Lambeth Libraries Black History Month 2024
  In Lambeth we are lucky that people from around the world have for centuries made this their home. Black History Month is a time we come together to share and enjoy the culture of communities that have enriched our lives in Lambeth. In Lambeth Libraries we have partnered with many local organisations and brilliant writers and artists, to deliver a fantastic programme of events. We hope you find something to enlighten and enjoy.
For a full programme you can pick up a brochure from any Lambeth Library or visit the Black History Month website.
 Throughout October we have some great writers visiting Lambeth Libraries, also talks, music, theatre and film.
We start with you as the writer and a celebration of National Poetry Day and Spoken Word. Come along to the National Poetry Day (3 October) Open mic night at Upper Norwood or join Brixton Poets celebrating Benjamin Zephaniah in Brixton. Claudette Parry Laws looks at the legacy of her father in The Making of My Dad, Mr Brixton (7 October). The second week continues with the hosts of the critically acclaimed podcast Mixed Up, Emma Slade Edmondson and Nicole Ocran discussing race, identity and political polarisation (8 October), discussion of Shakespeare’s Othello in Lambeth with an illustrated talk by Jon Newman (10 October), Decolonising The Curriculum In England Schools (10 October) and finish with the Radical Readers discussing the devastatingly funny book Think Like a White Man (11 October).
 Friday 4 October, 7pm
Clapham Library, SW4 7DB
Bookings via Eventbrite
Come and join Pegasus Opera Company for their Legacy and Hope concert featuring top classical singers and their community choir performing songs from composers of African, Caribbean and Asian heritage, gospel, spirituals, opera, musical theatre and songs inspired by the Black diaspora.
The month is then packed with things to keep you busy, Celebrating the great activist and writer James Baldwin (16 October), the Wiever Holocaust museum host a discussion on the persecution of Black people in Nazi Germany (17 October), writer and director Caleb Femi discusses his new poetry collection Wickedest (22 October), Maame Blue launches her novel The Rest of You (23 October) and campaigner for justice Janet Alder discusses her book Defiance: Racial Injustice, Police Brutality, A Sister's Fight for the Truth (24 October).
Bringing our literary programme towards is end, the LGBTQ+ reading group discuss Revolutionary Acts: love & brotherhood in Black gay Britain (25 October), Jendella Benson and Shani Akilah discuss relationships in their new novels All That We've Got and For Such a Time as This (31 October) and Kimberly Mcintosh is joined by MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy to profile Black Girl, No Magic - systematic injustice, the pressure of nuclear families and enduring toxic friendships (7 November).
 We have a great series of film screening throughout the month starting with the South Lambeth Library classic film club screening (15 October), historical musicologist Kwaku's mashup video documentary covering 500 years of Africans in Britain and the engagement of Black music (15 October), a screening of Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am and director Cathy Hassan screens and discusses her documentary Beyond the Photo (28 October).
West Norwood Picturehouse also hosts the Pan African Film Festival from 18 to 25 October with some great films from across the continent.
 Saturday 26 October, 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.
Streatham Library, SW16 1PN
Booking via Eventbrite
These community engagement events immerse you in film, interactivity, debate and include improvisation. With a fantastic cast of performers, forcinge you to consider the sometimes-uneasy question of ‘what is needed to improve the lives of Black men in the UK?’
There's so much going on. Maybe the Brixton Black Business, past and present, evening (1 October) interests you or Reclaiming Our Narrative, Lambeth's evening of exhibits, performances, entertainment and discussion (8 October), the a Peace and Wellbeing afternoon (11 October) or even the Brixton Black History Wikipedia Edit-a-thon, where you get to edit Wikipedia to include missing Black history (29 October). Whatever takes your fancy we'll be delighted to see you.
 Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October 11am to 5pm
Department Store, 248 Ferndale Road, SW9 8FR
Bookings via Eventbrite
Black Culture Market is the destination to support and shop from Black-owned businesses in Brixton. Over the weekend, explore the wonderful stalls whilst catching up with friends. If you're looking for food, drinks, gifts, cards, unique art, jewellery, male grooming kits, skincare, clothes, accessories and more, come down! This market truly the community's spirit as well as supports Black businesses. Come early to avoid disappointment.
For a full brochure with more details, times and booking details, visit the Lambeth Black History Month website. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Exhibitions
 Tuesday 2 October to 28 October
Durning Library. SE11 4HF
Exhibition available during Library opening hours
Amin Abdulrahman is a London-based, British-Nigerian visual artist working primarily with photography. Is Anyone Home deals with the loss of family home, sentimentally and physically, due to the building’s fall into a state of disrepair. It recounts the history of the family home, colloquially referred to as ‘Shango’ whilst also questioning, who makes home, home?
Opening Reception: Wednesday 9 October 6pm. Bookings via Eventbrite
 Wednesday 9 October to 3 November
Brixton Library. SW2 1JQ
Exhibition available during Library opening hours
You couldn’t find two artistic mediums more different than those used by the Black British artist Marcia Bennett-Male. She has made her living as a stone carver and letter cutter, while intermittently expressing a very different aspect of her personality through her textile pieces.
Her carvings revolve around the universal topic of food and tend to be subtle and meditative, expressing the pleasure she derives from the shapes and forms of organic food produce. Her bright, bold and deceptively simple textile pieces tackle a myriad of subjects, from forgotten Black women of history to her own mental health issues.
Opening Reception: Tuesday 8 October 6pm to 8pm. Bookings via Eventbrite
Stone carving workshop & artist talk: Saturday 19 October, 1pm to 3pm
Bookings via Eventbrite
 Monday 14 October to 27 October
Clapham Library, SW4 7DB
Exhibition available during Library opening hours
This exhibition is part of IROKO Theatre Company’s Home from Home project which aims to highlight British-Nigerian contribution to the cultural, political, educational, artistic, spiritual, and sporting life of Britain and London in particular. The project celebrates the community’s strength, struggle, commitments, perseverance, achievements, and ingenuity, as they navigate their existence in the UK.
Home from Home is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
For further information, please visit Iroko Theatre or email info@irokotheatre.org.uk
 |
|
Events for Children and Young People
 Saturday 5 October, 10.30am
Upper Norwood Library, SE19 1TQ
Booking via Eventbrite
Embark on a captivating journey with author Ella Phillips in a multi-sensory workshop for children that blends storytelling, interactive fun and creativity to spark your imagination.
 Saturday 5 October, 10.30am
Clapham Library, SW4 7DB
Booking via Eventbrite
Saturday 5 October, 2pm
Streatham Library, SW16 1PN
Booking via Eventbrite
Join Tony B of Happy Drums for a free drumming workshop for the whole family.
 Wednesday 23 October, 10.30am
Minet Library, SE5 9QY
To remember poet Benjamin Zephaniah we will be planting a tree at Minet Library. The planting will be in collaboration with local primary schools, Lambeth Libraries and Tree Services and will feature nature-based poetry written by local children to celebrate the life and rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah. For more information, email treeguardians@lambeth.gov.uk
 Saturday 26 October, 11am
West Norwood Library, SE27 9JU
Booking via Eventbrite
Join Olu on his first day at nursery in a sweet, confidence-boosting story, written by Early Years expert Jamel C Campbell.
 Tuesday 29 October, 10.30am
Streatham Library, SW16 1PN
Get ready for some interactive fun with Portia, the author of the Naniso & Shinga book series, as well as the Tarirai & the Safari Five picture books. Ages 3 to 7 years.
 Tuesday 29 October, 2pm
Durning Library, SE11 4HF
Booking via Eventbrite
Join Capoeira group UINCAP for a great fun workshop on the skills of Capoeira. This event is kindly sponsored by The Friends of Durning Library. Ages 7+.
 Tuesday 29 October, 2pm
Clapham Library, SW4 7DB
Booking via Eventbrite
Listen to Karen Arthur reading her new book Grandma’s Locs. Try out what you would look like with natural hair styles such as braids, locks and afros. Bring your own hairstyle and have a picture taken for a fun afternoon. Ages 4 to 12.
 Using paper, weave and design your own Kente Cloth to take home with you!
Tuesday 29 October, 2.30pm.
Upper Norwood Library, SE19 1TQ
Wednesday 30 October, 2.30pm.
Minet Library, SE5 9QY
Thursday 31 October, 2.30pm. Carnegie Library, SE24 0DG
 Wednesday 30 October, 2.30pm. Streatham Library, SW16 1PN
Join this creative craft session in the celebration of Black pioneers, past and present, creating ‘I Have a Dream’, Pop-up Card and Rosa Parks ‘Bus Crafts’. Ages 5+ years.
 Wednesday 30 October, 2.30pm. Brixton Library, SW2 1JQ
Design your own badge to wear with pride. Will it feature an inspirational figure from Black History, empowering quotes or your own unique design?
 Wednesday 30 October, 11am to 4pm. West Norwood Library, SE27 9JU
Join Melanin Dreams Bookshop for a Library take-over highlighting the best in Children’s publishing. The day will include fun, fun, fun … and lots of books. In the morning we’ll have Arts & Crafts with create an African-themed music shaker and in the afternoon build a three-position traffic light inspired by Garrett Morgan.
 Schools can enjoy visits to their local library throughout the month of October listening to traditional stories and folklore. Contact your local library to book your visit. We also have fantastic authors Venessa Taylor (Baller Boys) and David Arlo Osuhon (Damien Ike and the Fallen House of Draven) visiting. Check out the brochure for booking details.
Other Library Activities
 Sessions start on Monday 7 October, 6pm to 8pm
West Norwood Library, SE27 9JU
Join us for a Weekly Gaming Club for ages 11–18! Completely free, with hot food provided. Find your new squad at EYC and sharpen your skills in games like Fortnite and EAFC. To sign up, visit: esportsyouthclub.org/sessions.
 Monday 14 October, 7pm
Durning Library, SE11 4HF
Booking via Eventbrite
Join Jon Newman of Lambeth Archives for an illustrated talk on William Blake and Lambeth.
Event organised by the Friends of Durning Library. Free Talk but £3 donation for refreshments.
From Our Friends
 Course runs from Saturday 26 October 2024 to Saturday 22 February 2025.
Every fortnight 3pm to 5pm.
Application Deadline: Saturday 12th October 2024
Black Rainbow Ink is a new FREE 'Well-Being' course that provides a 'safe space' for Black LGBTQIA+ men and women. The course uses 'writing' to help unlock your purpose and potential. It is not about spelling or grammar, more about your vision and intension. You should identify as Black and LGBTQIA+ and be able to attend the workshop dates.
For more info and to apply - please email ehtamard@outlook.com and explain (1 page maximum) why you feel the course could benefit your well-being at this time. |
