Lewisham Black History Month 2011

Lewisham Black History Month brings together a series of events that celebrate the culture, history and achievements of black and ethnic minority communities.

BHM events prior to 3 October

Jackson - Live in concertBroadway Theatre Friday 23 September, 7.30-9.10pm £12/£18 Amir Sharma's portrayal of Michael Jackson in his prime has to be the most vocally and visually accurate tribute to the King of Pop to have ever toured UK theatres. Amir is joined on the stage by a cast of musicians, singers and dancers who work their way through all the hits. His renditions of Thriller, Beat it and Billie Jean are truly sensational. Pure MJ! Contact details: 020 8690 0002 www.broadwaytheatre.org.uk

Best of the Little Big WomanBroadway Theatre Sunday 24 September, 8pm £16/£18/£20

Dual Impact productions present Llewella Gideon in her one woman comedy show. Contact details: 020 8690 0002 www.broadwaytheatre.org.uk

Blackheath Goes Gospel WorkshopsBlackheath Halls Mondays from 26 September to 31 October; Tuesdays 1, 8 November, 7.30pm – 9.30pm Course Fee: £57/£51 concessions Once again this Autumn we are forming our very own Blackheath Halls Gospel Choir. Back by popular request, the choir will be led by members of the London Community Gospel Choir in a series of workshops. These workshops will culminate in a performance in the Great Hall at Blackheath Halls in which our choir will be joined by children from two primary schools from the local area. Contact details: 020 8463 0100 www.blackheathhalls.com (advanced booking)

BASCA Reminiscence present: A Caribbean world of wordsLewisham Library Tuesday 27 September, 8-9.30pm BASCA Reminiscence writers read selected pieces from their published works: Caribbean Joys (poetry), Familiarly Caribbean Delights Revisited (poetry and prose) and Supremely Caribbean (a collection of short stories). BASCA are the Back-Home Assembly African-Caribbean Association. Contact details: 020 8314 9800 (free)

Black History Month Quiz Crofton Park Library (5-12) Grove Park Library (5-12) Lewisham Library (5-12) Sydenham Library (5-12) Saturday 1 October, 11am-12noon Contact details: 020 8314 9800 (free)

Young Kings of ComedyBroadway Theatre Sunday 2 October, 8pm £23 Experience the best young urban comedians in the UK today. Line-up includes: Eddie Kadi, Richard Blackwood, Kevin J, Kane Brown, Kojo The Fresh Prince of Hackney (Choice FM & MTV), Jamie Howard and Axel The Entertainer. Hosted by Kat B. Contact details: 020 8690 0002 www.broadwaytheatre.org.uk

Throughout October
BHM Library Screenings Downham Library Forest Hill Library Manor House Library View a feature film celebrating Black interest cinema. Contact the venues direct for more details.

Library storytimes All libraries (including community library services) Listen to some wonderful stories from cultures and writers around the world. All libraries will theme many of their weekly storytimes throughout October. Contact the venues direct for more details.

BHM events week commencing Monday 3 OctoberColourful Collage Forest Hill Library (5-8) Monday 3 October, 3.30 – 4.30pm Make your own impression on a famous person by turning them into a colourful collage Contact details: 020 8314 7653 (free/advanced booking)

Maggie Harris and Rosemarie Hudson: Author and Publisher perspectivesLewisham Library Tuesday 4 October, 8-9.30pm Maggie Harris introduces Kiskadee Girl, 'a memoir that reads like a novel.' The setting is Guyana, the land of many waters, and the time one of great change in Maggie's life. Followed by Q&A with Maggie and, special guest, Rosemarie Hudson, founder of the highly influential BlackAmber Press. Contact details: 020 8314 9800 (free)

One Monkey Don't Stop No ShowThe Albany Tuesday 4 - Saturday 8 October, 7.30pm £12/£14 (£8/£10 concessions). Saturday 2.30pm matinee all tickets £9. The Harrisons are the most respectable Black family in Philadelphia until the arrival of their niece turns life on its head. A hilarious revival of Don Evans' sitcom style classic. Contact details: 020 8692 4446 www.thealbany.org.uk

ChatterbooksLewisham Library (8-12) Wednesday 5 October, 4-5pm Fun quiz challenge, crosswords and puzzles. Contact details: 020 8314 9800 (free)

Paperboy Productions Fashion Xtravaganza Manor House Library Friday 7 October, 6-9pm £5 A fun evening showcasing the work of local designers, modelled by local girls. Contact details and advance booking: Jahmar 0750 6702525 Saturday Reading Group Manor House Library Saturday 8 October, 11am–12noon All are welcome to join this month's reading group to discuss black writing. Contact details: 020 314 7779 (free)

Paperboy Productions Fashion Xtravaganza reprise Manor House Library (Family event) Saturday 8 October, 1-4pm £5 A family oriented reprise with the sound and spectacle of yesterday evening's fashion show. The event showcases the work of local designers, modelled by local girls. Contact details and advance booking: Jahmar 0750 6702525

Anansi stories and craft Torridon Road Library (8-11) Saturday 8 October, 2.30 - 3.30pm Classic trickster tales and craft activity Contact details: 020 8314 3712 (free)

Sing Out for BHM Become part of a mass choir singing out for Black History Month on the afternoon of Sunday 9 October. Register your interest by emailing sing@lewisham.gov.uk. We'll let you know the exact time and place and of any rehearsal sessions.(free)

BHM events week commencing Monday 10 October
Deacons For Defense Goldsmiths Students Union Monday 10 October, 6.30pm Screening of a film which explores a little known but true aspect of the American civil rights movement. Starring Forest Whittaker and Ossie Davis. Contact details: 020 8692 1406 (free/advanced booking)

Jan Blake and Inno Sorsy: A storytelling feastManor House Library Tuesday 11 October, 7-8.30pm Early booking is advised for this free show as Jan Blake's exhilarating storytelling has international renown. Jan is partnered by Inno who also collects and performs stories from across the globe. Contact details: 020 8314 7779 (free/advanced booking)

Alex Wheatle: Uprising The Albany Tuesday 11 - Friday 14 October, 7.30pm £10 (£7 concessions) Marking the 30th anniversary of the Brixton riots, award-winning author Alex Wheatle presents his autobiographical story of how he became a writer. A moving journey through 1980s Britain. Contact details: 020 8692 4446 www.thealbany.org.uk

Dig out dem roots: Caribbean Family History workshop with Sharon Tomlin Downham Library Wednesday 12 October, 6-30-8.30pm A practical genealogical workshop (utilising IT to highlight web resources) from a founder of the Carib Geneaology and Family Research Service. Basic IT skills will be and advantage. 15 places. Contact details: 020 8314 9705 (free/advanced booking)

Handa's Surprise Torridon Road Library (under 5) Thursday 13 October, 10-11am Our rendition of the classic picturebook story. Contact details: 020 8314 3712 (free)

Mask Making Forest Hill Library Friday 14 October, 4-5pm (ages 8-11) Make a mask of your favourite black hero or an African style mask. Contact Details: 020 8314 7653(Free/advanced booking)

The Pomedy Show Broadway Theatre Friday 14 October, 8-10pm £17.50/£20 A wonderful opportunity to see Jamaica's legendary 'edutainer,' Yasus AfarI, provide his special blend of poetry and comedy which will excite and inspire, while educating and entertaining. A dignified sense of humour and perceptiveness, along with fun-loving creativity have characterised the resilience of the Jamaican people, which Yasus projects. Contact details: 020 8690 0002 www.broadwaytheatre.org.uk (symbol for price)

African Kufi Hat Craft Manor House Library (all ages) Saturday 15 October, 10.30am-11.30am Learn about African culture & make your own paper Kufi hat. Contact details: 020 8314 7794 (symbol for free/advanced booking)

Multi-Cultural writers group Lewisham LibrarySaturday 15 October, 2-3.30pm A time and space for those interested in writing to meet and discuss their work. Each person reads their own work aloud to the group and members give constructive feedback to assist in each writers’ development. We aim to create a comfortable environment where members can express themselves freely and work towards their personal goals as writers. Contact details: 020 8314 9800 (free)

Anansi stories and craft Catford Library (5-7) Saturday 15 October, 2.15-3.15pm Classic trickster tales and craft activity Contact details: 020 8314 9113 (free/advanced booking)

BHM walking tour of New Cross and Deptford Sunday 16 October Meet outside 439 New Cross Road for 10.30am start (11.45pm finish) £5; Accompanied under 16s free. Historian S.I. Martin leads a walking tour revealing the hidden histories of black people in New Cross and Deptford over the past 500 years. All places must be pre-booked through Lewisham Library and paid in advance (Tel: 020 8314 9800). South-East London’s hidden Black History: S.I. Martin Manor House Library Sunday 16 October, 2.15-3.15pm Eminent historian S.I. Martin shares from his recent research into UK black history with a particular focus upon South-East London. Contact details: 020 8314 7779 (free/advanced booking)

Queen Rocks GospelBroadway Theatre Sunday 16 October, 7.30pm £17.50 A spectacular night of Queen with The Bohemians and The ACM Gospel Choir from Last Choir Standing. It's a unique show featuring all of Queen’s biggest hits performed in a way never seen before. Contact details: 020 8690 0002 www.broadwaytheatre.org.uk

BHM events week commencing Monday 17 October

Anansi stories and craft Downham Library (Family event) Tuesday 18 October, 2.30-3.30pmClassic trickster tales and craft activity Contact details: 020 8314 9705 (free)

Sharing space with Inspired Word Torridon Road Library Tuesday 18 October, 7-8.30pm Local creative writing collective, fresh from recent triumphs at People’s Day and the Lewisham Literary Festival, return with recent work and encouragement to join in with Open Mic at the conclusion of the evening. So you can either sit back or join in. Contact details: 020 8314 3712 ( free)

Stories from AfricaManor House Library (Under 5) Wednesday 19 October , 2.30-3.15pm A special under 5s storytime with stories, songs & colouring in fun! Contact details: 020 8314 7794 (free)

Ancestral Voices - Screening and Q&A Forest Hill Library Thursday 20 October 5.30pm (73 min. screening, 30 min Q&A) This Longbelly Productions documentary examines significant correlations between tenets in mainstream religions and African spiritual practices widely stigmatised as Juju, Obeah, Voodoo or witchcraft. The film-makers (who will takes questions after the screening) question why African belief systems are viewed negatively in comparison to modern religions. Contact details: 020 8314 7653 (free)

Half Term Family learning WorkshopsLesnah Hall, teacher and author of titles in the Black Makers of History series is offering interactive workshops suitable for children aged 8 and over accompanied by parents or grandparents and interested students and professionals (eg. teachers and youth workers). Manor House Library Saturday 22 October, 2-4pm An informal version discussing why many young men and women left the Caribbean to settle in the UK between 1940-70 and upon the Caribbean contribution to UK culture. It will take place within the main body of the library Contact details: 020 8314 7779 (free/advanced booking required)

BHM events week commencing Monday 24 October

Half-Term tour: Inspirational poems and song lyricsProfessional performers Sandra Agard and Alison Blunt will bring poems and song lyrics to life for family audiences as, between them, they take in Lewisham’s libraries in a whistle-stop tour. Free performances for accompanied children aged 4-7.

Sandra Agard
Crofton Park Library Monday 24 October, 11-11.45am Contact details: 020 8314 8726

Torridon Road Library Monday 24 October, 2.30-3.15pm Contact details: 020 8314 3712

Forest Hill Library Wednesday 26 October, 11-11.45am Contact details: 020 8314 7653

Pepys Resource Centre Thursday 27 October, 11-11.45am Contact details: 020 8694 8999

Lewisham Library Thursday 27 October, 2.30-3.15pm

Age Exchange Friday 28 October, 11-11.45am Contact details: 020 8318 9105

Manor House Library Saturday 29 October, 2.30-3.15pm Contact details: 020 8314 7794

Alison Blunt
Catford Library Monday 24 October, 11-11.45am Contact details: 020 8314 9113

Sydenham Library Monday 24 October, 2.30-3.15pm Contact details: 020 8314 8148

Downham Library Thursday 27 October, 11-11.45am Contact details: 020 8314 3712

Grove Park Library Thursday 27 October, 2.30-3.15pm Contact details: 020 8314 7686

(free)

Half Term Family learning Workshops Lesnah Hall, teacher and author of titles in the Black Makers of History series is offering interactive workshops suitable for children aged 8 and over accompanied by parents or grandparents and interested students and professionals (eg. teachers and youth workers). Lewisham Library Tuesday 25 October, 10am-12 noon This morning session discusses why many young men and women left the Caribbean to settle in the UK between 1940-70 and upon the Caribbean contribution to UK culture. Lewisham Library Tuesday 25 October, 2-4pm This afternoon session examines the origins of the 13 month Ethiopian calendar and its links to Ancient Egypt. The session also looks more widely at the impact of Ancient Ethiopian culture. Contact details: 020 8314 9800 (free/advanced booking required for each session)

Chatterbooks Manor House Library, (8-11) Thursday 27 October, 4-5pm Book chat about favourite Black writing. Contact details: 020 8314 7794 (free)

Follow the band with the Steel Pans Catford Library (8-11) Friday 28 October, 2.15-3.15 Discover the Calypso sound of the Caribbean and make your own mini steel pan drums. Contact details: 020 8314 9113 (free/advanced booking)

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