Meet the Author

Come and meet critically acclaimed author Bernardine Evaristo who will be talking about her novel Lara at Langley Library on Thursday 22nd October at 2.00pm.

Tickets are free, but you'll need to book a place. Also there's going to be free transport available from Rochdale.

To book your ticket and transport or for more details, please phone 01706 924941

Afrocats

"Afrocats are one of the most dynamic and energetic performance groups around!"

And they're coming to a library near you this half-term with their Caribbean and African dance workshops:

Friday 30th October 2009
Heywood Library 11am
Alkrington Library 2.30pm



Saturday 31st October
Wheatsheaf Library 2.30pm



Another FREE family event for Black History Month from Rochdale Libraries

What's Your Story

Everyone has a story to tell.
What's yours?
My Story is a BBC competition for ordinary people with EXTRAordinary true stories.
There's a chance of winning a fantastic prize and to see your story retold on BBC One.
To check out Lenny Henry's top tips, watch Ray Winstone's inspiring video or to submit your story visit the My Story website.

African Beat Drumming & Tribal Dance at Littleborough Library

Fancy having a go at playing some African drums or trying out some African dance moves in the half-term holidays?
Then why not drop in to Littleborough Library on Tuesday 27th October from 2.30-5.00pm and have a go. Chaba, from Sachaba Arts, will be available to show you how it's done
It's suitable for all the family and FREE!

Tunes in the Library - Fun in the Park

For a great day out visit Balderstone Library & Balderstone Park on Saturday 12th September 11am to 3pm

Wanna b a DJ? In the library you can mix tracks or have a go at making your own music with the Backdoor Music Project

In the park there will be free activities for all ages as well as information and consultation. See attached poster for more information or alternatively contact the Vision for Kirkholt Team on 01706 655329.

Homelands

A collection of stories and poems

written in English, French and

Portuguese by African

people living in Rochdale.

It's well worth a look:

http://www.cartwheelarts.org.uk/images/homelands.pdf

Published by Tell Us Another One at Cartwheel Arts in conjunction with NESTAC

Have you read?

More North West based black writers for you to explore:

Segun Lee French
http://www.literaturenorthwest.co.uk/author/290

Pauline Omoboye
http://www.literaturenorthwest.co.uk/author/114

Levi Tafari
http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=auth02D2M455312627214

Jackie Kay
http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=auth54

Black History Month on BBC 1xtra

Throughout the month of October BBC 1Xtra will be celebrating the achievements, events, and black music icons of the last 5 decades.

Seani B from BBC 1xtra has mixed five decades of black music together in one five minute mix.

To see the track listing or for more info visit http://www.blackhistorymonthuk.co.uk/features/bbc08.1.html

Events in Libraries for Black History Month

Staff have put forward the following suggestions for events and activities in Black History Month:

• Author visit


• Tribal dance & African beat drumming


• African cookery demonstration


• Cultural exhibition


• Feature collection of books by black authors

Would you attend any of these events?

If not, what sort of event would you want to attend?

Moving Manchester

Have you checked out these black writers based in the North West on Lancaster University's Moving Manchester project writers gallery?

• Muli Amaye



• Pete Kalu



• Joe Pemberton

Colin Jackson breaking a world record

Colin Jackson became a world champion and world record holder in the 110m hurdles In August 2006.

Love, Help, Sisterhood

The Dynamic Ladies of Greater Manchester aim to bring together African women in the area to foster their well-being and promote their African culture.

They have 3 days of events coming soon:

• Big Clean Up on Newbold on 6th August - meet at Newbold Post Office at 11am
• Football Festival on 7th August - Springhill Sports Centre from 2-4pm
• Gala Dance on 8th August - Restoration Baptist Church, Hopkinson Road, Blackley from 6pm 'til late!

For more information contact:

Yvonne Ramses-Ngwa, Rochdale - Tel: 01706 769252/07946180928

Madeleine Moussima, Manchester - Tel: 0161 203 6193/07540621650

E-mail: dynamicladiesofgm at googlemail.com

2008 Reading List

Here's the reading list we used for last year's Black History Month.

• African Art
• Autobiography of Malcolm X
• Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr.
• Basil D'Oliveira: cricket and controversy
• Billie Holiday
• Black Art: a cultural history
• Black, White and Gold
• Black Ivory: slavery in the British Empire
• Climbing the Mango Tree
• Garry Sobers: my autobiography
• Illustrated Long Walk to Freedom
• Mary Prince: a West Indian slave
• Mary Seacole
• Opening to Spirit
• Ouladah Equiano
• Pele: the autobiography
• Rootless: an autobiography
• Ugly

I have a dream...

Hello

We'll be telling you about Black History Month in our libraries and letting you know about the work involved in the build up to it.

We're also interested in knowing what you think, so we'll be asking you a few questions.