Past ArtReach Activities

A Caribbean Celebration

[John Lyons and the Halifax New Testament Choir]

[John Lyons during poetry workshops for Black History Month]

John Lyons with the Halifax New Testament Choir and during poetry workshops for Black History Month

Black History Month is celebrated in the UK every October. It began in America 1926 and encourages the exploration and celebration of Black and Asian people's history, culture, achievements and contribution to the wider community. Square Chapel Centre for the Arts collaborated with Calderdale Multi-Cultural Activity Centre (CMAC) in October 2003 to host a Caribbean afternoon, to offer a unique opportunity to celebrate the contribution and achievements of the Caribbean community in Calderdale.

Two poetry workshops were delivered by painter/poet John Lyons. The workshops were designed to encourage people aged 50+ to become more active in the celebrations and creative activity. The workshops fed into the event itself, with John Lyons writing a new poem based on the experiences, reminiscences and issues raised by workshop participants on the theme of migration to the UK. Two workshop participants also wrote pieces with John, which were read aloud at the event, which took place on Sunday 19th October 2003 at Square Chapel Centre for the Arts and comprised of music, poetry and Jamaican food tasting.