Black History Month Programme 2023

October 2023

1st –October31st2023

10 June to 4 November

Reading Museum, Blagrave St, RG1 1QH

Black History Month was established in the USA by Dr Carter G Woodson, a black American historian who created a month (February) for African American people to have the opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge themselves and their achievements.

In England, Black History Month was first celebrated in October 1987, in African Jubilee year, as part of a drive to improve racial harmony in London. It has since grown to encompass the whole country and to recognise and embrace the contributions and traditions of other black communities.

Enigma of Arrival

Produced by the University of West Indies and Barbados Museum and Historical Society, Enigma of Arrival is an authoritative and richly illustrated exhibition detailing the experience of Caribbean migration to the UK.

Please note that the Enigma of Arrival exhibition will be on display most days but will occasionally not be open due to other activities in the gallery space. So, if you are making a special trip to see the exhibition, please email museum.visiting@reading.gov.uk or call 0118 937 3400 before you travel.

www.readingmuseum.org.uk

1 September to 4 November

Welcome Gallery, Reading Museum, Blagrave St, RG1 1QH

18 September to 27 November (not including half term 23 October), 5.30pm to 7pm

CultureMix Arts & Music Centre, 7 Queens Walk, Reading, RG1 7QF

Windrush Lives

In June 1948, a ship named Empire Windrush set sail from far-off Caribbean Islands on the long journey to England. On board was a whole generation of enterprising young black men and women, prepared to travel across the ocean in search of a better life through hard work in local industries and services. 75 years on, this highly symbolic moment in Black and British history has indelibly shaped Reading’s social and economic fortunes. With a unique display of treasured local family keepsakes, pictures and spoken word, Windrush Lives shares the living memory of the Windrush generation and their descendants in making Reading the place it is today.

Gallery opening times: Tuesday to Friday: 10am-4pm; Saturday: 10am-5pm www.readingmuseum.org.uk

COURSE JazzReggaeAfrobeat ReggaeAfrobeat Jazz

A 10 week Jazz Reggae Afrobeat music course for 12-16’s who have some experience of playing a musical instrument.

The project is completely free of charge and is led by London based Soothsayers in partnership with CultureMix Arts.

Please bring your instrument with you. We have drum kits, keyboards and limited guitars and bass guitars available. We are keen to encourage horn players and singers.

https://culturemixarts.co.uk

Friday 6 October, 8pm to 11.30pm

CultureMix Arts & Music Centre, 7 Queens Walk, Reading RG1 7QF

SHOWCASE

Reggae Fridays showcase is an evening of live music featuring special guest performances. Don’t miss this exciting reggae event where you can get up close and personal with the musicians and artistes. Enjoy the Caribbean style bar with outside seating and dancing.

Saturday 7 October, 1pm to 4pm

Mapp Community Centre, 22 Mount Pleasant, Reading RG1 2TD

WINDRUSH GENERATIONS

SHOWCASE & CARIBBEAN

AFTERNOON TEA

Tickets are £7.50 in advance via Eventbrite or £10 on the door.

https://culturemixarts.co.uk

Scan the QR code to get your tickets

Saturday 7 October, 2.30pm to 5.00pm

RISC Centre 35-39 London Street, Reading RG1 4PS

7-8 October, 1pm to 5pm

Boardroom, Oxford Road Community Centre, 344 Oxford Road, Reading, RG30 1AF

“Art From The Heart” exhibition

Health Awareness Sessions on Crohn’s & Colitis and Prostate Cancer

The event raises the importance of being checked for Crohn’s and Colitis and Prostate Cancer through a discussion session. The event is supported by Barbados and Friends Association in Reading.

https://www.risc.org.uk/events

Featuring artwork produced by local artists expressing their perspective of life.

For more information email info@acre-reading.org

9 October to

10 November Hammond Farm, Checkendon, RG8 0NS

SculptureNuba Survival

In an isolated field near a dilapidated barn stands this chilling portrayal of the plight of the Nuba peoples of Sudan. Created by local sculptor John Buckley after a visit to the Nuba Mountains in southern Sudan. A must see!

Monday 9 October, 10.30am to 11.30am

BLACK HISTORY BROADCAST FOR SCHOOLS (KS2

and KS3)

With the help of short video-interviews from members of Reading’s Caribbean community and archival images, children will learn stories of role models and events from Black History who shaped our communities, understand the emotional and practical hardship of members of Reading’s Windrush Generation, and learn about the amazing contributions of the Black community to Reading’s culture and art.

The session includes videos created by CultureMix, an international music and carnival arts company based in Berkshire, UK with roots in African Caribbean culture - from steel pan music and Carnival masquerade of Trinidad and Tobago, to Jamaican reggae music.

Please contact Reading Museum learning team to book a place for your class museum.education@reading.gov.uk

Tuesday 10 October, 7.30pm The Hexagon Theatre, Reading

The Drifters are back on tour in the UK performing all their classic hits! The legendary group have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, performed for the President of the United States and listed among the Greatest Artists of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine.

Thursday 12 October, 6.30pm to 8.30pm(doors 6.15pm)

Friday 13 October, 6.30pm

Reading Biscuit Factory, Unit 1A, Queen’s Walk (Corner Of Oxford Road), Reading RG1 7QE

Creative Connection

Black History/ Black Future -

Rye Lane Screening -

Through A Different Lens: BLACK HISTORY/ BLACK FUTURE new talent

Join us for an evening of short films featuring a wealth of new talent and Q&A session and network with creatives and filmmakers to develop your next project and gain insights. We’ll also be offering eats, courtesy of local food artisans. This event is presented in collaboration with BFI NETWORK South East and supported by the University of Reading. Tickets are limited, book via Eventbrite: Through A Different Lens | Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/ through-a-different-lens-2643329?utmcampaign=social&utm-content=creatorshare&utmmedium=discovery&utmterm=odclsxcollection&utm-source=cp&aff=escb

A modern rom-com with a twist - Two youngsters reeling from bad breakups who connect over an eventful day in South-London. A breakout hit of 2023 directed by Raine Allen Miller.

Book tickets via Reading Biscuit Factory: https://www.readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk/movie/ black-future-rye-lane

Saturday 14 October, 2pm to 3.30pm

STILL LIFE DRAWING session

We’ll be hosting a relaxed still life drawing workshop based on items you’d find in a traditional African Caribbean home. We’ll provide basic art materials, but budding artists are welcome to bring their own preferred drawing materials (e.g. A4 or A3 paper, pens, pencils etc). Suitable for all levels of drawing ability and complete beginners, aged 16 years and above.

Tickets: £9.50

Book your spot via Eventbrite: Through A Different Lens | Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/ cc/through-a-different-lens2643329?utm-campaign=social&utmcontent=creatorshare&utmmedium=discovery&utmterm=odclsxcollection&utmsource=cp&aff=escb

Saturday 14 October, 3.30pm to 5.30pm

CARIBBEAN STORYTELLING - family session

Come and enjoy an evocativestorytelling session with reflections on the past, examples of the Caribbean impact on the UK and making a new home in a new place. This session is aimed at accompanied children aged 4 years to 7 years old. The session is free but booking is essential on Eventbrite.

Saturday 14 October, 6.30pm (doors 6.15pm)

BLACK HISTORY/ BLACK FUTURE: Barrel Children +

This documentary film explores the heart felt and sometimes difficult life experience of Caribbean children (now adults) who remained in the Caribbean joining their parents at a later stage in the 1950s & 1960s. The screening is followed by Sibling Strangers Poetry reading and post-film Q+A with Pam Williams.

Book tickets via Reading Biscuit Factory: https://www.readingbiscuitfactory. co.uk/movie/barrel-children-thefamilies-windrush-left-behind-qa

To find out more: https://www.throughadifferentlens.co.uk/events-projects

Reading Biscuit Factory, Unit 1A, Queen’s Walk (Corner Of Oxford Road), Reading RG1 7QE

Q&A

Saturday 14, 21 & 28 October, 10.30am to 11.30am

CultureMix Arts & Music Centre, 7 Queens Walk, Reading RG1 7QF

Soca Dance Classes are a fun way to keep fit and have fun. Bring your flag and water bottle and get ready to practice your Carnival dance moves to Soca beats with Krystle.

Soca Dance Classes

Tuesday 17 October, 10.00am to 3pm

Community Wellbeing Hub in ACRE, 344 Oxford Road, Reading RG30 1AF

AFRICAN DRUMMING for mental wellbeing

We’ll be holding presentations, discussions, lived experiences, videos, music and small groups, small talks to describe mental health in African context and highlight the role of religion/ faith for healing from both mental health and physical health illnesses. Please bring your note pads, lunch, and a friend. There will be food to share.

Tickets are £5 via Eventbrite. https://culturemixarts.co.uk/entertainment/eventsshowcases/black-history-month-festival-2023/

https://talkingtherapies. berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/

Tuesday 17 October, 7pm

The Hexagon Theatre, Reading

A celebration tour to mark Beverley’s 50th Birthday and incredible career. Back together with her live band expect a fun-filled night where she will perform all of her classic hits and fan favourites along with brand new songs.

0118 960 6060

whatsonreading.com

17 October to 18 November

Holybrook Gallery, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, RG1 3BQ

Portraits of

SAN FRANCISCO LIBRE, Reading’s twin town in Nicaragua

Thursday 19 October 2023, 6.30pm to 8.30pm

Council Chambers, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading RG1 2LU

Acre Annual General Meeting: featuring the RBC HZHAS funded ‘Occy Road’ project which captured the images and reflections on the Oxford Road, Reading. Acre worked in partnership with local artists and writers. Guest Speakers are the project leads and contributors and will share their thoughts, reflections and poems about the Oxford Road.

ACRE Annual General Meeting

Saturdays 10am-3pm. (Closed Wed and Sun).

For more information email info@acre-reading.org

Friday 20 October, 7.30pm

RISC, Main Hall, 35-39 London St., Reading RG1 4PS

Slavery, Free Labour & Fair Trade

Dr Joseph Yannielli of Aston University will explore how society has been grappling with the issue of fair trade since early industrialisation. He will be joined by two of his students, Samriti Hans and Safiah Al-Shatheli. They will examine slavery in Reading, the role of enslaved labour in the production of cotton, sugar and chocolate, and early campaigns for free labour and human rights.

https://www.risc.org.uk/events

Saturday 21 October, 6.30pm to 8.30pm (doors open 6pm)

CultureMix Arts & Music Centre, 7 Queens Walk, Reading RG1 7QF

RASPO Showcase

Award winning steel band Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra (RASPO) presents a cultural evening of steel pan music and calypso with special guest artists to celebrate the 75th Windrush Anniversary.

Tickets via Eventbrite are £5 in advance and £7.50 on the door.

https://culturemixarts.co.uk/ entertainment/events-showcases/ black-history-month-festival-2023/

Saturday 21 October, 7pm

RISC, Main Hall, 35-39 London St., Reading RG1 4PS

Saturday 21 October 2023, 7.30pm

South Street Arts Centre, 21 South Street, Reading RG1 4QU

Book Launch and Panel discussion with

Author

NADYA ALI

The Violence of Britishness, Racism, Borders and the Conditions of Citizenship. Nadya Ali examines how racially discriminatory immigration policies threatening the rights and entitlements of us all. A panel discussion chaired by Berkshire’s Refugee Charity & Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality (ACRE) followed by book signing. Refreshments will be available.

https://www.risc.org.uk/events

Reading Windrush Group present

3.3%

and

STARTER MOTOR

Two short plays focusing on the Windrush generation and the generation of today, these two performances both capture the vibe of the time and the question, how much has changed?

Filled with the fleeting heat of joy, the quenching taste of hope and the pulsating beat of dignity.

Written by acclaimed actor and writer Clint Dyer and directed by 2Heavy Productions’ Steve Macaulay.

Tickets: £5-£10

23-25 October 2023, 11am to 4pm

Acre Office, Middle Building, 344 Oxford Road, Reading, RG30 1AF

Tuesday 24 October 2023, 4pm to 5pm

CultureMix Arts & Music Centre, 7 Queens Walk, Reading RG1 7QF

WINDRUSH ‘Enigma of Arrival’ EXHIBITION

Windrush ‘Enigma of Arrival’ Exhibition marking the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the ‘Empire Windrush’ and captures the experiences of the Windrush Generation who answered the call from the motherland Great Britain.

For more information email info@acre-reading.org

STEEL BAND

Taster Workshop

Are you aged 8-16 years old?

Have a go at learning to play steel pans with RASPO tutors at our fun free taster workshop. All steel pans are provided with friendly helpful tutors.

Free tickets available on Eventbrite. For more information go to https://culturemixarts.co.uk or email nathifa@culturemixarts.co.uk

Thursday 26 October 2023, 7pm to 8.15pm

Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ

Meet the AuthorINGRID PERSAUD

We will be hosting award winning author Ingrid Persaud as part of our celebrations of Black History Month.

Ingrid Persaud is an award-winning writer and artist. Love After Love, her debut novel, won the 2020 Costa First Novel award, the Author’s Club First Book Award 2021, and the Indie Book Award for Fiction 2021. Other prizes include the BBC National Short Story Award 2018 and the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2017. Ingrid was born in Trinidad and lives in London. Her next novel is forthcoming June 2024.

Tickets: £3

whatsonreading.com

Thursday 26 October, 6pm to 8.30 pm

Council Chambers, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading RG1 2LU

COMMUNITY AWARDS EVENT

Celebrating Grassroots Communities and Volunteers with awards in order to amplify the communities’ voices, inspire and empower them to continue with the valuable work they do. Awards will be given under different categories based on the issues we continue to address in the community.

Saturday 28 October, 2.30pm to 4.30pm

St Laurence Church, The Forbury, Reading RG1 3EJ

A Conversation with

Windrush Elders

Come and hear Dr Marcia Burrowes (Lecturer, Cultural Studies, UWI, Barbados) in conversation with Reading Windrush Elders. They will be discussing their experiences of leaving the Caribbean, their journey to the UK and settling in Reading to raise their families. This is a free event. For more information email rodney.harewood@gmail.com

Thursday 2 November, 7.30pm

Reading San Francisco Libre Association, RISC Room 3, 35-39 London St, RG1 4PS

LIBRE, Reading’s twin town in Nicaragua

Russell Maddicks and 10-year-old Francisco present their recent visit to San Francisco Libre, Nicaragua in Central America and how Reading’s assistance to an environmental and educational NGO is improving lives.

https://www.risc.org.uk/events

Friday 3 November, 7.30pm

South Street Arts Centre, 21 South Street, Reading RG1 4QU

Barbara: The Accidental Activist

Barbara: The Accidental Activist is the story of a young Ugandan woman who was thrust into the limelight following her famous bra protest on the streets of Kampala, when a female opposition leader, Ingrid Turinawe, was sexually assaulted by police officers attempting to arrest her. Barbara Allimadi became Uganda’s poster child for justice and equality, lending her voice, time and resources to those without.

Saturday 4 November, 7pm

RISC Hall 35-39 London St., Reading RG1 4PS

Celebrating BURKINA FASO

Tickets: £12.50

https://whatsonreading.com/ venues/south-street/ whats-on/i-belongdoris-allimadi

Fundraising event with live music, food, raffle and more! Eva Watkinson from Debt Justice will talk about the economic challenges faced by Burkina Faso and other west African nations and ways to alleviate them. Proceeds will go towards the Food Crisis Appeal (Red Cross), TN (Tigoung Nonma) - cooperative in Burkina Faso and LAFI (Lasting Action For Inclusion). Hosted by LAFI & TN.

Book tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebratingburkina-faso-tickets-710559160577

Every effort was made to ensure that details in this publication were correct at the time of going to press. However Reading Borough Council cannot accept responsibility for any changes, amendments and cancellations of any events or activities listed, nor any inaccuracies which may have been printed in error.