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An interesting and exciting line-up of events is planned for this year's Black History Month in Tower Hamlets. The programme will be launched on Saturday 27 September at the Bow Idea Store.

See Photogallery

Events start proper on October 2 with an opening night seminar at The Brady Centre entitled Black Empowerment for Community Regeneration and Neighbourhood Renewal and end on October 31 at The Spitz with Heart and Soul; a musical showcase to honour some of the great black entertainers of our time.

There are a large number of events for children and families to attend. These range from an Ancient Egypt Day on October 5 at the Ragged School Museum (where young people can find out more about the Egyptians as well as make their own hieroglyphic name plate) to a Caribbean Dance Day, Listwa Kalypso (Calypso Story), at The Brady Centre on October 11. And for young people, there's a week to devise and perform in a showcase in Roots To Black Music; Raw Talent.

There are numerous art events. Exhibitions at The Brady Centre, The Spitz Gallery and at the new Oh!Arts Centre who are also showing Carnival Celebration with costumes and photographs from the Notting Hill Carnival. Theatre from Iroko and Chol theatre companies at the Brady Centre and Somali children's shows Oh!Art Centre. Plus a wide range of music and dance events, particularly at The Spitz Bar.

There will be a series of health through history events including a cultural and information day on October 14 from Tower Hamlets Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre and the ever popular Power Writer's Walk from Tower Hamlets African Caribbean Mental Health Organisation who will also be launching the publication of their new book on October 25.

All events will be featured in the Black History Month Brochure that will be ready from September 25 and available in Borough libraries, the Town Hall, the Brady Centre, Oxford House, The Spitz and One Stop Shops. You can order a copy from the Brady Centre on 020 7364 7900 or you can collect one at the launch event at the Bow Idea Store between 11am and 3pm.

Diary At A Glance!
Listwa Kalypso (Calypso Story)
Heart & Soul

Read more on the Tower Hamlets Council website

Tales from a Lonely Londoner
Exhibition at The Spitz Gallery
tel: 020 7392 9034

Launch Day at Bow Idea Store
tel: 020 7364 4332/ 020 7364 7907

Power Writers Exhibition and Mask Exhibition
The Brady Centre
tel: 020 7364 7913

Iroko Theatre
The Brady Centre
tel: 020 7364 4963

Abbas Omar, Carnival Celebration, Omid Khodahsh, Neil Kenlock
Exhibition at Oxford House
tel: 020 7739 9001

Black Empowerment for Community Regeneration and Neighbourhood Renewal - opening night event
The Brady Centre
tel: 020 7364 7900

Byron Wallen: Indigo
The Spitz Bar
tel: 020 7053 2046

Ancient Egypt Day
The Ragged School Museum
tel: 020 8980 6405

Community Unity - AYOKA PROJECT
The CCC Hall
tel: 020 7987 0371

Somali Festival
Oxford House
tel: 020 7739 9001

Skatronik
The Spitz Bar
tel: 020 7053 2046

Listwa Kalypso (Calypso Story)
The Brady Centre
tel: 020 7364 7900/020 7364 7907
read more

Bengali Song Contest
The Kobi Nazrul Centre
tel: 020 7375 1320

Identity of Self
Mulberry Hall
tel: 020 8981 9603

Marque Gilmore
The Spitz Bar
tel: 020 7053 2046

Neighbours Exhibition
The Brady Centre
tel: 020 7364 7900

Involvement Consortium Launch
tel: 020 8880 7111

Comedy at Canary Wharf
tel: 020 7418 2783

Chol Theatre
The Brady Centre
tel: 020 7364 7906

Kobi Nazrul Centre's 21st Anniversary
The Kobi Nazrul Centre
tel: 020 7375 1320

Batanai Marimba
The Spitz Bar
tel: 020 7053 2046

Power Writer's Walk and book launch
The Whitechapel Mission
tel: 020 7247 1414

Roots to Black Music: Raw Talent
The Brady Centre
tel: 020 7364 7911/7912

Bengali History Walk Launch
The Kobi Nazrul Centre
tel: 020 7364 4458

Spitalfields Got Soul
Spitalfields Market
tel: 020 7377 5277
read more

On the 11 October, between 3.30 -7pm, the Arts and Events team at the London Borough of Tower is hosting an exciting and creative Caribbean family day entitled LISTWA KALYPSO.

The event coincides with Black History Month and Family Learning Weekend. The afternoon is open to all and features a plethora of Eastern Caribbean expressive arts; including traditional dance and craft workshops led by Nzinga Dance.

Participatory workshops for adults promise a unique take on the expressive power of Caribbean dance as an art form in Bongo (Rejoice & send the spirit home). In addition the Tobago Jig workshop for children will bring fun and enjoyment to those under 12.

There will also be a chance to sample some Caribbean home cooking, try your hand at the craft workshop as well as an opportunity to buy traditional arts and crafts. No experience is necessary - just fun and enjoyment for the whole family!

The Brady Centre
192 -196 Hanbury Street
London,
E1 (nearest tube Whitechapel).

Tickets cost for £3 adults and £2 for children or £8 for a family ticket that cover 2 x adults and 2 x children or 1 X adult and 3 X children.
Further information please call 020 7364 7907.

Heart & Soul is a musical showcase to celebrate Black History Month. Featuring tributes to artists such as Nat King Cole, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and a special appearance by The London Community Gospel Choir, the event takes place on Friday October 31 in The Spitz Bar, Commercial Street, E1 from 8pm.

It is organised by an ethnic minority women's led business based in Tower Hamlets - Crystal Events and is supported by the local authority. This event is free but by invitation only and will provide the finale for Black History month in Tower Hamlets - there are tickets to be won.

During the day many of the artists will be performing at free lunchtime event in Old Spitalfields Market called Spitalfields Got Soul.

For more information on both events and for competition details contact Elaine 020 7377 5277 or 07947 501760 or Email: [email protected]

All the artists appearing have strong East London connections and include Asha Keys, Angie Brown, Roy Hamilton, Heather Haywood, Cuttie Williams, Wayne Clarke, Alexei, Rick James, Emanuela Panizzo, Earl Okin, Mary Pearce, CC Martin, Phil Gannon, Rob James as well as poets Phenzwan and Casey.