Ep. 20: Coming of Age w/ Quinceañeras, Author Shereen El Feki, Film Curator Jemma Desai; Playwright & Poet Inua Ellams; Music w/ Ibibio Sound Machine

Firstly, Stance looks at the meaning of coming of age from a different part of the world. What does self expression and exploration look like for young people growing up in the Arab world? The concept of coming of age is sometimes code for sex. Stance discusses this with Shereen El Feki - academic, journalist, activist, and author of Sex and the Citadel: Intimate Life in a Changing Arab World, which focuses on sexuality in the Middle East and North Africa.

Quinceañera Photography by Harley Weir — **Quinceañera** Photography by Harley Weir

The Latin American population celebrate the coming of age of young women by throwing a Quinceañera. This historical Mexican tradition still plays out in modern life and Stance was invited to join in 15-year-old Jocelyn Toulay’s festivities in San Francisco. We find out exactly what a Quinceañera is and what the tradition means to her and her family.

Coming of age is a genre that is continually depicted in film. Stance speaks to Jemma Desai, a programmer for the London Film Festival and the British Council. She is also the founder of I am Dora, a curatorial initiative that explores how women relate to one another through the medium of film. She tells us what ‘coming of age’ in film actually means and shares some of her favourite lesser-known recommendations (a selection below).

Girlhood by Céline Sciamma — **Girlhood by Céline Sciamma**

**Latifah and Himli's Nomadic Uncle by Alnoor Dewshi**

Lastly, for young people across the world, music is an outlet to express their coming of age. We explore the desire of wanting to fit in and be seen with young band members of not-for-profit youth organisation, Rock Project San Francisco, hearing what coming of age means to them.

**Rock Project San Francisco - House Band**

Stance is in conversation with award-winning playwright and poet Inua Ellams who has had an extraordinary run with his critically acclaimed play, The Barber Shop Chronicles. Set in barber shops around the world, the very funny play looks at rituals and politics whilst exploring black masculinity through the humble barber shop.

The play which had sold out numerous runs in the UK including London’s National Theatre, as well as tours in Australia, New Zealand, the US and Canada. Stance finds out more about about his play, The Barber Shop Chronicles, and what‘s next for him.

**Barber Shop Chronicles by Inua Ellams**

Lastly, Stance caught up with Eno Williams, the lead singer of Ibibio Sound Machine, an 8-piece Nigerian/UK based group known for blending afrobeat, pop and funk.