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Black History Month events at The New Art Gallery Walsall and throughout Walsall

Black History Month has been celebrated in Walsall since 1999. This year the Community Cohesion Panel brings together a programme supporting local organisations to explore the heritage of Walsall’s African, Caribbean and Dual Heritage communities in our 10th anniversary of celebrating Black History in Walsall.

Sing It Black
Celebrating the History of Black Music
Thursday 1 October, 6–9pm. FREE.
Performers will celebrate 50 years of Motown with a show reel roll call of Black musicians who have highlighted moments of Black History. Members of the public are invited to nominate an iconic track to add to the playlist sound track of the evening at The New Art Gallery Walsall. To nominate your favourite track email Ioannis Ioannou on ioannoui@walsall.gov.uk by Friday 25 September.
Venue: The New Art Gallery Walsall, Gallery Square, Walsall, West Midlands, WS2 8LG.

http://thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk/whats-on/event/thursday-affairsing-it-black

Quiz and Cuisine
Talent showcase
Thursday 15 October, 7-10pm. £2.50 Adults, £1.50 children.
Hosted by Black Sisters at the new Wisemore Campus, Walsall College. A showcase of talent from Walsall’s African and Caribbean community, featuring a black history quiz and locally produced African and Caribbean food.
Venue: Wisemore Campus, Walsall College, Littleton Street West
Walsall, WS2 8ES. For further information contact Black Sisters on 01922 616996

The Colour Purple
Film screening
Monday 19 October, 2pm. FREE.
The Colour Purple is a 1985 film about a young African-American girl that shows the problems faced by African-American women during the early 1900’s; including poverty, racism, and sexual discrimination.
Venue: Forest Arts Centre, Hawbush Road, Leamore, Walsall,
WS3 1AG. For more information contact 01922 654555.

West African Leather Exhibition
From The University of Birmingham’s ‘Danford Collection’
Monday 12 October – 9th January 2010 TBC
The Danford Collection is one of the finest collections in Europe of West African artefacts and was collected by John Danford O.B.E., a former British Council representative in Nigeria. The collection ranges from domestic and ceremonial utensils to contemporary fine art. The Leather Museum will be displaying a selection of items from the collection including leatherwork and leatherworking tools. FREE ADMISSION.
Venue: Walsall Leather Museum, Littleton Street West, Walsall, WS2 8EQ. For further information contact 01922 721153.

West African Leather Exhibition with Robin Walker
Lecture by renowned historian and author
Saturday 31 October, 3-5pm. FREE.
In conjunction with the West African Leather Exhibition. A lecture by renowned historian and author Robin Walker. Robin Walkers book is a comprehensive history of pre-colonial Africa based on reports from European explorers. The lecture will highlight the hidden history of African skills and crafts relating to the items in the exhibition. Prior to the lecture you will have the chance to visit the West African Leather Exhibition on show at the museum; the museum will close directly after the lecture.
Venue: Walsall Leather Museum, Littleton Street West, Walsall,
WS2 8EQ. For further information contact Deb Slade on 01922 653114.

Have you got the Now Factor?
Open Mic
Saturday 24 October, 4-8pm. Tickets only.
To celebrate black history and 50 years of Motown the NOW team are holding an open Mic evening.
THE MAIN PRIZE IS A RECORDING SESION AT THE MAP.
So if you are 8-12 years or 13 –19 years, and you have the now factor please contact Joanne on 07545 422251.
Venue: St Matthews Centre, St Matthew’s Close, Walsall, WS1 3DG

Black Heritage Project
Walsall Youth Service and Walsall Youth Arts
Wednesday 28 October 2009.
12-4pm – workshops based on African arts, role models, food, music and lyrics. If you would like to take part in the workshops please contact Angela on 07921 940610.
6-9pm – the second part of the day will be a showcase of local young people’s talent including a black history animation timeline, song and dance. Entrance for this event will be £1 adult; 50p 10-19yrs and free for under 10s. This will include a meal, limited places available. Tickets can be purchased in advance from
•Walsall Youth Arts, Prospect House, 20-23 Lower Hall Lane, WS1 1RL. Telephone 01922 722209
•Unity Youth Centre Wolverhampton Road, WS2 8PR. Telephone 01922 615758
•Proffitt St Youth Club, Proffitt Street, WS2 8AR. Telephone 01922 720391
•Pleck Youth Club, Wednesbury Road, WS2 9QJ. Telephone 01922 723926
Venue: African & Caribbean Community Centre, Wolverhampton Road, Walsall. For more information on these events please contact Angela Carr on 07921940610.

An Evening With…
Poet Fred D’Aguiar and journalist, broadcaster and producer Karen Gabay from BBC Manchester
Thursday 29 October, 5.45 – 8pm. FREE.
Karen Gabay will present a screening of “Upon Westminster Bridge” a short documentary film about Jamaican born ‘dub’ poet Michael Smith. With performance poetry by Fred D’Aguiar.
Venue: Walsall Central Library, Lichfield Street, Walsall WS1 1TR. For more information contact Walsall Central Library on 01922 653110 or 01922 659555.

Tasting evening
Cuisine Caribbean Restaurant, Bridge St, Walsall.
The restaurant will be holding a variety of Black History themed events in throughout October including an exhibition, a speaker delivering a talk on Black History and food tasting sessions. The restaurant will also be holding its official opening on Thursday 22 October.
Venue: Cuisine Caribbean Restaurant, Bridge Street, Walsall. For more information including dates and times of events please call Jennie or Roger on 01922 637642.