As part of Black History Month the Januka Quadrille Dance Company teaching visitors to the Sainsbury Centre dance moves. Photo : Steve Adams

Dozens of families joined in traditional Jamaican dancing when Caribbean celebrations took centre stage at a Norwich art venue this weekend.

To send a link to this page to a friend, simply enter their email address below.

The message will include the name and email address you gave us when you signed up.

Email address

  Send link

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts at the University of East Anglia today (Sunday) marked Black History Month with a celebration of the Caribbean.

The free event saw a variety of creative activities on offer, including a Quadrille dancing workshop for families.

It closed with a special performance from the Januka Quadrille Dance Company.

Emily Ward, education officer for adults and young people, said: “We always like to support Black History Month and when Cultural Crossroads approached us to do an event with the Januka Quadrille Dance Company, it fitted in perfectly.

“We’ve had a really nice turn out and it’s been really nice with the right amount of people for the dancers to get to know the children getting involved.”

Youngsters aged from babies to 12 year olds joined in the events on the day.

Januka promote Quadrille dancing across the UK as a positive part of their Jamaican heritage.

The dance is one of Jamaica’s most vibrant traditional dances and has become symbolic of African slaves’ wisdom, free-spiritedness and will to survive.

Although forbidden from and often punished for dancing Quadrille, the slaves used the dance as a way of communicating and keeping their spirits up in the fields.

It is now danced throughout the Caribbean as part of its historical and cultural heritage.

William Feeney, from Wymondham, visited the event with his wife Louisa and their four children Romilly, Nancy, Joe and Angus.

He said: “It’s a great family day out, the children have had a bit of a dance and have made traditional Jamaican bracelets.”

There will be a further opportunity to mark Black History Month at SCVA with an African Lullaby Workshop on Friday, October 28.

Young children with their parents or carers are invited to learn African lullabies, movements and actions with Zimbabwean artist Anna Mudeka Sessions run from 1.30pm to 2pm and 2.15pm to 2.45pm and cost £3 per child (£2 concessions). The event is free for accompanying adults and booking is essential.

Are you holding a special event in Norwich? Call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk.