INTERNATIONAL WOMENS WEEK IN TOWER HAMLETS

							INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S WEEK IN TOWER HAMLETS
4 – 12 MARCH 2006

SATURDAY 4 MARCH
THE READING ROOM
presented by Alternative Arts and oh!art
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street E2
3 March – 3 April Mon – Fri 10am – 10pm, Sat – Sun 10am -6pm
Exhibition by four women artists Terre Brook Davis, Mandee Gage, Gara McGarrity and
Jenny Staff. An environment in which children and adults can enjoy books, stories and reading
together. .Admission FREE

CHILDREN’S STORY TELLING
presented by AlternativeArts and oh!art
Oxford House, Derbyshire Steet E2
In “THE READING ROOM” oh!art gallery
11am – 1pm CHILDRENS AUTHORS Kathryn White and Kanatio Usui read from their books
             and run workshops. Suitable for children ages 4 to 7 years old accompanied by
             their parents. Books will be on sale. Admission FREE

FROM THE EAST END TO THE WEST END
Presented by Cable Street Community Church Women’s Group
Women from Shadwell visit a theatre in the West End. A very special outing for a diverse group
of women, bringing together all ages, back-grounds and races. Irish, Jamaican, Bengali and
English all enjoy a night out together.
This event is has been pre-booked


SPIT-LIT 2006 Celebrating Women’s Writing
Produced by Alternative Arts
Tickets 020 7247 2584
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street E2
11am – 1pm KATHRYN WHITE & KANAKO USUI read their stories for children Admssion
              FREE
2.30pm        HIDDEN VOICES with Rabina Khan & Rekha Waheed £6/£4concs
4pm           YOUNG FICTION with Sue Limb £6/£4concs
5.30pm        TALES FROM TWO CITIES with Daphne Glazer & Grace Jolliffe £6/£4concs
7pm           RIGHTS & REALITIES with Amrit Wilson and Heather Brooke £6/£4concs
8.30pm        HATTIE HAYRIDGE & The Bovril Sisters £7/£5concs
Book for two events and save £2
SPIT-LIT runs all week. See back of leaflet for further details
SUNDAY 5 MARCH
A MULTI-CULTURAL FUNCTION
presented by Nare Mongal Sangathan
55 Ben Jonson Rd, E1 4AS
10am – 3pm 020 7790 0010
A morning workshop to teach young women, about food and hygiene followed by a multi-
cultural function with dancers, Bangladeshi folk music and poetry.
Admission FREE

CHILDREN’S STORYTELLING
Presented by Alternative Arts and oh!art
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street E2
In “THE READING ROOM” oh!art gallery
11am – 1pm CHILDREN’S AUTHORS Katy Watson, Vanda Carter & Tina Macnaughton
            read from their books and run workshops. Suitable for children from 0 to 6 years
            old accompanied by their parents. Books will be on sale. Admission FREE

WRITING WORKSHOP
Places must be booked in advance on 020 7247 2584
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street E2
2pm – 4.30pm PERFORMANCE POETRY mistress class with Claire Dowie £5/£3 concs

BRIT-BANGLADESHI WOMEN’S CELEBRATION
presented by Bishwo Shahitto Kendro
The Brady Arts Centre, 192 – 196 Hanbury Street E1 5HU
Tickets 020 7247 2584
 A day to celebrate the achievements of women from the Bengali, Somali and other ethnic
minorities in Tower Hamlets.
2pm – 6pm       Book Fair and mouthwatering ethnic food freshly prepared and sold by new
women                 entrepreneurs
3pm – 4.30pm Storytelling by Rabeya Khan
6pm – 8pm       Brit-Bangladeshi Women’s Celebration with Patricia Bairagee, Leesa Gazi,
Shamim Azad, BSK Creative Writing Workshops, Urmee Mazhar and poets from the Somali
community
Admission FREE

SPIT-LIT 2006 Celebrating Women’s Writing
Produced by Alternative Arts
Tickets 020 7247 2584
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street E2
2.30pm       LES LIT with Val Lee £6/£4concs
4pm          PILLOW TALK from Chroma Literary Journal £6/£4concs
5.30pm       CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF SERPENTS TAIL with Stella Duffy, Shiromi
             Pinto, Kate Pullinger & Lionel Shriver £6/£4concs
7pm          LOUD & PROUD presented by Apples and Snakes with Claire Dowie,
             Jay Barnard, Ebele, Kate Fox and Joelle Taylor MC £7/£5concs

Book for two events and save £2
SPIT-LIT runs all week. See back of leaflet for further details
MONDAY 6 MARCH
WRITING WORKSHOPS
Places must be booked in advance on 020 7247 2584
The Women’s Library, Old Castle Street E1
10.30am – 1pm CREATIVE WRITING with Zoe Bran £5/£3 concs
2pm – 4pm      CULTURE SHOCK with Linda Anderson £5/£3concs

A CELEBRATION Of SOMALI CULTURE
presented by Wadajir Somali Community
Wadajir Somali Community Centre, 217 East India Dock Road E14 0EG
11am – 2pm 020 7001 7646
A celebration of Somali culture with dancing, singing, arts and cultural activities.
An event to promote Somali culture to the wider community.
Admission FREE

CERAMIC CELEBRATION
presented by Bow Arts Centre
Clara Grant Primary School, Knapp Rd, E3
Monday and Tuesday 3.30pm – 5.30pm 020 7987 4564
Ceramic artist Caroline Carsons will work with girls and mothers at the school to create a
ceramic wall panel of individual tiles. For girls, their mothers and female staff of the school.
Admission FREE

SPIT-LIT 2006 Celebrating Women’s Writing
Produced by Alternative Arts
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street E2
Tickets 020 7247 2584
7pm          BROWN EYES presented by NICOLE MOORE of Shangwe £6/£4concs
8.30pm       THE BURDEN OF REPRESENTATION led by Yasmin Alibhail-Brown with
              Bonnie Greer, Anni Marjoram, Kadija Sesay & Shamim Azad £7/£5concs
Book for two events and save £2
SPIT-LIT runs all week. See back of leaflet for further details


TUESDAY 7 MARCH
WRITING WORKSHOPS
Places must be booked in advance on 020 7247 2584
The Women’s Library, Old Castle Street E1
10.30am – 1pm SCRIPT WRITING FOR BEGINNERS with Heather Taylor £5/£3concs
2pm – 4.30pm RED POEMS with Dorothea Smartt £5/£3concs

GETTING ON – TRAINING FOR LIFE
Presented by The Linc Centre
70 Fern Street, Bow E3 3PR
Tuesday and Wednesday 9am – 1.30pm
Places must be booked in advance on 020 7538 5748
Confidence building, imagination, creativity, trust and group interaction. Two half-day workshops
to empower women and boost their self-confidence and self-esteem. Challenging stereotypes
and exploring the difference between assertive and aggressive. Creche facilities.
Admission FREE
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION
presented by St Hilda’s East Community Centre
St Hilda’s East Community Centre,18 Club Row E2 7EY
10am - 3pm 020 7739 8066
Celebration, enjoyment and information. Speakers and sessions on exercise, giving up
smoking, toddler yoga, a hairdresser and beautician as well as live singing and entertainment.
Information stalls run by Account 3, CAB, SureStart and NHS staff.
Admission FREE

CELEBRATION
Presented by Stepney Community Trust
Stepney Community Trust, 46 Myrdle Street E1 1HL
10am – 7pm 020 7277 5482
A whole day for women only including workshops, art activities, decoration and dancing.
Women are invited to come along and take part in local issues, find out about ESOL classes,
education, training and employment opportunities.
Admission FREE

DOCKLANDS WOMEN’S GROUP CELEBRATION
presented by Docklands Women’s Group
St Luke’s Church Hall, Havannah St, E14
11am – 2pm 020 7987 7930
Henna painting, head and neck massage, information about health, keep fit demonstration,
safety talk by Metropolitan Police, displays about successful women and activities for children.
Admission FREE

CHINESE CULTURAL DAY
Presented by East London Chinese Community Centre
Trussler Hall, 78 Grundy Street E14 6DR
11am – 2pm 020 7538 5528
Chinese arts and crafts, jewellery making, paper cutting and origami, Chinese calligraphy and
Tai Chi – an opportunity to experience a wide range of traditional Chinese activities.
Admission FREE

CERAMIC CELEBRATION
presented by Bow Arts Centre
Clara Grant Primary School, Knapp Rd, E3
Monday and Tuesday 3.30pm – 5.30pm 020 7987 4564
Ceramic artist Caroline Carsons will work with girls and mothers at the school to create a
ceramic wall panel of individual tiles. For girls, their mothers and female staff of the school.
Admission FREE

SPIT-LIT 2006 Celebrating Women’s Writing
Produced by Alternative Arts
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street E2
Tickets 020 7247 2584
7pm          EXILED WRITERS with Jennifer Langer, Amba Bongo, Ziba Karbassi & Dariga
             Stojnic £6/£4concs
8.30pm       HIDDEN IDENTITIES by Whyr‟d Theatre £7/£5concs
Book for two events and save £2
SPIT-LIT runs all week. See back of leaflet for further details
WEDNESDAY 8 MARCH
WRITING WORKSHOPS
Places must be booked in advance on 020 7247 2584
The Women’s Library, Old Castle Street E1
10.30am – 1pm WRITING EROTICA with Vastiana Belfon £5/£3concs
2pm – 4.30pm WRITING FOR MAGAZINES with Andrea Enisuoh £5/£3concs

GETTING ON – TRAINING FOR LIFE
Presented by The Linc Centre
70 Fern Street, Bow E3 3PR
Tuesday and Wednesday 9am – 1.30pm
Places must be booked in advance on 020 7538 5748
Confidence building, imagination, creativity, trust and group interaction. Two half-day workshops
to empower women and boost their self-confidence and self-esteem. Challenging stereotypes
and exploring the difference between assertive and aggressive. Creche facilities.
Admission FREE

INTERNATONAL WOMEN’S DAY
presented by Black Women’s Health & Family Support
Bethnal Green Methodist Church, Approach Road, E2 9JP
10am – 4pm 020 8890 3503
Speakers from different health backgrounds on issues of women‟s health. Massage, keep fit,
music and dancing. Exhibition of arts and crafts.
Admission FREE


WHERE I C0ME FROM
presented by The Cedar Centre
Cedar Centre, 17 Arden Crescent W14 9WA
10.30am – 12.30pm 020 7538 4600
A workshop on women‟s lives by women from a range of cultures and backgrounds.
Bring photographs and pictures and write about your life. Paper, pens, pencils and access to
computers provided.
Admission 50p


MOTHERS’ ROLE IN COMBATING CRIME
Presented by Isle of Dogs Bangladeshi Association & Cultural Centre
Cubitt Town Library, 14 Strattondale Street, E14 3HG
11am – 3pm 020 7538 1650
Our mission is to make local mothers aware of their role in society . A quest speaker will present
a lecture on the role of mothers in combating crime. Question and answer session and
discussion on the role of women in Bangladeshi society.
Admission FREE


THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY LUNCH
Co-ordinated by Alternative Arts
Toynbee Hall, 28 Commercial Street E1
12.30pm Guest speaker: SHAMI CHAKRABARTI, Director of Liberty
Shami Chakrabati became Director of Liberty in 2003. She has worked on a number of high
profile cases and became a recognised expert on the UK‟s anti-terrorism laws. Shami trained at
the Public and Common Law Bar before joining the Home Office Legal Advisers‟ branch and
during her service in Government advised Labour and Conservative Ministers on a range of
sensitive policy issues and was one of the Home Office Officials responsible for the
implementation of the Human Rights Act. She is an active member of Britain‟s human rights and
public law community, an Executive Governor of the Public Institute of Human Rights.
Alternative Arts invites you to attend this very special occasion to celebrate International
Women‟s Day 2006.A buffet lunch served with wine and coffee is included in the price of the
ticket.
All tickets £12 Tickets must be booked in advance 020 7247 2584


A VOICE FOR LOCAL WOMEN
Presented by Women’s Health and Family Services
The Brady Arts Centre, 192 - 196 Hanbury Street. E1 5HU
5pm – 9pm 020 7377 8725
The launch of a pictorial archive of Women‟s Health and Family Services focusing on health
Advocacy from 1982 to the present, using oral histories to illustrate the health care experiences
of local women from black and minority ethnic communities. The launch of the exhibition will be
accompanied by a sceening of the film “Moolaade” about contemporary sexual politics.
Exhibition continues until 14 March opening times 9am – 7pm
Admission FREE

I HAVE BEFORE ME A REMARKABLE DOCUMENT GIVEN TO ME BY A YOUNG LADY
FROM RWANDA
presented by The Museum of Childhood
The Tab Centre, 18 – 20 Hackney Road, E2 7NS
8pm 020 7739 3976
A reading of the play “I Have before Me A Remarkable Document Given To Me By A Young
Lady from Rwanda” by Sonja Linden, award-winning playwright and founder of iceandfire
theatre company. The reading tells the story of Juliette, a young Rwanda asylum seeker, and
provides a compelling account of her journey to London, her experiences in the city, and her
relationship with a novelist who is helping her to write a book about the genocide which killed
her family and forced her to flee her home. The reading will be followed by a Question and
Answer session with Sonja Linden and iceandfire‟s Artistic Director.
Admission FREE

SPIT-LIT 2006 Celebrating Women’s Writing
Produced by Alternative Arts
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street E2
Tickets 020 7247 2584
7pm          THE RISE OF RAUNCH: Spread the Word £6/£4concs
8.30pm       ELECTRIC LANDLADIES with Laka Daisical/voclas,keyboard; Sarah
             Pritchard/vocals,percussion; Deirdre Cartwright/guitar; Diane
             McLoughlin/sax,keyboard; Alison Rayner/bass;Ann Day/drums.£7/£5concs

Book for two events and save £2
SPIT-LIT runs all week. See back of leaflet for further details


THURSDAY 9 MARCH
WRITING WORKSHOPS
Places must be booked in advance on 020 7247 2584
The Women’s Lbrary, Old Castle Street E1
10.30am – 1pm CRIME WRITING with Dreda Jay Mitchell £5/£3concs
2pm - 4pm        THAT TRICKY SECOND ALBUM with Donna Derby-Clarke and Claire Collison
                 £5/£3concs


MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING DAY
presented by Pritchard Road Day Centre and BESIDE
Pritchard Road Day Centre, Marian Place E2 9AX
9.30am – 4pm 020 7364 1182
A day-long programme of events to enable women with mental health difficulties to try out a
wide range of creative experiences, alternative therapies, physical activity and emotional
support in a safe space. Activities will include sessions of yoga, dance, crafts, drama and
football exercise. In addition there will be discussions and workshops on sexual health, culture
and relationships, healthy living. Information about supported recreational and social activities in
Tower Hamlets. A crèche/children‟s play area available throughout the day.
Admission FREE

SOMALI WOMEN’S SUPPORT AND EMPOWERMENT PROJECT
presented by Somali Integration Team
LIFRA Hall, 7 Halley St, E14 7SS
10am – 6pm 020 7790 2650
An event to support and empower women. Speakers from the Somali Community who have
achieved academically and have successful careers. Speakers from Peabody Training, and the
Domestic Violence Unit. Please bring a dish of refreshments to contribute to the event.
Admission FREE

RELAX ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
presented by Will Crooks Tenants Association
Will Crooks Community Centre, Wigram House, Wades Place, Poplar E14 0DA
11.30am – 3pm 020 7093 3030
A day for women at the centre. Reflexology, pedicure, henna hand painting and beauty therapy
will all be available. The IT suite will be open so women can use the internet.
Admission FREE

SPIT-LIT 2006 Celebrating Women’s Writing
Produced by Alternative Arts
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street E2
Tickets 020 7247 2584
7pm          MEMOIRS with Vesna Goldsworthy & Elizabeth Spellar £6/£4concs
8.30pm       HISTORY/HERSTORY with Virginia Rounding. Karolyn Shindler and Mary Turner
             £6/£4concs
Book for two events and save £2
SPIT-LIT runs all week. See back of leaflet for further details

THE READING ROOM see Sat 4 March
A VOICE FOR LOCAL WOMEN see Weds 8 March

FRIDAY 10 MARCH
WRITING WORKSHOPS
Places must be booked in advance on 020 7247 2584
The Women’s Library, Old Castle Street E1
10.30am – 1pm SUBMITTING TO ANTHOLOGIES,JOURNALS & COMPETITIONS with
                Kadija Sesay £5/£3concs
2pm – 4/30pm MEMOIR WRIITNG with Kadjia Sesay £5/£3concs
A CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
presented by Lincoln Area Regeneration Group
The Linc Centre, 70 Fern St E3 3PR
9.30am – 4.30pm 020 7538 5748
A wide range of activities for women including Indian head massage, henna hand painting and
aroma therapy. Healthy Asian alternative cookery demonstration and taster session. Afternoon
party with line dancing and classical Asian dance.
Admission FREE


VIETNAMESE OPEN DAY
Presented by The Community of Refugees from Vietnam
Trinity Methodist Church, 119 East India Dock Road E14 6DE
11am – 3pm 020 7538 4986
A day for women – beauty and nails treatment, reflexology and aromatherapy. Discussion on
health issues including alcohol and drugs and bird flu. Information on training and employment.
Admission FREE

TEA DANCE
Presented by Women’s Health and Family Services and The Community of Refugees from
Vietnam
Trinity Methodist Church, 119 East India Dock Road E14 6DE
1pm – 3pm 020 7538 4986
A dance with karaoke and ballroom dancing for older women. A fun afternoon – good exercize
and good company. Refreshments available.
Admission FREE

CELEBRATION FOR YOUNG WOMEN
presented by East London Somali Youth and Welfare Centre
The Brady Arts Centre, 192 – 196 Hanbury Street, E1
3pm – 7pm 020 7247 8488/020 7364 7900
A workshop discussion on women then and now; how women are perceived by men and
portrayed in the media; young women graduates talking about their achievements. How do
women from an ethnic minority settle into western society? Information stalls on money matters,
immigration, housing, healthcare and employment.
Admission £1

SPIT-LIT 2006 Celebrating Women’s Writing
Produced by Alternative Arts
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street E2
Tickets 020 7247 2584
7pm          WOMEN AND WAR with Mira Hamermesh and Jenny Matthews £6/£4concs
8.30pm       SENSUALLY YOURS presented by the Gateway to Heaven Poets with Culture,
             Poppyseed, Redhead and Jules directed by Rasheda Ashanti Malcolm
             sponsored by London Borough of Tower Hamlets Domestic Violence Unit
             £7/£5concs
Book for two events and save £2
SPIT-LIT runs all week. See back of leaflet for further details

THE READING ROOM see Sat 4 March
A VOICE FOR LOCAL WOMEN see Weds 8 March
SATURDAY 11 MARCH
WRITING WORKSHOPS
Places must be booked in advance on 020 7247 2584
Oxford house, Derbyshire St E2
2pm -4pm GETTING PUBLISHED from Laptop to Bookshop with Debbie Taylor of Mslexia.
          £5/£3concs

IWW CELEBRATION EVENT
presented by Stifford TJRS TRA Community Centre
Community Hall, 2 – 6 Cressy Place. E1 3JG
9am – 4pm 020 7790 3632
An opportunity for women at the centre‟s sewing class to showcase and sell their work. Food
and clothes for sale and information stalls. An opportunity to find out what the Centre can offer
women. Bouncy castle, face painting and mendhi.
Admission £1

CHILDREN’S STORYTELLING
Oh!art gallery, Oxford House, Derbyshire Street E2
11am – 2pm CHILDREN’S AUTHORS Linda Newbery, Jean Ure and Shamim Azad read from
             their books and run workshops for children and their parents.
             Books will be on sale Admission FREE

WOMEN’S CELEBRATION DAY
presented by Somali Women’s Development Project
Community Centre, Appian Court, 87 Parnell Rd, E3 2RS
12noon – 4pm 0208 983 7005/020 8980 9935
An opportunity for Somali women to socialise and meet together
Admission FREE

ASIATICA
presented by Globe Bengali Mohila Samity
Canal Youth Club, Waterloo Gardens, Bishops Way, E2
11am – 5pm 020 8983 3527
An event giving women and young girls the opportunity to come together with stalls, displays,
arts and crafts made by local women. During the day there will be saree and jewellery
exhibitions, henna painting, hair and beauty treatments, Indian and Bangladeshi music and
dances by local women.
Admission FREE

SOCKS FOR COLD TOES IN PAKISTAN
presented by Cast Off Knitting Club
coffee@bricklane, Brick Lane E1
1pm – 6pm 020 7812 9249
A knitting circle to knit simple spiral socks for the people who have suffered in the earthquake in
Pakistan and who are experiencing a dreadful winter. Spiral socks are knitted without „turning‟ a
heel and so are easy and quick to knit. You will be given a free pattern, needles and yarn.
Socks will be 100% wool which will keep toes warm.
Admission FREE

CHAI AND CHAT
presented by Poplar Harca
Burdett Neighbourhood Centre, off Wallwood St E14 7BW
2pm – 5pm 020 7538 2551/ 020 7538 2553
Dancing, singing, socialising. Come and play games and enjoy alternative therapies.
Information about services and opportunities available to women. Tea and cakes will be served.
An opportunity for young and older women to get together. Creche facilities.
Admission FREE

THE VOICE OF FUTURE FEMALE GENERATIONS
Presented by AYOKA
CCC Hall, Northumbria Street E14 6LF
3.30pm – 7.30pm 020 7987 0371
An event for young women telling their own stories, learning African styling and their countries‟
traditional dress. An exhibition of the achievements of young African women. Music, dancing
and singing.
Admission FREE

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION
Presented by Bangladesh Mohila Parishad in collaboration with Udichi Shilpi Gosthi
The Brady Arts Centre, 193 – 196 Hanbury Street E1
4pm – 7pm 07960 668399/07888 695602
4pm Speaker and discussion on the role of Bengali Women in Society.
5pm Performance of Bengali music, dance and poetry by performers presented by Udichi
Artists.
6pm Refreshments
Admission FREE

WOMEN’S COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS
presented by Account 3
Ecology Pavilion , Mile End Park
5m – 8pm 020 7739 7720
Awards celebrating the contribution of women to local development in Tower Hamlets.
Admission FREE by ticket only from 020 7739 7720

SPIT-LIT 2006 Celebrating Women’s Writing
Produced by Alternative Arts
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street E2
Tickets 020 7247 2584
2.30pm              THE SPIT-LIT DEBATE The Battle for Culture - Diversity of
                    Diviseness?presented by The Institute of Ideas £7/£5concs with
                    Meryl Wyn Davies, Munira Murza, Gina Antchandie and Naseem Khan,
                    chaired by Claire Fox £6/£4concs
4.30pm              CAROL CADWALLADR & NICOLA MONAGHAN discuss their debut
                    novels £6/£4concs
6.30pm              CURRENT AFFAIRS with Barabara Ehrenreich & Rachel Cooke
                    £6/4concs
8.30pm              SPIT-LIT COMEDY NIGHT with Kitty Flanagan, Sally-Anne Hayward, Ria
                    Lina, Debra-Jane Appleby and Sarah Milican £10/£8concs
Book for two events and save £2
SPIT-LIT runs all week. See back of leaflet for further details

THE READING ROOM see Sat 4 March
A VOICE FOR LOCAL WOMEN see Weds 8 March
SUNDAY 12 MARCH
WINDOWBOXES FOR WOMENS WEEK
Presented by Spitalfields City Farm
Spitalfields City Farm, Weaver Street E1 5HJ
10am – 3pm 020 7247 8762
Learn how to plant hanging baskets, window boxes and bedding schemes. Special sessions for
local women‟s groups and members of the public can just „drop in‟. You will be able buy what
you plant.
Admission FREE

SUNDAY AFTERNOON GET TOGETHER
presented by Neighbours in Poplar
Guild Room, Canton Street E14
2.30pm – 5pm 020 7987 0257
Sunday afternoon activities for older women from the Caribbean, Somali, Bengali and English
communities. All looking after each other with music, songs and dances.
Admission FREE

THE READING ROOM see Sat 4 March
A VOICE FOR LOCAL WOMEN see Weds 8 March