General Features

October sees the start of the fifth Black History Month celebrations in Norfolk.

Stand-up Curtis Walker will be cracking the jokes

We have compiled an array of events and activities, helping to inject the county's arts scene with a dose of cultural diversity.

Highlights include MOBO and Mercury Award-winning musician Soweto Kinch, acclaimed poet Lemn Sissay, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and top black comedian Curtis Walker.

Abolition of slavery

This year marks the bi-centenary of the 1807 Parliamentary Act, which aimed to abolish the trans-atlantic slave trade.

In recognition of this we have a variety of events and activities which uncover some of the issues surrounding this important anniversary.

These include a series of thought-provoking lectures organised by the Norwich And Norfolk Racial Equality Council as part of Norfolk's Hidden Heritage Project.

Two new theatre productions at the Norwich Playhouse, called Lifting The Mask and Diary Of A Son Of Africa, will also be unveiled and there will be workshops and exhibitions at museums and libraries.

Events across our towns

As always, we aim to make Black History Month a county-wide celebration - with a presence in Great Yarmouth and something for people living in Sheringham, Aylsham, Watton, Geldeston and Thetford.

This year's line-up includes more than 60 events open to the public as well as a large range of 'closed' events in schools, colleges and both the county's prisons.

Spoken Drama will unleash their rhymes

Official launch

Black History Month was officially launched with a packed programme at The Forum in Norwich on Saturday, 29 September.

The celebrations, which ran late into the evening, featured an African market, sets from NXT Generation Steel Band, reggae from Darien Prophecy and hip-hop from Norwich's Spoken Drama, whose line-up includes DJ Swift.

During the month you can hear exclusive performances and interviews with many of the artists and acts on Future Radio, 96.9FM, the official radio station of Norfolk BHM ’07.

For more information and to download this year's events guide go to: www.norfolkblackhistorymonth.org.uk