TOP GHANAIAN musician Gregg Kofi Brown will perform at an evening of multicultural entertainment in Dorchester to mark Black History Month.

He is the headline act of a packed line-up of music, poetry and dance celebrating diversity in the Dorset community on Saturday, October 29.

Mr Kofi Brown has been a member of the pioneering African music group Osibisa for over 22 years and travelled the world promoting the music of Ghana.

He has performed with the likes of Sting, Isaac Hayes and Finley Quaye.

The free event at the Corn Exchange runs from 6pm to 10pm and also features performances from Bristol poet and story teller Edson Burton, dance from Zubida Movements and a Zumba session.

Adding to the entertainment will be up and coming rap artist Liryc, while tasty Caribbean food will stop people from going hungry and a licensed bar will be running.

Youngsters have already been getting involved as organisers the South West Dorset Multi Cultural Network (SWDMCN) have been inviting schools in the area to take part in a creative art and writing competition.

The competition is open to all ages and prized will be awarded on the night.

Community development officer for West Dorset District Council Emma Scott said: “The theme of this year’s competition is exploring our links to the wider world and welcoming visitors from around the globe as we move towards the 2012 Olympics.

“We are hoping for lots of entries and look to find as many opportunities as possible for the winners’ work to be displayed and shared over the next 10 months.”

Entry forms are available by contacting Mrs Scott on 01305 252204 or emailing e.scott@westdorset-dc.gov.uk.

The SWDMCN celebration event has been supported by West Dorset District Council, Magna Housing Association, and NHS Dorset.

Mrs Scott said the family-friendly event promises to be something for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Last year SWDMCN held a Caribbean and African themed event to mark Black History Month with award-winning South African author Beverley Naidoo at the Corn Exchange and the evening proved a great success.