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Links to Boroughs and organisations who are celebrating BHM 2009


The Midlands

Leicester

1 Oct
Black History Season Launch 2009
Join us to celebrate the launch of Black History Season 2009 and enjoy live entertainment, guest speakers and taste traditional Caribbean cuisine. African Caribbean Centre,
6.30pm, free,

www.mainstreampartnership.co.uk

Leicester

1 Oct - 31 Oct
Urban Legacy
The exhibition features words and pictures from some of Leicesterís finest singers, bands, rappers, dancers, musicians, DJís, producers, sound systems and record labels of the last 40 years.
African Caribbean Centre, free, 0116 222 0639
vijay@2funkyarts.co.uk

Leicester

2 Oct
For Young People by Young People
Young people from across Leicester unite to celebrate the launch of Black History Season 2009 with a variety of workshops and discussions followed by a diverse range of performances delivered by young people.
African Caribbean Centre, 10.00am-3.00pm, (11-16 year olds),7.00pm-9.00pm, (16 years plus), free, tel: 0116 253 3450

www.mainstreampartnership.co.uk

Leicester

4 Oct
Dancing in the Streets
Experience the energy, excitement, emotion and the electricity of Motown with this award winning production of the hit show, Dancing in the Streets.
De Montfort Hall,7.30pm, £24.50 / £23 / £22.50 / £21 / £19.50 / £18

Birmingham

6 Oct
Recognize
Recognize is held on the first Sun of the month at The Drum. Our mission is based on the well known notion that whilst we can all name the well known Mandela,Muhammed Ali,Rosa Parks how would we fare with unsung heroes Olaudah Equiano, Ignatius Sancho, Walter Tull  or Mary Prince. In a time when the British media thrives on publishing negative stories on the black community here is an event aimed at raising the consciousness of the historic contributions by the Black community. An interactive evening of fun and games with quizzes, presentations, discussions and films.
The Drum, 5.15pm, £3 adults £2 children,

www.the-drum.org.uk

Leicester

6 Oct
WORD! Black History 
Season Special
A Black History Season special for WORD!- the regionís longest running and most established poetry and spoken word night. If youíd like to perform, get there for 7.30pm and register with poet and compere, Lydia Towsey.
The Y Theatre, 8.00pm, £3/£5,

www.myspace.com/wordleicester

Leicester

6 Oct
The !Gubi Family
The !Gubi Family are six San (Bushman) musicians from the Kalahari and Namib Desert in Southern Africa. As originators of a unique form of trance dance, the Sanís music is specifically designed to evoke an altered state of consciousness through rhythms and beats.
The Y Theatre, 8pm, £12 / £10

Leicester

9 Oct
Choosing Health for
World Mental Health Day Come along and enjoy some relaxation with therapeutic activities such as reflexology, aromatherapy, nail art and Tai Chi. Sample Caribbean and Asian food and find out more about the work of the Akwaaba Ayeh Advocacy Project.
African Caribbean Centre,10.00am – 4.00pm, tel: (0116) 247 1525
Akwaaba@akwaabaayeh.com

Leicester

10 Oct
Kings and Queens
Leicesterís Kings and Queens DJís play the best in reggae and soul, taking you into a musical time walk.
African Caribbean Centre, 9.00pm-3.00am, £5

Birmingham

11 Oct
Diwali Mela
Description Kathak dancing worshops and performances with Sonia Sabri Dance Company, Diwali themed storytelling and nail art and mendhi artist. Jewellery making demonstrations by the Asian Women’s Textile Group and Diva craft activity.
Soho House Museum, 12.00-4.00pm, free, tel: 0121 554 9122, www.bmag.org.uk,

www.matthewboulton2009.org

Leicester

13 Oct
Seckou Keita Quintet
The Seckou Keita Quintet, who hail from Senegal, Italy, Egypt and The Gambia, are quickly becoming a real international treasure.
Peepul Centre,7.30pm, £12.50 / £10.50 or £15 on the door.

Leicester

14 Oct
Elders Afternoon
Bringing elders together through various activities including poetry, singing, dancing and story-telling.
African Caribbean Centre, 1.00pm-3.00pm Free

Leicester

15 Oct
Showcase Women: Creative Arts Workshop
A workshop for women with poet extraordinaire, Alison Dunne, and lyrical songstress, Mellow Baku. Particularly targeted at women of BME descent, new arrivals and others keen to explore their cultural origins. Advance booking essential.
Peepul Centre, 2.00pm – 4.00pm, 
tel: 0779 549 6610

secretagentartist@hotmail.com

Leicester

15 Oct
ëShowcase Liveí
The return of this ground breaking show, featuring powerful and poetic contributions from young black men with experience of mental health issues. ëShowcase Liveí is a live literature show with a difference. Directed and mentored by the internationally acclaimed poet and performer, Jean ëBintaí Breeze, a cast of young and culturally diverse men will discuss their experiences of being alive in the 21st century. With thanks to Akwaaba Ayeh, Brightsparks and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.
Peepul Centre, 7.00pm - 9.30pm, £3 / £5

www.showcaselive.co.uk

Leicester

16 Oct
Annual Expressive Arts for Black History
The schoolís annual expressive arts for Black History day, including steel pans, drumming, drama 
and poetry.
City of Leicester College, 8.30am – 3.20pm, Free

Leicester

17 Oct
Credit Union
Information, advice and promotional leaflets about the credit union.
African Caribbean Centre, 12.00pm – 5.00pm, Free

Leicester

17 Oct
Island Meltdown
An opportunity for all islands to come together under one roof to celebrate with food, music, crafts and workshops. For further details on hosting a stall, please contact venue.
African Caribbean Centre, 12.00pm – 5.00pm, Free

Leicester

17 Oct
Urban Arts Dance 7 
Music Showcase
A showcase evening of homegrown talent. Urban arts dance and music performed,
presented and produced by Leicesterís up and coming young artists. Featuring performances from2Funky Arts and Capta Rootage Group.
Peepul Centre, 5pm, £5 / £3

Leicester

17 Oct
Mix-D: UK
Mix-D: UK is brought to you by Manchester based The Multiple Heritage Project.
New Walk Museum & Art Gallery, free

Leicester

18 Oct
Eat & Meet
An ëeat and meetí, celebrating 100 Black Greats that have been created and researched by young people.
African Caribbean Centre, 12pm – 3pm, Free

Leicester

22 Oct
Courtney Pine:
Transition in Tradition Saxophonist Courtney Pine is back with a new tour showcasing his new studio album, Transition In Tradition.
De Montfort Hall, 7.30pm £16.50 / £15 / £13.50 / disabled 2 for 1.

Leicester

23 Oct
Pampering for Women
Come along for an evening of pampering including makeovers, hair braiding, body and foot massage, nail art and more. 50p entry, small charge for sessions.
African Caribbean Centre, 
5.00pm – 9.00pm

Leicester

23 Oct
Simphiwe Dana with
10 Piece Live Ensemble Internationally acclaimed, Simphiwe Dana is one of South Africaís shooting stars. Her unique sound, lulling tones and rich, sonorous choruses have real lyrical depth, contrasting with flicks of streetwise and savvy jazz.
Peepul Centre, 8.00pm, 
£12.50 / £10.50

Leicester

24 Oct
Stars in your Eyes: King of Pop Tribute
A night not to be missed, be entertained by Leicesterís local talent paying tribute to Michael Jackson
African Caribbean Centre, 7.30pm, £5 / £3

Leicester

26 Oct - 30 Nov
Yes We Have
Across the UK, the ground breaking proposition of a Black President in the White House inspired an otherwise unseen level of interest in the US
election. One of the aims of this exhibition is to gather the experiences and opinions of ordinary people of all ages and backgrounds towards the presidential election and views towards words such Peepul Centre, Opening hours, freeas ìhopeî. f you have something to offer, please email info@peepulcentre.com and title the message ìYES WE HAVEî.
Peepul Centre, Opening hours, free

Birmingham

28 Oct
African Drumming and Percussion Workshop
Description Join us for a fun afternoon of drumming and percussion with African musician Nicky Reid, and enjoy making lots of loud and wonderful music!
Children must be accompanied by an adult. A family drop-in activity for Black History Month.
Soho House, 12.30-3.30pm, tel 0121 554 9122,

www.matthewboulton2009.org www.bmag.org.uk

Leicester

28 Oct
Culturally Diverse Leicester
An evening of talks and discussion about multicultural Leicester with a focus on the African Heritage community.
De Montfort University, Youth & Community Division, 7.30pm, free

Birmingham

29 Oct
Fred D’Aguiar
Description Celebrated poet, novelist and playwright Fred D’Aguiar will be appearing at the Library. Fred was born in London in 1960 to Guyanese parents and spent his early years in Guyana. He has won a host of literary prizes. Places for this event are limited.

Woeley Castle Library, 1pm-2pm, Free, tel: 0121 464 1664

Leicester

30 Oct
Slam Dunk ñ Poetry Slam
A spoken word event by young people giving them the opportunity to profile their poetry to an audience.
African Caribbean Centre, 7pm - 10.30pm, £1 / 50p

Leicester

4 Nov
Working with
ëDifferenceí This one-day conference explores how ìdifferenceî and diversity is being managed in the public sphere.. Advance booking essential.
De Montfort University, 1pm - 4pm, £65 / £35, tel: 0116 271 2199
msallah@dmu.ac.uk

Leicester

4 Nov - 5 Nov
Not Quite Gospel
Pastor Morris has been dead for two months and Robert Johnson has just become Pastor of Friary Road Pentecostal Church. Not Quite Gospel is about the tensions that emerge when change is about to happen.
Peepul Centre, 7pm, £8 / £6

Leicester

8 Nov
Gospel Meets
Michael Jackson LCGC are celebrating their tenth anniversary year and this promises to be another sold out explosion of contemporary gospel with the sound of Michael Jackson.
Peepul Centre, 7.30pm, £10 / £7 tel: 0797 404 5661 / 0116 220 1160.
bizzidixon@hotmail.co.uk basil.dixon@ntlworld.com

Leicester

15 Nov
Inner Soul Music Night
A night of live, local entertainment, expressive poetry and music
African Caribbean Centre, 7pm, £10 (including meal)

Leicester

20 Nov
Pieces: Unity Through Comedy
Have you ever wondered why the state of your hair is the root to your struggle? Well, Pickiesha can tell you all about it. Then thereís old Brudda Brown who believes that twist is a dance, not a hairstyle and many more characters who will tickle your ribs to pieces!
The Y Theatre, 8pm, £8 / £6

Leicester

27 Nov
Leicester Schoolís Got Talent
A showcase for acts from local schools, providing an opportunity to perform songs, lyrics and dance.
Peepul Centre, 7.30pm, £8 / £5 0707 404 5661 / 0116 220 1160
bizzidixon@hotmail.co.uk basil.dixon@ntlworl.com

Leicester

28 Nov
A Festival of Choirs
KainÈ Management are proud to present ëA Festival of Choirsí. Featuring gospel and inspirational music of both contemporary and traditional styles. Performed by community choirs from across Leicester, including our very own KainÈ Gospel Choir.
The Y Theatre, 7.30pm – 9.30pm £7 / £5, 0116 261 6840,
info@kainemanagement.org.uk

Leicester

28 Nov
Black Achievers Award
The 8th Annual Community Achievement Award where eight people, nominated by
the community, will be presented with an award for outstanding achievement for working with the African / African Caribbean community.
African Caribbean Centre, 8pm, £20 / £10, Advance booking essential

Leicester

30 Nov
Heather Small
& The Snake Davis Band M Peopleís Heather Small
De Montfort Hall, 7.30pm, £25 / £22.50 / disabled 2 for 1.