Thursday 30 August 2012

Press Release: Shattered Hearts gets British Board of Film Classification License


Written and Produced by a UK based African Film Producer & Nollywood Actress, Tolulope Yesufu and Directed by Actor/ Director Lanre Balogun. Starring: Theodora Ibekwe,Fatima Jabbe, Anthony Mojaro, Lanre Balogun, Tunji Sotimirin, Tolu Yesufu, Rita Edochie,  Amour Owolabi, Titi Jacobs – Aseroma, Helen Osabutey,  Tope Brass and many more 
SYNOPSIS:
Shattered Hearts is a movie of love, betrayal and danger. Its a true life story that deals with the intriguing and potentially fatal love ring involving Bosun (Anthony Monjaro, Last Flight to Abuja), Bukky (Fatima Jabbe, The Mirror Boy), Vanessa (Tolu Yesufu, Owo Oju Egun) and Richard (Amour Owolabi.)
In Shattered Hearts, the relationship between Bosun – a charming, serious-minded cab driver and Daddy’s girl Bukky – a spoilt, obsessive and possessive young woman is thrown into turbulence when Bukky learns that Bosun is involved with Vanessa at the same time. It is all the more complicated because Vanessa is also in love with Richard whose overbearing and interfering mother (Lady Titi Jacobs-Aseroma) has been placing spanners in the wheels of their relationship.
Will love find a way in this maze of interwoven hearts in which somebody has accepted marriage proposals from two men, creating a life or death situation?
This Grand premiere will be Hosted by UK based Nigerian Comedians and MC WALE GATES & MC MARK CUN
Tickets are available from here 
For further information please contact: Theodora Ibekwe
Phone:   07943823292

Sunday 26 August 2012

Paralympics, Africa Ignites and other events of the week 27th August


Fresh from KenyaFest Proud to be African Clothing is keen to show off our Swahili and greet you with Jambo!
Hopefully you are ready for London's next instalment of sporting achievement with the Superhuman Paralympic games on Wednesday the 29th, the RSC's all black Julius Caesar and in addition we have Deloittes Africa Ignites Weekend and a plethora of good things as you can see below

Monday 27th August:

From 5.30pm to 11.30pm is the Africa Unplugged Music Festival is the biggest African concert in Europe at the Wembley Arena. 15 African Nations will be represented by 20 acts,
Nigeria: Femi Kuti, 2Face, Flavour Nwabania and Iyanya,
Ghana: R2Bees, Mista Silva and Sarkodie
South Africa, Zakes Bantwini and Zahara,
Zimbabwe: Winky D and MC Inity,
Kenya: Traxx, Angola: Cabo Snoop
Cote d’Ivoire: DJ Arafat
Uganda: Chameleone
Zambia: Noeva
Congo provides the host Eddie Kadi
There’s not much I can really say to sell this event, if the names up there don’t attract you nothing will. This is a big one for African music!
Tickets are from £25.00 to £350.00 (yup Celebrity tickets are £350.00, for those of you that think VIP is not enough!!) from here

Tuesday 28th August

At 7.00pm The Igbo Cultural Support Network (ICSN) Book Club will be reviewing Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ at Madam Chi, 187 Upper Street, N1 1RQ. If you are a fan of this modern classic which channels Achebe for this generation, feel free to drop by and lets chat! This event is FREE and goes on till 8.30pm

Wednesday 29th August Paralympics Start

8.30pm-The Paralympics kick off Today in Stratford. From all accounts this will be the best attended Paralympic Games just from tickets pre sold, so we look forward to London showcasing itself at its best again!

Thursday 30th August

From 7.00pm to 11.00pm at the Jewel Bar, 4-6 Glasshouse Street, W1B 5Q, Brothers with No Game presents ‘You’ve Got Game!’ The Brothers with no Game is a lifestyle blog which follows the perspectives of 4 20 something guys on life, music, sport and everything in between. The evening involves comedy, games and ice breaker entertainment and a few games. Tickets are £15.00 (and guys Ladies tickets are already sold out!! Hint, hint!!) from here. You get a free drink with your entrance and there’s happy hour with 50% off on food and drink until 8.00pm.

At 7.00pm the Africa Centre is hosting Talkoke, which is a unique pop up talk show set up around the unique Talkoke Table, an interactive way of engaging people. This event is FREE, RSVP here

Friday 31st August

Sees the first day of the Deloitte Ignite 2012 AfricaWeekend curated by Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare MBE.

6.00-7.00pm-Welcome to Yinka Shonibares Deloitte Ignite at the Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 9DD. In which the curator discussed his vision for the Africa Weekend as a celebration of African traditional and avant garde arts and culture. This event is FREE book tickets here

8.00-10.30pm- at the Linbury Studio Theatre we have Tony Allen and the Niaja Centric Orchestra. Now I’m not sure if that name is a typo but the main thing is Tony Allen in the house. The master drummer and Afrobeat legend will be performing with Nigerian traditional and contemporary artistes a blend of traditional music, afrobeat, jazz and funk, with special guests Damon Albarn and Martina Topley Bird If you want Afrobeat played the way Afrobeat wishes it was played, then you need to be here. All this for just £20.00 and £25.00 from here

At 6.00pm is the iCAN Informal Caribbean African Network Social evening at Browns Bar and Brasserie, West India Quay, E14 8JJ. Going on till 11.00pm in the lower bar (or outside area weather permitting) this is an opportunity for people of African and Caribbean origin to get together network either socially or professionally

Saturday 1st September

The Africa Ignite weekend resumes at 12.00pm there is an interactive exhibition till 6.00pm in the Paul Hamlyn Hall of contemporary instruments designed and built by composer Victor Gama inspired by instruments from his native Angolan folk music and instruments. This event is FREE

From 12.30pm till 2.00pm Alesandra Seutin Artistic Director of Vocab Dance Company will deliver a Lecture/ demonstration of her African Dance Project collaboration with renowned Senegalese choreographer Germaine Acogny. She will use this lecture to share her experiences exploring how traditional African dance can be fused with Western classical and contemporary. This is FREE

At 2.00pm in the Covent Garden Piazza, with Africa on the Piazza. There will be open air screenings of a collection of exciting and innovative African films from the 1950’s to date from directors such as Ousmane Sembene and Souleymane Cisse. This is a FREE event; however there is no seating so bring rugs, blankets cushions etc and dress appropriately. It goes on till 10.00pm
As part of the Africa Ignites there are Drumming Workshops at 2.15-3.00pm and 3.30-4.15pm in the Lambert Studio, Royal Opera House

In the Crush Room at the Royal Opera House there are Storytelling Workshops at 3.15-4.00pm and 4.00-5.00pm

In the Clore Studio Upstairs, Royal Opera House are Dance Workshops at 2.30-3.15pm and 3.45-4.30pm and then a Drum and Dance Sharing workshops at 4.45-5.30pm. The drumming, dancing, storytelling etc are all brought to you by the IRIE! Dance Theatre, one of Britain’s leading African peoples dance company working in the field of community education, the workshops are suitable for all age groups and nationalities. All workshops are FREE

In the Linbury Studio Theatre Tavaziva Dance will perform Sensual Africa based on Zimbabwean born Bawren Tavaziva’s trip to Malawi and inspired by the music and rituals of the Tumbuka and Chewa people. This is FREE and the 2 shows are 2.30-3.00pm and 3.45-4.15pm, recommended for 12+ audiences

In the Royal Opera Houses, Crush Room at 5.30pm there is a recital by South African Tenor Sipho Fubesi. The University of Capetown graduate appeared in the opera Heart of Darkness in 2011.

At 7.00pm there is a concert by Victor Gama in the Paul Hamlyn Hall. Instrumentos is a concert using the composers instruments inspired by his native Angolan folk music and instruments performed by musicians from Angola and Portugal. This event is FREE

At 10.00pm we end the day with a Club Night with Radio 1Xtras DJ Edu in the Linbury Studio Theatre. Doors open at 9.30pm and the night finishes at 1.00am. Tickets are £10.00 in advance and £12.00 on the door, he’ll be playing hip hop, R&B dancehall and garage and is joined by special guest Bumi Thomas and Debra Debs


At 3.00pm the Africa Centre will host Jamaica 50 years of Independence at 38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JT, there will be coffee tasting of Blue Mountain coffee at 3.00pm and 5.30pm by the UK’s only Jamaican Barista Miranda Le Crette. At 4.00pm there is Music Panel Discussion of MyKaell Riley, Leone Ross, David Katz and a live performance by Earl 16. 6.00pm Courttia Newland and Leone Ross present Words and Fiction. 7.00pm sees Comedy by Annette Fagon and Spoken Word by El Crisis. From 8.00pm till late there is DJ Sounds with Psykhomantus and Dub Me Always. There will be film videos and screenings during the day hosted by Leone Ross. Tickets are £10.00 (concessions are £7.00) from here.

At 6.00pm is the Grand Finale of Miss West Africa UK 2012 at the Mermaid Conference Centre, EC4V 3DB. All proceeds from this event go onto selected orphanages in West Africa. So for an evening of glamour get your tickets from here for £30.00 and £50.00 VIP
11.00am to 5.00pm see’s MAD Short Film Festival, this is Christian led project that combines arts and social justice events. The day will consist of a Film-makers Workshop with the Producers of Africa United, teaching how to get your film funded and come up with a winning pitch, networking lunch and short film screening of ‘Rahab’. This event is FREE but register by email or book here 
Sunday 2nd September

The Africa Ignite weekend resumes at 12.00pm there is an interactive exhibition till 6.00pm in the Paul Hamlyn Hall of contemporary instruments designed and built by composer Victor Gama inspired by instruments from his native Angolan folk music and instruments. This event is FREE

From 12.30pm till 2.00pm Alesandra Seutin Artistic Director of Vocab Dance Company will deliver a Lecture/ demonstration of her African Dance Project collaboration with renowned Senegalese choreographer Germaine Acogny. She will use this lecture to share her experiences exploring how traditional African dance can be fused with Western classical and contemporary. This is FREE
Africa on the Piazza returns at 2.00pm with more open air African movie screenings. It goes on till 7.00pm, there’s no seating so take cushions, blankets etc

In the Lambert Studio, Royal Opera House there are Drumming Workshops at 2.15-3.00pm and 3.30-4.15pm by the IRIE! Dance Theatre. These are FREE

In the Crush Room at the Royal Opera House there are Storytelling Workshops at 3.15-4.00pm and 4.15-5.00pm by the IRIE! Dance Theatre. These are FREE

In the Clore Studio Upstairs, Royal Opera House are Dance Workshops at 2.30-3.15pm and 3.45-4.30pm and then a Drum and Dance Sharing workshops at 4.45-5.30pm. The drumming, dancing, storytelling etc are all brought to you by the IRIE! Dance Theatre. All workshops are FREE

At 2.00pm to 3.00pm in the Linbury Studio Theatre we have African Messiah by Tunde Jegede, a celebratory new work by composer and multi-instrumentalist combining themes and melodies from Handels Messiah with African Musical tradition, the work draws on the tradition of the griot and the kora and brings together some of the finest international singers and musicians. This is not one to miss as Tunde Jegede and if you didn’t have enough there is another performance at 5.00pm

In the Royal Opera Houses, Crush Room at 5.30pm to 6.15pm there is a recital by South African Tenor Sipho Fubesi. The University of Capetown graduate appeared in the opera Heart of Darkness in 2011.

At 7.00pm there is a concert by Victor Gama in the Paul Hamlyn Hall. Instrumentos is a concert using the composer’s instruments inspired by his native Angolan folk music and instruments performed by musicians from Angola and Portugal. This event is FREE doors open at 6.40pm.

At 7.00pm there is a private screening of the documentary Kickin’ it with the Kinks at Courthouse Hotel, 19-21 Great Marlborough Street, W1F 7HL, running till 9.00pm. the documentary explores the complexities of haircare among women of African descent, tickets are £12.00 from here.

Sunday 19 August 2012

Julius Caesar Review and Events for the week of 20th August


Mhoro peoples,
As this weekend has been all about the Zimbos,I feel I should say hello in Shona! From Oliver 'Tuku' Mtukudzi at the O2 to ZIMFest on Saturday and Sunday Proud to be African Clothing was happy to see that the Proud to be Zimbabwean T shirts were as popular as the Proud to be Kenyan and Proud to be African ones. However I wanted to write about the new RSC all black Julius Caesar so I’ll start with that

Julius Caesar with an all black Cast
Last week I went to see the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) new production of Julius Caser with an all black cast. An interesting experience and one that I would recommend. As we took our seats we were serenaded by an African band (known as the Vibes of March!! Honestly if I start a band I’m nicking that name!!) complete with kora, drums, djembe and so on playing us in to the action. 

This being my first Julius Caesar I didn’t have a frame of reference beyond a few of the more famous quotes but the synopsis for this production is that Rome is a new African country and Julius Caesar is the conquering military leader returned to the accolades of an adoring public. One cannot really review a Shakespeare play as the plots are not exactly secrets so I’ll focus mainly on the production and the acting.

Jeffery Kissoon as Julius Caesar stood out as someone enjoying his role despite the few scenes Shakespeare actually gave the character the play was named after! The majority of the play involved Brutus (Paterson Joseph) as he succumbed to the wiles of the plotters principally the envious Cassius (Cyril Nri) and then wrestled with his loyalty to friend, state and so on. The second act followed the assassination of Julius Caser revolved around Marc Antony played by Ray Fearon, who gave me my moment of the play by uttering one of my favourite Shakespearean quote “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!in the context of an African marketplace, another nice touch.
For those who like me escaped English literature in school to suffer the depredations of the laboratory this was a great experience taking me back to my youth in Nigeria when all black plays were not necessarily something to be remarked upon, but in the UK to see an all black performance put on by a company as notable as the RSC playing to a packed audience was quite touching.

Standout performances were  Paterson Joseph who(despite the unsuccessful attempt at an African accent) took Brutus and cleverly portrayed a man at war with his loyalties, conscience and beliefs, .
Cyril Nri and Paterson Joseph
The symbolism of the ragtag soldiers with AK 47s and the debates about the dangers of sycophancy in a new democracy are of course relevant to an audience of Africans, but the age old story of the price of success and the price of envy as well as the struggle between duty and personal loyalty.

So if you want to see Shakespeare in a different setting for some and a familiar setting for a few others, head down to the Noel Coward Theatre, St Martins Lane, London, WC2N 4AU. Tickets are priced between £15.00 and £49.50 and can be obtained here until 15th September 
Cast and Crew
Jeffery Kissoon - Julius Caesar
Adjoa Andoh - Portia
Segun Akingbola - Trebonius
Mark Ebulue - Artemidorus        
Ray Fearon - Mark Antony
Ricky Fearon - Cicero/Lucilius
Andrew French - Decius Brutus
Marcus Griffiths - Marullus/Octavius' Servant/Pindarus
Ivanno Jeremiah - Octavius        
Paterson Joseph – Brutus
Samantha Lawson - Caesar's Servant
Simon Manyonda - Lucius
Joseph Mydell - Casca
Cyril Nri - Cassius
Ann Ogbomo - Calpurnia
Theo Ogundipe - Soothsayer
Jude Owusu - Cinna the Poet
Mark Theodore- Metellus Cimber/Messala
Ewart James Walters - Caius Ligarius/Lepidus
Chinna Wodu - Cinna the Conspirator
Director - Gregory Doran
Designer - Michael Vale               
Lighting - Vince Herbert
Music - Akintayo Akinbode         
Sound - Jonathan Ruddick
Movement - Diane Alison-Mitchell
Fights - Kev McCurdy
Associate Director - Gbolahan Obisesan


And Now To Events

Monday 20th August
At 7pm ADAD presents ADAD Open Stage at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8JT. This is a thought provoking dance performance from diaspora African choreographers Madeleine ‘Madee’ Ngomba-Mwanza, David Blake and Pauline Blackwood who share dance works which examine personal journeys, cultural links and the deportation. This is a two day event so tickets are £5.00 (£3.00 concs) or £8.00 (£5.00) for both days.

Tuesday 21st August
At 7pm ADAD presents the second day of  ADAD Open Stage at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8JT. Yassmin V Foster and Anna Watkins present works based on women’s struggles, human movement and space. Tickets are £5.00 (£3.00 concs) or £8.00 (£5.00) for both days.

Between 1.00pm and 5.00pm the Caricom Diaspora Conference will take place at the Cinema, Tricycle Theatre, 269 Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 7JR hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner H.E. Garvin Nicholas. The event will consist of talks, networking presentations and ends up with a Whiskey Master Class. The event is FREE but register here

Between 6.00pm and 9.00pm at Punch and Juicy Liquid Foods, Unit 8 Queens Parade, Willesden Lane, NW2 5HT, there is a Talk of the Times reasoning session entitles Highlighting August Within Global African History, led by TAOBQ co-ordinator Kwaku this FREE event shows there is much more to August, Book here or RSVP by email 

Friday 24th August

At 7.00pm Shaka Zulu Restaurant, The Stables Market, Camden, NW1 8AB presents an exclusive reception dinner with South African music sensations Zahara and Zakes Bantwini. This is a preview of their performances ath the Africa Unplugged Music Festival at Wembley Arena. Zahara is a multi platinum album singer songwriter in the Afrosoul mode of Asa and India Arie, she sings in English and Xhosa. Zakes Bantwini is known as Africa’s James Brown (so a slight contrast in styles here!), a showman with electrifying sounds and dance moves. There will be a selection of canapés and drinks available as well as the option of ordering from the Restaurant Menu and bar. For information and tickets email or call 07809592465, 07999070707,07445231492. Tickets are £10.00 (earlybird) and £15.00 (advanced) from here

Saturday 25th August

At 12.00am Kenya shows what it can do in London with Kenyafest at Lea Valley Playing Fields, Chingford, London, E4 8AQ. Celebrating the best of Kenya in the UK it includes traditional Kenyan and UK children’s games such as Kati, Rounders, egg and spoon and bouncy castles. Live music will be provided by the Afrika Jambo Band with African Dancers with additional live music from upcoming Kenyan artists such as Lynette, J Star, Mimi and Ajabu. Alongside arts and crafts, food and drink stalls, there will be Proud to be African Clothing so bring your wallets, outdoor clothes, blankets, outdoor kangas, foldable chairs and more importantly yourselves, children, husbands, wives, friends, enemies, colleagues and random people off the street!!! The event ends at 9.00pm, tickets for adults are £10.00, children 10-17 years £5.00 and FREE for under 5’s call for more information, check here or please call: 07886815454; 07928124019.


From 8.00pm to 11.00pm there is a Special Cultural Reception, in honour of the visiting artists from Carniriv who will be participating in the Notting Hill Carnival all the way from Rivers State, Nigeria at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JT. A fascinating event that will be a nice touch of homesickness for people like me! RSVP by emailing or calling 0794 4597 530 /0755 3549 599


Sunday 26th August
If you like African comedy then you need to be at The Lighthouse Hall, 262 - 274 Camberwell Rd SE5 0DL at 4.00pm for the London leg of the Crack Ya Ribs Comedy Concert by Julius Awgu D Genius. Going on till 11.00pm, there is music and dance by MI Abaga, Dprince, Fuse ODG, DJ Abass and DJ Osa Jatt plus including Comedy by Seyi Law, Senator, Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson, Wale Gate, Akpos, MC Shakara, Guru, Funny Bone, Julius Agwu and may surprise acts. Tickets are £25.00 for Downstairs seating, £35.00 for Upstairs seating, £50.00 VIP and £100.00 limited VVIP. Tickets are obtainable from here, here, here and here!
and , 
Ticket hotlines are Sekinah: 07714167322, Dwise1: 07432832598, Naijaunion: 07531772745

At 12 midday till 6.00pm, there will be an African Showcase Market as part of the Jamaica@50 celebration at Leyton Cricket Ground, High Road Leyton, E10 5PW. There will be cultural and artistic events from 5 participating African countries, with stalls selling African food, drinks, arts, artifacts and other cultural items. There will also be a drum and headwrap workshop. More details here

Sara Zvakanaka (goodbye in Shona) till next week and the Paralympics!

Saturday 11 August 2012

London African Events for the week of 13th August


Week of 13th August

Summer Olympics are gone, countdown to the Paralympics begins! Some have done well in the Olympics (1,2,3! Hmmm) Some can and will do better. But ultimate and maximum respect to all those who went out and represented their countries and put in the effort after all those years of training. And to all the people of London who gave up their time and comfort to make it happen. A big thank you from Proud to be African Clothing in the form of 10% off with voucher code Olympic10.

Monday 13th August

At 6.00pm we have Let’s Talk, discussion and debate evening at Bar19:20, 19-20 Great Sutton Street, Farringdon, EC1V 0DR. Running till 11.00pm this monthly debate night mixes spoken word with an opportunity to voice your opinion

At 6.30pm Black History Studies presents Marcus Garvey Month Films at PCS Headquarters, 160 Falcon Road, SW11 2LN. The first screening is The Promised Ship at 7.00pm. Tickets are £5.00 and can be obtained in advance by emailing or phoning 0208 881 0660 or 07951234233 

Wednesday 15th August

At 6.30pm monthly free networking event Ebony Inspired UK will hold at Mar Azul Restaurant, 124 Clapham Road, Stockwell, London, SW9 0LA. This event is FREE, just register here  

Between 6.30 and 8.45pm at London Metropolitan University, 84 Moorgate, City of London, EC2M 6SQ, RoomT11-03, Black History Walks hosts Slave Catchers, Slave Resisters  a presentation on how Africans fought back against trans Atlantic slavery. FREE

Thursday 16th August

At 6.00pm ACBN introduces the Aim Higher- Business Enterprise Evening at 356 Holloway Road, London, N7 6PA, hosted by Maximal Learning in partnership with the Global Institute for Entrepreneurship, this event will give attendees the opportunity to network, learn how to harness your inner resources and maximise opportunities, find new prospects and opportunities and hear from international award winning consultants and trainers. Tickets are £10.00 in advance by emailing, online or phoning. Or else they are £15.00 on the door

Friday 17th August   


At 7.00pm there is the Special Olympic Hoza Festival 2012!! A tribute to Zimbabwean musical legend Oliver Mtukudzi (aka Tuku) will be held at the IndigoO2 at the O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX. The guitar playing singer will be supported by 4 generations of Zimbabwean musicians. Busi ‘True love’ Ncube founder member of Zimbabwean Afro Fusion group Ilanga, jazz singer Prudence Katomene and special guest Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes. Tickets are £30.00, £45.00 and £55.00 from here

At 6.30pm we have African Women Resistance Leaders 1600 to 2012 will take place in the Blue Room at BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX. Running till 9.15pm this is an interactive, informative session in honour of Funmi Kuti (Fela Kuti’s mother and Nigerian independence activist) and Pan African Women’s Day. This event is FREE

Saturday 18th August

At 2.00pm we have the documentary Fela NYC: Fresh From Africa at the National Film Theatre, Belvedere Road, South Bank, London. Directed by Edward Jaheed Ashley it is a record of Fela’s visit to New York in the 1980’s and is a no holds barred, unplugged look at the Afrobeat king.  Watch out for visits from legends of that period’s music scene such as Roy Ayers, Baba Olatunji and Don Cherry. Filmed at a concert organised by Amnesty playing alongside Bono and Carlos Santana just after he’d been released from political detention in Nigeria, this is a classic slice of African musical/ political history hosted by ‘Meet the Adebanjo’s’ actor Wale Ojo. The documentary will be followed by a Q and A with Rikki Stein (Fela’s former manager) will be preceded by a one hour film, ‘Ancestral Voices’ about traditional African religions. Tickets are £5.00 from the website
Our friends from Ghanaian Londoners come back with Celebrate Ghana 2012 at 2.30pm at the Ripple Centre, 121-125 Ripple Road, Barking, IG11 7FN. Running till 5.30pm there will be special guest speakers, stage performances, stalls, food, sports personalities, networking, music and dancing. This event is open to all and family friendly. Book here for tickets of £5.00 earlybird, £10.00 advanced and £15.00 on the door

ZIMFest comes to London!!! Taking place at Grasshoppers Rugby Club, McFarlane Lane, (off Syon Lane), Osterly, Middlesex, TW7 5PN. This packed event will feature live music, authentic South African food, African Arts and crafts (Proud to be African Clothing of course!) and much more.

Featured artistes on the Main Stage include:
Wunmi (Nigeria/ UK/ USA): a crazy mash up of Afrobeat, jazz, broken beats, house and soul Nigeria’s Wunmi is anything but conventional. An awesome dancer and musician
Pinise Saul and the Lucky Ranku Band (South Africa): this magic collaboration brings SA jazz Queen Pinise Saul together with guitarist Lucky Ranku and 5 other instrumentalistsfor an authentic township sound
The Spindle Sect (South Africa): this band combines hip hop, metal and electronic to create a unique African cross over sound
Thanbani (Zimbabwe/ UK): is a London based Roots/ soul collective led by talented vocalist Tee Nyoni
Kontroversial (Zimbabwe/ UK): brings a crazy mix of authentic sound ranging from dendera to metal to rumba
Frankie Rudolf (Zimbabwe/ UK): Born in South Africa and based in Nottingham (hmm I’m sure I have T shirt for this) this fresh young singer/ guitarist will be delivering his distinctive soulful acoustic/ indie folk style
Kamikaze Test Pilots (Zimbabwe/UK)
Boyz Retonaz (Zimbabwe/ UK)

The Dance Arena will have the following DJ’s:
Zepherin Saint (Tribe Records), Rob Macson (Zimbabwe), DJ Djeff (Angola/ Tribe Records), Kristelle Morin (Australia/ Tribe Records), Mixolis (Zimbabwe/ UK), La DJ Petite, Papa Large and Samantha Blackburn
Tickets are available from £25.00 here

At 9.00pm on Saturday we have the Nigerian Diaspora Youth Leadership Forum Summit 2012 taking place at Kings College London, Strand Campus, Surrey Street, WC2R 2LS. This 2 day event with the theme ‘Our Future in Nigeria’s future: The importance of leadership initiatives’ will consist of workshops, panel debates, keynote speakers and a Gala dinner and awards ceremony. Register here

At 4.00pm we have Xacchi Fashion Show and Auction, Camhurst House, Holloway Community Centre, Parkhurst Road, N7 0NU. This show is in support of SOS Children and S.A.F.E. Kenya Chjaritiers and is hosted by Princess Ifem of Nigerian FM Radio and Remel London. Entertainment include Comdeian MC Mark, Musicians Young Jay and Fabrice Wonga, Poets Belinda Zhawi and Poet Janet, running till 9.00pm, entry includes food and drink and is £15.00 (£5.00 for under 10’s) from here and there is a raffle with an Android Tablet as first prize

Sunday 19th August

The second day of the Nigerian Diaspora Youth Leadership Summit will consist of a Mentoring Cafe running from 12.30pm to 4.00pm. This is an opportunity for 100 Nigerian students to form a one to one mentorship opportunity with top Nigerian public officials. Between 6.00pm and 11.00pm is the Global Excellence Leadership Awards (GELA) Award Presentation which will involve cultural presentations, music, poems etc Passion for Homeland Dinner/ Nigeria Rocks Festival and the Launch for Nigerian Students Leadership and Educational Development (CNSLED). This is by appointment only email to book. 

ZIMFest continues at the Grasshoppers Rugby Club, McFarlane Lane, (off Syon Lane), Osterly, Middlesex, TW7 5PN with the Eat Festival featuring live jazz, the ZIMFest unplugged Open Mic Sessions, food and drink from around the world and so on

From 3.00pm to 7.00pm we have the London Culture Fusion at Via, Canary Wharf, 2 Hertsmere Road, E14 4AB. This fundraising event for Ghanaian Londoners and @YE WorldBlog, aims to celebrate the fusion of West African and English Culture through fashion, music, art, drama, comedy adn exhibitions. Tickets are £8.00 earlybird, £10.000 advanced and £15.00 on the door from here

3.00pm. The London Afro-Caribbean Book Club will be discussing the novel Nomad: A Personal Journey Through the Clash of Civilizations by Ayaan Hirsi Ali at Heights Bar and Lounge (15th Floor) St Georges Hotel, Langham Place, Regent Street W1B 2QS. Nomad is a philosophical memoir recounting how the author got the US in search of a new life and observing the cultural, social and religious clashes and turmoil’s she encountered. Deeply personal and evocative

Sunday 5 August 2012

New Designs, 10% off, All Black Julius Caesar, Kenya Day, Jamaica50 and more events



African people I greet you! Proud to be African is not just a brand it’s now a state of mind as Chas Le Clos (South Africa), Cameron van der Burgh (South Africa)  and  Tirunesh Dibaba (Ethiopia), all bring  Olympic Gold Medals back to Africa and Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis and co bring it home for Team GB. As a way of celebrating this we are giving you 10% off all purchases with the code Olympic10 and have decided that it is the opportune time to launch our new clothing lines, so just for you lucky, lucky people we have 7 new designs and one new garment

Born in the UK /Made in Jamaica (already almost sold out!)- I’m not sure how much celebration there will be when Usain Bolt starts off but I’m reliably informed that everyone within 100 miles of Jamaica have been warned to wear earphones for the duration of the athletics!
Proud to be South African- is for all you beautiful beautiful boys and girls out there (in the words of Papa Le Clos!!!) that want to celebrate the Rainbow Nation Golden summer in London
Proud to be Zimbabwean- we know Zim people like to party, well now you can celebrate with some groovy T shirts for you to celebrate in!!!
Proud to be Ghanaian- our West African brothers and sisters have been vexing for me for not blessing them with their Proud to be T shirt despite crashing all their events, eating their food and drinking their drink, so here you go. Oh Charlie! I hope you will give me peace now!
Proud to be Kenyan- this one is selling as fast as Sally Jepkosgei Kipyego and Vivian Cheruiyot going around the track!! Representing Team Kenya will be much easier when you tell the world how Proud you are to be Kenyan!



Born in the USA/Madein Africa- for our African American friends who have been on my case not to forget them you get not one but two variations on the theme of dual identities. One repping the continent and the stars and stripes and the other celebrating one of Africa and America’s most famous son, US President Barack Obama

And a variation on a current theme for the ladies now that the sun is threatening to shine we have Proudto be African Ladies Vests our most popular design now comes in a fetching red, black and white camisole top in small, medium and large!

Wanlov Kubulor
This week has been interesting what with African Fashion Week London at Old Spitalfields, where I kept bumping into familiar faces, including Wanlov Kubulor of FOKN Bois doing his own funky thing as ever.

The place was packed with so many fine fine girls my blood pressure has only just returned to normal but its all good!

And without further ado lets see what Fun and games London has for us

London African Events for the Week starting 6th August

Monday 6th August Olympics Day 11

The Market, Boutique and Gallery at 30 Nigeria House, Theatre Royal, Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 1BN run from 10.00am to 5.00pm as well as the Deola Sagoe exhibition and videos.
At 2.30pm is the UK- Nigeria Creative Partnership in the Auditorium of 30Nigeria House, running till 9.00pm, this collaborating between the British Council and New World Nigeria seeks to provide greater insight into Nigeria’s creative industries and develop innovative solutions to provide links between the UK and Nigeria creative industries. There will be panel sessions and a, networking session. This event is FREE but book here
Final Kenya Tourism Day begins at 10.00am at Kenya House, 29-35 West Ham Lane, Stratford showcasing Kenya’s huge and well developed Tourism sector register here and turn up to this FREE expo 
From 10.00am daily is Ekhaya Hospitality Centre, South Africa’s Home Away from Home at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the South Bank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. Running till 10.00pm each night for the Olympics and Paralympics, on there are dances, exhibitions, films, fashion shows, performances and provincial exhibitions. All events are FREE, with Olympic events screened in the Foyer.
Born in the UK Made in Jamaica
Jamaica House 2012 is the official house for the Jamaica Olympic Association and is based at the O2 (or North Greenwich Arena in Olympic non sponsor branding speak!!), Peninsula Square, London, SE10 0DX. And is open everyday from 4.00pm until midnight. Entrance is FREE but register as capacity is limited. Today we have UWI Dance Performance, Roots Underground, DJ Rory and Stone Love, and Live Olympic Sports and food and shopping
The Bob Marley Exhibition, a collection of over 40 diverse and rare photographs and artefacts from the life of the legendary musician and activist. Entrance is FREE with a ticket to the British Music Experience and is open 11.00am to 7.30pm running till October.
Today also sees the last performance of the Jamaica 50th Festival at the IndigO2, with a stellar line up of Jimmy Cliff and Oneness, Derrick Morgan, Max Romeo, Gaylads, Bob Andy plus David ‘Ram Jam’ Rodigan until late, tickets from £50.00 from here
Keeping it Jamaican we also have the cult underground play, ‘My Big Fat Jamaican Funeral’ starring Marlon King, Olive Miller, Kayaan and Charles Tomlin. Obtain tickets here
Tuesday 7th August Olympics Day 12

The Market, Boutique and Gallery at 30 Nigeria House Theatre Royal, Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 1BN run from 10.00am to 5.00pm as well as the Deola Sagoe exhibition and videos.
The Ekhaya Hospitality Centre opens at 10.00am with exhibitions from different South African Provinces and Government Departments as well as hourly African Dances and Free Olympic events viewing screens in the Foyer
Between 1.00pm and 10.00pm is a Film Festival in the 30 Nigeria House Auditorium featuring ‘The Rattlesnake at 1.00pm, ‘Blood and Henna at 4.30pm and then at 7.30pmGood People Great Nation’ followed by ‘Maami’ Tickets are £5.00 and all performances will be followed up by a brief Q&A with the filmmakers.
Its 4.00pm! It’s time for Jamaica House 2012! Live at the House, features Rasite and DJ Daddy Ernie, and Live Olympic Sports and food and shopping
Wednesday 8th August Olympics Day 13

The Market, Boutique and Gallery at 30 Nigeria House Theatre Royal, Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 1BN run from 10.00am to 5.00pm as well as the Deola Sagoe exhibition and videos.
The Ekhaya Hospitality Centre opens at 10.00am with exhibitions from different South African Provinces and Government Departments as well as hourly African Dances and Free Olympic events viewing screens in the Foyer.
Opening at 10.00am we have the African Showcase Market till 7.00pm at Market Square, Town Centre Barking, Barking, IG11 8DQ. With a wide variety of African goods and products, this is a prime chance to stock up on your hard to find African items.
Between 12.00pm and 10.00pm Nigeria House has another Film Festival in the Auditorium. Showing at 12.45pm isOrikifollowed by ‘Arugba’. At 4.00pm is ‘Big Daddy’ followed byViolatedand rounding up at 7.30pm withI’ll take my chances’. Tickets are £5.00 and all performances will be followed up by a brief Q&A with the filmmakers.
Jamaica House 2012 opens up at 4.00pm with Live at the House featuring Black Slate and DJ Goldfinger, and Live Olympic Sports and food and shopping
But for the theatrically minded there is a treat of all treats, with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) staging an all Black production of William Shakespeare’s classic play Julius Caesar. Running till 15th September at the Noel Coward Theatre, St Martins Lane, WC2N 4AU. This classic play about friendship, honour, loyalty and patriotism is retold as a fast moving thriller about a struggle for democracy in modern day Africa, produced by Gregory Doran, with Ray Fearon as Mack Antony, Paterson Joseph as Brutus, Jeffery Kissoon as Caesar and Cyril Nri as Cassius. The play was recently broadcast on BBC4 so for those of us who missed it, we have no real excuses. Performances from Monday to Saturday are at 7.30pm, with Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.00pm (check website as there are certain exclusions). Tickets are from £25.00 to £50.00 but there are various voucher codes for discounts which can be used
At the 12 midday at the Guvnor Bar, Bell Lane, off Dock Road, E16 2AB, Stratford we have Nigeria Day as part of their Uniting Nations series of events. going till 10.00pm, alongside live screenings, there will be delicious hot food, shisha tent, fashion, DJ’s and music
Thursday 9th August Olympics Day 14

The Market, Boutique and Gallery at 30 Nigeria House Theatre Royal, Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 1BN run from 10.00am to 5.00pm as well as the Deola Sagoe exhibition and videos.
From 11.00am to 1.00pm there is a Traditional Dress Workshop at 30 Nigeria House led by Costume Designer Iyen Agbonifo for children between the ages of 8 and 13 years. Its £5.00 per child with accompanying adult FREE
The Ekhaya Hospitality Centre opens at 10.00am with exhibitions from different South African Provinces and Government Departments as well as hourly African Dances and Free Olympic events viewing screens in the Foyer
4.00pm, Jamaica House 2012 opens up with Live at the House with Rasites and DJ Goldfinger, and Live Olympic Sports and food and shopping
Friday 10th August Olympics Day 15

he Market, Boutique and Gallery at 30 Nigeria House Theatre Royal, Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 1BN run from 10.00am to 5.00pm.
The Ekhaya Hospitality Centre opens at 10.00am with exhibitions from different South African Provinces and Government Departments as well as hourly African Dances and Free Olympic events viewing screens in the Foyer
Jamaica House 2012 opens up at 4.00pm with Live at the House, Rasites and DJ Elaine, and Live Olympic Sports and food and shopping
At the 12 midday at the Guvnor Bar, Bell Lane, off Dock Road, E16 2AB, Stratford we have another Nigeria Day, going till 10.00pm, alongside live screenings, there will be delicious food, DJ’s and music
Saturday 11th August Olympics Day 16

The Market, Boutique and Gallery at 30 Nigeria House Theatre Royal, Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 1BN run from 10.00am to 5.00pm.
The Ekhaya Hospitality Centre opens at 10.00am with exhibitions from different South African Provinces and Government Departments as well as hourly African Dances and Free Olympic events viewing screens in the Foyer
At this point we have the ICSN Summer BBQ (and we use the word summer with caution!) at the Linford Christie Stadium, Du cane Road, White City, W12 0DF (Near East Acton Underground and home of the London Nigerian Rugby Club). Food go plenty, (jollof rice, fried rice, BBQ Chicken, burgers and so on), drink go plenty, better music go plenty, live performances go dey, fine fine boys and fine fine girls go dey. Action runs from 2.00pm till late and its £10.00 for entry (£7.00 for fully paid up ICSN members)
At 2.30pm at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JT, there is a Malawian Drumming and Dance Workshop led by Thlupego Chisiza, Hussein Gopole and Jafali Amadu. Tickets are between £3.00 and £5.00 from here
Jamaica House 2012 opens up at 4.00pm with Live at the House, Black Slate and DJ Rory and Stone Love, and Live Olympic Sports and food and shopping
Sunday 12th August Olympics Day 17

It’s Kenya Day at Kenya House, in Stratford (and Olympic marathon as well, where Kenya should do well. Coincidence?!!). For those Kenyans who wish to support their team along the route, meet up at Kenya House between 6.00am and 9.30am, to collect flags and disperse yourself along the route to cheer the boys and girls on. Between 9.30am and 12.00 midday, you can watch the event Live in Kenya House or along the route. Of course you wouldn’t want to be without your Proud to be Kenyan T shirts! Between 12.30 and 1.30pm there will be street interviews with Kenyans and foreigners to get their opinions on the race, and then a Press Conference by the winning marathon runner (that’s the kind of African confidence we like!!). This is followed by an introduction to Kenya 2013 and Kenya Nite.
Nigeria House will be closing down!!! Snif sniff sniff. But in true Naija fashion we will celebrate our parting with a Closing Party in the Auditorium at 30 Nigeria House Theatre Royal, Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 1BN. More details to follow
The Ekhaya Hospitality Centre is also closing down (bit of a pattern here!) in the Foyer from 3.00pm till 5.00pm we have Ringo and Sipho Hotstix
Lets keep supporting African Athletes and Team GB and lets give all the friends and visitors to London a great time!