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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 12 October 2007

The Tina Turner tribute on stage

Festival-goers feel free to celebrate black culture

HUNDREDS of people turned out to join in the festivities at Highbury Fields’ Freedom Fest on Saturday.
The event was one of the early highlights of Black History Month, combining the best new music with classic Tina Turner and Diana Ross tributes artists.
Artists including Nathan, N Dubz, Sincere and former chart-topper Karen Ramirez brought a sense of rhythm to the stage, while younger visitors got to grips with a range of activities including
face-painting, mask-making, balloon-modeling and a
bouncy castle.
Arsenal mascot Gunnersaurus Rex, with his goal-scoring challenge proved a popular draw to the event, with prizes going to the lucky few.
Leisure chief Councillor Ruth Polling said: “It was great to see people coming together and enjoying themselves at an event like this. Black History Month has a serious message but it is also about fun and celebration and this event was really useful to highlight the issues to a wide audience. It was great to see the diversity of the crowd that turned up.”
She added: “I’d encourage everyone to come along and enjoy the remaining events, including the Great Speech Debate on October 15 and the finale on October 30 with TV presenter Darcus Howe and the son of Steve Biko.”
Organiser Yansie Rolston said: “There was a cross-section of singers for all ages to enjoy, some which young people liked better, some old people liked more.”
Still to come are four children’s writing workshops, a book fair and Sadler’s Wells’ Treemonisha performance – a blend of opera, dance, rap and sketches on the theme of slavery.

Free copies of the Black History Month guide are available in the reception area of libraries or you can log on to www.black-history-month.co.uk

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