Northern Boy with author Iqbal Hussain

StickyAuthor Event

Tuesday evening, 12 November: 7 - 8:30pm

Join Iqbal Hussain for this joyful, defiant and dazzling story of Rafi Aziz – a Northern boy dreaming of his name up in Bollywood lights.

It's 1981 in the suburbs of Blackburn and, as Rafi’s mother reminds him daily, the family moved here from Pakistan to give him the best opportunities. But Rafi longs to follow his own path. Flamboyant, dramatic and musically gifted, he wants to be a Bollywood star.

Twenty years later, Rafi is flying home from Australia for his best friend’s wedding. He has everything he ever wanted: starring roles in musical theatre, the perfect boyfriend and freedom from expectation. But returning to Blackburn is the ultimate test: can he show his true self to his community?

Navigating family and identity from boyhood to adulthood, as well as the changing eras of ABBA, skinheads and urbanisation, Rafi must follow his heart to achieve his dreams.

View the livestream for up to 30 days on the Carnegie Library Facebook page.

Please register to reserve a place and help with planning for this event.

Event organised by the Friends of Carnegie Library

Open Annual Meeting

Events

Saturday Afternoon, 2 November, 2:30 - 4:30

At Brixton Library (Windrush Square)

Hosted by Susanna Barnes, the Head of Lambeth Libraries, this is a great opportunity for friends and supporters of the library to meet our talented librarians and hear what the Library is planning for the future.

Make your own suggestions. Hear what other people who think libraries are a great idea are thinking and hoping for.

There are a lot of exciting plans in store but the library needs to hear from its friends and supporters to really thrive.

This is an open meeting and all members of the public are invited.

Please come along!

Bat Walk at Ruskin Park!

Events

Saturday evening, 5th of October at sunset

We will meet at the middle gates on Ferndene Road at 6:30 for a 6:40 start

And we will walk together to the pond, led by Dr Iain Boulton of Lambeth Council's environment department, who will provide the bat detectors and a lifetime of expertise.

There is no admission charge but please reserve a spot on eventbrite, to ensure a place.

Organised by The Friends of Carnegie Library

The Half of It

Author Event

Emma Slade Edmondon & Nicole Ocran

Tuesday evening, 8 October - 7pm to 8:30pm

at the Library (free admission)

Authors Emma Slade Edmondson and Nicole Ocran, hosts of the podcast Mixed Up, discuss what it truly means to be of mixed heritage.

Emma and Nicole want to break down barriers and open up a deeper dialogue of the mixed-race experience. Although this book was born out of a desire to speak directly to the mixed-race community, they discovered there is something in it for everyone. Whether you are mixed, you know someone mixed, if you have ever considered dating outside of your race, if you’re a parent committed to sharing a more diverse view of the world with your child, or indeed an adult wanting to expand your views on culture and identity – then The Half of It is for you.

They discuss what it truly means to be mixed-race, delving into everything from culture and identity to interracial relationships, to adoption, to understanding the historical context of mixed-race people – ultimately culminating in a rounder and deeper appreciation for the mixed-identity.

Hosts of the critically acclaimed podcast Mixed Up.

Mixed Race podcast - listen to a sample

Read a sample of The Half of It

View the livestream for up to 30 days on the Carnegie Library Facebook page.

Please register to reserve a place and help with planning for this event.

Presented by The Friend of Carnegie Library in cooperation with The Lambeth Library Service

Meet the man who invented the Circus!

Events

Saturday 28th September at 3pm - at the library

AUDACIOUS Mr. ASTLEY!

Circus Ringmaster & Actor Chris Barltrop presents his highly-acclaimed One-Man Show

 

Admission free, but advisable to book

Presented as part of the Lambeth Heritage Festival 2024

The Friends of Carnegie Library, in cooperation with Lambeth Library Services

“Damn everything but the circus! ...damn everything that is grim, dull, motionless, unrisking, inward turning, damn everything that won’t get into the circle, that won’t enjoy. That won’t throw its heart into the tension, surprise, fear and delight of the circus, the round world, the full existence...”

— e e cummings

The Centre for Circus Culture

Author Simon Hannah

Author Event

10 September, 7pm to 8:30pm - at the library (or livestreamed)

Simon Hannah presents his book on Lambeth in the 1980s when the borough epitomised “loony left” Labour councillors, squatting and defiance of central government. From Town Hall to the Railton Road, front line Lambeth was at the heart of the struggle for municipal socialism.

Presented by The Friends of Carnegie Library in cooperation with The Lambeth Library Service.

Please register to reserve a place and help with planning for this event.

View the livestream for up to 30 days on the Carnegie Library Facebook page.