Merton Council, in partnership with Merton Unity Network, is celebrating this year’s Black History Month with its Festival of Unity on 24 and 25 October.
The festival will showcase a wide variety of talent in the borough including the Panash Steel Band Orchestra, River & Cloth hand weaving workshops and children’s entertainer Maximo. Merton’s Polka Theatre will also be getting involved as will community group Congolese African Youth Solution and young saxophonist Endi Ezengwa from Kiara Training College.
In addition to the festival, celebrations will be going on throughout October including a Michael Jackson tribute evening on Saturday 10 October taking place at the Taylor Road Day Centre, Taylor Road, Mitcham. Author Wilfred L B Fraser will be entertaining literary admirers on Thursday 15 October, reading from his first novel The Brotherhood of the Unicorn at Mitcham Library.
Everyone is invited to take advantage of the careers fair at Vestry Hall, London Road, Mitcham on Saturday 17 October, where people will have the chance to meet black professionals working in law, engineering, business as well as many other sectors.
Other events taking place include Caribbean exercise classes, black hair and beauty makeover evenings, Gospel and family music evenings as well as young people’s workshops.
The special Black History Month Grande Finale on Saturday 31 October will finish off the month in style with Caribbean folk dance, music and song.
For more information about Black History Month in Merton and for full listings of events go to http://www.merton.gov.uk/blackhistory
Merton Council cabinet member for community safety and engagement Councillor Henry Nelless said: “We are incredibly proud of the contribution the Black community makes to Merton and Black History Month is a great way to celebrate that contribution.
“There are some fantastic events going on this year, including the careers fair and craft workshops as well as concerts and book readings. I hope as many people as possible get involved and come along to enjoy the events.’
-ENDS-
Note to editor
Merton Unity Network was established in 1994. The network represents a Merton’s black and minority ethnic communities – their views, experiences and support needs. More information: http://www.mertonunitynetwork.org.uk