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 6^th 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 50^th 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 7.30pm ‘Good 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 is ‘Oriki’ followed by ‘Arugba’. At 4.00pm is ‘Big Daddy’ followed by ‘Violated’ and rounding up at 7.30pm with ‘I’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 15^th 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!