Black History Month in Southwark
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BLACK HISTORY Don’t miss out on this October’s MONTH amazing events! OCTOBER 2019 Most events are FREE unless stated Exploring the heritage otherwise. and history of Southwark’s African, Caribbean and diaspora communities. #BHM2019 @lb_southwark facebook.com/southwarkcouncil @southwarkcouncil Interview with author FOREWORD As the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, Equalities and Communities I am delighted to ALEX WHEATLE be able to introduce the programme of events to celebrate this year’s Black History Month in Southwark. This month is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the important cultural contribution the Black community has made, and continues to make, to both the culture of Alex Wheatle is the Southwark and our nation. The events are an excellent way to bring communities together author of several novels, and strengthen the social fabric of our amazing, diverse and vibrant borough. some of them set in This brochure contains events taking place throughout October across the width and length of the borough. From Borough in the north to Dulwich in the south, events will cater Councillor Rebecca Lury Brixton, where he grew up. for all ages and provide a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities, held together by the Cabinet Member common thread of Black History. for Culture, Leisure, Equalities and Born in London of Jamaican parents, All events are free or low cost; so please get involved, engage and be inspired. Communities his first book, Brixton Rock (1999), tells the story of a 16-year old boy of mixed race in 1980s Brixton. Brixton For more information on Black History Month or to download a copy of this brochure, visit Rock was adapted for the stage www.southwark.gov.uk/BHM2019 and performed at the Young Vic in A limited number of brochures are available from local libraries. 2010. Its sequel, Brenton Brown, was published in 2011. His second novel, East of Acre Lane (2001), has a similar setting, and won a London Arts Board New Writers whole foundation. There were other Why did you choose to write for Award. A prequel, Island Songs, set reggae artists too that I must mention; in Jamaica, was published in 2005, young people 11 years and above? Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, and a sequel, Dirty South, in 2008 and Alex: It’s not easy as a UK Black man Sugar Minott, Jimmy Cliff and Johnny this year he was awarded an MBE for gaining a foothold in the adult literature Osbourne. Reggae music made me services to literature. world. In terms of profile, reviews, and believe I could contribute. recognition it can be extremely difficult. In 2010, he wrote and toured the one- Over the years you have worked at man autobiographical performance, In 14 years writing adult fiction, I only Uprising. His play, Shame and received an invitation to a major literary several libraries - what do they mean Scandal, had its debut at the Albany festival once. I’ve always written about for you? Theatre, Deptford in October 2015. young people. You can change the thinking and mind-set of teenagers, Alex: Any progressive country that In 2016 Alex won the Guardian cares for its residents should have children’s fiction prize with his book with challenging narratives, more easily than with adults. libraries in all its regions, especially Crongton Knights. the poorer communities. It’s a space BHM in the UK started in 1987. As In what way do you think your where you can learn at any age and not have to pay a penny. It’s a space that early life experience at Shirley Oaks you were born in 1963 it would not was crucial for my own reading and have been an influence on you as a Children’s Home has influenced writing development. The closure of libraries distresses me because it’s one child. Are you able to comment on your writing? of the most valuable resources in our Alex: My experience of Shirley Oaks is what a difference it might have made communities. the major influence on all of my work. to you growing up if it had been in It taught me empathy. It taught me that What is next on your writing existence then? there is a class below working class. journey? And that class deserves its place in Alex: I was brought up in a harsh literature and a platform. Often this Alex: I’m working on a slave rebellion children’s home and at times racist class is forgotten but I never will forget. story based on a real historical incident attitudes were prevalent. So any that is set in Jamaica. All I can say representation of positive Black role The theme of Black History Month is that while writing it I found myself models for me would have been greatly weeping. beneficial. I was raised to believe that 2019 is ‘A legacy of strength, a Black people were inferior. future of hope’. Is there a historic Alex will be talking about his life figure that embodies this for you? I would have definitely valued myself experience and writing at a Meet higher and been more confident in my Alex: Reggae music transformed me, the Author event on Wednesday Black skin if there was anything in my and my sense of value, so I have to go 16 October at Dulwich Library. See world that showed Black people in a back to the legendary Bob Marley. His listings for booking information. positive light. lyrics moved me immensely; shook my 2 southwark.gov.uk Black History Month 2019 Black History Month 2019 southwark.gov.uk 3 All events are 5 OCTOBER T: 020 7237 8930 for Learning FREE WITH NO Disability activities THROUGHOUT OCTOBER Black Panther the film - real African Information meetings on adoption NEED TO BOOK 020 7231 6027 for Youth (BYAP) EVENT LISTINGS history and the books to prove it! activities and fostering unless stated Interactive audio-visual presentation This culminates in an evening event w: www.bedehouse.org Could you make a difference to a EVERY WEDNESDAY AND featuring poetry performances, otherwise. with photos, art and trailers from the child’s life? Caring, loving and patient FRIDAY IN OCTOBER keynote speakers, Q&A, light movie alongside quotes and interviews Black parents are needed to support from the director, actors and writers, Black children in care. Whether it is Cultural Exchange refreshments, and fun. THROUGHOUT OCTOBER to illustrate the actual Black history to build your family or help children in Spoken Word afternoon workshops: African Connections Workshops on the Afro-Brazilian shown in the film Black Panther. your community – get in touch now. martial art Capoeira, and associated Wednesdays 2, 9, 16, and 23 October Dulwich Library: 368 Lordship Lane, Three evenings exploring African Fostering – Tuesday 8 October, dances and rhythms, as well as public SE22 8NB Time: 7pm – 9pm connections. London history with Evening event: Tuesday 29 October 6pm - 7.30pm displays and artistic presentations Thursday 31 October, 4.30pm to 6pm Venue: Draper Hall, Hampton Street Blue Badge Guide Kelly Foster; poetry Time: Weekly spoken word workshops: to celebrate the fight for freedom of Nunhead Library: Gordon Road, junction with Newington Butts performance with Jacob Sam-La Rose Adoption - Saturday 26 October, 2pm - 4pm African slaves in Brazil. SE15 3RW SE17 3AN and drums from Mohamed Gueye, and 11am - 1pm Evening event: 6pm - 9pm Time: Fridays 5pm - 6pm for kids Thursday 31 October, 5pm to 6pm Ticket Price Up to £7. African cinema with a guest speaker. Venue: Canada Water Library, 21 Venue: Blackfriars Settlement, workshops, Wednesdays and Fridays E: [email protected] Book via Eventbrite Monday 7 October Surrey Quays Road, Rotherhithe, The Orb Space, 1 Rushworth Street 6pm - 7pm for adults workshops London History Talk London, SE16 7AR London SE1 0RB W: www.southwark.gov.uk/libraries E: [email protected] 7pm - 8.30pm E: [email protected] Venue: Husky Studios, 29A Amelia W: www.real-black-panther.eventbrite. Tickets: Limited places for workshop. E: [email protected] Street, SE17 3PY co.uk Monday 14 October E: [email protected] 2 OCTOBER Tickets: Please book your place by Poetry and Drumming T: 0800 952 0707 Legacy and Hope Concert text, WhatsApp or email T: 020 7960 4628 7pm - 8.30pm W: www.southwark.gov.uk/adoption Come and join (The Orb: Leila/Liz/Renuka) THROUGHOUT OCTOBER Monday 21 October W: www.southwark.gov.uk/fostering E: [email protected] Pegasus Opera w: www.blackfriars-settlement.org.uk CelebrateBlackHistoryMonth@ African Cinema T: 07502 242 102 for the Legacy and 6.30pm - 8.30pm Hope concert, Bede2019 W: www.culturalexchange.org.uk 10 OCTOBER featuring Britain’s For young people and those with Venue: The Dragon Café, St George Southwark LGBT Network presents... W: www.capolondon.com THROUGHOUT OCTOBER leading Black learning difficulties. Poetry workshop the Martyr Church, Borough High Book Reading Fun for Kids classical singers exploring identity and culture. Street, London SE1 1JA Rafiki We celebrate inspirational scientific performing gospel, Dance workshops exploring rhythm E: [email protected] The Southwark LGBT Network will TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND spirituals, opera, and movement.T-shirt printing inventions and amazing people W: www.dragoncafe.co.uk be showing the film Rafiki. Banned in THURSDAYS THROUGHOUT from African Caribbean and African musical theatre, and and Graffiti Art. Kenya for promoting lesbian romance, OCTOBER American history. We will have music inspired by Monday 7 October the screening will be followed by a the Black diaspora. Q&A, with local community leaders. The Bridge of Voices: crosswords, word searches and great Poetry Workshops 8 OCTOBER books, from popular authors like Rachel Time: 1.30pm and 6pm - 8pm.