I Have a Dream will be our theme this October

Marking 50 years since Martin Luther King Jr made 'that' speech

50 years ago today Dr Martin Luther King Jr addressed a 250,000 strong crowd who had marched on Washington to fight for jobs and an end to segregation. The speech he made has become one of the most memorable in history and is commonly referred to as his "I Have a Dream" speech for obvious reasons.

The African and Caribbean Network has decided that October, Black History Month will be devoted to honouring his legacy. The theme for the month will be "I Have a Dream" and every event will tap into people's hopes wishes and dreams.

The full programme will be published in the next few weeks but is likely to include:

* Martin Luther King Jr exhibition of words and images;

* Cabaret showcase of African and Caribbean talent;

* Eritrean Human Rights Public Meeting;

* South African night marking 20 years since Nelson Mandela came to Glasgow;

Africa's Alive & Kicking Party

Meantime, don't miss this Friday's tribute to Martin Luther King. African artists from hip hop to reggae will be performing in tribute to the great man. More information here. 

Wed 3 Oct - Talk on Black Internationalist Resistance to Fascism

Glasgow University Caribbean Discussion Group presents a talk on “Black Internationalist Resistance to Fascism: African American Volunteers in the Spanish Civil War” – looking at Spain in the 1930s. This talk will be led by David Featherstone, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography,
University of Glasgow. Sponsored by University of Glasgow Equality and Diversity Unit.

DATES: Wednesday 3rd October 2012

TIMES: 6.30pm

TICKET INFO: Free Event

VENUE: African Caribbean Centre, 66 Osborne Street, Merchant City, Glasgow G1 5QH

MORE INFO: 0141 330 4714, gucaribbean@gmail.com

Fri 5 Oct - Proud of Black History themed Open Mic Night

Popular demand has got us bringing back the cabaret style open mic night. If you’re a poet, can sing, play an instrument, dance, make us laugh or just fancy watching everyone else do all of that, you are welcome to come to this fun event. Performances should be on the theme ‘Proud of Black History’ although we’ll still cheer you on if it’s not.

DATE: Friday 5th October

TIMES: 8pm – 2am

TICKET INFO: Entry suggested donation of £3 but all welcome regardless

VENUE: African Caribbean Centre, 66 Osborne Street, Merchant City, Glasgow G1 5QH

Bass Warrior Reggae Special featuring Live Reggae Artistes

Bass Warrior Reggae Dancehall Night – regular first Saturday of the Month reggae club night at the ACC with the original master DJ of all things reggae, dancehall and soca, our very own Bass Warrior. All the way from London and Birmingham we are featuring Reggae Artistes Jah Garvey and Norris B. Guest DJs Ras Kama and Banta Selecta from Ujima Radio 98FM. You will not want to sit down at this night of the best in Caribbean tunes, food and cocktails.

DATES: Saturday 6th October 2012

TIMES: 8pm – 2am

TICKET INFO: Entry £10 (£6 students and unwaged)

VENUE: African Caribbean Centre, 66 Osborne Street, Merchant City, Glasgow G1 5QH

Wed 10 Oct - Discussion on Robert Wedderburn

Glasgow University Caribbean Discussion Group presents a talk on “Robert Wedderburn (1762 – 1835): Scottish-Jamaican radical preacher and revolutionary”. This talk will be led by Michael Morris, Department of English Literature, University of Glasgow. Sponsored by University of Glasgow Equality and Diversity Unit.

DATES: Wednesday 10th October 2012

TIMES: 6.30pm

TICKET INFO: Free Event

VENUE: African Caribbean Centre, 66 Osborne Street, Merchant City, Glasgow G1 5QH

MORE INFO: 0141 330 4714, gucaribbean@gmail.com

Sat 13 Oct - talk by Selma James

Delighted to be able to host a talk by Selma James on Sex, Race & Class, a new anthology from the co-author of the women’s movement classic 'The Power of Women and the Subversion of the Community', founder of the 'International Wages for Housework Campaign' and coordinator of the 'Global Women’s Strike'.

You can read more about her here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selma_James

Come and hear the 82 year old force to be reckoned with that is Selma James.

DATE: Saturday 13th October 2012

TIMES: 1.00pm – 4.00pm

TICKET INFO: Entry free – donations welcome

VENUE: African Caribbean Centre, 66 Osborne Street, Merchant City, Glasgow G1 5QH

Wed 17 Oct - Storytelling Workshop

It's the October break, the kids are off, the sun (such as it was) has long gone. So what are you going to do with the kids? Bring them to the African Caribbean Centre pronto where internationally acclaimed and multi award winning storyteller Michael Kerins will perform a two hour storytelling workshop as part of Black History Month celebrations. They will leave on a high and so will you!

DATES: Wednesday 17 October

TIMES: 2pm to 4pm

TICKET INFO: Free Entry

VENUE: African Caribbean Centre, 66 Osborne Street, Merchant City, G1 5QH

Wed 17 Oct - Jamaican Blues Party

In the spirit of the Jamaican blue’s shindig we provide the venue for some Black History Month celebrations with a modern twist.

Ankur Productions presents a Jamaican Blues Party - come and enjoy the music and words of an exciting array of urban artistes. If you’re feeling brave join them at the mic or simply dance the night away.

DATE: Wednesday 17th October 2012

TIME: 8.00pm to 1am (bar license times tbc)

TICKET INFO: Tickets £2.50. Contact Ankur On 0141 559 4935 to reserve your ticket.

VENUE: African Caribbean Centre, 66 Osborne Street, Merchant City, Glasgow G1 5QH

MORE INFO: Rhea Lewis, 0141 559 4935, rhea.lewis@ankurproductions.org.uk

Sat 20 Oct - Children's Day Film, Storytelling & Music

Designed especially for our younger audiences, Africa in Motion’s Children’s Day programme is full of exciting African Films and Animations for children, and inspiring stories from all over the continent! This screening is suitable for children and families, and the subtitles will be narrated for younger viewers. Following the screening there will be a storytelling session. And we end the day with a 2 hour music making workshop given by Ghanaian musician and Director of Pan African Arts Scotland, Gameli Tordzro.

DATES: Saturday 20^th October

TIMES: Films 11am to 12.30, Storytelling 12.30 to 1.15pm, Music Workshop 2pm to 4pm

TICKET INFO: Film & storytelling £1.50 child / adult; Film plus workshop £3.50 child / adult

VENUE: African Caribbean Centre, 66 Osborne Street, Merchant City

22 & 23 Oct - Sharing Africa

Sharing Africa WAS 2 days of workshops and talks looking at all things African. We incorporated it into other BHM events and we now won't be having this two day event but we have another 3 coming up in this week so keep reading!

Under 18s Hallowe'en night with Curiosicats

The last night was such a success that we've invited DJ Shaquille and his Curiosicats back for another Under 18s night. All they wanna do is share their music, all rooted in Africa - hip hop, reggae and much much more. And if you're worried about your under 18s don't be, there are loads of us over 18s keeping a watchful eye over them.Fancy dress is not compulsory but it is encouraged.

DATES: Friday 26 October 2012

TIMES: 7.30-11.30pm

TICKET INFO: Five pounds entry

VENUE: African Caribbean Centre, 66 Osborne Street, Merchant City, Glasgow G1 5QH

MORE INFO: Anne at accglasgow@gmail.com

African Coffee Morning

The African Caribbean Women's Association (or ACWA for short) has got us all excited because they're having a coffee morning at the centre and they're doing home baking! You have not tasted anything like it. These women are fabulous in every way but especially in the baking way. The coffee morning is free but the cakes and crafts are not so get saving because you will find it very hard to resist. And if you've no money, come and have a coffee anyway, it'll be a great chance to meet new people and make new friends. You will be made to feel very welcome.

DATES: Saturday 27 October 2012

TIMES: 10am to 2pm

TICKET INFO: Free Event

VENUE: African Caribbean Centre, 66 Osborne Street, Merchant City, Glasgow G1 5QH

MORE INFO: Anne at accglasgow@gmail.com

Sat 27 Oct - Africa's Alive & Kicking Party

Share in culture from around the continent of Africa. Our confirmed acts are:

Wazobia's fabulous Nigerian drummers
Gameli Tordzro's Highlife Band
A wonderful Angolan Children's Dance Group

and the best in African music from DJs who know their music. This is not ‘African influenced’ music, this is the real thing. Licensed event with reasonable bar prices and imported African beers.

Children welcome

DATE: Saturday 27th October 2012

TIME: 8pm to 2am

TICKET INFO: Entry minimum £5 donation to A&CN charity. (You can also purchase African buffet £4 and cocktails are £3.50) Special price for entry, buffet and cocktail £10.

Pre book tickets by clicking on Paypal icon here on the blog. Reference is your name+AfricaParty.

VENUE: African Caribbean Centre, 66 Osborne Street, Merchant City, Glasgow G1 5QH

Sun 28 Oct - Black History Film Festival

The African Caribbean Centre marks the end of Black History Month with a film screening of Malcolm X with an introduction from Graham Campbell and a discussion session after for those who want to stay. Hot and cold drinks and snacks will be available for purchase from the ACC cafe.

DATE: Sunday 28th October 2012

TIMES: 1pm. NB the film lasts 3.5 hours and we'll be having a break half way through so end of film time approx 5.15pm.Those staying for discussion, end time 6pm.

TICKET INFO: Entry £6 (£4 concession - anyone who is unwaged if they show evidence).

VENUE: African Caribbean Centre, 66 Osborne Street, Merchant City, Glasgow G1 5QH