Celebrating Black history in Haringey
Monday 6 October 2008
Black History Month celebrations are underway in Haringey, with a fantastic programme of events of all kinds across the borough.
This year Black History Month celebrates the 60th anniversary of the voyage of the SS Empire Windrush, which docked at Tilbury in 1948 carrying the first of the post-war emigrants to Britain from the Caribbean.
Haringey Council Leader Cllr George Meehan said:
"Many of those new arrivals found their way to Haringey, which has a proud history of welcoming settlers from all over the world.
"Black History Month is an opportunity for us all to recognise the important contribution that the Caribbean and African diaspora has made to economic and cultural life here in Haringey.
|back to top"We have everything from reminiscence sessions to arts and craft workshops, exhibitions, book launches, talks, film, music and dance, so I hope as many local people as possible will get involved."
Highlights
Some highlights include:
Bill Guy, former international athlete recorded in 1986 as the fastest man in the world aged over 55, reminiscing about life in Tottenham in the 50s and 60s, at Marcus Garvey library, Phillip Lane N15, on 25 October, 5pm to 6.30pm;
Patsy Scott's family story time, at Hornsey library, Haringey Park N8, on 28 October, 2pm to 3pm, including the much-loved Anansi stories;
Black Hair Day, 17 October, in the Business Lounge at Wood Green library, 11am to 1pm. with expert Elizabeth Vincent and Angela Plummer, voted the world's best braider, passing on their tips. The session also runs on 30 October, 7pm to 8pm at Coombes Croft library, Tottenham High Road N17.
Award-winning author and broadcaster Diran Adebayo talking on moving beyond the approaches and mindsets that have dominated the Black British landscape since Windrush. Is it time for a new 'post-Black' agenda in culture, politics and social affairs? Hear the talk and then join the debate on 29 October, at 7.30pm, Bruce Castle Museum, Lordship Lane N17.
|back to topFor children
Among many events for children, there's a Famous Black People history quiz, at Highgate library, Shepherds Hill N6, 27 October, 2pm to 4pm, plus African crafts sessions, story-telling and mask-making in libraries and at Bruce Castle Museum through October.
Trace your family history: Two sessions with expert Patrick Vernon on family tree research for people of African Caribbean origin, Wood Green library, 24 October, 7pm to 9pm, and Marcus Garvey library, Philip Lane N15, 31 October, 7pm to 9pm.
|back to topFor parents
For parents, three sessions on preparing a healthy lunchbox for the kids with foods from the Caribbean and Africa, run by Haringey Primary Care Trust. 27 October 12.30pm to 2.30pm at Marcus Garvey library; 28 October, 11am to 1pm, Wood Green library, and 30 October, 11am to 1pm St Ann's library, Cissbury Road N15.
|back to topArt events
Black History in art, film and photography is celebrated in a number of events.
Contemporary artists Richard Blackford and Newton Matticks share space at Hornsey Library, with works evoking cricket, people and the Jamaican way of life, and ordinary life in Britain with a Caribbean twist.
The show runs until 31 October; gallery open 1pm to 7pm Monday to Friday, noon to 4pm Saturday and Sunday. The library is in Haringey Park N8.
Meanwhile "Memories from the Islands", a major exhibition at Bruce Castle Museum, running until the end of year, features specially commissioned photographs of Caribbean life in the 1950s and 1960s.
The pictures were chosen by Haringey University of the Third Age members, and the show includes their personal observations, memories and responses to the pictures. The museum, in Lordship Lane N17, is open 1pm to 5pm Wednesday to Sunday.
|back to topFilm screenings
Local film-makers Tian Glasgow and Geoffrey Okoi showcase their 30 minute documentary "The truth is you can never leave home", looking at identity, ambition and the experiences of the African-Caribbean community, at Marcus Garvey library on 27 October, 7pm.
And 30 October sees a double bill at the West Green Learning Centre, West Green Road N15, from 7pm, presented by Haringey indpendent Cinema (£3, £2 low paid or unwaged).
Pratibha Parmar's documentary "A Place of Rage" is an exuberant celebration of African American women including Angela Davis, once the FBI's most wanted woman, poet June Jordan and writer Alice Walker.
Parmar will lead a discussion after the screening, which will be followed by "At the River I Stand", the powerful story of the strike by Black sanitation workers in Memphis in 1968, which prompted Martin Luther King to visit the city to deliver his famous "I have a dream" speech.
For full listings pick up the Black History Month brochure in any Haringey library or visit our Black History Month page.
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