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Djembe Drumming Workshops

Wednesday 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 October 2008 | 7.30pm | Rising Sun Arts Centre, 30 Silver Street | Reading

Join Master Drummer Abdoul Davis from Gambia to learn the art of West African Drumming. Beginners and all levels welcome.

Tel: 0118 986 6788.

Unity Community and Sports Association Black History Month Exhibition

1 October - 31 October 2008 | 10am - 3pm | Cintra Park | Reading

To celebrate Black History Month Unity Community and Sports Association present a month-long exhibition entitled Did You Know, highlighting successful members of ethnic minority groups.

Tel: 0118 954 7275.

Black History Month - family day

Saturday 4 October 2008 | 3pm | Thames Valley Community Centre, The Green, Chalvey | Slough

Come and share the culture and heritage from the past and to the present day with talks on black history as well as other subjects. There will be stalls selling African artefacts as well as clothes, jewellery and more.

Email: respectforlife@fsmail.net.

Nepalese Dashain Cultural Celebration

Sunday 5 October 2008 | 5pm – 10pm | The Warehouse, 1a Cumberland Road, Cemetery Junction | Reading

Come along and celebrate Dashain (the longest and most important festival of Nepal) by joining in this exploration of Nepalese Culture. The event is suitable for all the family and will include special Nepalese quizzes for the Children.

Black History Month at Battle Library

Monday 6 October and Friday 10 October 2008 | Battle Library, Oxford Road | Reading

Marjorie McClure is giving a special pre-booked talk on Black History to pupils from Battle Primary and Oxford Road Primary as part of the national celebration.

The presentation will concentrate on figures such as Rosa Parkes, Nelson Mandela, Mary Seacole and Martin Luther King as well as modern day black sporting and cultural icons.

Tel: 0118 901 5100.

Moving Forward

Tuesday 7 October 2008 | 7.30pm | Kennet Room, Civic Centre | Reading

The African and Caribbean Community Group are holding a public meeting to let the community know how they are moving forward towards a new centre for the African and Caribbean Communities in Reading.

Potential volunteers are especially welcome and there is something for everyone from artists to accountants.

If you can't attend but would like to be added to the mailing list, please email Errol Master on dbushmaster@gmail.com

Show Me the Money

Wednesday 15 October 2008 | 6.30pm | Council Chamber, Civic Centre | Reading

Short presentations on how to tap into a variety of funding streams available to black groups and individuals, both locally and nationally, followed by a chance to put your questions to the panel of experts.

Tel: 0118 939 0771

African Dance Workshops and Performance

Tuesday 14, 21 and 28 October 2008 | 7pm – 9pm | Saturday 1 November 2008 | 7pm (performance only) | Hexham Community Centre, Bamburgh Close | Reading

Put on your dancing shoes and come and participate in some exciting African Dance classes. Also, come along to a very special Black History Month performance, featuring choirs from the 7th Day Adventist Church and Christ Ambassadors on Saturday 1 November at 7pm.

Tel: 0118 901 5628.

Reading International Festival

Friday 17 October 2008 – Sunday 2 November 2008 | Venues across the Borough

This annual festival is coordinated by the Reading International Development Forum. The forum aims to raise the profile of Reading's international connections, activities and campaigns.

Reading International Festival – including Black History Month and One World Week – highlights human rights, the environment and trade.

Pick up a programme from Reading Borough Council venues or RISC World Shop and Global Café.

Tel: 0118 958 6692.

Pak-O-Hind Mushaira

Saturday 18 October 20078 | 5.30pm – 10.30pm | Warehouse Hall, Cumberland Road | Reading

Mushaira is a popular literary event organised by the Urdu Society in Reading, where both the Pakistani and Indian communities come together to listen to Urdu Poetry recited by invited local and national eminent poets.

This year more than 20 poets will be reciting their poetry at the event. Suitable for all the family.

Tel: 0118 987 5077

The History of Sugar in Barbados

Saturday 18 October 2008 | Broad Street Mall | Reading

What was the first crop grown in Barbados? Who introduced sugar to the Island and when? What was the most important single factor in the development of the sugar industry in Barbados?

This event, organised by the Barbados and Friends Association (BAFA) Reading will provide answers to the above questions and to highlight the historic importance of this crop to the economy of Barbados.

Tel: 07771 765 140

Caberet Folklorico

Sunday 19 October 2008 | 8pm | Rising Sun Arts Centre, 30 Silver Street | Reading

World Music Cabaret in a relaxed setting featuring a range of performers. The event is hosted by Master Drummer Abdoul Davis from the Gambia and Cuban Folkloric Dancer Yanisel Zapata.

Entry: £8. Tel: 0118 986 6788.

The Arthur Wharton Memorial Football Tournament

Monday 20 and Monday 27 October 2008 | Kick-off 6.30pm | Palmer Park Sports Stadium, Wokingham Road | Reading

Come along and support the teams. Donations to the Sickle Cell Society

Carnival AGM

Friday 24 October 2008 |Ìý 7.30pm | Committee Room 1, Civic Centre | Reading

In preparation for next summer's Carnival which will take place in Prospect Park and around the Streets of West Reading. Come along and hear what's involved in organising the Carnival – you might feel inspired to get involved.

Celebrating Black History Month

Saturday 25 October 2008 | 7pm – 10pm | Apollo Youth Club, Mapp Centre, Mount Pleasant | Reading

Come along to the Apollo club and join in a presentation and discussion on citizenship followed by African and Caribbean dancing and drumming. All welcome.

Email: info@appolloyouthclub.org.uk

Black History Month Event at The Globe

Sunday 26 October 2008 | 6pm – 10pm | The Globe, 12 Portman Road | Reading

Join the African Children's Choir, King's Kids and a wide range of dynamic artists at the Globe to celebrate Black History Month. There will also be a wide range of refreshments, African Clothing stands and community stalls which include Thames Valley Police, Source, Nextstep and Connexions.

Tel: 0118 950 8534.

Mike Gayle visits Reading Library

Tuesday 28 October 2008 | 7.30pm | Reading Central Library, Abbey Square | Reading

Best-selling black author Mike Gayle is giving a talk at Reading Library. Mike is an ex-agony uncle and expert in sod's law which makes his comedies of life and love hit the spot every time.

Come and meet the author of The Life and Soul of the Party, Wish You Were Here and Mr Commitment.

Tel: 0118 901 5955 or email: info@readinglibraries.org.uk

Let's Dance the Asian Way

Tuesday 28 October 2008 | 10am, 11am, 1pm & 2pm | Museum of Reading, Blagrave Street | Reading

Bring your dancing feet and join Ashwini Kaleskar to learn some Indian dance moves incorporating traditional steps and Bollywood grooves. Ages 7+, 45 minute sessions.

Entry: £2 pay on the day. Tel: 0118 939 9800.

Poetry Slam - Reading's Got Talent and Style

Wednesday 29 October 2008 | 6pm – 8pm | MacDevitts Bar, South Street Arts Centre | Reading

Take part in a Black History Month-inspired poetry and open mic night. Come along and challenge the reigning poetry slam champion since 1996, MC Naptalie.

Conscious lyrics and no swearing! Booking advisable on 0118 939 0771.

Black Culture Day

Thursday 30 October 2008 | 10.30am – 4.30pm| New Directions, South Reading Centre, Northumberland Avenue | Reading

A celebration of music, arts and food from Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. Including free taster workshops and cultural displays.

Tel: 0845 842 0012.

Pied Piper Trail

Thursday 30 October 2008 | 2pm - 2.45pm | Museum of Reading, Blagrave Street | Reading

Take a walk with a Museum of Reading guide focusing on the past and present of Reading's Black communities. Start by the Chilis Terrace restaurant by the Oracle.Ìý Suitable for all ages.

Tel: 0118 939 9800.

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