Black culture will be celebrated with more than 80 events in Tower Hamlets during this year’s Black History Month.

The borough which is bidding for city status is keeping the annual celebration while other London councils have either abandoned or scaled down what is one of the most important dates in the Black community’s cultural calendar because of funding cuts.

Bromley Council has decided to cancel the event and has introduced a Diversity Day instead, while Barnet, Haringey, Lewisham and Southwark Councils are among those either scaling down or planning to scrap the event.

Events in Tower Hamlets this month range from dance and drumming sessions to film screenings paying homage to African, Caribbean and Black British society.

Tower Hamlets Mayor, Lutfur Rahman, said: ”Black History Month is now an important part of the annual calendar as it provides a fantastic platform to highlight the contributions made by black and ethnic minority communities to British life.”

One of Britain’s most popular reggae groups Misty in Roots, which began life in Southhall in the early 1970s, will perform at Rich Mix on October 29 at 8pm. Tickets are �15 on the door and �12 advance.

Watney Market Library is hosting a photographic exhibition, Photos of Shadwell, and the Idea Store in Whitechapel is running an exhibition, People That Made Black History Month, featuring black athletes, scientists and adventurers. Whitechapel Idea Store will also hold an African drumming workshop on October 29.�

The Idea Store in Bow will host creative workshops for children exploring Aboriginal art and its role in story tellying on October 25 and 27 from 2-4pm.

The Idea Store, Chrisp Street, Poplar, will have a family fun day on October 29 with craft activities and traditional Caribbean food from 2-4pm, and a taster session in gospel, hip hop or R’n’B singing on October 22 from 2-4pm.

St John on Bethnal Green church will host an evening of live music celebrating the heritage, influence and joy of African and Caribbean music tomorrow (October 7) from 7-11pm.

The Brady Arts Centre in Spitalfields will stage a day of activities celebrating the 2012 Olympics, on October 8 from 2-10pm, with film screenings, debates, exhibition, fashion and music.

Somali Week Festival will be at Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green from October 22-30 with poetry, literature and drama events.

Visit www.towerhamletsarts.org.uk to find out more or pick up a programme at an Idea Store, library or One Stop Shop.