From music and dance to art, history and even sports, there are dozens of events across the district during October, which all aim to highlight the achievements and explore the heritage of our different ethnic minority communities.

Highlights include an evening of music and comedy from West End star Gary Wilmot and musical director Mike Alexander, performances from US soul singer Alexander O'Neal and British band The Christians at the Victoria Theatre, Halifax. There will also be a talk from Colin Grant author of the critically-acclaimed biography Negro in a Hat: The Rise and Fall of Marcus Garvey.

As well as the big-name signings, local artists Nudrat Afza and Paul Floyd Blake have been working with residents in the Park ward, one of Halifax's most diverse communities, taking pictures of the area and its people.

Meanwhile professional photographer Lizzie Coombes has been working with pupils from Mount Pellon Primary School and St Augustine's Primary School.

All of the work will be on display at Halifax visitor centre and art gallery in the Piece Hall, Halifax, from today.

Other exhibitions across the area will explore the slave trade and the campaign against it as well as displays looking at football and cricket throughout history.

Sport will also be on the menu at Halifax High School and Sowerby Bridge High School where there will be a series of football coaching sessions as part of the One Game One Community Kick Racism Out of Football initiative.

Elsewhere there will be rap workshops, dance sessions from the Indian Annapurna dancers, performances from the Nelson Riddle Orchestra and The Manfreds, and a film called Bullet Boy showing at Hebden Bridge Picture House.

Black history celebrations in Calderdale

Campaigning Against Slavery from the 18th to the 21st century – unti November 9, Piece Hall, Halifax.

Recovered Histories – until October 31, Victoria Theatre, Halifax.

Pioneers Exhibition – until October 15 at Todmorden Library; from October 16 to 31, Victoria Theatre.

Park Ward in Focus and Snapshots – until October 9, Piece Hall.

The Halo 2008 Charity Soul and Motown Review – October 4, 7.30pm, Victoria Theatre.

With Compliments...Gary Wilmot and Mike Alexander – October 7, 7.30pm, Victoria Theatre.

Colin Grant on Negro with a Hat: the Rise and Fall of Marcus Garvey – October 10 at 6pm, Central Library, Halifax.

Leeds Young Authors – October 10, 7.30pm. Central Library, Halifax.

Rap Workshop – October 12 from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Bankfield Museum, Halifax.

The Christians – October 15, 7.30pm, Victoria Theatre.

Bullet Boy – October 15, 7.45pm. Hebden Bridge Picture House.

Black and Asian cricketers exhibition – throughout October, Victoria Theatre and Central Library; from Novem-ber 1, at Halifax Town Hall.

One Game One Community – from October 16 for six weeks, Halifax High School and Sowerby Bridge High School.

Nelson Riddle Orchestra – October 16, 7.30pm. Victoria Theatre.

Manasamitra – October 18 from 11am to noon. Beechwood Library, Halifax.

Annapurna Dance – October 25 from 12.30pm to 3pm. Central Library, Halifax.

Maximum Rhythm and Blues – November 8, 7.30pm, Victoria Theatre.