What's on - free events guide from Brent libraries, Arts and Heritage

Advance booking required for most events

WHAT’S ON

Summer 2023

A seasonal programme of FREE events from Brent Libraries, Arts and Heritage

brent.gov.uk/whatson

EXHIBITIONS HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS

Crown of my Culture

From 29 April 2023

Kingsbury Library Free Celebrating diverse heritages in Brent at the time of the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on 6 May 2023. Work by children from Kingsbury Green Primary School.

BRENT LIBRARIES

S U M M E R F U N F E S T I VA

Fiery dragons, smelly pirates, LEGO challenges and rainforest drama!

Discover our summer reading festival programme featuring flaming dragons, robotics workshops, funny poetry, brave Tudor sailors, wild live animals, and stories right here in Brent libraries. Certificates and prizes for busy readers!

Children aged 4 – 12 can sign up for their Summer Fun passport from 1 July at any Brent Library. Library membership and book borrowing essential.

Reading Hack: your library wants you!

Volunteers aged 15-24 wanted to help run the Summer Fun Festival. Download an application at www.brent.gov.uk/libraries

BOOKING

British Brazilian BrentWeaving our History in a Quilt

20 May – 28 August 2023

The Exhibition Space, Second Floor, The Library at Willesden Green Free Showcase of Brazilian culture and heritage in Brent featuring embroidered artwork and traditional bordadeiras made by the families and children at Clube dos Brasileirinhos.

Unless stated as drop in, all events require advance booking via the Brent Culture Service Eventbrite page. All events take place at library sites unless stated online. Google or scan the QR code for more information and to book.

All children’s events are bookable unless stated as drop in – arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Family Learning workshops

Craft for parents/carers and children aged 5 – 11. Maximum of two children per adult. Please reserve your place on Eventbrite or at the library.

LAUNCH

with award-winning author Michael De Souza

Saturday 22 July

The Library at Willesden Green

12 noon – 1pm

Wembley Library 2.30 – 3.30pm Join author Michael De Souza of Rastamouse and Lil’ Bruv fame to launch the Summer Fun Festival. It could be YOU on stage joining him! For ages 4 – 12.

S

Saturday 2 September

The Library at Willesden Green

12 noon – 1pm

Wembley Library 2.30 – 3.30pm

Join award-winning author/ performer Gareth P Jones to celebrate the close of the festival with some fantastic storytelling! Prizes for best book reviews. For ages 4 – 12.

!

For ages 5 – 11. All sessions are 2.30 – 3.30pm

JULY

Create your pop-up reading monster puppet

Ealing Road Tuesday 25

Harlesden Thursday 27

Kilburn Tuesday 25

Kingsbury Wednesday 26

Wembley Thursday 27

Willesden Green Wednesday 26

AUGUST

Be a reading superhero

Ealing Road Tuesday 1

Harlesden Thursday 3

Kilburn Tuesday 1

Kingsbury Wednesday 2

Wembley Thursday 3

Willesden Green Wednesday 2

Through the keyhole

…what did you spy?

Ealing Road Tuesday 8

Harlesden Thursday 10

Kilburn Tuesday 8

Kingsbury Wednesday 9

Wembley Thursday 10

Willesden Green Wednesday 9

Roar your way into the library!

Ealing Road Tuesday 15

Harlesden Thursday 17

Kilburn Tuesday 15

Kingsbury Wednesday 16

Wembley Thursday 17

Willesden Green Wednesday 16

Read Up! Create a goodies vs baddies board game

Ealing Road Tuesday 22

Harlesden Thursday 24

Kilburn Tuesday 22

Kingsbury Wednesday 23

Wembley Thursday 24 Willesden Green Wednesday 23

Create a library planet

Ealing Road Tuesday 29

Harlesden Thursday 31

Kilburn Tuesday 29

Kingsbury Wednesday 30

Wembley Thursday 31

Willesden Green Wednesday 30

HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS (CONT.)

Harlesden Library

Grand Opening

Saturday 1 July

12 noon – 5pm

Come and celebrate the newly refurbished library with activities including crafts, face painting and an eco-

workshop delivered by Brent Start. Featuring rhymes and fun with Rastamouse author Michael De Souza plus entertainment from Clube dos Brasileirinhos.

Windrush 75th Anniversary celebrations

A Musical Windrush Celebration

Wednesday 21 June

The Library at Willesden Green

Mark the Windrush 75th Anniversary with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), Trojan Records artist Trevor Brown and workshop leader Sigrún Sævarsdóttir-Griffiths. Programme includes:

11 – 11.30am

BOOKTRUST STORYTIME AND RHYMES

Getting Back into Work with Shaw Trust

11am – 12 noon

The Library at Willesden Green

Thursdays, 1 June, 6 July Wembley Library

Mondays, 12 June, 10 July

Join one of our drop-in information sessions to find out how the Shaw Trust can help you join the 13,000 people they have supported back into work so far.

Fixing Factory: Make it last with Dr Laptop

The Library at Willesden Green

Saturday 3 June, 12 – 4pm Wembley Library

Weekly story and rhyme time sessions for children under 5.

Kilburn Library Tuesdays, 11 – 11.30am

Kingsbury Library Wednesdays, 10.45 – 11.15am

The Library at Wednesdays, 11 – 11.30am

Willesden Green

Harlesden Library Thursdays, 11 – 11.30am

Ealing Road Library Thursdays, 11 – 11.30am

Wembley Library Fridays, 11 – 11.30am

Drop in Term time only

SPECIAL BOOKTRUST STORYTIME AND RHYME TIME EVENTS

Windrush Workshops

Englan’ Voice: Celebrating Windrush Generation Artists

Thursday 22 June

Kilburn Library

10.30am – 12 noon

Harlesden Library

1 – 2:30pm

Discover the work of three Windrush-era artists; painter Tam Joseph, writer Beryl Gilroy and musician Aldwyn Roberts and their influence on British culture.

Workshops delivered by Daryl StenvollWells, curator, artist, educator and community arts organizer.

Under 5s Booktrust story and rhyme time musical workshop.

Harlesden Library

Coffee Morning

‘You called, we responded’: Celebrating 75 years of Windrush and the NHS

Thursday 6 July 11am – 12 noon

2023 marks both the 75th anniversaries of the arrival of the Empire Windrush and the start of the NHS. Join local Dr Joan St John to explore some of the impacts of that shared history.

12 noon – 12.45pm RPO concert with Trevor Brown, suitable for all ages.

Windrush 75 – Family Craft

2.30 – 4.30pm

Wembley Library

Wednesday 16 August

Kilburn Library

Friday 18 August

Discover stories of Brent’s Windrush generation and make a collage to take home. Age 3+. Drop in

Saturday 1 July, 12 – 4pm West London Waste have teamed up with Restart Project to provide free advice and repairs. Come and see if they can save your device from landfill. Drop in

Maggie the Dragon Snap Happy Healthy Teeth Workshops

Join Brent’s Oral Health Team and Maggie the Dragon to learn more about how to keep your teeth healthy!

Empathy Mission Mini Superheroes Mission Empathy!

Create your superpower glasses and look at the world around you, what can you see and save?

Sessions in the week of Tuesday 6 – Friday 9 June

Dress to Remember:

A Dementia Project May to September 2023. A Brent Libraries, Outreach and Heritage partnership programme to support people living with dementia. A series of workshops based around Lorna Holder’s book ‘Style in my DNA’. To register interest email libraries@brent.gov.uk

Harlesden Thursday 1 June 11 – 11.30am

Wembley Friday 2 June 11 – 11.30am

Kilburn Tuesday 6 June 11 – 11.30am

Kingsbury Wednesday 7 June

10.45 – 11.15am

Ealing Road Thursday 8 June 11 – 11.30am

Willesden Green Wednesday 14 June 11 – 11.30am

Windrush 75th anniversary Sail away! Step aboard and sail the seas with our HMT Empire Windrush.

Sessions in the week of Tuesday 20 - Friday 23 June

SPECIAL BOOKTRUST STORYTIME AND RHYME TIME EVENTS (CONT.)

Refugee Week in June:

Welcoming you with open arms

Sharing languages and cultures in story, rhymes and craft fun mash up.

Sessions in the week of

Tuesday 27 – Friday 30 July

Ealing Road Library

Ealing Road Library

STEM CLUB

Wednesdays 4 – 5.30pm

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics workshops for children aged 8-11.

Ealing Road Library

FILM CLUB

2.30 – 4.30pm

Screening of animated films for children aged 5 – 12.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

Thursday 10 August

Matilda

Thursday 24 August

Harlesden Library

Movement for life: Tai Chi

Tuesdays from 30 May – 1 August

11.30am – 12.30pm

Day with Robo!

Wednesday 2 August

2.30 – 4pm

Fun learning workshop building LEGO robots. For ages 8 – 11.

Family Learning: How to Help Your Child Succeed

Friday 4 August

Extra Summer Holiday Rhymes and Sunny Stories

Join us for our extended summer of stories and rhymes for under 5s and all their families. Drop in Weeks beginning:

Monday 24 July

Teddy bear’s picnic

Monday 31 July

At the beach and sandcastle craft

Monday 7 August

Under the sea and fish craft

Shhhh…send a secret message using coding

21 June

Have fun coding using BBC Microbits.

Day with Robo!

Thursday 27 July 11.30am – 1pm Fun learning workshop building LEGO robots. For ages 8 – 11.

Family craft: Nursing in Brent

Wednesday 2 August

11am – 1pm

Celebrate 75 years of the NHS. Learn about the NHS in Brent and draw a portrait of a nurse. Free, age 3+.

Drop in

DIY Summer holiday fun

STEM workshop

19 July

Join our STEM Ambassador for a new coding challenge.

School of Rhyme!

Thursday 17 August

2.30 – 3.30pm

Discover poetry with brilliantly fun poet Paul Lyalls! Suitable for anyone who likes to laugh, learn and let language levitate! For ages 6 – 12.

Naturetown sports day: Save the rainforest!

Thursday 3 August

11am – 12noon

Learn about athletic animals with ZooLab. For ages 5 – 11.

Dragons in the Library?

Wednesday 9 August

11.30am – 1pm

Discover some of their hideaways and make your own!

For ages 5 – 11.

EXPLORE LEARNING

Inspiring maths and English workshops to help children discover the magic of learning.

Olympic Sport for ages

Tuesday 15 August

12noon – 1pm

For ages 7-11

New Discovery

Friday 25 August

3.30 – 4.30pm

For ages 7-11

Drop in

Discover the movement of Tai Chi. Suitable for all abilities.

African textiles

Thursday 1 June

2.30 – 4.30pm

Celebrate African heritage in Brent and make a collage to take home.

Free, age 3+. Drop in Pirate storytelling!

Tuesday 25 July

2.30 – 3.30pm

Do you have what it takes to be the smelliest, fiercest pirate on the planet? In Association with and by kind permission of, the Royal Maritime Museums, Greenwich. For ages 4 – 7

Arts and crafts

Fridays from 28 July – 25 August

2.30 – 4.30pm

Arts and craft workshops delivered by Connected Lives. For children aged 0 – 10 and their parents/carers.

Drop in

1.30 – 3.30pm

Eve Baker, author of The Adult Life Skills for Children - a Fable discusses practical ways parents and children can deal with issues such as bullying, self- esteem and friendships. For ages 7 – 11 and parents/ carers.

Amazing history adventures! Could you be a Tudor sailor?

Tuesday 8 August

2.30 – 4pm

Discover the story of Dan Pew who sailed with Sir Francis Drake on his voyage around the world. For ages 8 – 11.

Family event: Celebrating Brazil through Textile

Wednesday 9 August 11am-1pm

Celebrate Brazilian heritage in Brent and make a collage to take home.

Free, age 5+. Drop in

Naturetown sports day: Save the rainforest!

Friday 18 August

1.30 – 2.30pm

Learn about athletic animals with ZooLab. For ages 5 – 11.

Kilburn Library

Coffee Mornings

LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Gay, lesbian, and queer - One woman’s experiences

Monday 26 June 11am – 12 noon

Meet Helen who will give an honest and humorous view of life as a gay woman and parent.

Garden Party

Wednesday 9 August

2 – 5pm

Come and party with summer crafts, hula hooping, face painting, games and more!

For ages 5 – 11.

Kingsbury Library

Coffee Mornings

Your Sight Matters

Tuesday 6 June 11am – 12.15pm

Amazing history adventures! Could you be a Tudor sailor?

Thursday 27 July

11.30am – 1pm

Discover the story of Dan Pew who sailed with Sir Francis Drake on his voyage around the world. For ages 8 – 11.

Day with Robo!

Tuesday 1 August

11.30am – 1pm Fun learning workshop building LEGO robots. For ages 8 – 11.

Family craft: Nursing in Brent

Thursday 3 August 11am – 1pm

School of Rhyme!

Tuesday 15 August

2.30 – 3.30pm

Discover poetry with brilliantly fun poet Paul Lyalls! Suitable for anyone who likes to laugh, learn and let language levitate! For ages 6- 12.

Family Learning: How to Help Your Child Succeed

Tuesday 22 August 2 – 4pm

Eve Baker, author of The Adult Life Skills for Children

EXPLORE LEARNING

Inspiring maths and English workshops to help children discover the magic of learning.

Fun with phonics

Saturday 3 June 11am – 12 noon

For ages 5-6

So You Think You Can Sell?

Saturday 8 July

3.30 – 4.30pm

Amazing history adventures! Could you be a Tudor sailor?

Saturday 29 July

2.30-4pm

Discover the story of Dan Pew who sailed with Sir Francis Drake on his voyage around the world. For ages 8 – 11.

Family Learning: How to Help Your Child Succeed

Tuesday 1 August 2 – 4pm

The History and Artists of the Notting Hill Carnival

Wednesday 19 July 11am – 12 noon

Theatre professor Lesley Ferris will uncover the history of carnival in London.

A talk about macular disease to mark HiVIS 2023 – a fortnight celebrating accessibility for visually impaired people in libraries. Drop in Radiant Beauty: Sri Lankan Temple Flowers

Tuesday 18 July 11am - 12:30pm

In celebration of South Asian Heritage Month, we’ll discover the significance of the lotus flower in traditional Sri Lankan Buddhist art.

Celebrate 75 years of the NHS. Learn about the NHS in Brent and draw a portrait of a nurse. Free, age 3+. Drop in Dragons in the Library?

Tuesday 8 August

2.30pm – 4pm

Discover some of their hideaways and make your own dragons!

For ages 5 – 11.

- a Fable discusses practical ways parents and children can deal with issues such as bullying, self-esteem and friendships. For ages 7 – 11 and parents/carers.

Wembley Library

Henry Cooper of Wembley

Saturday 17 June

10.30 – 11.30am

Discover the story of boxer Henry Cooper and his connections to Wembley. Illustrated talk by Philip Grant of Wembley History Society.

For ages 9-11

Drop in Pirate storytelling!

Tuesday 25 July

12 noon – 1pm

Do you have what it takes to be the smelliest, fiercest pirate on the planet? In Association with and by kind permission of, the Royal Maritime Museums, Greenwich.

For ages 4 – 7.

Comic Making Mayhem

Wednesday 26 July,

Friday 4 August,

Friday 11 August

2.30 – 4pm

Come and create a comic featuring you and your community! Funded by Quintain, Wembley Park Ltd.

For ages 8 – 11.

Eve Baker, author of The Adult Life Skills for Children - a Fable discusses practical ways parents and children can deal with issues such as bullying, self- esteem and friendships. For ages 7 – 11 and parents/ carers.

Day with Robo!

Wednesday 2 August 11.30am – 1pm

Fun learning workshop building LEGO robots. For ages 8 – 11.

Dragons in the Library?

Wednesday 9 August 2.30 – 4pm

Discover some of their hideaways and make your own! For ages 5 – 11.

Naturetown sports day:

Save the rainforest!

Friday 18 August

11am – 12 noon

Learn about athletic animals with ZooLab. For ages 5 – 11.

Wem bley Library

CREATIVE IDEAS

Children & Families

Craft Workshops

11am – 1pm

Provided by Learning

Through the Arts and supported through The Community Fund. For ages 5 – 11.

History of London

Tuesday 1 August

Create 3D Tower of London

Royal Crown

Monday 7 August

Create a decorative Royal crown

London Transport

Tuesday 8 August

Make a 3D train

Suncatchers

Monday 14 August

Design you own suncatcher

Summer Paper Craft

Tuesday 15 August

Create vibrant paper fans and windmills

Colourful Kites

Monday 21 August

Make kites inspired by Caribbean flags

Carnival Headdress

Tuesday 22 August

Design your Carnival Headdress

Leaf Painting

Tuesday 29 August

Create art using leaves

The Library at Willesden Green

Object handling session: How do we remember loved ones who have passed away?

Friday 2 June, Family space, Ground Floor 10.30am – 1pm

Join Willesden Jewish Cemetery to Learn about traditional Jewish burial and mourning customs. Ages 7+

African textiles

Friday 2 June 2.30 – 4.30pm

Celebrate African heritage in Brent and make a collage to take home.

Free, age 3+. Drop in

Let’s Talk About Fibre

Tuesday 13 June 11am – 12.30pm

Find out how to eat well for gut health during the cost-of-living crisis. An interactive cookery workshop with local vegan chef and educator Nishma Shah.

Refugee Voices: The Five Stages of Moria

Tuesday 20 June 6.30 – 7.30pm

Join author and humanitarian worker, Elika Ansari in conversation with New Citizens’ Gateway Youth volunteer, Reza Nourmand to discuss her book, The Five Stages of Moria: The Worst Refugee Camp on Earth.

Delicious dishes to make on a budget this summer

Thursday 13 July

11am – 1pm

Interactive cookery class with local chef and journalist

Kerstin Rodgers and make cheap but delicious dishes, perfect for summer.

Unveiling the History of Willesden Jewish Cemetery

1873-2023

Monday 17 July,

Performance Space, The Library at Willesden Green 1 – 2pm

Discover the rich history of Willesden Jewish Cemetery and explore the fascinating stories of those buried there.

Drop in

EXPLORE LEARNING

Inspiring maths and English workshops to help children discover the magic of learning.

Fun with phonics

Tuesday 25 July 1 – 2pm

Join us to practice sounds and blending and to learn about rhyming words! Suitable for ages 4 - 6.

Angular Architecture

Friday 11 August 11am – 12 noon

Work on your knowledge of shapes and angles and practice the skills you would need to be an architect! Suitable for ages 7-9.

Word problems

Thursday 18 August 1 – 2pm

Join us to practice strategies for solving word problems, and work on

your confidence in Maths!

Suitable for ages 9-11.

Ready, Set, Read Workshop

Wednesday 31 August

11.30am – 12.30pm

Fun reading challenge workshop. Suitable for ages 5-11.

Drop in

Amazing history adventures! Could you be a Tudor sailor?

Thursday 27 July

2.30 – 4pm

Saturday 29 July

11.30am – 1pm

Discover the story of Dan Pew who sailed with Sir Francis Drake on his voyage around the world. For ages 8 – 11.

Day with Robo!

Tuesday 1 August

2.30 – 4pm

Fun learning workshop of building LEGO robots. For ages 8 – 11.

Naturetown sports day: Save the rainforest!

Thursday 3 August

1.30 – 2.30pm

Learn about athletic animals with ZooLab. For ages 5 – 11.

Dragons in the Library?

Tuesday 8 August

11.30am – 1pm

Discover some of their hideaways and make your own! For ages 5 – 11.

Family event: Celebrating Brazil through Textile

Thursday 10 August

11am – 1pm

Celebrate Brazilian heritage in Brent and make a collage to take home. Free, age 5+. Drop in

School of Rhyme!

Tuesday 15 August 12 – 1pm

Discover poetry with brilliantly fun poet Paul Lyalls! Suitable for anyone who likes to laugh, learn and let language levitate! For ages 6- 12.

Family Learning: How to Help Your Child Succeed

Thursday 24 August 1.30 – 3.30pm

Eve Baker, author of The Adult Life Skills for Children – a Fable discusses practical ways parents and children can deal with issues such as bullying, self- esteem and friendships. For ages 7 – 11 and parents/ carers.