BRITISH LIBRARY LECTURE, TONIGHT: Legacies of the Emancipations of The Americas

TONIGHT'S EVENT (June 14) held at The British Library promises to explore the long-term legacies of the processes of emancipation of enslaved African populations that began in the later 18th century in different parts of the Americas.

As alluded to by the BL, the broad legacies of emancipation throughout the Americas appear consistent: black people by and large occupy inferior positions in socio-economic terms and in terms of the roles they have historically been assigned. The repercussions of this remain evident in the day-to-day American life and history, with events such as hurricane Katrina exposing these cracks of inequality.

Do such important developments such as the election of Barack Obama represent a turning point for black people across the region? Or will they do little to alter legacies entrenched by two centuries marked by the racialised exclusion and marginalisation of people of African ancestry in the post-colonial Americas?

Speakers include Robin Blackburn (Essex University), Richard Drayton (King’s College), Denise Ferreira da Silva (Queen Mary, University of London), and playwright and critic Bonnie Greer.

Cited largely from http://www.bl.uk/whatson/events/event121913.html, where tickets can also be pre-booked. Tickets £7.50 (£5 concessions)

Event will be held at The British Library Conference Centre - Main Auditorium, 96 Euston Road, LONDON, NW1 2DB. Nearest Rail: King’s Cross or Euston

"60P BURGERS, 30P DESSERTS!": HARD ROCK CAFE RETURNS TO '71 PRICES FOR FORTIETH BIRTHDAY

Today, Tuesday June 14 marks the 40th birthday of Hard Rock Café, and the café invites you to come and rock the day away with them. Hard Rock promises to turn the clock back to the seventies to celebrate, with all food sold at 1971 prices!

The brainchild of music-loving Americans Peter Morton and Isaac Tigrett, who envisaged a casual rock-themed restaurant; the first Hard Rock opened in London’s Park Lane, June 14^th, 1971. The ball would roll from there on with HRC developing into a chain of restaurants, hotels and even casinos across the five continents.

As the story goes, the ‘Rock’ phenomenon was immortalised when legend Eric Clapton jokingly offered his guitar to reserve a regular table. Forty years later, HRC London still houses Clapton's ‘Lead II Fender’, along with over 70,000 other guitars and other rock and roll memorabilia.

Four decades after a world famous rock icon graced the original Hard Rock with perhaps its most significant gesture to date; Hard Rock London remains as authentic as ever, drawing visitors and Londoners alike. The Cafe remains famed for attracting the biggest rock stars down for "jamming sessions". Remarkably, according to their website, you will find many of the original serving staff still work the floor today too, which must speak wonders of the Hard Rock environment!

So as Hard Rock Café celebrates its longevity, you are most warmly welcomed to check out and join in the fun that has led to the chain becoming such a global success.

“Burgers at 60p, Ribs at 80p and desserts from as little as 30p.. That's right even our menu is going back to the era of disco, flairs and flowers!”, the Hard Rock website states.

So what are you waiting for? Get down to Park Lane, grab yourself a cheap meal, immerse yourself in some infectious melodies, and Rock On!!

Hard Rock Cafe, 150 Old Park Lane, LONDON, W1K 1QZ. Nearest underground stations: Hyde Park Corner and Green Park.

Hard Rock restaurant opens at 11.30 AM, though due to 'Founders Day' may experience larger queues than per usual.

RSC PRESENTS 'AMERICAN TRADE': A Barrel of Jokes; Yet an Absence of Punch (lines)

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.