OCTOBER 2019
© àsìkò CREATE LEARN ENGAGE ENJOY
CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 1 WELCOME Welcome to Black Those happier to be in the audience History Month. can catch great live music ranging from world class jazz, to toe-tapping I am delighted reggae, a film programme including that in 2019, Tower a series of film screenings by female Hamlets Council is directors of colour, and some hard- once again playing hitting dramas which explore the a key role in helping asylum process in the UK, and issues instigate and promote a jam- around what makes cultures clash. packed series of events across the borough. Black History Month is an Our libraries and Ideas Stores in opportunity to commemorate the tandem with the Local History lives and contributions of all those Library and Archives have a brilliant with African or Caribbean descent to cohort of events and activities contemporary British Society and we covering themes such as tracing are proud to celebrate those diverse black ancestry; how women have communities right here in Tower united against racism and the history Hamlets. of Somali protest in the East End. Exhibitions include photographic This celebration provides a wonderful celebrations of womanhood, a visual opportunity for residents of all document to the history of the ages and interests to engage with Somali community in the East End, the richness of Black African and the work of a very talented self- Caribbean arts, and history. I hope taught nonagenarian artist, as well you enjoy the programme of events. as the fascinating history of Sierra Leone. John Biggs If you want to join a gospel choir, Mayor of Tower Hamlets experience the flavour of black poetry and create your own work to perform To see full listings, please also visit or make new fabric samples inspired www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/arts by Caribbean textile traditions there is an array of events on offer. This includes workshops in dance, textiles, cookery, spoken word, music making and more.
2 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 Legend: The Music of Bob Marley and the Wailers, page 7 CONTENTS
LISTINGS BY VENUE 4 CALENDAR 43 MAP 45 TONI MORRISON 46
Brochure information correct at the time of going to print, however this may be subject to change. For up to date programme information please visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/arts, where you will find full online listings for Black History Month, a downloadable PDF version of this programme as well as information on a range of other arts based events and activities across the borough.
CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 3 ART PAVILION Mile End Park, Clinton F Mile End Road, E3 4QY A 25, 277, D6, D7 020 7364 3115 Full access IDENTITY: POLY STYRENE, A RETROSPECTIVE THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER – SUNDAY 3 NOVEMBER 11:00 – 18:00 (SOME LATE OPENINGS) Identity: A Poly Styrene Retrospective will be the first There will be two additional evening showing of the personal and events and two days of workshops artistic archive of Marianne ‘Poly and activities with details to be Styrene’ Elliot-Said, the lead confirmed. Please check out the singer of the British punk band facebook page for updates. X-Ray Spex. Curated by Poly Styrene’s daughter Celeste Bell B polystyrene.art and Mattie Loyce, the exhibition will explore her complex legacy FREE (except evening event - and work as an interdisciplinary price TBC) | Everyone artist. The exhibition will include original artworks, writings, and photography, and highlight her experiences as a woman in music history, a woman in punk, being mixed race black British, and someone living with mental health difficulties.
4 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 AUTOGRAPH ABP Rivington Place, C www.autograph.org.uk (off Rivington Street), B autographabp EC2A 3BA G autographabp 020 7729 9200 F Old Street, Shoreditch High Street, Full access Liverpool Street A 26, 43, 48, 55, 67, 205, 242, 243, 271 EXHIBITION: LINA IRIS VIKTOR: SOME ARE BORN TO ENDLESS NIGHT – DARK MATTER FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2019 – SATURDAY 25 JANUARY 2020 TUE, WED & FRI 11:00 – 18:00, THU 11:00 – 21:00, SAT 12:00 – 18:00 Lina Iris Viktor’s photography, painting and sculptural installations Lina Iris Viktor, II. For Some are born to Endless Night. Dark Matter., 2015-9. Courtesy of the artist and Mariane Ibrahim are infused with cultural histories Gallery of the global African diaspora and preoccupied with multifaceted notions of blackness: as colour, as material and as socio-political consciousness. This is the British- Liberian artist’s first major solo exhibition in the UK. FREE | Adults
Lina Iris Viktor, First, from the series A Haven. A Hell. A Dream Deferred, 2017-8. Courtesy of the artist and Mariane Ibrahim Gallery CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 5 BOISDALE, CANARY WHARF Cabot Square, Canary C www.boisdale.co.uk/canary-wharf Wharf, E14 4QT D [email protected] 020 7715 5818 B BoisdaleRestaurants Full access G boisdaleCW F Canary Wharf DLR A D3, D7, D8, 135, 277, N550 COURTNEY PINE WEDNESDAY 2 – FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER 21:15, 21:30 OR 21:45 AT WEEKENDS PLEASE SEE WEBSITE TO CHECK THE PERFORMANCE TIMES An exhilarating mix of merengue, ska, mento and calypso from the UK’s leading jazz artist, a saxophone master with strong and proud Afro- Caribbean roots. Courtney Pine’s new project House of Legends is steeped in the traditions of the Caribbean with musicians from the Press Comments region joining players from Africa The Times “In a Class of His Own.” and Europe in an evening of thrilling Evening Standard ”An exceptional and wonderfully entertaining music. labour of love. Never has his intense power been deployed with greater No musician more embodies the focus.” dramatic transformation in the The Independent “ Courtney Pine British jazz scene over the past was once hailed as British jazz’s thirty plus years than Courtney saviour... he still is.” Pine CBE. The ground-breaking The Observer 4 stars…“Pine is on saxophonist/multi- instrumentalist scalding improvisational form.” has led a generation of exciting and innovative players who have broadened their styles to take jazz out to a wider audience. £29.50 + (including dinner from £69.50) | Adults
6 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 BOISDALE, CANARY WHARF THE THREE DEGREES WEDNESDAY 9 OCTOBER 21:15, 21:30 OR 21:45 AT WEEKENDS PLEASE SEE WEBSITE TO CHECK THE PERFORMANCE TIMES The Three Degrees are an American female vocal group, formed in 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and are well known for their soulful voices, Degrees are Helen Scott, Valerie beautiful gowns, and fabulous stage Holiday and Freddie Pool. shows. They are known all around the world for songs like “When will I £45 + (including dinner from see you again”, “Dirty Ol’ Man”, “Take £69.50) | Adults Good Care Of Yourself”. The Three LEGEND: THE MUSIC OF BOB MARLEY AND THE WAILERS SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER 21:15, 21:30 OR 21:45 AT WEEKENDS PLEASE SEE WEBSITE TO CHECK THE PERFORMANCE TIMES These brilliant musicians have worked with a “who’s who” of reggae legends including Burning Spear, Dennis Brown and Desmond Dekker. Led by the irrepressible There are numerous bands paying Michael Anton Phillips, a man who tribute to the King Of Reggae, but sounds so like his hero it’s uncanny, few of them get anywhere near as this sensational tribute to the close to the natural, mystical quality timeless music of Bob Marley goes of Bob Marley’s timeless music from beautiful ballads like No as Michael Anton Phillips and his Woman, No Cry and Is This Love superb six-piece band. through to reggae classics such as I Shot The Sheriff and Stir It Up. £25 + (including dinner from £49.50) | Adults CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 7 BOISDALE, CANARY WHARF
Horace is known for having the HORACE ANDY ‘sweetest voice in reggae music’ and WEDNESDAY 23 OCTOBER for his long association with British trip-hop band Massive Attack. 21:15, 21:30 OR 21:45 AT WEEKENDS He was born as Horace Hinds on PLEASE SEE WEBSITE TO CHECK THE February 19, 1951 in Kingston and is PERFORMANCE TIMES also known as “Sleepy”. Horace Andy is a Jamaican roots £19.50 + (including dinner from reggae songwriter and singer, £39.50) | Adults known for his distinctive vocals and hit songs such as “Government Land”, as well as “Angel”, “Spying Glass” and “Five Man Army” with English trip hop duo Massive Attack. He is also famous for a cover version of “Ain’t No Sunshine”.
8 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 BOISDALE, CANARY WHARF ROSE WINDROSS THURSDAY 24 – FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER 21:15, 21:30 OR 21:45 AT WEEKENDS PLEASE SEE WEBSITE TO CHECK THE PERFORMANCE TIMES Rose Windross is the original singer/songwriter that put the acclaimed band SOUL II SOUL on the global world map 30 years ago, penning the track Fairplay. With her energetic stage presence and persona, and her overpowering vocal ability, she wins over the hearts of Rose has continued success from a her audience immediately. solo perspective in many other areas of music (UKG/House/Dance/DnB. Long after the initial Soul II Soul etc) and continuing to collaborate success, Jazzie B called on Rose with many big-name producers, several times over, to re-ignite the creating a string of underground magic with Rose as the front person hits. Her fan base includes the likes adding a touch of class and creating of Louie Vega, Mark Ronson, Mousse a new worldwide fan base, placing T, Beverley Knight, DJ Spinna and Soul II Soul firmly back on the global John Morales to name but a few. map. She performed for fans in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, £25 + (including dinner from and Hong Kong, Brazil and all over £49.50) | Adults Europe, wowing wherever she is heard. SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER Want to hear more about arts and events like this? Subscribe to our arts and events bulletin to get all the highlights delivered straight to your inbox: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/arts. You can also see what other fantastic e-newsletters Tower Hamlets Council sends out to help residents stay up to date with a range of news, events, special offers and more.
CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 9 BRADY ARTS CENTRE 192 – 196 Hanbury C www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/arts Street, E1 5HU D [email protected] 020 7364 7900 B TowerHamletsEvents Full access G THevents F Whitechapel A D3, 25, 254, 106, 205 LAYERS: A CELEBRATION OF WOMANHOOD THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAITURE TUESDAY 1 – WEDNESDAY 30 OCTOBER MON – FRI 9:00 – 19:00, SAT 10:30 – 17:30 Layers is a photographic portrait series exploring womanhood and ageing. The series features women from various backgrounds and ethnicities, aged between 19 and 90 years, photographed in front of an evolving flower wall during the period of a month, including a scientist, a Team GB gold medal winner, a journalist, a musician, an a photographer, an actor and a artist and a writer. Over the course lawyer. of the month, layers of freshly picked British flowers were added to Àsìkò is a visual artist who the wall as the project progressed. expresses his ideas through the The added layers represented medium of photography and mixed the growth and depth of wisdom media. He was born in London, women gain as life progresses, while spent his formative years in Lagos, ageing flowers indicate the passage Nigeria and returned to London to of time. spend his adolescent years. His work is a response to his experiences of For Black History Month at the identity, culture and heritage. Brady Arts Centre, portraits were selected from the Layers project of B asiko.artist several young women at different G asiko_artist stages of their lives. These five women include a writer, a scientist, FREE | Everyone 10 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 BRADY ARTS CENTRE interpretation of poet Maya LAYERS: Angelou’s feminist poetry through EXHIBITION: BLACK some stunning photography of black WOMEN IN THE EYES women in the eyes of Maya Angelou by an award winning photographer OF MAYA ANGELOU Pablo Khaled. Pablo has taken TUESDAY 1 – WEDNESDAY 30 stunning images to interpret the OCTOBER words according to the dictation of the verses of poetry to portray MON – FRI 9:00 – 19:00, the emotions of rebellion, beauty, SAT 10:30 – 17:30 insolence, insurgency, capability and As part of Black History Month, power. Saudha in partnership with the FREE | Everyone Gronthee is bringing a visual
AFRICA THROUGH POETRY AND MUSIC FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER 19:00 As part of Black History Month, This event involves both a talk and a reading of Maya Angelou’s work in relation to the photography and other poetry, prose, talk as well as music on Africa, black women and black literature.
C www.saudha.org Photographer: Pablo Khaled www.gronthee.com B groups/saudha FREE | Everyone G Saudha01 FOLLOW US Follow us on twitter @THevents and become a friend of ours on FaceBook - facebook.com/TowerHamletsEvents
CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 11 BROMLEY BY BOW CENTRE St Leonard’s Street, C www.bbbc.org.uk Bromley By Bow, E3 3BT D [email protected] 020 8709 9741 B BromleyByBowCentre Full access G bromley_by_bow F Bromley by Bow A D8, 488 topics as agreed by the group SOMALI WOMEN’S members and engage in regular GROUP activities. These include singing sessions, traditional dancing THURSDAYS 3, 10 ,17, 24 & 31 sessions, CV building sessions, OCTOBER employment workshops, sewing 10:30 – 12:30 sessions, cooking and more. The Somali Women’s Group is a New members are welcome but volunteer led group created from please email to confirm attendance. the time-banking concept. D [email protected] It is led by a volunteer named Nadia Ali. The purpose of the group is to FREE | Somali women meet weekly during term times, every Thursday. This is an excellent opportunity to meet other women from the Somali community for a cup of tea and a chat, hear guest speakers talk about a range of
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER Want to hear more about arts and events like this? Subscribe to our arts and events bulletin to get all the highlights delivered straight to your inbox: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/arts. You can also see what other fantastic e-newsletters Tower Hamlets Council sends out to help residents stay up to date with a range of news, events, special offers and more.
12 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 BROMLEY SOUTH SPOTLIGHT Linc Centre, 70 Fern C www.wearespotlight.com Street, E3 3PR D [email protected] 020 7538 5748 B SpotlightCreativeCentre G wearespotlight F Devons Road (DLR) A 323, 108
Head down to Bromley South for a BLACK HISTORY massive feast celebrating the end of MONTH FEAST Black History Month – expect talks, art and a lot of good food. WEDNESDAY 30 OCTOBER 18:00 – 21:00 FREE | Young people aged 11-19
CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 13 CHISENHALE DANCE SPACE 64-84 Chisenhale Road, C www.ideastore.co.uk E3 5HQ D [email protected] 020 8981 6617 B ChisenhaleDance No step-free access G ChisenhaleDance F Mile End A 8, 277, 339, D6 RADICAL INTEGRATION 28 – 29 SEPTEMBER & 2 – 3 NOVEMBER 10:00 – 18:00 Radical Integration is a new project by Angela Andrew. It’s about legacy and the transmission of black dance via DNA. Collaborating with artists at the root of jazz and African dances, the project is a performance piece, dance programme, political movement and live rehearsal, all rolled into one.
C www.cookiesjam.com/events B cookiesjam @cookiesjammin £5 - £30 | Everyone
14 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 GENESIS CINEMA 93-95 Mile End Road, C www.genesiscinema.co.uk E1 4UJ D [email protected] 020 7780 2008 B genesiscinema Full access G GenesisCinema F Whitechapel, Stepney Green, Bethnal Green A 25, 205, 106, 254, N253, 309 BLACK HISTORY MONTH FILMS A series of film screenings by female directors of colour to celebrate Black History Month and launch our Black History EVERY Month ongoing season. All tickets £5.50 for these screenings, FREE tickets for those on a low income are available by contacting us directly. SELMA THE WATERMELON WOMAN FRIDAY 11 OCTOBER 21:00 THURSDAY 10 OCTOBER Although the Civil Rights Act of 18:30 1964 legally desegregated the An aspiring black lesbian filmmaker South, discrimination was still (Cheryl Dunye) researches an rampant in certain areas, making it obscure 1940s black actress billed very difficult for blacks to register as the Watermelon Woman. to vote. In 1965, an Alabama city Cert 18 became the battleground in the fight for suffrage. Despite violent opposition, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his followers pressed forward on an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, and their efforts culminated in President Lyndon CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 15 GENESIS CINEMA Johnson signing the Voting Rights independence movements, Black Act of 1965. Power, the rise of a new brand of Cert 12A black leadership around the world, events that define our present reality. DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST Young adults IN COLLABORATION WITH WE ARE PARABLE JUST ANOTHER GIRL ON TUESDAY 15 OCTOBER THE IRT 18:30 – 20:40 At the dawn of the 20th century, THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER a family in the Gullah community 18:45 of coastal South Carolina – former Arrogant and ignorant, a know-it-all West African slaves who adopted Brooklyn teenager (Ariyan Johnson) many of their ancestors’ Yoruba becomes pregnant and tries to hide traditions – suffers a generational it. split. Young Haagar (Kaycee Moore) Cert 15 wants to move to the mainland away from tradition-bound I AM NOT A WITCH matriarch Nana (Cora Lee Day). Former prostitute Yellow Mary TUESDAY 29 OCTOBER (Barbara-O) gets a cold shoulder 21:00 when she returns to the island with Following a banal incident in her her female lover, especially from local village, 8-year old girl Shula is her sister Viola (Cheryl Lynn Bruce). accused of witchcraft. After a short Cert PG trial she is found guilty, taken into state custody and exiled to a witch HERO camp. WITH DIRECTOR Q&A Cert 12A THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER 20:30 – 23:00 Inspired by the life and times of Caribbean war hero, judge and diplomat Ulric Cross whose amazing life spanned key moments of the 20th Century like WW2, African
16 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 HALF MOON THEATRE 43 White Horse Road, C www.halfmoon.org.uk E1 0ND D [email protected] 020 7709 8900 B halfmoontheatre Full disabled access and G HalfMoonTheatre family-friendly F Limehouse A 115, 135, D3
The Nightbus Photo by Sonia Sabri Company DRAG QUEEN STORY SAME SAME…BUT TIME DIFFERENT SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER 11:00 & 14:00 11:00 & 14:00 Join us for a story time like no other, A feel-good family show mixing read aloud by The Nightbus with kathak, hip hop, contemporary and glamour and flair, for children and street dance, with live music and adults alike. Come with your family physical storytelling, to create a and enjoy a series of stories with colourful world exploring the times empowering characters that will we feel different and when we turn archetypes on their head and belong. The three dancer-musicians champion queer identity, race and conjure a magical atmosphere religion. celebrating individuality, diversity and the bonds which connect us all. £7 (babies under 12 months free) | Families and children (under 13) £7 (babies under 12 months free) | Families and children (under 13)
CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 17 IDEA STORE BOW 1 Gladstone Place, C www.ideastore.co.uk Roman Road, E3 5ES D [email protected] 0333 370 4700 B ideastores Full access G ideastores F Mile End, Bow Church (DLR) A S2, 8 Somali ornaments and understand SOMALI HERITAGE DAY their significance. Try Somali food, FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER snacks, face painting and henna. The event is designed to open up 11:00 – 16:00 Somali heritage to a wider audience, Somali Women’s Conversation breaking down cultural barriers so Club present Somali Heritage Day. as to help neighbours learn more Everyone’s invited to this showcase about each other. If you’ve wanted of Somali heritage and culture, to know more about Somali culture, which has been specially put and chat to Somali residents together by local Somali residents learning English and other skills with who meet regularly at Idea Store Idea Store Learning, join us at this Bow. Enjoy various activities such family friendly drop-in event! as cultural dance, see a display of FREE | Everyone IDEA STORE CANARY WHARF Churchill Place, E14 5RB C www.ideastore.co.uk Full access D [email protected] B ideastores G ideastores F Canary Wharf (DLR) A D3, D7, D8, 277 An exhibition of the extraordinary EXHIBITION: artwork of Peter James, longtime PETER JAMES Whitechapel resident who came to London from Trinidad in 1955. TUESDAY 1 OCTOBER – SUNDAY 3 Peter’s striking and intense NOVEMBER drawings, paintings and masks SEE WEBSITE FOR OPENING TIMES reflect his cultural roots in Trinidad and Notting Hill. FREE | Everyone 18 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 IDEA STORE CANARY WHARF
Exhibition: Peter James
Participants should bring to the WEAVING STORIES workshop discarded clothing to SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER be cut up into strips. Using small bespoke looms, you will weave 12.00 – 15.00 these strips into new cloth which An exhibition of the extraordinary. can be pieced together to form The Caribbean islands are renowned a new fabric. Participants will be for their woven baskets. Found all encouraged to inter-mix their strips over the islands, they represent of fabric together and share with the Caribbean craft’s long history each other, so the new fabric being of communal making and shared created will signify the formation of skills, with some being decorated new friendships and communities. with sewing stitches such as French knots and satin stitch. Participants will create six or eight woven samples of new fabric Beginning with an introduction which will later be displayed at the to the history of Caribbean Idea Store. This event is suitable weaving, in this practical workshop, for adults and no textile skills are individuals will produce new cloth necessary. It’s free but you must samples which explore the theme book online here: https://bhmfabric- of migration or cultural identity workshop.eventbrite.co.uk through the exchange of textile skills and materials inspired by Caribbean FREE | Everyone weaving.
CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 19 IDEA STORE CHRISP STREET 1 Vesey Path, East India C www.ideastore.co.uk Dock Road, E14 6BT D [email protected] Full access B ideastores G ideastores F All Saints (DLR) A 15, 115, D6, D8 SPOKEN WORD POETRY WORKSHOP THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER 9:30 – 12:00 Spoken word poetry is a simple but powerful way to communicate and it doesn’t need to use complex language. Black cultures have strong traditions of spoken word poetry, using it as a form to express what cannot and is not said in the mainstream. Expressing what it means to have the influence of The participants will then work as another culture in your life, to be a group to create a short piece of an outsider, to have more than one poetry and perform it. This event is ‘home’ and find unique ways to ‘fit free but booking is essential. in’ to another culture. These are https://bhmspoken-word.eventbrite. important themes familiar to many co.uk black people, and this workshop provides a space to explore them in FREE | Adults – ESOL the work of UK based black poets.
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20 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 IDEA STORE WHITECHAPEL 321 Whitechapel Road, C www.ideastore.co.uk E1 1BU D [email protected] 020 7364 1736 B ideastores Full access G ideastores F Whitechapel A 25, 106, 205, 254 EXHIBITION: SOMALI EAST END TUESDAY 1 – THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER SEE WEBSITE FOR OPENING TIMES An exhibition examining the history of Somali migration to Tower Hamlets. Parts WORKSHOP: of this ADZAWELE GHANAIAN exhibition were produced by Tower Hamlets DANCE Local History Library & Archives TUESDAY 15 OCTOBER in partnership with KAYD Somali Arts & Culture and Mayfield House 13:00 – 15:00 Day Centre in 2013, and is now Let Idea Store Learning dance revitalised through the work of teacher George guide you through Numbi Arts. The exhibition now the traditions and culture behind features the Aqal, a nomadic the Adzawele Ghanaian dance, with structure travelling from one site to hands on activities. You will learn another, engaging local residents about the historical background of with Somali prescence in the East African music and dance, the tribal End. 4th floor. systems and their differences and how their manifestation in dance FREE | Adults relates to wider culture and society. Dance studio. FREE | Adults CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 21 IDEA STORE WHITECHAPEL BORN OF GOOD TRACING BLACK INTENTIONS: ANCESTRY: THE LIFE AND TIMES SECRETS OF THE 1817 OF BLACK VICTORIAN SLAVE REGISTERS CHILDREN IN A UNCOVERED BARNARDO’S HOME SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER 14:00 – 16:00 18:45 – 20:45 Trailblazing author and family Dr Barnardo became famous for historian Paul Crooks was told that taking in poor, destitute children it would be impossible to trace during Victorian times. Not many records of slave-ownership let alone people are aware that he also took his African ancestors enslaved on in poor, destitute, black and disabled plantations in Jamaica. “No one had children. Avril Nanton presents the tried because such records did not stories of the children who were exist.” In the 1990s, undeterred, he taken in and fostered by Barnardo’s embarked on a journey of discovery during the Victorian era. that led from suburban North London to Jamaica and ultimately Organiser back to the Gold Coast of Africa; Avril’s Walks and Talks an effort that has brought him 07984 759506 international recognition for his C www.avrilswalksandtalks.co.uk breakthroughs in African Caribbean genealogy research. D [email protected] B avrilswalksandtalks Come and find out about Paul’s journey, how he uncovered the £10 adults, £2 child | Everyone potential of the Slave Registers for exploring Caribbean ancestry and tracing African roots. Also how he traced his African forebears enslaved on a sugar plantation in Jamaica, 200 years ago. FREE | Adults and family
22 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 IDEA STORE WHITECHAPEL SOCIAL GATHERING: SOMALI WOMEN’S HEALTH SOCIAL TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER 11:00 – 15:00 Somali women are invited to an informal social where you can find out about various health and wellbeing opportunities in the borough of Tower Hamlets, offered by Idea Store Learning. You can access an array of employment and training advice as well as tailored FREE | 50+ course options to support any healthy living goals you have! LANSBURY SPOTLIGHT Langdon Park, 30 Hay C www.wearespotlight.com Currie Street, E14 6GN D [email protected] 020 30 111 333 B SpotlightCreativeCentre Fully accessible by G wearespotlight wheelchair F Langdon Park (DLR) A 108 BLACK HISTORY MONTH AT SPOTLIGHT TUESDAY 1 – THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER 18:00 – 21:00 For the entirety of October, Lansbury Spotlight are celebrating Black History Month with a theme of black migration. Come get involved in art-making, films, and researching both your own heritage and the history of black Britain.
CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 23 LANSBURY SPOTLIGHT FILM: MC SCOPE SELECTS TUESDAY 22 – THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER 11:00 – 15:00 Join MC Scope during half term as he screens the documentaries you need to see about black music history and music culture. FREE | Young people aged 11-19
GRIME PAYS MONDAY 21 – FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER 11:00 – 15:00 Do you have what it takes to make it in the world of grime? Ruff Sqwad Arts Foundation are on the lookout for MCs and producers! This course will help you develop your talent and work with industry professionals. FUTURE SELF For more information about PHOTOGRAPHY the application process contact PROJECT 020 30 111 333 or email hello@ wearespotlight.com WEDNESDAY 23 – FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER FREE | Young people aged 11-19 13:00 – 17:00 Join MC Scope during half term. Work with professional photographers to create your own pieces of art. Get inspired by past work and learn how to create shots of the street and of yourself ready for a showcase on the Friday. FREE | Young people aged 11-19
24 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS No.1 Warehouse, West C www.museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands India Quay, EC2Y 5HN G MuseumofLondon 020 7030 3300 F West India Quay, Canary Wharf Full disabled access and A D3, D7, D8, 277, D6, 15, 115, 135 family-friendly HISTORICAL TALKS THROUGHOUT BLACK HISTORY MONTH CALL BOX OFFICE FOR INFORMATION ON TIMES AND DAILY PROGRAMME Join us for a month of free historical talks and tours as we explore black Silver entrée dish (object lent by Charles Stuart Dudley Cole) © Museum of London history in Britain. Learn more about London’s involvement in THE KRIOS OF SIERRA transatlantic slavery, discover the lives of black Londoners in 18th LEONE Century London, hear the stories 27 SEPTEMBER 2019 – of the people who arrived on the Windrush and much more. 27 SEPTEMBER 2020 10:00 – 18:00 FREE | Everyone Explore the unique and largely untold history, heritage and culture of the Krio people of Sierra Leone from the late 18th Century through to the modern day in the London, Sugar & Slavery gallery’s latest display at the Museum of London Docklands. FREE | Everyone FOLLOW US Follow us on twitter @THevents and become a friend of ours on FaceBook - facebook.com/TowerHamletsEvents
CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 25 OXFORD HOUSE Derbyshire St, E2 6HG C www.oxfordhouse.org.uk 020 7739 9001 D [email protected] Full access F Bethnal Green A D3, D8, D6, 8, 388
the United Kingdom as a catalyst, SOMALI WEEK to unpack what it means to be FESTIVAL Somali and African in 2019 both in the Somali Horn as well as in FRIDAY 18 – SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER the diaspora during this globally TIMES VARY transformative period. KAYD Somali Arts & Culture, with its Some events take place in central partners, is proud to present its 11th London with a number of events in anniversary of KAYD’s Somali Week Tower Hamlets, primarily Oxford Festival. The festival is an integral House, but also Queen Mary, part of Black History Month. University of London, and Rich Mix. This year’s theme is ‘Art & Activism: KAYD Somali Arts and Culture Art and Culture During Times of C www.kayd.org Global Change’ featuring a brand- G SomaliWeekFest new Somali-British play and a new cohort of both famous and Many events are ticketed and upcoming talent in both local and costs vary. Please see website landmark locations across London. This year’s festival deals with how for programme details. artists, activists and musicians respond and react to times of political change by using Brexit in SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER Want to hear more about arts and events like this? Subscribe to our arts and events bulletin to get all the highlights delivered straight to your inbox: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/arts. You can also see what other fantastic e-newsletters Tower Hamlets Council sends out to help residents stay up to date with a range of news, events, special offers and more.
26 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 POPLAR UNION 2 Cotall Street, Poplar, C www.poplarunion.com E14 6TL D [email protected] 020 3039 3333 B poplarunion Full access G PoplarUnion F Westferry, Langdon Park, Limehouse, Poplar, Devons Road (DLR) and Mile End A 309, 108, D6, 15, 115, N15, N551, D7, 277
Dickson Mbi MAKING BLACK CKAYD Somali Arts and Culture HISTORY B www.dicksonmbi.com G dickson.mbi SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER DicksonMbi D [email protected] 19:00 – 22:00 A night showcasing work in progress £12 / £10 conc | Everyone performances from the world of dance, theatre and poetry from artists of colour. Featuring work from Dickson Mbi and Sonny Nwachukwu. Further guests TBA. CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 27 POPLAR UNION
Purple Moon Drama PURPLE MOON GRAND UNION DRAMA PRESENT: ORCHESTRA JOLLOF WARS BY GAIL WORKSHOPS: ROOTS EGBESON IN RHYTHM THURSDAY 24 & SATURDAY 26 WEDNESDAY 23 OCTOBER OCTOBER 20:00 – 21:00 10:00 – 15:00 | 14:00 – 17:00 Begun as a scratch performance in Calling all 12 -18 year old musicians! June, this full-length touring version To celebrate the musical roots was commissioned for Black History that link Africa, Latin America Month by Purple Moon Drama. and the Caribbean, the Grand Eight young actors have developed Union Orchestra is offering free the piece over 16 weeks with instrumental workshops to learn, director Robert Awosusi. It’s a play explore and develop musical that explores culture clashes and techniques from these cultures. friendship. It’s a celebration of food The idea is that the young people and family. Come and see who wins who attend the workshops will be the ultimate battle at Jollof Court. preparing for a live performance on C the Saturday night. G www.purplemoondrama.co.uk PurpleMoonDrama C www.grandunion.org.uk £9 / £7 conc | Over 12s FREE | Ages 12-18
28 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 POPLAR UNION Brazil, Cuba and the Caribbean GRAND UNION is still powerful in East London ORCHESTRA: ROOTS IN today. What better way to round RHYTHM off a month commemorating black history than an evening based on SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER west African drumming and chant, 19:00 – 22:00 hi-life, calypso and soca, ska and reggae, salsa and samba – a feast Musicians from the Grand Union of dance rhythms! Orchestra and its newly formed Re:Generation Band combine in C www.grandunion.org.uk an exuberant celebration of Black History Month. The legacy of the FREE | All welcome musical roots/routes that link Africa, DENDÊ NATION PRESENTS… NOITE DOS TAMBORES NO LESTE SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER 10:00 – 15:00 14:00 – 17:00
Come and join us for Photo courtesy of will Roper a celebration of Afro- Nação Leão Coroado (Olinda) Brazilian music and culture including and Projeto Social Rum Alagbê Maracatu’s and Samba-Reggae, (Salvador) with live Music by Dendê Nation and very special guests, Baque Luar! BBaque Luar Please feel free to bring any baqueluar pictures, poetry or text of people Dendê Nation that you wish to remember. All B donations will go towards two Dendê-Nation-London-Samba- social projects in Brazil: Maracatu Reggae
CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY £5 (donation) | Everyone 29 RICH MIX 35 - 47 Bethnal Green C www.richmix.org.uk Road, E1 6LA D [email protected] 020 7613 7498 B richmixlondon Full access G richmixlondon F Liverpool Street, Old Street, Bethnal Green, Aldgate East A 8, 388
Photo courtesy of Rich Mix
are some of the hottest dancers/ AFRO DANCE choreographers in the business. You XPLOSION- HIP HOP & will then have a chance to share BEATS TASTER what you have learned. This will be a mixed levels class. Come join us with SUNDAY 6 OCTOBER your best HipHop/Afro beat energy 13:15 to celebrate Black history month! This is a chance to learn both Feel the Rhythm Productions Hip-Hop and Afro Beats in this 3 B feeltherhythmproductions hour workshop designed to give you a taste of each. The teachers £18 | Everyone
30 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 RICH MIX SING WITH HOUSE GOSPEL CHOIR MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 18:30 HGC is built on the understanding that we can’t all speak at the same time, but we can sing together as one voice and be understood. CHouse Gospel Choir So come and join the family and www.housegospelchoir.com become one of their ‘House Guests’ richmix.org.uk/events/sing-with- for a monthly mass choir session! house-gospel-choir-2/ D [email protected] B HouseChoir G HouseChoir
£12 | Everyone BLACK SHEROES MONTH: HIGHLIGHTING AFRO LATIN HERSTORIES SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER 12:00 – 17:00 Lon-art A celebration of Afro Latin Sheroes; C www.lon-art.org an afternoon of collaborative art D [email protected] building, family activities and talks B lonartorg #AfroLatinSheroes to highlight the heritage of black #BlackSheroes #whoisyoursheroe Latin women in Britain today. G lonartorg FREE | Everyone CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 31 RICH MIX
AFRO DANCE AZ MAG LIVE: BLACK XPLOSION: A CHANGE EXCELLENCE IS COMING FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER 20:00 19:00 AZ Mag Live returns this Black This great showcase has a wide History Month giving you the very variety of artists from the African best of black and queer talent. AZ dance diaspora. The performance Mag Live: Black Excellence will be an will feature the international evening of live performances from renowned performer Merlin black performers to celebrate our Nyakam, from the Cameroon, plus talented black people. Hosted by some of the best choreographers AZ Mag’s hostess with the mostest; and dancers in African, Cuban and Tee Ali, this will be an evening of Brazilian dance, plus hip hop, Afro amazing talent and nothing but beat, dance hall, jazz, contemporary good vibes. dance and more. This rhythmic, Join us this October for a night that energetic and dynamic showcase you won’t forget, because there will have something for everyone. ain’t no party like an AZ Mag party! Come join us! C http://azmagazine.co.uk Feel The Rhythm Productions B feeltherhythmproductions £10 advance, £15 door | LGBTQ/Black queer £18 | Everyone 32 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 RICH MIX MWALIMU EXPRESS SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER 14:00 Each month, Mwalimu Express feature a different live act with African connections, DJ Sets from Rita Ray and Max Reinhardt, and African cinema hosted by ScreenStation‘s Andy Jones.
C www.richmix.org.uk/events/ mwalimu-express/ HOME FREE | Family SUNDAY 20 OCTOBER DECOLONISING 19:00 HISTORY They say “HOME is where the heart is” but what happens when WEDNESDAY 30 OCTOBER the head and the heart collide? A 19.30 play exploring the tension between sisterhood and self, hope and What does it mean to decolonise acceptance in a first-generation History? What does it mean to Somali family. study non-western histories at SOAS, a university in the heart Team Side eYe of cosmopolitan London? SOAS 07713693954 History hosted five emerging 020 7613 7498 playwrights to explore these D [email protected] questions. The result is five 20-minute audio dramas uncovering G somaliweekfest untold stories – about the past and £8 | Everyone present – from new perspectives. A Tamasha Digital Project for SOAS, supported by Arts Council England £5 | Everyone
CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 33 SHADWELL CENTRE 455 The Highway, F Limehouse, Shadwell (DLR) E1W 3HP A D3
WORKSHOP: West African Dish: Akara with a A TASTE OF WEST dipping sauce AFRICAN & JAMAICAN Jamaican Dish: Saltfish fritters with TRADITIONAL CUISINE a dipping sauce Idea Store Learning THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER C033 3370 4700 / 020 7364 5684 13:00 – 15:00 B www.ideastore.co.uk Food plays a massive role in black G ideastores cultural identity and maintaining ideastores cultural connections within diasporic FREE (Bookings through communities. In this practical workshop we will cook sample eventbrite) | Adults dishes from West Africa and Jamaica.
34 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 ST JOHN ON BETHNAL GREEN 200 Cambridge Heath C www.stjohnonbethnalgreen.org Road, E2 9PA F Bethnal Green 020 8980 1742 A 8, 106, 254, 309, 388, D3, D7 Full access SOUNDING BETHNAL GREEN FRIDAYS 4, 11, 18 & 25 OCTOBER 19.00 – 21.00 (DOORS OPEN 18.45) Get to know the music and musicians flourishing in colourful Tower Hamlets today, and meet your neighbours! Combining Montage of photos by Nadia Nervo (Grand Union) performance, Grand Union Orchestra conversation and practical 020 8981 1551 workshop, each evening focuses C on a different local heritage – Full details here, no advance Bangladeshi, African-Caribbean, booking www.grandunion.org.uk/ Chinese, Balkan/East European, events.php Somali – presented by Grand B grandunionorchestra Union’s expert musicians and singers grandunionorchestra/?hl=en from these cultural communities. Pay what you can afford | Everyone
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CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 35 ST MARGARET’S HOUSE 21 Old Ford Road, D [email protected] E2 9PL B stmargaretshouse.org.uk 020 8980 2092 G stmargaretsLDN Full access F Bethnal Green, Cambridge Heath (Overground) A D3, D6, 254, 106, 205
how the British people may have felt about the arrival of immigrants from the Caribbean, and explore what settling in Britain was like for the Windrush’s passengers.
B FreshwaterTheatreCompany G Freshwater_TIE FREE | Families and children (under 13) ACTORS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS BY ICE&FIRE Photo Credit: Freshwater Theatre Company THEATRE THE QUEST FOR... TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER THE WINDRUSH - 18:30 – 21:00 FRESHWATER THEATRE Actors For Human Rights by Ice & WORKSHOP FOR Fire Theatre are rehearsed readings of first-hand accounts of stories CHILDREN AGED 5-11 exploring the UK asylum process, SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER performed by professional actors. This special Black History Month WORKSHOP 1: 13:15-14:15 reading will be followed by a Q&A (AGES 5-7) panel discussion. WORKSHOP 2: 14:30-15:30 B (AGES 8-11) iceandfireuk Meet our Time Traveller who will £5 solidarity / £3 standard / take you on a journey back in time £0 broke | 14+ event to the Windrush voyage; think about
36 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 ST PETERS NORTH COMMUNITY CENTRE 1 Marian Place, E2 9AX F Bethnal Green, Overground: Cambridge Full access Heath
Month. The sessions will include a bit PLAY THE MARIMBA of singing. Marimba runs from 18:00 AND MBIRA (KALIMBA) – 19:30 and mbira (kalimba) runs OF SOUTHERN AFRICA from 19:45 – 20:45. WEDNESDAYS 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 Taste of Southern Africa OCTOBER C07515 508934 18:00 – 21:00 www.tasteofsouthernafrica.com D [email protected] Play and explore folk songs and B tasteofsouthernafrica rhythms from Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana every £10 per session | Everyone Wednesday during Black History
UNLEASH THAT HIDDEN TALENT! LEARN WITH IDEA STORE Choose from over 800 exciting value for money courses to improve your skills, make new friends and fulfil your potential, at venues across Tower Hamlets. Inspiring and passionate, Idea Store tutors are experts in their fields. Here’s what our learners have said: ‘I enjoyed learning and the time and location of the course fitted into my lifestyle’ My tutor is excellent. I’m always interested and looking forward to the next lesson’ ‘It was a well-structured and informative course’ ‘Even if I’m tired before the class, I come out feeling energised’ ‘I enjoy learning from other students in the friendly social atmosphere’ Pick up a copy of the new Course Guide 2019 – 20 from your local Idea Store or browse the online Course Search: www.ideastore.co.uk/course-search
CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 37 TOWER HAMLETS LOCAL HISTORY LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES 277 Bancroft Road, C www.ideastore.co.uk/local-history E1 4DQ D [email protected] 020 7364 1290 B THLHA Full access G LBTHarchives F Stepney Green A 25, 205 CELEBRATING CLAUDE WOMEN UNITE MCKAY: POET AND AGAINST RACISM: ACTIVIST 25 YEARS ON THURSDAY 3 OCTOBER SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER 18:00 – 20:30 14:00 – 16:00 Join us to celebrate the life and In 1993, The British National activism of Jamaican-American Party won its first council seat in poet and activist Claude McKay a by-election in Tower Hamlets, who arrived in London’s east end where their candidate Derek 100 years ago. McKay became the Beackon won by seven votes. The first black newspaper editor in the election triggered fear in the Asian UK when he was hired to write community in Tower Hamlets and, for Sylvia Pankhurst’s Workers as a response, Julie Begum, Georgie Dreadnought. Historian S. I. Martin Wemyss and others set up Women will talk about his political activism Unite Against Racism (WUAR). The and its legacy today. The evening will group provided childcare services also include a panel discussion, Q&A to support women’s attendance at and readings of McKay’s poems. meetings and on demonstrations, Hosted in conjunction with the Philip to ensure women’s experiences and Morgan Legacy Group. Doors open voices were heard by taking it in at 6.00pm, talks begin from 6.30. turns to speak at rallies and setting up stalls to register women to vote, FREE | Adults empowering them to be part of the otherwise male dominated anti- racist struggle in Tower Hamlets. Join us to explore their activism To book either of the events on this more deeply and explore their legacy page, please email localhistory@ 25 years on. towerhamlets.gov.uk FREE | Adults 38 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 TOWER HAMLETS LOCAL HISTORY LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES
SOMALI HISTORY LAB: SOMALI HISTORY LAB: SOMALI PROTEST IN SOMALI PROTEST IN THE EAST END THE EAST END THURSDAY 10 OCTOBER THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER 18:00 – 19:30 16:00 – 18:00 Join Salma Bihi of NUMBI Arts to NUMBI Arts exploring the unique explore the unique library materials library materials chronicling the chronicling the history of Somali history of Somali protest in the East protest in the East End through End. Families will have a chance to discussion. create postcard art reflecting on protest. FREE (No booking required) | Adults FREE (No booking required) | Families & children 8+
CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 39 THE TROXY 490 Commercial Road, D [email protected] E1 0HX B TroxyLondon 020 7790 9000 G TroxyLondon F Limehouse (DLR) A 15, 115, 135, D3, N15, N550, N551
Image courtesy of The Troxy Seating is reserved for this event PNB ROCK and you will be automatically MONDAY 4 NOVEMBER assigned the best available seats within your chosen area. Seat DOORS 19:00, LAST ENTRY 21:00 details are available immediately Mixing hip-hop and RnB, Rakim after purchase. Please follow the “PnB Rock” Allen got his moniker link in your confirmation email if you from Pastorius and Baynton Streets wish to change your seats. Please in his hometown of Philadelphia. contact [email protected] with any The singer, songwriter and rapper queries. switched things up, taking things to another level on his second album Presented by Mensah Entertainment. TrapStar Turnt PopStar. Catch him £27.50+ | This is a 14+ event live at Troxy. (under 16s must be accompanied Accessible and carer ticketing by an adult and sat in the circle) information: https://support.dice. fm/article/178-accessibility-tickets’ to bottom of copy 40 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 WHITECHAPEL GALLERY 77 – 82 Whitechapel C www.whitechapelgallery.org High Street, E1 7QX D [email protected] 020 7522 7888 B WhitechapelGallery Full access whitechapelgallery G TheWhitechapel F Aldgate East, Liverpool Street A 25, 205, 254, 15, 115, 40, 42,45, 67, 35, 43,78,149, 242, 344, 388 ANNA MARIA MAIOLINO: MAKING LOVE REVOLUTIONARY WEDNESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER – SUNDAY 12 JANUARY 2020 TUES – WED AND FRI – SUN 11:00 – 18:00, THU 11:00 – 21:00 Born in Italy during World War II, Maiolino has lived in Brazil since 1960. Her oeuvre gives form to her experience of exile, deprivation and Entrevidas, Anna Maria Maiolino survival under authoritarian and Created under the radar of patriarchal regimes. Brazil’s military regime, Maiolino’s Her drawings and sculptures politically-charged films and constitute a lyrical geometry with photographs explore repression marks and voids suggesting an and hunger. Scarcity of food in alphabet, maps and topographies; her childhood and the social and meticulously sewn threads outline cultural deficiencies of daily life a journey of possible spatial shape the series Photopoemaction configurations. The upper galleries (1976–2000). A mouth opens and feature prints of the 1960s, and the closes, swallows an egg and expels radical shifts in the use of paper threads; bare feet tread carefully during the 1970s, moving from among scattered eggs. Black stains figuration to a dynamic abstraction and flowing lines may represent inspired by Neo-Concretism. alienation; or mutate to become symbols of love and regeneration. #AnnaMariaMaiolino
41CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY £9.50/£7.50 concs | Adults 41 WHITECHAPEL GALLERY
Anna Maria Maiolino Por um Fio, da série Fotopoemação (By a Thread, from the series Photopoemaction) 1976 Photo: Regina Vater Courtesy the artist Coinciding with the exhibition ART AND FEMINISMS Anna Maria Maiolino: Making Love IN LATIN AMERICA Revolutionary, the event draws on selected artworks to address SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER ideas around materiality, language 14:00 – 18:00 and subjectivity, considering the Convened by guest curator Kiki intersections between the personal Mazzucchelli, this afternoon of talks, and the political at times when readings and discussions invites voices are being silenced. artists, curators and academics to Full programme to be announced delve into art made by women in Latin America today. £12.50, £10.50 concs SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER Want to hear more about arts and events like this? Subscribe to our arts and events bulletin to get all the highlights delivered straight to your inbox: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/arts. You can also see what other fantastic e-newsletters Tower Hamlets Council sends out to help residents stay up to date with a range of news, events, special offers and more.
42 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 CALENDAR DATE EVENT Voices AUDIENCE PAGE Fri 13 Sep – Exhibition: Lina Iris Viktor: Some are Born to Endless Night — Adults 5 Sat 25 Jan 20 Dark Matter Wed 25 Sep – Exhibition: Anna Maria Maiolino: Making Love Revolutionary Adults 41 Sun 12 Jan 20 Fri 27 Sep – Exhibition: The Krios of Sierra Leone Everyone 25 Sun 27 Sep 20 Sat 28 – Sun 29 Sep Dance: Radical Integration Everyone 14 & Sat 2 – Sun 3 Nov Exhibition: Layers, A Celebration of Womanhood Everyone 10 Tue 1 – Wed 30 Oct Exhibition: Black Women in the Eyes of Maya Angelou Everyone 11 Tue 1 – Thu 31 Oct Exhibition: Somali East End Adults 21 Tue 1 – Thu 31 Oct Talks: London, Sugar and Slavery Everyone 25 Tue 1 Oct – Exhibition: Peter James Everyone 18 Sun 3 Nov Weds 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Workshop: Play the Marimba and Mbira (Kalimba) of Southern Everyone 37 October Africa Wed 2 – Fri 4 Oct Music: Courtney Pine Adults 6 Thu 3 Oct Talk: Celebrating Claude Mckay: Poet and Activist Adults 38 Thu 3, 10, 17, 24, Social workshops: Somali Women’s Group Somali women 12 31 Oct Showcase: Somali Women’s Conversations Club Present Somali Fri 4 Oct Everyone 18 Heritage Day Fri 4, 11, 18, 25 Music workshop: Sounding Bethnal Green Everyone 35 October Sat 5 Oct Talk: Women Unite Against Racism: 25 Years On Adults 38 Sun 6 Oct Afro Dance Xplosion- Hip Hop & Beats Taster Everyone 30 Mon 7 Oct Workshop: Sing with House Gospel Choir Everyone 31 Wed 9 Oct Music: The Three Degrees Adults 7 Film: The Watermelon Woman Cert 18 15 Thu 10 Oct Workshop: Somali History Lab: Somali Protest in the East End Adults 39 Fri 11 Oct Film: Black History Every Month: Selma Cert 12A 15 Families & Spoken word: Drag Queen Story Time 17 children (U13) Sat 12 Oct Workshop: Black Sheroes Month: Highlighting Afro Latin Everyone 31 Herstories Music: Legend: The Music of Bob Marley and the Wailers Adults 7 Workshop: Adzawele Ghanaian Dance Adults 21 Tue 15 Oct Film: Daughters of the Dust W/ We are Parable Cert PG 16 Talk: The Life and Times of Black Victorian Children in a Wed 16 Oct Everyone 22 Barnardo’s Home
CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 43 DATE EVENT Voices AUDIENCE PAGE Workshop: Spoken Word Poetry Adults, ESOL 20 Thu 17 Oct Film: Hero W/ Director Q&A Young adults 16 Dance: Afro Dance Xplosion: A Change is Coming Everyone 32 Talk: Africa through Poetry and Music Everyone 11 Fri 18 Oct LGBT, black Showcase: AZ Mag Live, Black Excellence 32 queer Fri 18-26 Oct Festival: Somali Week Festival Everyone 26 Workshop: Weaving Stories Everyone 19 Talk: Tracing Black Ancestry: Secrets of the 1817 Slave Adults, family 22 Sat 19 Oct Registers Uncovered Workshop: The Quest for... The Windrush - Freshwater Theatre 5-11 yrs 36 Performances: Making Black History Everyone 27 Sun 20 Oct Theatre: Home Everyone 33 Mon 21 – Fri 25 Course: Grime Pays 11-19 yrs 24 Reading: Actors for Human Rights by Ice & Fire Theatre 14+ 36 Tue 22 Oct Social gathering: Somali Women’s Health Social 50+ 23 Tue 22 - Thu 24 Oct Film: MC Scope Selects 11-19 yrs 24 Music: Horace Andy Adults 8 Wed 23 Oct Drama: Purple Moon Drama Present: Jollof Wars 12+ 28 Wed 23-25 Oct Workshops: Future Self Photography Project 11-19 yrs 24 Families & Workshop: Somali History Lab: Somali Protest in the East End 39 Thu 24 Oct children 8+ Film: Just Another Girl on the I.R.T Cert 15 16 Thu 24-25 Oct Music: Rose Windross Adults 9 Thu 24 Oct – 3 Nov Exhibition: Identity: Poly Styrene, A Retrospective Everyone 4 Thu 24 & 26 Oct Workshops: Grand Union Orchestra: Roots in Rhythm 12 – 18 yrs 28 Families & Drama: Same Same…but Different 17 children (U13) Sat 26 Oct Talk: Art and Feminisms in Latin America Adults 42 Music: Grand Union Orchestra Presents: Roots in Rhythm Everyone 29 Sun 27 Oct Performance: Mwalimu Express Family 33 Tue 29 Oct Film: I Am Not a Witch Cert 12A 16 Talk: Decolonising History Everyone 33 Wed 30 Oct Social: BHM Feast 11 – 18 yrs 13 Workshop: A Taste of West African & Jamaican Traditional Thu 31 Oct Adults 34 Cuisine Sat 2 Nov Music: Dendê Nation presents… Noite Dos Tambores No Leste Everyone 29 Mon 4 Nov Music: PNB 14+ 40
44 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 VENUES
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R S 6. Bromley South 19. Shadwell Centre O E A D H C N A M Island Spotlight 20. St John on Gardens 7. Chisenhale Dance Bethnal Green Space 21. St Margaret’s House 8. Genesis Cinema 22. St Peters North 9. Half Moon Theatre Community Centre 10. Idea Store Bow 23. Tower Hamlets Local 11. Idea Store Canary History Library and Wharf Archives 12. Idea Store Chrisp Street 24. The Troxy 13. Idea Store Whitechapel 25. Whitechapel Gallery 14. Lansbury Spotlight CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 45 TONI MORRISON 1931 - 2019
Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison Dies at 88
Toni Morrison speaking at “A Tribute to Chinua Achebe - 50 Years Anniversary of ‘Things Fall Apart’”. The Town Hall, New York City, February 26th 2008
By Angela Radulescu
46 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019 Chloe Anthony Wofford “Toni” Morrison (born Chloe Ardelia Wofford; February 18, 1931 – August 5, 2019) was a literary giant and pioneer on so many fronts, particularly in relation to her chronicling of the black experience, the versatility of her narration and the ensuing success of her writing both commercially and critically. Novelist, essayist, editor, teacher, and professor emeritus at Princeton University, Morrison’s first novel, The Bluest Eye, was published in 1970. Song of Solomon (1977) brought her critical acclaim and national attention through winning the National Book Critics Circle Award and ground- breaking novel Beloved (1987), earned her both the Pulitzer Prize and the American Book Award. Born and raised in Lorain, Ohio, Morrison graduated from Howard University in1953 (where she later taught), and went onto study at Cornell University. In the late 1960s, she became the first black female editor in fiction at Random House in New York City, developing her own reputation as an author in the 1970s and 80s. Morrison’s glittering career included the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993. This is the same year that she was selected by the National Endowment for the Humanities for the highly prized position of delivering the Jefferson Lecture in 1996, and awarded the National Book Foundation’s Medal of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. On May 29, 2012, President Barack Obama presented Morrison with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2016, she received the PEN/Saul Bellow Award for Achievement in American Fiction. The uncomfortable truths of slavery and its legacy form the core her work, as well as the impacts of inherited culture within families and communities as passed down through generations. A staple of academic syllabuses as well as a popular choice on numerous reading lists, her work continues to make universal connections. Morrison’s directness is embodied by the following quote from a character in “Beloved”, “She is a friend of my mind,” “She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order. It’s good, you know, when you got a woman who is a friend of your mind.”
Toni Morrison speaking at “A Tribute to Chinua Achebe - 50 Years Anniversary of ‘Things Fall Apart’”. The Town Hall, New York City, February 26th 2008
By Angela Radulescu
CELEBRATING ARTS, CULTURE AND HISTORY 47 Image courtesy of Boisdale, Canary Wharf LOG ON FOR WHAT’S ON For up to date programme information please visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/arts Follow us on twitter: THevents, and on Facebook: TowerHamletsEvents #THbhm If you need this in another/larger format, please email [email protected] Tower Hamlets Council cannot take responsibility for any of the events mentioned in this brochure or for any incidents that may take place. Please take care of all personal belongings. It is advisable to contact the venue before you leave to check access arrangements. For further information on transport links visit www.tfl.gov.uk or call 0343 222 1234.
48 BLACK HISTORY MONTH | OCTOBER 2019