Published: 24/09/2010 08:00

Renowned photographer at Black History Month

Written byADRIAN JENKINS

AN EVENING with the photographer who captured famous photographs of reggae legend Bob Marley will be among the events at Burton’s 2010 celebration of black culture.

Dennis Morris

Dennis Morris, who later snapped hundreds of ‘Cool Britannia’ bands, will recount his experiences on Wednesday, October 13, at Burton Library as part of the town’s month-long Black History Month.

Organised by East Staffordshire Racial Equality Council’s (ESREC) Intermix project, based at the Brewhouse arts centre, in Union Street, October’s free events are designed to highlight the achievements and lives of those who live in the borough and form part of the African diaspora.

ESREC chairman Dennis Fletcher said: “We are very pleased the Intermix project team is again promoting and celebrating the positive contribution the black community has made in East Staffordshire.

“Black History Month gives the wider community a chance to join in what is essentially a major part of black history.”

Performances, films and photographs will all form part of what ESREC said would be four weeks of ‘edu-tainment’.

Scheduled to be opened on Friday, October 1, by, among others, a gospel choir, the programme will feature films of Jamaica’s top comedian, Oliver Samuels, and an evening of ‘sax and play’ at the Brewhouse.

Angolan merengue and samba musicians Mr Kizomba will also grace the stage and there will be lessons in freestyle salsa and performances by The Trinity Band and the Touch of Life dance group.

Intermix project manager Angela Bailey said: “Being a resident of Burton, I am pleased to be involved in promoting and celebrating the significant contributions of the inhabitants of this wonderful town.”

Black History Month celebrations have spread since the first was held in London in 1987, a period declared African Jubilee Year by the then Greater London Council in recognition of the centenary of Jamaican artist Marcus Garvey’s birth, the 25th birthday of the Organisation of African Unity and the 150th anniversary of the emancipation of the Caribbean.

The Intermix project is funded by Staffordshire County Council’s children’s fund and is aimed at supporting the mixed heritage community in Burton and surrounding areas.

The mixed heritage community is the fastest growing ethnic minority group in the country and will be its largest by 2020.

Further information is available from Angela Bailey on 01283 533888 or ESREC on 01283 510456

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