Thank to Arts Council funding, Mansfield Museum is hosting three free events to celebrate Black History Month – covering poetry, art, song, and dance.

Coun Stuart Richardson, portfolio holder for Regeneration and Growth at Mansfield District Council, which operates the museum, said: “This is another tremendous example of the work undertaken by the Cultural Services team to bring events to the theatre and museum that celebrate the diversity of our past, our present, and our future here in the district.”

On Saturday, 23rd September, there will be a Poetry Jam and Open Mic Night, from 4pm to 6pm.

Janet Redmond (Poet Light Heart) will read a selection of her favourite poems, depicting the social, familial, emotional, psychological, and generational journeys that are much less visible than physical travel in black culture.

On Tuesday, 3rd October, there will be An Evening of Windrush Music and Poetry with Carol Leeming and the Guinep Tree, from 6.30pm to 7.15pm and 7.30pm to 8.15pm.

It will be an evening of Jamaican and Caribbean ‘cultural edutainment’. Hear how Carol – born in Leicester, of Jamaican descent – associates guinep trees with happy childhood memories for herself and the wider Caribbean regions.

There will be traditional Jamaican and Caribbean folk songs, original and traditional poetry readings, and the chance to get involved with an interactive talk on social history and culture.

On Wednesday, 11th October, there will be a MOBO Dance Session, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. It will be a themed fitness class run by Zumba with Charm, with movement and rhythms paying homage to black music and dance.

Music will include reggae from Jamaica, soca from Trinidad and Tobago, calypso from the Caribbean, afro-beats from various regions of Africa, afro-salsa which originated from Puerto Rico, not Spain, and more.

All events are free but tickets must be booked ahead of the events atmansfieldpalace.co.uk or via the Box Office on 01623 463133. There will be free refreshments.