Black History Month 2011
Celebrating Diversity
There are lots of events going on in Westminster and beyond to celebrate this year’s Black History Month. Check out the events below, or download our booklet to see how we’re celebrating diversity in Westminster.
Carnival the musical
The heart and soul of Notting Hill Carnival is captured in a new musical for all ages.
In My Shoes
New show from Angie Le Mar at the Soho Theatre.
Black Myth Versus History
Panel discussion at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Africa Rocks
This year’s expo focuses on Nigeria.
Black History Live
A weekend of events, performances and exhibitions celebrating black heritage and culture.
Natural History Museum
Learn about the history of Jamaican plants and the links between science and the slave trade.
Contested Terrains
A Tate Modern exhibition from four artists working in Africa.
Visit the National Portrait Gallery’s online resource centre on slavery.
Carnival the musical
A reluctant Carnival Queen dreams of escaping her elaborate costume and dancing through the crowds. When her world collides with a street smart hoodie, together they must dodge gangsters and seek help from Rampage DJ’s, Calypso Monarchs and Nicki Minaj, before discovering the true meaning of Carnival – freedom.
Where: The Cockpit Theatre Gateforth St, NW8 8EH Off Church Street—10 minutes from Marylebone or Edgeware Rd Tube
When: Fri 2 Sept: 4pm show is Pay What You Can / 8pm; Sat 3 Sept: 4pm / 8pm; Sun 4 Sept: 4pm / 8pm
Tickets: advance tickets £9 adults / £4.50 concessions (+10% booking fee) on the door £12 adults /£6 concessions. Visit www.wegottickets.com for advance tickets.
Where: Tabernacle Powis Square, W11 2AY 10 minutes from Notting Hill Gate or Westbourne Park Tube
When: 6 Sept 8pm; 7 Sept 8pm
Tickets: advance tickets from http://www.tabernaclew11.com/
In My Shoes
Written by and starring Angie Le Mar Co-devised & Directed by Femi Elufowoju, jr
In My Shoes, Angie’s new one woman show, charts the perils and fortune of six distinctly intricately woven individuals. The limitless Angie Le Mar, television and radio personality, actress, writer and renowned Stand-up Comedienne, steps up to perform, as she has never been seen before, under the direction of the esteemed, Olivier Award nominee, Femi Elufowoju, jr in a theatrical tour de force that transports her straight to comedy’s edge.
Where: Soho Theatre, London
When: 15th October - 5th November
Tickets: 020 7478 0100 or visit the website
Black Myth Versus History
Documentary film maker, educator and academic theologian, Dr. Robert Beckford, leads a panel that includes Bonnie Greer to discuss two and a half decades of Black British identity. Presented by Talawa Theatre Company.
Where: Victoria and Albert Museum
When: Saturday 15 October 2011 at 3pm.
Africa Rocks Expo
This year's event features . It supports both Black History Month and Nigerian Independence Day and its key themes ore connecting with the culture, inspiration and opportunities in Nigeria.
Where: Hotel Russell, 1-8 Russell Square, London, WC1B 5BE
When: 23rd October 11am - 7pm
Tickets: http://africarocksexpo.co.uk/
Black History Live
This two-day event will host a range of performances and exhibitions. This is a must for those wishing to network and access a range of resources.
Where: Wembley Arena
When: 1st - 2nd October
Tickets: http://www.blackhistorylive.com/
Natural History Museum
History of Jamaican Plants and Herbs
This is a great resource about how an English Doctor, Hans Sloane visit to Jamaica introduced him to a world of plants and herbs with healing properties in 1698 many of which are still used today.
Science and Slavery
Access the museum’s online resources and events which including Hans Sloane's founding collections from the time of the slave trade, which reveal a number of unique links between slavery and the natural world.
The research begins to recover the experiences of enslaved people and the significance of their contribution to science. It gives an insight into the use of plants in everyday life, as food, medicines and poisons. It uncovers powerful and complex histories of enslaved people and naturalists.
They also have some interesting online resources.
Contested Terrains
Contested Terrains is a Tate Modern exhibition featuring four artists working in Africa who explore and subvert narratives about the past and present.
Kader Attia, Sammy Baloji, Michael MacGarry and Adolphus Opara engage with ideas of history and identity that in Africa have long been shaped by the claims and disputes of conflicting ideological and economic interests. Drawing connections across time and space, their works examine the impact of imperialism, notions of historical truth, and the representations and mechanics of power.
Where: Tate Modern
When: 29th July - 16th October
More Infomation
For more information on Black History Month in Westminster please email Anne-Maire Smith.
Other useful websites:
www.black-history-month.co.uk/
www.blackhistorymonthuk.co.uk/
www.westminster.gov.uk/services/libraries/archives/blackpresence/
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