Newham Council has organised a programme of events to celebrate the cultural contributions of many of its communities as part of Black History Month.
The programme, taking place across the borough throughout October and early November, is based on the theme of recognising the past, shaping the future. It will include poetry, film screenings, theatre and music performances, workshops and author events. The programme has been shaped by the feedback received from those who attended last year’s Black History Month celebrations.
Councillor Charlene McLean, Deputy Mayor and lead member for Community Neighbourhoods, said: “I am delighted Newham is once again seizing the opportunity to acknowledge the cultural contributions of its many communities by celebrating Black History Month.
“The events and performances are an excellent way to bring communities together and strengthen the social fabric of our amazing, diverse and vibrant borough. There is plenty for residents to get involved in, from discussions on music, literature, and heritage, to poetry, theatre, opera and film screenings.”
Activity begins on Tuesday 1 October at Stratford Library with Newham Poetry Club focusing on the contribution of black and mixed-race communities in a session called Black Ink. It starts at 6pm.
Other listings include on Thursday 3 October from 1pm to 3pm, the Food Academy at Newham Leisure Centre in East Ham, hosting the first of weekly sessions called I Wanna Cook Like Back Home showcasing key ingredients of African diaspora cuisine. Friday 4 October is the opening of Locs, an exhibition at Forest Gate Library until 31 October by Sly Shillingford, examining the personal history of dreadlocks.
On Monday 7 October from 8.30pm, Stratford Picturehouse will be showing Rudeboy, a film about Trojan Records, one of the most iconic record labels in history. East Library on Wednesday 9 October from 6.15pm has author and historian Paul Crooks hosting Beyond Windrush. He will tell how he traced his African forbearers enslaved on a sugar plantation in Jamaica 200 years ago.
Amongst the many other programme highlights is an evening of stories, poetry and songs with storyteller Jane Grell. It takes place at Beckton Globe Library on Thursday 10 October at 6pm.
Drawing, colouring and drumming with the Iroko Theatre Company has centre stage at Manor Park Library on 21 October at 2pm, Custom House Library on 24 October at 4.30pm, and at Canning Town Library on 25 October at 3pm.
There is an opportunity to see Europe's first majority BME orchestra, The Chineke Chamber Ensemble with Theatre Royal Stratford East, on 21 October from 5.30pm to 6.45pm at the Roundabout in Theatre Square, Stratford.
Children's author Mylo Freeman will read from her Princess Arabella storybooks on 22 October from 10am at Beckton Globe Library.
On 1 November, The Powder Monkey: The Opera, will take place at Newham Town Hall, East Ham. It is a powerful, visually stunning 60- minute opera set on a slave ship in 1788 created by Brolly Productions with acclaimed composer Errollyn Wallen MBE.
The majority of the events are free, though booking may be required at some of them. For further information visit www.newhamblackhistory.org for all the information.