READING Borough Council is marking Black History Month for 2023 with a celebration of the contributions that the town’s black community has made.
It will see a range of events and activities, including music, theatre, and debate in venues across Reading.
Reading Museum is hosting the Windrush Lives Exhibition until Saturday, November 4, exploring the impact of the Windrush generation and its descendants on British life and how they shaped Reading.
Reading Biscuit Factory is showcasing a number of short films exploring black history and black future, with speakers giving talks as well as question and answer sessions in Creative Connection.
The event will see work by Bristol-based writer and director Corinne Walker, West-London-based producer and actor Dami Adeyeye, and actror, author, and film-maker Tianna Hanton.
A collaboration between the British Film Institute’s Audience Network, Film Hub South East, and the University of Reading, Creative Connection is showing at Reading Biscuit Factory on Thursday, October 12, from 6.30pm.
ACRE’s Community Wellbeing Hub is hosting an African drumming event promoting mental wellbeing, including a talk exploring mental health in African context, on Tuesday, October 17, from 10am-3pm.
CultureMix Arts and Music Centre will host the Soca Dance Classes with Krystal to help attendees hone their festival dance moves and keep fit on Saturday October 14, 21, and 28, from 10.30am-11.30am.
Reading Central Library is hosting award-winning, Trinidad-born author Ingrid Persaud on Thursday, October 26, from 7pm.
Adele Barnett-Ward, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Leisure and Culture said: “I always look forward Black History Month and encourage everyone to get involved in the wide and diverse range of activities taking place across Reading throughout October.
“Don’t miss the Windrush Lives Exhibition on at Reading Museum, only on until 4 November, to better understand Reading’s Windrush generation who made Reading the place it is today.
“Reading is a town that rightfully prides itself on its diversity and Reading Borough Council is committed to supporting the Black community, furthering the rights of the members of that community and tackling head-on the disadvantages and struggles that the community has faced.”
Details and tickets for Reading Biscuit Factory’s event, Creative Connection, are available via: eventbrite.co.uk
Details and tickets for Culture Mix Music and Arts’ Soca Dance Classes are available via: culturemixarts.co.uk
Details and tickets for Reading Central Library’s event with Ingrid Persaud are available via: whatsonreading.com
Full details of Reading Borough Council’s events during Black History Month are available via: reading.gov.uk/leisure/things-to-do/events/black-history-month-2023/
