Black History Month 2008
See below for events to celebrate Black History Month during October. All events are free unless stated.
Libraries
CLR James Library
CLR James Library
24-30 Dalston Lane
E8 3AZ
Tel: 020 8356 1665
Web: CLR James Library
Black History Month launch with Dreda Say Mitchell
Thursday 2 October, 7 - 8pm
Dreda Say Mitchell Winner of the Crime Writers Association's John Creasey Memorial Dagger Award, 2005, will launch Black History Month. Her novels include 'Running Hot' and 'Killer Tune’. She will speak about being a crime writer and there will be an opportunity to purchase her books. Refreshments will be provided.
Handa’s Surprise
Saturday 11 October, 10.30am - 12noon
Collage making based on the story by Eileen Brown. For age 6-12. Refreshments will be provided.
African Jewellry Making
Saturday 18 October, 10.30am - 12pm
Make your own jewellry using authentic coloured beads. For age 8-12.
Black History Kidz Competition
Thursday 30 October, 2 - 4pm
Who will be crowned the Libraries’ smartest child? Think it could it be you? Well come along, tell the audience where you’re from, answer questions on Black History and new Black History and find out! For ages 7 – 11.
Central Library
Central Library
Hackney Technology and Learning Centre
1 Reading Lane
E8 1GQ
Tel: 020 8356 2542
Web: Central Library
Storytime and African Mask making
Saturday 4 October, 2 - 3pm
Come and enjoy stories and make your own colourful African mask.
'The House of Sugar' Film screening with Barbara Icelly
Wednesday 8 October, doors open 6pm, screening starts 6.30pm
Looks at how sugar cane is a commodity that is nowadays taken for granted but once upon a time was a rare and precious item. The sales of sugar cane helped produce estates in Jamaica called 'Great Houses' and this film focuses on the Greenwood ‘Great House’ which was once owned by Edward Moulton Barrett who was a plantation owner-sugar exporter and slave owner. Popcorn and refreshments will be provided.
Taste of the Caribbean: Smoothie-making session
Saturday 11 October, 2 - 4pm
Children of all ages are invited to come along and make smoothies using Caribbean fruits. Fresh fruit and juices will be used.
Songs and Storytime
Saturday 18 October, 2 - 3pm
‘Old Skool’ playground songs and storytime. For children of all ages.
The Black History Love Night
Saturday 18 October, 5.30 - 6.30pm
Join us for an exploration of love through the years, alongside a talk about how love was forbidden for slaves. Includes poetry, song, a short play and dance. Also, bring your favourite love poem and share it with the group.
Midnight Central Reading Group Launch
Wednesday 22 October, 6.30 - 7.30pm
A Black interest group and a forum for the creative mind. Open to anyone with a passion for all kinds of Black and Asian writing. It will have an ‘open mike’ philosophy with lively debates, discussions and critiques. The group will meet bi-monthly. For more information, please contact Adrian or Lydia on 020 8356 2542/2547 or email midnight-centralbook.group@hackney.gov.uk
Capoeira with Mac Percussao
Wednesday 29 October, 6.15 – 7.15pm. Learn about this beautiful Afro-Brazilian martial art dance form and it’s origin with the African slaves in Brazil. The evening will include a demonstration on Capoeira, music, singing, workshop and talk. Refreshments will also be available. An event for the family.
Bun, Cheese and Chat Afternoon
Thursday 30 October, 4 – 6pm. Celebrating, reminiscing and remembering past, present and future contributions from members and ascendants of the Windrush. Please bring along your pictures, objects and memorabilia to share and participate. The event will be facilitated by Akosua Bambara, Visual Orator.
Storytime and African Mask making
Saturday 1 November, 2 - 3pm. Come and enjoy stories and make your own colourful African mask.
Clapton Library
Clapton Library
Northwold Road
E5 8RA
Tel: 020 8356 1620
Web: Clapton Library
Inspirational talk by author of ‘Dream and Achieve’ Kola Olutimehin
Tuesday 21 October, 6.30pm
Listen to Kola speak and be encouraged to ‘discover and express your passions in your lifetime’. Kola will have copies of his book 'Dream and Achieve' available to purchase on the day. Please contact the library to book in advance
African Drumming, Singing and Dancing with Efiba Arts
Monday 27 October, 2 - 3pm
Will include African drumming, storytelling, arts and traditional African games. Please contact the library to book in advance
Telling Tales with Sandra Agard
Tuesday 28 October, 11 - 11.45am
Stories from Africa and the Caribbean. A family event. Please contact the library to book in advance.
Learn how to make an African or Caribbean headwrap
Saturday 11 October, 2 - 4.30pm
Have you ever wondered how to create an African or Caribbean headwrap for that special occasion? Well, join Christie and friends and learn how! There will also be a cultural fashion show and food and drink. An event for all of the family. Please contact the library to book in advance.
Stories from the Web
Friday 10 October, 2 - 3pm
Come along to our Black History Month Family Event and have fun with games and activities from Stories from the Web. Please book in advance. For info please tel: 020 8356 1620.
Homerton Library
Homerton Library
Homerton High Street
E9 6AS
Tel: 020 8356 1690
Web: Homerton Library
2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games talk
Thursday 2 October, 6pm
What do they mean to the communities of Hackney? A talk with Diane Abbot MP and Charlie Forman and Yvonne Folkes from Hackney Council’s 2012 Unit. A talk on how the Games will relate to employment and sporting opportunities for the community. A question and answer session will follow.
Colour hair wrapping
Thursday 16 October, 4-5pm
Bring your kids along and have their hair wrapped with colourful string. There will also be a demonstration for those who are interested in learning how to wrap. All ages welcome.
Mask making
Friday 17 October, 4 – 5pm
Come along and make a colourful mask. All ages welcome.
Black History Kidz Competition
Saturday 11 October, 3 - 5pm
Who will be crowned the Libraries’ smartest child? Think it could it be you? Well come along, tell the audience where you’re from, answer questions on Black History and new Black History and find out! For age 7 – 11. Please contact the library to book in advance.
Black History Fashion Show and Arts Fair
Saturday 25 October, 2.30 - 5pm
A fashion show showcasing young black talent in fashion and crafts. There will also be an arts and crafts exhibition, poetry and singing. Please contact the library to book in advance.
Shoreditch Library
Shoreditch Library
80 Hoxton Street
N1 6LP
Tel: 020 8356 4350
Web: Shoreditch Library
The African 3 Ds
Wednesday 29 October, 2 - 4pm
Come along and experience first hand the African 3 Ds – Drumming, Dancing and Dressing!!
Afro Caribbean Flag making
Wednesday 15 October, 2 - 3pm
Come along and make your own African or Caribbean Flag!
Stamford Hill Library
Stamford Hill Library
Portland Avenue
N16 6SB
Tel: 020 8356 1700
Web: Stamford Hill Library
"Taken out of chains but are we truly free?"
Where do we go from here as a people? A talk with motivational speaker Kola Olutimehin
Thursday 16 October, 5 - 7pm
Motivational talk by guest speaker Kola Olutimehin about moving away from stereotypes and networking as a stronger community to bridge gaps.Mental emancipation will also be looked at as a way out of freeing ourselves. Not forgetting where we have come from - but not dwelling on it to the extent that it cripples us.The focus will be developing positive attitudes towards being a successful people. There will also be a question and answer session after the talk.
African drumming, arts, singing and dancing with Efiba Arts
Tuesday 28 October, 2 - 3pm
Will include African drumming, storytelling, arts and traditional African games. Please contact the library to book in advance.
Stoke Newington Library
Stoke Newington Library
Stoke Newington Church Street
N16 0JS
Tel: 020 8356 5231
Web: Stoke Newington Library
Tropical Isles Carnival Group Black History Exhibition launch
Thursday 2 October
Opens for viewing at 6pm. A display of the costumes worn by the Tropical Isles Carnival Group at this year’s Notting Hill Carnival
Black History Parent and Child Talent show
Sunday 12 October, 3 - 6pm. Doors open at 2.30pm
Parent and child couples will compete to be crowned as Hackney Libraries most talented family!
African drumming, singing and dancing with Efiba Arts
Thursday 30 October, 2 - 3pm
Will include African drumming, storytelling, arts and traditional African games. Please contact the library to book in advance.
Hackney Museum
Hackney Museum
Technology and Learning Centre
1 Reading Lane
E8 1GQ
Tel: 020 8356 3000
Web: Hackney Museum
Living Under One Roof
23 September -15 November
Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Empire Windrush, the voyage from the Caribbean to Tilbury. Our exhibition will present the rooms and memories of the Windrush generation who first came to Hackney. In collaboration with Lorna Holder of Tuareg Productions.
Make a Museum of You
Wednesday 29 October 2-4pm
Which objects, places and people shape who you are? Have a go at making a miniature museum filled with paintings, drawings or models of all the things that are important to you. This event is part of the Campaign for Drawing 2008 festival.
Living in the 1960s – story telling and role play
Thursday 30 October 2-4pm
Try on outfits from the 1960s and settle down in our 1960s front room. Hear people’s amazing tales of leaving the Caribbean and making a new home in England. This will be your chance to ask questions and find out what happens next in this interactive performance.
Legacy In The Dust: The Four Aces Story
Thursday 9 October 6-8pm
Beaquarr Productions presents The Four Aces Story. Founded in the 60s which for 33 years was the home to the most influential Black music and musicians to date. The preview of the documentary feature length film will be followed by a question and answer session with the film director and owner of the Four Aces Club.
The Great Black History Month Quiz ©
Thursday 16 October 5-8pm
Now in its second year at Hackney Museum this information-packed quiz event for all the family. Last year the prize went out of the borough, Hackney needs to reclaim it. Prizes include a junior trophy (under 17s) and senior trophy (over 17), book tokens and DVDs. Have fun, win prizes and learn about Black history. Presented by The Oral History Project. To enter email oralstory@yahoo.co.uk or blakstok@aol.com with name, address and age or phone or text 07768 276 398.
Creative Writing and Poetry: Young People 14-21 years
Friday 31 October 2-4pm
Calling all writers and performers, capture your thoughts and feelings in words, use this time and space to explore what it’s like to be a teenager in Hackney in 2008. Explore the themes of self, identity and Hackney with performance poet Adisa.
Hackney Archives
Hackney Archives
43 De Beauvoir Road
N1 5SQ
Tel: 020 7241 2886
Web: Hackney Archives
Community History Day - are you part of Hackney’s history?
Saturday 25 October, 11am - 4pm
Come along to find out more about Hackney's past, and how you can contribute to the history recorded in Hackney’s archives.
If you have photographs or documents which we might be interested in, please bring them along and talk to staff at the Archives. If you don’t want to part with your photos and personal papers, we can always scan them. We are particularly interested in the memories of those from the Windrush generation.
There will be a range of activities for all the family including tours around the Archives strongroom, demonstrations from our conservator showing how old documents are preserved, history trails for children and displays from our collections.
Other venues
Hoxton Hall
Hoxton Hall
130 Hoxton Street
N1 6SH
Tel: 020 7684 0060
Email: info@hoxtonhall.co.uk
Web: www.hoxtonhall.co.uk
Loaded: Lyrics II The Windrush Edition / The Mother Land
Thursday 30 October, 7-8pm
A musical journey from the urban rap of the streets of Hoxton to the calypso and swing of the Motherland, Hoxton young people aged 11-17 showcase urban lyrics, loaded with stories and music influenced by black immigration and inspired by the 1948 journey of the SS Windrush. £4, concessions £1.
National Trust Sutton House
Sutton House
2 - 4 Homerton High Street
E9 6JQ
Tel: 020 8986 2264
Email: suttonhouse@nationaltrust.org.uk
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Black History Month Family Day
Sunday 19 October, 12.30-4pm
Discover the myths and legends in Africa and the Caribbean. Be mesmerised by the characters, creatures and mythical beings that lie within the world of these stories. Let your imagination run wild and believe. There’s also food, costumes, stories, poetry workshops and famous Black Londoners trail through historic rooms. Free.
Hackney Caribbean Elderly Organisation Presents Historian SI Martin
Thursday 2 October, 2pm
Saturday 18 October, 2pm
Thursday 30 October, 2pm
Saturday 15 November, 2pm
Acclaimed historian SI Martin will present a series of four interactive talks with the topics; The Windrush Experience, Black East London, Black Performers, Black Seamen. Hackney Caribbean Elderly Organisation in Partnership with Hackney Museum. All welcome. Free of charge. Please call or email to book your place
Hackney Caribbean Elderly Organisation
39 Leswin Road
N16 7NX
Tel: 020 7923 3536
Web: www.hceo.org.uk
Email: hackneycaribbean@btconnect.com
Celebrating Women in Jazz: Black Women in the Arts
Saturday 1 November, 8pm
An event to mark Black Women in the Arts Day (20 October 2008). Honouring Black History Month and recognising London Jazz Week, the event features an array of female jazz singers who have come together to share their love and passion for singing jazz. Some of the finest artistes appearing on stage will include jazz singer-songwriters and jazz poets: Adelaide McKenzie, Adele Wilding, Magda Snit, Marcia Mayers, Floetic Lara, and Rose_es. Tickets from Black Women in the Arts bookings 020 7923 7658 and 020 7254 4097. Cost £16.50. Places are limited, so book early.
The Vortex Jazz Bar
Dalston Culture House
11 Gillett Street, N16 8JH
Enquiries: 020 7923 7658
Email: enquiries@blackwomenart.org.uk
Page updated: 21 Oct 2008