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

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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. Age 15 to 18 A Black and British History: Time: 6pm - 9pm All the World’s a Stage – exhibition Renee Russell and Malorie Blackman. 7.30pm Venue: Peckham Plex, 95A Rye Lane, Photographs and interviews with Tuesday 8 October The Jamaican Slaves Who Blue Anchor Library: Venue: Canada Water Theatre, 21 Poetry Workshops Peckham, London SE15 4ST British Black actors and playwrights. Abolished Slavery Market Place, Southwark Park Road, Commissioned by the Theatre@Draper Surrey Quays Road, Rotherhithe, Dance Workshops W: www.southwarklgbtnetwork.com SE16 3UQ Hall and curated by Nick Awde (The London SE16 7AR 6pm - 8pm. Age 8 to 12 Tuesday 1 October, 4pm to 5pm Stage) and Isabel Appio (The Voice). Tickets: £10 full price, £7 concessions, Wednesday 9 October Canada Water Library: £5 group tickets for matinee Dance Workshops 10 OCTOBER In addition to these Draper Together 21 Surrey Quays Road, SE16 7AR Book by phone or in person only. 6pm - 8pm. Age 13 to 15 The Conversation events, there will other BHM events, Thursday 3 October 4pm to 5pm including screenings of African films Contact the Box Office for more Tuesday 15 October This experimental short film, directed followed by a Q&A, and the premiere of Camberwell Library: information. Dance Workshops by Peter Lowe, tackles feelings of racial 48 Camberwell Green, Camberwell, prejudice and alienation, through the staged readings of Black playwrights T: 020 8692 4446 6 pm- 8pm. Age 8 to 12 SE5 7AL Author and trailblazing genealogist real life PhD thesis of TC Smith. The directed by famous theatre directors. Monday 21 October Saturday 5 October 2pm to 4pm E: [email protected] Paul Crooks tells of the forgotten film will be followed by a discussion Time: 11am – 3pm or by appointment T-Shirt Graffiti Workshops Grove Vale Library: 18-22 Grove Vale, W: www.canadawatertheatre.org. history of the slaves who abolished with the cast and director. 12pm - 4pm. Age 8 to 18 Venue: Draper Hall, Hampton Street East Dulwich, SE22 8EF uk/2428/Legacy-and-Hope slavery. Paul will implicate his Time: 6.30pm – 7.45pm junction with Newington Butts Monday 7 October 4pm to 5pm Tuesday 22 October ancestors in the uprising, which SE17 3AN T-Shirt Graffiti Workshops ultimately brought the system of Venue: Dulwich Library, 368 Lordship Peckham Library: 122 Peckham Hill 4 OCTOBER Lane, SE22 8NB E: [email protected] Street, SE15 5JR 12pm - 4pm. Age 8 to 18 slavery to its knees. Celebrating the Steel Pan E: [email protected] W: www.drapertogether.org Tuesday 8 October 4pm to 5pm Wednesday 23 October Time: 6pm - 7.45pm This event will include a presentation T-Shirt Graffiti Workshops W: www.southwark.gov.uk/events John Harvard Library: 211 Borough Venue: Dulwich Library, 368 Lordship on the origins and history of the steel 12pm - 4pm. Age 8 to 18 High Street, SE1 1JA Lane, SE22 8NB pan, then a lively selection of music, THROUGHOUT OCTOBER Thursday 24 October, 3.30pm to 4.30pm Venue: Bede Centre, Abbeyfield Road, played by the Royal Steel Pan Group. Tickets: Book via Eventbrite Strength and Hope East Street Library: 168-170 Old Kent SE16 2BS Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm E: [email protected] Weekly spoken word workshop for Road, SE1 5TY Please contact Fokrul or Theresa at Black/African/mixed heritage people. Saturday 26 October, 11am to 12pm Venue: All Saints Church Hall, least one week before the event. Do W: www.jsas.eventbrite.co.uk Co-facilitated by a prominent Southwark Brandon Library: Maddock Way, Blenheim Grove, Peckham, SE15 4QS not turn up without booking. Spaces based spoken word artist and our Cooks Road, SE17 3NH E: [email protected] are limited and consent forms to in-house published poet. Saturday 26 October, 2.30pm to 3.30pm W: www.pecan.org.uk participate may be required.

4 southwark.gov.uk Black History Month 2019 Black History Month 2019 southwark.gov.uk 5 THROUGHOUT OCTOBER 13 OCTOBER 17 OCTOBER 11 to 18 year olds. 19 OCTOBER 21 - 27 OCTOBER Caribbean Family History Workshop Mandela’s African Tales for Children: Black Poppies: author event Time: 5pm – 6pm and 6.30pm – Piano recital of music by Young, Gifted and Black: a week Research your The Snake with Seven Heads, show with Stephen Bourne 7.30pm Black composers long festival Caribbean and meal Stephen Bourne presents an illustrated Venue: Kingswood House, Seeley Join us for a piano recital of music by Young, Gifted and Black is a week-long Family History Drive, SE21 8QR Children will be supported to produce talk about the recently published Black composers, from classical to event delivering a varied programme with Anne-Marie the props that will be used during the second edition of Black Poppies, his Tickets: No ticket required - first come jazz, with pianist Lorraine Liyanage. of activities for different age groups, Windross. Find out family names and performance, followed by a hot meal award-winning book which explores first served. Open to all ages. educating and celebrating with young trace your ancestors. You may just be (vegan option available). All included in the lives of Black servicemen and Time: 7pm - 8pm people the history and importance of starting out or in the middle of your E: [email protected] the ticket price. Britain’s Black community, during the Black British talent. search. This session is interactive and Venue: St Barnabas Parish Hall, 23 First World War. Time: Various times gives you the chance to learn how you Time: 5pm - 8pm Dulwich Village, London SE21 7BT Time: 6.30pm - 7.50pm 19 OCTOBER can take your search further. Venue: Draper Hall, Hampton Street Tickets: Venue: Theatre Peckham The Linnean Society of London Thursday 10 October 6pm to 7.30pm. junction with Newington Butts Venue: Camberwell Library, www.bhmpiano.eventbrite.com Tickets: £5 or £10 depending on the Camberwell Library Hall, SE17 3AN Camberwell Green SE5 Presents: Unsung Black Scientists E: [email protected] activity 48 Camberwell Green, SE5 7AL Tickets: £6, concessions £4 E: Southwark.libraries@southwark. Come and join us for this exciting W: www.dulwichmusicfestival.co.uk E: [email protected] Monday 14 October 5.30pm to 7pm. gov.uk printmaking workshop! Participants W: www.mandela-tales-children. T: 020 7708 5401 John Harvard Hall, 211 Borough High will discover a range of natural eventbrite.co.uk historians, past and present, with Street, SE1 1JA 19 OCTOBER W: www.theatrepeckham.co.uk E: [email protected] emphasis on Black and minority Thursday 17 October 6pm to 7.30pm. scientists. Finished work can be Lyrical Youth Dulwich Library Hall, Lordship Lane, submitted to the Linnean Society Do you have something to say and are 22 OCTOBER SE22 8NB WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER Biomedia Meltdown competition, with searching for a new way to say it? This Screening and talk with David E: Southwark.libraries@southwark. a chance to win prizes for artistic and The Pocket History workshop will be led by award winning Olusoga about his documentary gov.uk scientific merit. poet and founder of Poetic Unity Ragz- The Pocket History: an illustrated The Unwanted: The Secret W: www.southwark.gov.uk/libraries musical talk on London’s 18th century Suitable for ages 7 to 14 years, parents CV, to help young people have a voice Windrush Files Black history. The evening will be a and carers. and to develop their confidence and lively introduction to some of London’s self esteem, using poetry as a tool. The Windrush scandal saw legitimate 12 OCTOBER most popular characters of all classes, Time: 1.30pm - 2.30pm and 3pm - 4pm British citizens cast as illegal Culture Tree Centre celebrates told through song. This event will be immigrants. David Olusoga uses secret Venue: Kingswood House, Black History Month BSL interpreted. files to reveal how, for Caribbean Seeley Drive, SE21 8QR migrants, this was 70 years in the A special African drumming and Time: 7pm Tickets: No ticket required - first come making. Q&A follows. traditional storytelling event. Join us Venue: The Prince of Peckham Pub, first served. Time: 7.30pm – 9.15pm for a fun day of drumming, singing, 1 Clayton Road, London SE15 5JA dancing and storytelling. FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER E: [email protected] Venue: Draper Hall, Hampton Street E: [email protected] Time: 12 noon - 4pm Iroko Theatre Storytelling junction with Newington Butts W: www.illuminated-arts.com SE17 3AN Venue: Culture Tree Centre, 163 Join Iroko Theatre Company for a 20 OCTOBER story and workshop full of music, Commercial Way, London SE15 1AU www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-pocket- Time Travelling with the Jazz Queens Tickets: £7 Evenbtrite history-tickets-66965496603 play and performance, involving Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ www.the-unwanted.eventbrite.co.uk drumming, dancing and singing. Iroko Join singer Helen McDonald and culturetree-centre-celebrates-black- E: [email protected] is a dynamic traditional African theatre Future Groove for a journey through history-month-tickets-67528953919 16 OCTOBER company. time, introducing little ears to the world W: www.drapertogether.org of jazz music. Meet the Jazz Queens E: [email protected] Meet the Author Alex Wheatle (MBE) Suitable for ages 5 to 11. Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Nina W: www.culturetree.co.uk Author of thrilling teenage books, Time: 5.45pm Time: 11am to 12.30pm and 2pm to Simone through celebration, rhyme 22 OCTOBER Alex Wheatle will talk about his life 3.30pm and storytelling. The Herero Genocide experience, and how it has influenced Venue: Dulwich Wood Primary School, Venue: Peckham Library, 122 12 OCTOBER his writing. The winner of The Guardian Bowen Drive, Dulwich, SE21 8NS Time: 3pm – 5pm Vasco Stevenson will be giving a talk Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR South by South: film screening Children’s Fiction Prize with Crongton Tickets: No ticket required - first come Venue: Ketra Community Hall, Telfer on the Herero genocide after Germany and panel discussion Knights, Alex has also written plays first served. Tickets: Book by emailing name(s) House, Seeley Drive, Kingswood gained control of what is now Namibia. and toured with his one man auto- and age(s) of those attending. Or Estate, London SE21 8QW This wholesale slaughter culminated in A screening of Douvan Jou Ka Leve E: [email protected] biographical performance, Uprising. inform a member of staff at Peckham the first concentration camp of the 20th (The Sun Will Rise) directed by Gessica Tickets: No ticket required. Entry on a E: [email protected] Library. century. The German government Suitable for ages 15 plus and adults. Généus, followed by a panel discussion first come first served basis. has agreed to refer to this atrocity as E: [email protected] focusing on issues around mental health, Time: 6pm to 7pm E: [email protected] genocide but has dismissed any call maternal relationships and religious W: Southwark.libraries@southwark. Venue: Dulwich Library, 368 Lordship 19 OCTOBER for reparations. struggles explored within the film. gov.uk Lane, SE22 8NB HIP HOP with Kloe Dean Time: 5.30pm – 7.30pm Time: 4pm - 6pm W: www.southwark.gov.uk/libraries Tickets: Book at www.eventbrite. An upbeat, fun, yet informative Venue: Dulwich Library, 368 Lordship Venue: South London Gallery, Clore com/e/alex-wheatle-author-event- session journeying through Hip Hop Lane, SE22 8NB Studio, 65-67 Peckham Road, London tickets-66310894671 foundations, developing variations, SE5 8UH textures and performance technique, E: [email protected] E: Southwark.libraries@southwark. T: 020 7703 6120 which will be utilised in both W: www.southwark.gov.uk/events gov.uk choreography and freestyle throughout W: www.southlondongallery.org W: www.southwark.gov.uk/libraries the session.

6 southwark.gov.uk Black History Month 2019 Black History Month 2019 southwark.gov.uk 7 LATE OCTOBER Time: 12pm - 4pm 26 OCTOBER Way Back When… Venue: The Dockland Settlements Standing on the shoulders of giants: Community Centre, 400 Salter Road, A playful Rotherhithe, SE16 5AA the Bristol Bus Boycott Musical storytelling A short musical, inspired by the Bristol performance and T: 020 7231 7108 Bus Boycott of 1963, which arose when workshop for E: docklandsettlements.org.uk the Bristol Omnibus Company refused families, created to employ Black or Asian people in their W: www.bizziebodies.co.uk by Blue Elephant driving crews. Theatre. Weaving Time: 4pm – 5:30pm together African 25 OCTOBER and Caribbean folklore and factual Venue: Draper Hall, Hampton Street history, Way Back When… celebrates Southwark Everywoman’s Centre junction with Newington Butts, SE17 3AN the efforts of previous generations, presents Black History Month Tickets: Please reserve your seat finding inspiration for today. Join us for a day of stories of heroes E: [email protected] Tuesday 22 October – Peckham from Black History, workshops Library, 2pm on healthy living, and a display of W: www.bristol-bus-musical.eventbrite. traditional African dresses and clothes. co.uk Venue: Peckham Library, 5th Floor, Children’s Pod, 122 Peckham Hill Time: 11am to 4pm Street, SE15 5JR Venue: Cambridge House, Camberwell UP TO SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER Saturday 26 October – Blue Elephant Road, London SE5 0HF Anansi the Spider Theatre, 11.30am E: [email protected] Long ago, Venue: Blue Elephant Theatre, 59a the cleverest Bethwin Road, SE5 0XT T: 07572 249 881 or 07986 994 074 of the animal kingdom was Saturday 26 October – Brandon W: www.southwarkevery the spider, Library, 2pm womanscentre.org the infamous Venue: Brandon Library, Maddock 26 OCTOBER Anansi. But Way, Cooks Road, SE17 3NH sometimes Our Future, Our Hopes T: 020 7701 0100 the spider Young people from across Southwark hoaxer could E: [email protected] share what Black History means to be a little too W: www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk them, in terms of legacy, but also their clever for his hopes and aspirations for the future. own good. 23 OCTOBER Time: 2pm – 3pm Weekend and weekday performances available. See Venue: Southwark Playhouse TAYOTOONS cartoon workshop website for times. TAYOTOONS rollercoaster cartoon E: [email protected] Venue: The Unicorn Theatre, 147 workshop for ages 6 to 13. Helping them T: 020 7407 0234 Tooley Street, London SE1 2HZ to learn the importance of having role models for a brighter and hopeful future. W: www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk Tickets: Under 18s: £10 to £14 Adults: £10 to £20 Time: 4pm – 5.30pm [email protected] Venue: D’Eynsford TMO Community 26 OCTOBER T: 020 7645 0560 Room, 38 Mary Datchelor Close, Draper Voices: documentary Camberwell, London SE5 7AX celebrating BME residents on W: www.unicorntheatre.com/Anansi Tickets: Booking essential the Draper Estate T: 020 7525 0745 or 07802 970 511 Draper Voices is a documentary 30 OCTOBER collection of BME residents’ E: [email protected] A Legacy of Hope Celebration experiences of living on the Draper E: [email protected] estate in Elephant and Castle. Our Legacy of Hope event celebrates the achievements of Southwark W: www.facebook.com/deynsford Time: 5pm – 5:30pm residents from BME communities. Venue: Draper Hall, Hampton Street Come and enjoy a day of fun activities 25 OCTOBER junction with Newington Butts and raise mental health awareness. SE17 3AN WE! Festival Time: 10am – 4pm A free festival of Black heritage Tickets: Please reserve Venue: Damilola Taylor Community and culture with games for children, E: [email protected] Centre, 1 East Surrey Grove, SE15 6DR storytelling, African drumming W: www.drapertogether.org E: [email protected] performances and workshops, African dance performances and workshops, T: 0300 030 1233 and a new technology workshop W: www.hope-celebration.eventbrite. for families. co.uk

8 southwark.gov.uk Black History Month 2019