London African events 23-28 July-Wole Soyinka, Nneka, King Sunny Ade, Asa, Dele Sosimi ....

Week starting 23^rd July, Proud to be African Clothing spies with our little eyes something beginning with O...... but before that, there's a veritable all you can eat buffet of cultural goodness!!

Monday 23^rd July

Nigeria House kicks into its first full week at Theatre Royal, Stratford East, Raffles Square, E15 1BN  with the Market, Boutique and Gallery running from 10.00am to 5.00pm.

The week starts off on a literary note with the inaugural Igbo Cultural and Support Network (ICSN) Book Club, running from 7.00pm to 8.30pm at Madam Chi, 187 Upper Street, N1 1RQ. The book for this session is the African classic, Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’. This FREE event is open to all so you better start brushing up on your Okonkwo’s, Ikemefuna’s and so on!

Between 7.30pm and 10.00pm we have the evening show at Nigeria House, Theatre Royal, Stratford East, Raffles Square, E15 1BN consisting of hip hop artiste and producer Naeto C who will be performing tracks from his Fela inspired Afrobeat/ Hip hop album Lagos City Hustla, Grammy nominated singer/song writer Tiwa Savage has been fusing R&B and Afrobeat since her 2010 debut single Kele Kele Love and Mi is a prolific songwriter, producer and lyricist who has collaborated with the crème de la crème of the Nigerian music. Tickets are £20.00and £25.00 for stalls


At 7.30pm we have 'What will survive of us' 5 short plays from award winning Nigerian playwright Janice Okoh at the Islington Community Theatre, 2 Fieldway Crescent, N5 1PF. Inspired and performed by young people, this FREE showing is innovative a highly sought after so RSVP by calling 0207 609 9651

At 7.45pm in the Purcell Room of the South Bank Centre we have the Vocal Ensemble of Africa the creation of pianist and vocalist Juwon Ogungbe (if you missed him at the Rhum Jungle last Thursday this is your chance oh!!) this ensemble consists of 6 singers from 5 African countries a 4 piece band and a combination of languages, harmonies and musical influences that will astound you, not one to be missed it features Juwon Ogungbe (Nigeria), Eugene Makuta (Congo), Eno William Uffort (Nigeria), Leila Lawton (Uganda), Joyce Moholoagae (South Africa) and Thomas Moyo (Zimbabwe). The band consists of Dele Ogundeko, Renell Shaw on bass, Soji Ijaduola on drums and Junior Balogun on percussion. Tickets are £15.00 from here, not to be sniffed at!!!!

Tuesday 24^th July

The Market, Boutique and Gallery at 30 Nigeria House Theatre Royal, Stratford East run from 10.00am to 5.00pm.

In the Nigeria House, Theatre Royal, Stratford East Auditorium at 7.00pm it is a Naija Nu Soul mix as Keziah Jones returns for another set with his guitar hat and ever so funky individual style, he’s followed by amazing newcomer, Bez, whose Stupid Song has been a Proud to be African Clothing favourite is an alternative soul singer who is getting alot of time and airplay in the US and UK, a talent that will grow and grow. Then with have the legendary King Sunny Ade,who’s come a long way from his days in Moses Adejumo’s band in the ‘60’s, the first Nigerian Grammy nominee expect a mix of juju, afrobeat, funk, rock, soul and everything in between. Tickets are £20.00and £25.00 for stalls and dress circle

At 7.45pm we have Funmi Olawumi of the Yoruba Women’s Choir in the Purcell Room of the South Bank Centre.  She will be performing solo this evening with a 12 piece band and 4 piece harmony group Naija Soul Sisters, songs from her latest album Funmi Ti De. Funmi describes her music as faaji music so get ready for some body-moving and nyash-shaking. A feel good evening with, tickets for £15.00

Wednesday 25^th July

The Market, Boutique and Gallery at 30 Nigeria House Theatre Royal, Stratford East run from 10.00am to 5.00pm.

Tony Allen-Master Drummer

Keziah Jones

Dele Sosimi- Gbedu Master!!

The evening show at 30 Nigeria House today is a Peach (not that the others have been slacking) from 7.00pm to 10.30pm is The Nigeria Diasporama All Star Band featuring such a sweet line up that I’m drooling all ready. First off we have global soul phenomenon Asa whose debut album fused Yoruba and English, pop, R&B, funk, soul and reggae into a unique and sublime treat, Keziah Jones is a committed guitarist artist who fuses so many genres from bossa nova to funk to Afrobeat, to produce his Blufunk sound. We then have Afrobeat stalwart Dele Sosimi started his career as  a youngster with Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80 and has since carved a niche for himself as one of the finest purveyors of Afrobeat, with monthly Afrobeat live shows in London and standout performances, this is Afrobeat par excellence. It obviously couldn’t get better but hey it just did! We have Tony Allen, Africa’s finest drummer and another Fela alumnus, with a huge pedigree of work behind him and global collaborations this legend of Afrobeat and world music will grace the stage followed by Fela’s pikin himself Seun Kuti and the Egypt 80 band, many of the band are old members from the Fela days so this has the potential to be the most awesome Afrobeat jam session known to man! In fact this is so awesome that the government has declared an immediate state of awesomeness around Theatre Royal Stratford, and ordered everyone to say “Ah ah!” don sunglasses and start shaking nyash with immediate effect!!!!  Tickets are £25.00 and £30.00 for stalls, NO EXCUSES!

Bez-Stupid Song Singer!

At 8.00pm Hackney Empire hosts Sweet Jamaica 50th! With Gappy Ranks, JC Lodge, Christopher Ellis, the Son of Alton Ellis, The Queens of Lovers Rock Carroll Thompson & Sylvia Tella, Peter Hunnigale, Roger Robin, Mr Fraser &  Jamaican Comedian Ping Wing. Hosted by Robbie Gee with music by Younger Melody with tickets from £21.00 from here

Thursday 26^th July

The Market, Boutique and Gallery at 30 Nigeria House Theatre Royal, Stratford East runs from 10.00am to 5.00pm. 

From 6.30pm to 10.00pm is the Nigeria House Literary Series; a showcase of Nigerian literature presented through readings, conversations and book displays. Today’s authors are  Proud to be African Clothing’s good friend playwright Ade Solanke, playwright Seffi Atta, Diran Adebayo and Nnorom Azuonye. Ade is a screenwriter and playwright and creative director of Spora Stories nad has worked and lectured in the US and Nigeria and most recently had the excellent play ‘Pandoras Box’ on stage. Seffi is qualified chartered accountant whose debut novelEverything Good Will Come won the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa, Diran is an acclaimed author of novels and short stories a regular in the British media, on the culture Show and Newsnight he is known for his vivid take on modern Britain and is currently writing his 3^rd novel. Nnorom is the founder and editor of the Sentinel Literary Quaterly. His CV is so long it will fill the page so let us go with poet, playwright and novelist, his plays have been performed in Nsukka and his poems appeared in numerous books and anthologies. This interactive evening will be moderated by Lookman Sanusi, and will involve book readings, a conversation on ‘Imagine Nigeria!’ and book signings. It’s FREE, so RSVP and come and stimulate your minds

From 6.00pm to 10.45pm, the Young Black Grads presents... Speed Networking! Networking newbies or networking ninjas come down with your business cards and make friends, contacts and acquaintances. In business its 60% who you know so this is a good place to start. It’s at Poetry Café (The Poetry Society) 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX and is FREE just register here 

At 7.30pm in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, with have Beninois superstar Angelique Kidjo back for another performance of tracks from here 2012 live album Spirit Rising. A superb vocalist you’re in for an excellent performance in multiple languages with influences from multiple genres. I expect to see you all Wombo Lomboing in the aisles! Tickets £22.50 and £27.50

Team Zimbabwe will be officially welcomed at the Stratford Old Town Hall by the Zimbabwe Diaspora Olympics Support Network. This will be an opportunity for Zimbabweans to meet Zimbabwe’s past and present Olympians, network and show community spirit

Friday 27^th July OLYMPICS BABY!!!!!

Today na today!!! The Olympics comes to the wonderful city of London, the opening ceremony in Stratford will be shown at various places like Nigeria House, at Theatre Royal, Stratford East from 8.00pm to 11.00pm

Africa Village, Kensington Map

At 9.00am the Africa Village opens in Kensington Gardens. The Africa Village is the hospitality House of the 53 African countries participating in the London Games and is FREE from 9.00am till 10.00pm. There will be modern and traditional music concerts, fashion, dancing, photo exhibitions and African Food FREE entrance from 27th July to 12th August, 9am to 10pm. There will be performances on stage from 1pm to 3pm and 3.00pm to 6.00pm with Nigerian dancers, Tunisian musicians, French and English language storytellers, and fashion shows. Medal winners and athletes from African countries will be coming along to hang out so come along and see for yourself. The closest tube Station is South Kensington (Picadilly, District or Circle line) , exit and  follow the signs to the Royal Albert Hall. More details here 

During the day the Market, Boutique and Gallery at 30 Nigeria House Theatre Royal, Stratford East runs from 10.00am to 5.00pm as usual

From 6.15 to 9.30pm BBM/BMC will be at Punch and Judy a health drink business for Garvey + Rasta +Music Part . Looking at the influences of Garveyism on Rastafarianism music and roots reggae in particular. This is a FREE event, RSVP and come 
and enjoy the drinks, debate and music


From 7.00pm to 10.00pm we have an Ice Reception at Emukay Bar and Restaurant, 91 Camberwell ROad, SE5 0EZ as part of WS- 78, The Mind of a Patriot. Featuring Tunji Oyelana

At Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, Hackney, E8 4AA off Kingsland Road we have an excellent night with the Desert Blues  5 piece band consisting of Abdallah Oumbadougou, Kora player Modou Toure and Ramon Goose (guitar), with DJ’s Koichi Saka and Sun Bailante. Entry is £5.00 before 10.00pm and £8.00 after.

Saturday 28^th July OLYMPICS DAY TWO

The Market, Boutique and Gallery at 30 Nigeria House Theatre Royal, Stratford East runs from 10.00am to 5.00pm.

At 11.00am we have the Festival of Yoruba Arts (FOYA) running till 9.00pm Clissold Park, this is the 3^rd incarnation of this Annual Festival which celebrates the rich and vibrant arts and Culture of the Yoruba people who stretch from Nigeria to Brazil to the Caribbean. FOYA has Salsa, Afrobeat, Juju, Arts and Crafts, competitions, delicious food and it’s FREE!!! This is a family friendly event with live bands and children’s games going till 6.00pm

Also at 11.00am we have the Uzima, Natural Holistic Expo at the Conway Hall, Holborn, 25 Red Lion Square, WC14 4RL. The aim is to enhance the lives of the African Community by providing an atmosphere that aids the mind, body and spirit. In the Main Hall from 11.00am to 6.00pm is the African Market and then from 7.00-9.00pm will be a Fashion and Culture Show. There are 3 other rooms as well with Workshops, Free Activities and a Therapy Room

At 3.00pm with have Dr Djibril Diallo in conversation with Baaba Maal and friends in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank Centre. Dr Diallo is a Senior Advisor in UNAIDS and will be examining the role of sport in AIDS advocacy and empowering young people in the AIDS response. Although this is a FREE event, reserve your ticket online, by phone or in person.

Another groovy event will be Summer Soiree at the Troxy, 490 Commercial Road, London, E1 0HX, with an spectacular line up of Nigerian superstar singer Nneka, Proud to be African Clothing’s favourite grime artiste Afrikan Boy, Mikill Pane, Gina Yashere, Dotstar, Bigz, SAS, Fem Fal, Saeon, A Dot Comedian, Lyric L, Gfrsh, special set by DJ Abrantee hosted by Dont Jealous Me and Amal Fashanu. Doors open at 5.30pm event finishes 11.00pm, tickets from £27.00

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6.30-8.00pm we have Poetry Segment: Part I- Voices and Vocations- An exploration of poetry at Nigeria House Theatre Royal, Stratford East, a presentation and discussion of great poetry pieces from Nigeria and includes a screening of Remi Vaughan-Richards documentary on poetry and an invited mic poetry session. This event is FREE


At 5.30pm television talk show Effizi returns with a new guest in front of a live audience at Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 1HE. This shows guest is Mrs Ogo Ogbata, business woman and author. More details can be found on the website and RSVP if you wish to be a guest

At 7.30pm in the Royal Festival Hall, for the final event of Africa Utopia the man himself returns to what he does best, Baaba Maal and Friends present Yele Yela- a Night from the Wild West of Africa. This performance brings this brilliant festival to an end and sees Baaba Maal joined by Malian ngoni virtuoso Bassekou Kouvate as well as Guinean vocalist/ kora player Mory Kant and many more special guests (don’t ask you’ll be surprised!!) Tickets are £25.00, £22.50, £20.00, £10.00

Nigerian author and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka’s latest project WS 78- The mind of a Patriot hits London on Saturday at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden. It starts off this Saturday’s with a lecture at 8.00pm – 9.00pm by Prof. Robert Fox entitled “From Tigritude to Transcendence: The Conscience and Conscientiousness of Wole Soyinka. This is followed by the play “Home” directed by Segun Ojewuyi from 9.00pm – 10:30pm. 

At the Nigeria House again from 8.30-9.00pm we have a performance of Sefi Atta’s play ‘The Naming Ceremony’. This one act play is directed by Ifeoma Fafunwa and is about the preparations for the naming ceremony (yeah the hint is in the title!) of a young couple Akin and Tola, with Tola dreading a day of disagreements with her mother, mother in law and husband. Tickets are £6.00

In Brixton, Upstairs at the Ritzy Picturehouse, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 IJG at 8.30pm we have Juwon Ogunbe (again! The man no wan rest!!!) performing tracks from his debut Life Force album. In collaboration with Colourful Radio with DJ Freestyle with his eclectic music choices on the decks an excellent night beckons. Tickets are £5.00 till midnight


Live at the Hootananny, 95 Effra Road, Brixton, SW2 1DF this Friday we have Kalakuta, Blak Twang and Extra Curricular. Kalakuta is big band Afro-beat par excellence led by Fela Kuti’s long term lead rhythm guitar player Emeka Elendu they promise to take us to an ‘underground spiritual game’ Oya begin shake nyash! Extra Curricular is a rhythm, brass and vocal; ensemble that combines soul, rock and hip hop, while Blak Twang needs little introduction as a highly acclaimed legendary UK Hip-Hop artist with a well earned status, credited as an inspiration to the likes of Roots Manuva, Estelle and many others now on the verge of his 6th full length LP release. FREE entry before 11pm, £3 after, resident DJ’s, DJ Snuff and MC Honey Brown explore hip hops roots and keep the party going

At 9.00pm we join our good friends at Focus Organisation who will be at Zar Zars, 405 High Street, Stratford, E15 4QZ with special welcome party for all our 2012 visitors with an all night Afrobeats party with DJ’s Bogossy (Cote d’Ivoire), Patrick and Carlos de Carvalho (Radio Morali, Angola), they will be playing Afrobeats, Azonto, Coupe Decale, kuduro, kwaito, Naija beats, highlife and house all night till 5.00am. Tickets are £7.00, with ladies free before 11.00pm and all ticket holders from Africa Utopia’s Baaba Maal concert free entry until 1.00am. This is a definite number one choice to end the first full day of the Olympics, with some special guests promised who knows who you’ll bump into just fresh from the games?

At the if Bar, 71 Ilford Hill, Ilford, IG1 2DG we have the Ghana UK Olympic Party running from 10.00pm to 5.00am. D’Cryme will be performing live with Vibes Squad, Tribal Mangz, P Manand live PA’s from other supporting artistes, along with DJs, Frenchkiss, Abrantee, Macusa, Invisible, Yaw Apofo-Akora and many more

Sunday 29^th July

WS 78- The Mind of a Patriot at the Africa Centre resumes at 12.00pm with a dance workshop by Peter Badejo OBE. Then from 4.00pm to 8.00pm we have a blues dance tea party, a  Dance2Mesmerize presentation “Big City Blues” by Stanley Amah (£10.00 for tickets) and then from 9.00pm till 10.30pm another showing of the play ‘Home’

The Market, at 30 Nigeria House Theatre Royal, Stratford East runs from 7.00pm to 10.00pm, while the Boutique and Gallery run from 10.00am to 5.00pm. At 8.30pm we have another showing of Sefi Ata’s play- The Naming Ceremony. A very thespian Sunday!