Lambeth Libraries Black History Month 2011

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Welcome to this year’s Black History Month celebrations in Lambeth, managed by Lambeth Libraries and Archives services of Lambeth Council.

Black History Month is one of the most popular and exciting events in the council’s calendar and we are sure that this year’s programme will live up to your expectations. There will be a mixture of inspirational and thought provoking events to celebrate Black History.

Please come and join us at some of the events throughout October - And while you are there; if you are not already a member, why not join the library to take advantage of the many services that we provide?

Programme events

Martin Luther King Jnr – Richard Reddie

Date: Wednesday 5 October
Venue: South Lambeth Library. 180 South Lambeth Road. SW8 1QP
Time: 7pm

Martin Luther King's public life lasted only 13 years - yet in that time, he changed the USA's attitude to civil rights forever and continues to inspire human rights movements today. But who was the real Martin Luther King? Richard Reddie, in his new book, provides a lively, highly informative, thought-provoking reappraisal of this famous man, showing how King was not a 'moderate' but a radical individual whose ideas on peace, war, poverty, social justice and equality were well ahead of his time and still relevant today.

Richard Reddie was Project Director for the Churches Together in England's initiative to mark the bicentenary of the 1807 Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. Previously he was Education Policy Officer for Race on the Agenda and his book, Black Muslims in Britain was adapted into a high profile Radio 4 documentary in December 2010.

‘Gifted at Primary, Failing at Secondary’

Date: Thursday 6 October
Venue: Brixton Library, Brixton Oval. SW21JQ
Time: 7pm
What distractions does your child have in their bedroom? A television? A stereo? A games console? A mobile phone? Is this the same room where you expect them to do homework?
Neil Mayers is a former Head of GCSE Maths, Head of Inclusion and Head of Year. He has helped entire classes pass GCSE maths as early as Year 8. He is the author of Gifted At Primary, Failing By Secondary: a manual to help parents support their children through school.

Neil will be delivering a free workshop and Q&A session based on his book, at Brixton Library – all welcome.

www.giftedatprimary.com

Malika Booker & Roger Robinson present – Absolution and Shadow Boxer

Date: Wednesday 12 October
Venue: Brixton Library, Brixton Oval. SW21JQ
Time: 7pm
In 2001 Malika Booker and Roger Robinson were individually commissioned by Apples and Snakes to devise solo shows. 2011 marks a decade since these landmark solo shows Shadow Boxer and Absolution were performed.
Now they are to be commemorated and conserved in the form of two limited edition spoken-word albums and to celebrate Black History Month this October both artists will perform excerpts of these two shows together for a limited engagement.
"Booker is a consummate storyteller, full of charm...." Time Out

“The live equivalent of Cinema Paradiso except with Kung Fu films and playboy uncles " Time Out London on Shadow Boxer

Don’t miss what looks like being a fantastic poetry happening

Ansel Wong – Trinidadian activist - illustrated talk by Anne-Marie Sandos from the Black Cultural Archive

Date: Thursday 20 October
Venue: Streatham Library. 63 Streatham High Road. SW16 1PL
Time: 7pm

Ansel Wong came to Britain from Trinidad in the 1960s and went on to be chairman of the West Indian Students Union, editing a number of their publications and contributing articles. His arts organisation, the Black Arts Workshop, regularly held workshop sessions and staged productions with the support of the Union.

From then on his career ranged from setting up schools in Brixton for young people disadvantaged by the education system, through to Dept CEO of Lambeth Council and working on the GLC. His activism continued through tireless work with numerous voluntary groups and writing for Grassroots Newspaper, the monthly publication of the Black Liberation Front, using the pseudonym of Ade Kimathi.

In 2008 Ansel’s papers were donated to the Black Cultural Archives in one large chest – come along and hear about the work of the BCA and the uncovering of one mans work.

Lambeth Life through the Lens – Creative Writing workshop with Courttia Newland

Date: Saturday 22 October
Venue: Minet Library. 52 Knatchbull Road. SE5 9QY
Time: 10am – 4pm

Using Harry Jacobs wonderful book, and collection of photographs of Brixtonians from the 1950s to 1990s you will do fun exercises, and imagine a world gone by. Discover real life characters and how life was lived in this vibrant corner of south London. A practical workshop for writers of all levels.

Courttia Newland is the author of six books. His latest, A Book of Blues,
was published in March 2011 and nominated for the Frank O’ Conner Award. He also writes for the stage and screen.

JA Incorporated - ‘Fees and Disillusion’ – live and direct!

Date: Friday 28 October
Venue: Brixton Library, Brixton Oval. SW21JQ
Time: 7pm

The Mighty J.A. Incorporated, featuring Steven Gibbs (ten/sop sax & Riddim Box sound system style) Guest Star Paul Coates (Keyboards, Piano), present the Premier of ‘Fees and Disillusion’.

Playing live and direct, presenting original Reggae/Dancehall/Jazz Music that we call ACOUSTIC DUB!

This Multi-Media Performance involving, music, visuals and narration gives and takes a hard look into our society from past, present and future generations - the sus laws, the McPherson report, the death of Smiley Culture, Stephen Lawrence, and many, many more.

How to mend a broken generation to come with LOVE!!!

HANSIB Publications, which specialises in African and Caribbean books, will be giving a short talk before the performance.

Exhibitions

‘Hair Routes’ Exhibition

Dates: 1 to 31 October
Venue: Carnegie Library. 188 Herne Hill Road, SE24 0AG

‘Hair Routes’ artwork is 3D mosaic landscape of Lambeth where all the roads are made with different kinds of hair (from wigs & extensions).

Landscape has come to mean many things, in the past to describe the natural environment. In the global 21st century ‘landscape’ can mean many things: the environment of cities, the backdrop of industry, the internalised map of a world which we carry inside our heads and the patterns of our changing demographics.

Hair, which is such a personal part of ourselves, is synonymous with so many different cultural values and is such an identifying marker for our different peoples that it felt very appropriate to use it for our 'routes' through South London, a pathway of connections.

Treasures of the Black Cultural Archives Exhibition

Dates: Wednesday 5 – Sunday 9 October
Venue: Brockwell Hall, Brockwell Park, Herne Hill SE24
www.brockwellpark.com

The exhibition at Brockwell Hall, Brockwell Park, will feature material from the Black Cultural Archives and a chance to find out more about the Black heritage centre soon to open in Windrush Square

The Black Cultural Archives will be opening the UK’s first dedicated Black heritage centre soon. Join us to find out more about this exciting project and explore some of our fascinating exhibits.

Children and Young People’s Events and Activities

Lambeth libraries children services celebrates Black History Month by acknowledging the lives of great sportsmen and sportswomen of our time both past and present. Why not enter our poetry competition or participate in the range of events organised for children and young people organised during Black History Month.

Poetry Writing Workshop
Are you a budding poet? If you are interested in writing poetry and would like to get ideas and tips come along to our poetry workshop, hosted by multi award winner and author of LoveLife6958, Christopher Syrus, and produce your own piece of original work

Date: Monday 3 October, 5pm
Venue: Streatham Library. 63 Streatham High Road, SW16 1PL
Ages 7 years plus

Traditional tales from Africa and the Caribbean for under 5s
Writer and performance storyteller Sandra Agard brings to life traditional tales to celebrate Black History Month, especially the antics of trickster Anancy.

Date: Tuesday 18 October, 10.30am
Venue: Brixton Library. Brixton Oval. SW2 1JQ

Date: Tuesday 28 October, 2.30pm
Venue: Carnegie Library. 188 Herne Hill Road. SE24 0AG

Half Term Events

The Debate- What happened? A country that hits crisis point
Recent events around the country raise many questions of what led to a national crisis and what were the causes surrounding it. This is a debate for young people and adults alike to discuss.

The evening will end with a performance by our host Christopher Syrus of his experience of being in prison.

Date: Friday 21 October, 7pm
Venue: Brixton Library. Brixton Oval. SW2 1JQ

A not to be missed event

African and Caribbean Tales
Performance artist Winston Nzinga is an accomplished storyteller, percussionist, dancer, singer and teacher. Winston will be performing interactive storytelling sessions for children aged 5 -11 years.

Date: Tuesday 25 October, 2.30pm
Venue: Minet Library. 52 Knatchbull Road. SE5 9QY

Sessions are limited to 30 places: Booking essential

Circus skills and storytelling performance with Emmanuel the Magnificent
Ghanaian born, Emmanuel the Magnificent brings to life traditional and cultural circus skills including hat juggling and African bowl spinning and acrobatics in this mind-blowing Interactive performance. This is a very lively, energetic and charismatic performance for both adults and children not to be missed.

Date: Wednesday 26 October, 2.30pm
Venue: Streatham Library. 63 Streatham High Road, SW16 1PL

Date: Thursday 27 October, 2.30pm
Venue: South Lambeth Library. 180 South Lambeth Road, SW8 1QP


Video and Film production course
Ever dreamt of becoming a successful film maker like Spike Lee? Why not take your first steps into filmmaking and learn the basic techniques of script writing, editing and filming. The filming making will loosely be based around great sporting heroes. Course facilitated by freelance Film Director Rohan Green.

Date: Thursday 27 October, 1–5pm
Venue: Brixton Library. Brixton Oval. SW2 1JQ
Ages 9 years plus

Booking essential

Poetry Writing Workshop with Sandra Agard
Sandra Agard’s poetry and short stories have been published in several books including Tales, Myths and Legends, Time for Telling and Unheard Voices. Learn how to produce your own piece of poetry through this creative workshop

Date: Thursday 27 October, 11am
Venue: Clapham Library. 1 Northside, Clapham Common. SW4 0QW

Upcoming events November

Author Talk- Alex Wheatle
Alex Wheatle popular local author of Dirty South, Brenton Brown and East of Acre Lane, amongst others, will talk about his writing and offer tips if you are a budding young writer.

Date: Monday 14 November, 5.00pm
Venue: Streatham Library. 63 Streatham High Road, SW16 1PL

Booking

Events and workshops have limited places so booking is essential – Please book by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phoning 0207 926 1075

www.lambeth.gov.uk/libraries