley Turrentine, Kenny Burrell, Buster Williams, Grady Tate & others for a newly relaunched Blue Note. Stream our playlist “Blue Note: The Rebirth”: bluenote.lnk.to/TheRebirth
January 3, 2026 at 3:15 PM
40 years ago in January 1986 organ legend Jimmy Smith returned to Van Gelder Studio to record “Go For Whatcha Know” with Stanley Turrentine, Kenny Burrell, Buster Williams, Grady Tate & others for a newly relaunched Blue Note. Stream our playlist “Blue Note: The Rebirth”: bluenote.lnk.to/TheRebirth
Reposted by Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp
Vietnamese artist Vu Bach Lien, Snow path, 2014, woodcut print #WomensArt
January 3, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Vietnamese artist Vu Bach Lien, Snow path, 2014, woodcut print #WomensArt
‘The Kennedy Center opened in September 1971 with a premiere of “Mass,” which was composed by Leonard Bernstein with English texts by Mr. Schwartz, who was then 23 years old.’
- @nytimes.com
- @nytimes.com
Breaking News: The “Wicked” composer Stephen Schwartz said he would no longer host a gala at the Kennedy Center after its Trump-era changes.
Stephen Schwartz Criticizes Kennedy Center, Saying He Won’t Host Gala
The Washington National Opera said the “Wicked” composer was scheduled to host its annual event at the center this spring.
nyti.ms
January 3, 2026 at 12:43 PM
‘The Kennedy Center opened in September 1971 with a premiere of “Mass,” which was composed by Leonard Bernstein with English texts by Mr. Schwartz, who was then 23 years old.’
- @nytimes.com
- @nytimes.com
Reposted by Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp
How 2026 was depicted in the sci-fi classic 'Metropolis' (1927)
January 1, 2026 at 10:10 PM
How 2026 was depicted in the sci-fi classic 'Metropolis' (1927)
Meanwhile, in the USA 🇺🇸 …
‘More musicians drop out of Kennedy Center shows after Trump name change’
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘More musicians drop out of Kennedy Center shows after Trump name change’
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
More musicians drop out of Kennedy Center shows after Trump name change
The Cookers on Monday pulled out of a New Year’s Eve jazz gig at the controversially renamed ‘Trump-Kennedy’ center
www.theguardian.com
January 2, 2026 at 6:52 AM
Meanwhile, in the USA 🇺🇸 …
‘More musicians drop out of Kennedy Center shows after Trump name change’
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘More musicians drop out of Kennedy Center shows after Trump name change’
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...