Essex is the Place For Me!

Essex Cultural Diversity Project invites you to a special Windrush Day Celebration Event, taking place in Chelmsford. The event celebrates Afro-Caribbean culture with food, music, art, dance and literature.

The day will be hosted by our compere, Lawrence Walker, Chair of Black History Month (Colchester). Pop in for live music with Phase 5 Steelpan Band, Afro-Caribbean food from Jerk Station, a family drop-in workshop with award winning artist John Lyons, and a pop-up exhibition.

We also have exciting talks by guest speakers – Anthony Joseph, poet, novelist, and musician, who is joining us to talk about his latest novel Kitch: A Fictional Biography of a Calypson Icon, inspired by Lord Kitchener. And Sharon Watson, Choreographer and Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre‘s Windrush: Movement of the People, will be in conversation with another dancer in this wonderful show currently taking the UK by storm. Poet and artist John Lyons will also be reading some of his poetry through the day.

Free event but BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL
RSVP by emailing info@essexcdp.com, or by booking in the individual events below

FULL PROGRAMME:

11.10 – 11.50am
Windrush Day: Welcome, poetry and film

Lawrence Walker, Chair of Black History Month Colchester opens the day with a short welcome talk, introducing poetry by our special guest, poet and painter John Lyons. We will also be showing a short film from the Tilbury Thames Trust about their 70th anniversary celebrations.

11.30 – 1.00pm
Carnival Art Workshop
Art of the Caribbean with John Lyons

Come and make your own Caribbean style carnival masks and headpieces with artist John Lyons, Windrush Arts Achievement Award winner, prize-winning poet and a recognised painter. Suitable for ages 6+.

12.00 – 1.00pm
Anthony Joseph – Kitch: A Fictional Biography of a Calypson Icon

Join us for a fascinating talk by poet, novelist, and musician, described as ‘the leader of the black avant-garde in Britain’. Anthony will be joining us to talk about his latest novel Kitch: A Fictional Biography of a Calypson Icon, inspired by Lord Kitchener.

1.00 – 2.00pm
Windrush Day lunch: Caribbean food with Jerk Station

Come along for delicious African and Caribbean Food, served by Chelmsford based Jerk Station. Free, no booking required – please note that this will be on a first come first served basis.

2.00 – 3.15pm
In Conversation with Phoenix Dance Theatre
Windrush: Movement of the People

Sharon Watson, Choreographer and Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre’s Windrush: Movement of the People will be joining us to talk about her inspirations behind the show that is taking the UK by storm, in conversation with one of the dancers from the production.

The day is supported through the Government’s Windrush Day Grant Scheme to support communities to commemorate and celebrate the outstanding contribution of the Windrush Generation and their descendants. Over the coming months, 50 community groups and local authorities across the country will use the funding to lead school projects, street parties, exhibitions, talks and workshops to recognise and honour the immense legacy of those who stepped ashore at Tilbury Docks over 70 years ago.