Film Africa, Igbo Dance Lessons, Natural November and other events of the week 29th October

Greetings and salutations!

As Black History Month comes to an end, the clocks go back and the cold descends upon us I have a veritable smorgasbord of succulent cultural treats, with 70 African movies, new plays, live music, networking, career events and book clubs there is more than enough this week to keep us all warm and content as we wait for the sun to resume its normal duties.

Oya enough talk from me, please see below

Monday 29^th October

At 5.00pm we have a celebration of African culture with the Edo Heritage Evening with the King of Ekpoma HRH The Onogie of Ekpoma at the African Community Centre, Unit 2 Lyndean, 137 Felixstowe Road, Abbeywood, SE2 9SG. The evening will be an opportunity to enjoy the richness and diversity of the Edo culture with a key note address by the 17^th King of Ekpoma, HRH Anthony Ehizoju Abumere II, a cultural display of Edo heritage, raffle draw, food, drink and networking opportunities. For those that don’t know, the Edo people are based in Mid West Nigeria and have a long rich heritage. This event is FREE but RSVP here.

From 6.00pm to 9.30pm we have Football leadership and race at the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, 39 Brookmill Road, Deptford, SE8 4HU. Hosted by Rodney Hinds (Sports Editor, the Voice newspaper) this is an evening of debate and discussion by leading industry professional. The panel will consist of Stephen Lyle (Editor BBC Match of the Day2), Natasha Henry (Sports writer), Joel Campbell (Sports writer), Mervyn Lyn (MD, Strategic Partnership Solutions), Jason Euell (ex pro footballer). Peter Herbert OBE( Chair of Society for Black Lawyers). Register here for this FREE event. 

Collaborate for Africa will be holding their next meeting at 6.15pm at Avanta, 48 Charlotte Street, W1T 2NS, this meet up seeks to bring together social enterprises, NGO’s businesses and anyone with an interest in Africa to pool knowledge, resources and contacts. This meeting is FREE

Tuesday 30^th October

At 5.30pm at Kings College London, Strand Campus, Surrey Street, Strand, WC2R 2NS, Room K6.07 we have Sudan: War and Peace, a lecture by Professor Paul Moorcraft about monitoring Sudan’s 2010 and 2011 referendums. Register interest by email the event is followed by a wine reception. 

At 6.00pm, is the University of Westminster ACS Black History Month: Fashion Show. As well as the fashion show there will be singers, dancers, poets and other performers. The event takes place at The Pavilion, University of Westminster Cavendish Campus, 115 New Cavendish Street, W1W 6UW, admission is £4.00 (£2.00 for ACS members). More details here

The ICSN Book Club returns at 7.00pm at Madam Chi, 187 Upper Street, Islington, N1 1RQ. This month’s choice is the Spider Kings Daughter by Chibundu Onuzo. This is a modern day Romeo and Juliet relocated to Lagos, Nigeria, with 17 year old Abike the favoured child of a wealthy family striking up an unlikely romance with a 17 year old ice cream hawker from the slums. This is a FREE event, turn up and discuss.

Wednesday 31^st October

At 5.30pm we have the African Achievers Award Annual Lecture and Press Briefing themed ‘The Future is Africa’ at the Hilton London Metropole, 225 Edgware Road, W2 IJU. The lecture will be chaired by Mr Alistair Soyode (BEN Television), with the Zimbabwe Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. (Ms) Thokozani Khupe as Patron and special guests HE Tesfa-Michael Gerahtu Eritrean Ambassador and Mr Adewale Akinlabi CEO of Planet Image Productions South Africa. The keynote address will be delivered by Justina Mutale, to attend please email

At 6.00pm we have BAME Ladies Talking Law at Eversheds Head Office, 1 Wood Street, St Pauls, EC2V 7WS. This event is for black, Asian or other ethnic minority females who are interested in a law career, so if you want to find out how to apply successfully for internships/placements, review your CV, learn how to get training contracts at places like Eversheds or other Magic Circle law firms. In addition to networking with the partners, solicitors and trainees at Eversheds, there are the following prizes to be won; 5 girls will get a free CV check over by Eversheds HR department and a guided tour of the building and 1 lucky winner will get the opportunity to shadow an Eversheds Associate for the day. Tickets are £8.00 for one person and £10.00 for 2, so grab a friend or colleague and come along book by email or from the website. 

  

At 7.00pm we have the Black British Classical Foundation Gala at St Georges Church, Hanover Square, Mayfair, W1S 1FX, hosted by BBC Arts correspondent Brenda Emmanus, this will be an evening of operatic arias, songs and spirituals performed by some of the UK’s finest operatic singers such as Byron Jackson, Grace Nyandoro, Nadine Mortimer Smith, Ronald Samm and Hyacinth Nicholls. Tickets start from £20.00 from here or by calling the box office on 02084087181, with an allocation of free tickets for youths between 12-20, email for more details.  

At 7.00pm we have Comedy at Cottons, a comedy Show and Caribbean buffet at Cottons Caribbean Restaurant, 70 Exmouth Market, Islington, EC1R 4QP. Admission is FREE before 7.30pm, £5.00 after and the buffet is £8.00.

At 8.00pm we have House of Corrections a new comedy drama from one of our favourite playwrights Bola Agbaje at Studio 2, Riverside Studios, Crisp Road, W6 9RL. Running till 4^th November, this plays tells the story of Rasheed who just a week away from his 50^th birthday sees his son sentenced to 13 years in prison prompting him to try and get his life and family in order with humorous and thought provoking consequences. The play is at 8.00pm every day with a matinee performance on Saturday at 3.00pm and Sundays show at 6.00pm. Tickets are £20.00 (£18.00 concs) from here.

Thursday 1^st November 

At 6.00pm we have the How to successfully launch your move to Ghana workshop which gives an insight into the realities of moving to Ghana, with 6 basic steps fleshed out. This is ideal for anyone be you Ghanaian Ghanaian, British Ghanaian, British or just about anyone planning a move to Ghana who wants to learn the realities of relocating, living and doing business in Ghana. Speakers from The African Foundation for Development (AFFORD) will be discussing their programmes as well as AWOVI Consulting, a small business expert. As a bonus all attendees will receive a free Silk Solutions Moving to Ghana Workbook. The workshop will take place at The Pavilion, 115 New Cavendish Street, W1W 6UW. Admission is £15.00 from here.  

Today we have the first day of Film Africa presented by the Royal African Society and the School of African and Oriental Studies kicks off at different venues, this is the UK’s largest annual African film festival with 10 days of 70 African films, 35 filmmakers and 9 African music nights. The Full listings are available on the Film Africa website. 

 At 3.00pm we have the first screening at the South London Gallery, 65-67 Peckham Road, Camberwell, SE5 8UH, with The Beautiful Game (U) an uplifting and inspirational film about young Africans using football to create change in their communities, this is FREE but RSVP here. There is a Q & A with director Victor Buhler afterwards.  

Friday 2^nd November

The Ariya Expo 2012 will take place from 10.00am to 3.00pm at the London Hilton Kensington Hotel, 179-199 Holland Park Avenue, W11 4UL. This annual Culture and Tourism Expo seeks to highlight tourist attractions and opportunities in Africa. This year’s event is themes ‘A Land of Opportunities’ and is open to trade and public, there will be exhibitors from airlines, tour operators, Ministries of Tourism, cultural groups and many more. This event is FREE RSVP here.

From 7.30pm to 10.30pm we have African Networking Night hosted by Eddie Kadi at Chapel Bar, 29a Penton Street, Angel, NI 9PX. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to meet network and build your social and professional networks. There will be a drinks and food reception, several invited speakers from the law, media and entertainment, medical, law and business management sectors. RSVP by emailing or buy tickets for £25.00 (or 2 for £40.00) from the website

Film Africa

We start at 10.00am at a sound and art installation Picha House at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA, by Lalibela Cinema Design Collective and Ranti Bamgbala. This FREE space will be open till 10.00pm with installation movies between screenings such as Walking Backward (PG) which is a poetic journey through Ghana exploring beliefs and memories during Ghana’s emerging independence and the Apollo 11 moon landings.

At 6.15pm we have the London premiere of Uhlanga: The Mark (18-South Africa) at The Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG about Khaba a young man who is bullied and excluded by a superstitious community and then goes on to forge an alliance with a well to do girl with her own dark secrets. With stunning visuals and soundtrack this is followed by a Q&A with the director Ndaba Ka Ngwane and cinematographer Khulekani Zondi, Tickets are £10.50 (£9.50 concs, £8.50 Ritzy members) from here.

Also at 6.15pm but at the Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 1HE we have Material (PG-South Africa) a comedy that tells the story of a Muslim family torn apart and then brought together when the father learns his son wants to become a comedian, starring stand up comedian Riaad Moosa this is a feel good family film. This is followed by a Q&A with lead actor Vincent Ebrahim and producer Tendeka Matatu. Tickets are £10.00 (£9.00 concs, £8.00 members) from here.

At 7.00pm we have the documentary United States Of Africa (PG- Canada) at the South London Gallery which follows African hip hop pioneer Didier Awadi on his journey through 40 African countries to collaborate with hip hop activist artists, this is a FREE event, book here.

At 8.00pm we have Film Africa Live! with two up and coming London African bands Zong Zing All Stars and Mashasha & Sam at Rich Mix. Mashasha & Sam fuse Zimbabwean traditional music with jazz and groove driven afro funk. Zong Zing All Stars are a Congolese 8 piece band who specialise in cavacha a mix of soukous, makosa and coupe decale. Tickets are £8.00 (£6.00 in advance, £5.00 for those who have attended a film Africa screening).

At 8.45pm we have Call me Kuchu (18-Uganda) at the Ritzy Picturehouse a documentary filmed over several years about a group of people fighting for the rights of Uganda’s lesbian and gay community. Followed by a Q&A with directors Malika Zouhali-Worrall and Katherine Fairfax Wright, tickets are £10.50 (£9.50 concs and £8.50 members) from here. 

At 9.10pm we have Otelo Burning(15-South Africa) at the Hackney Picturehouse. This vibrant coming of age film is set in late 1980’s South Africa, where 3 friends are invited to their friends beach house where they meet an old man who offers to teach them to surf, leading to a tale of teenage male rivalry, love, politics and choices (with surfing). Followed by a Q&A with director Sara Blecher, tickets are £10.00 (£9.00 concs, £8.00 members) from here.

Saturday 3^rd November

From 9.30am to 4.30pm we have the BMITC Annual Black Men’s Event at the Tabernacle, Algernon Road, Lewisham, SE13 7AT. Speakers include David Weaver, Theo Kennedy, Ian Wardle, Greg Morris, Bevan Powell, Gewnton Sloley, Lee Jasper, Stafford Scott, Jonathon Toy, Sheldon Thomas (Gangs Line) and Viv Ahmun (entrepreneur). This event is FREE, RSVP here.

At 10.00am, the Igbo Culture and Support Network (ICSN) continues the Igbo Dance School teaching traditional Igbo dances to males and females, with each lesson building stamina, technique and mastering choreography. The course is £65.00 and takes place at the Islington Arts Factory, 2 Parkhurst Road, Holloway, N7 0SF until 15/12/2012. For more information email Kaosochi 

At 7.00pm we have the Focus BEFFTA Nomination Celebration at Mango Landin’, 40 St Matthews Road, SW2 1NL. The phenomenal events promoter Focus Organisation will be throwing this little shindig to celebrate their nomination as Best Events Promoter at this year’s BEFFTA Awards, there will be live performances by the Ghanaian hi life music duo Paapa J Xperienze as well as Focus DJ’s playing Afrobeats, Azonto, Coupe Decale and kurduro. Admission is £5.00 all night

Film Africa:

From 10.30am to 2.00pm at BFI Southbank, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XT there is a Scriptwriting Workshop with award winning Zambian filmmaker Rungano Nyoni, this is a FREE event.

At 12.00pm at Rich Mix we have 3 films on a similar theme of discrimination and exclusion in Africa;  Waited For (15-South Africa) a documentary about 3 lesbian couples in South African adopting children across racial lines. In conjunction with the above is Difficult Love (15-South Africa) which delves into the lives and loves of lesbians in modern day South Africa, finally There is Cane/ Cain (18-South Africa) set during the 2008 xenophobic attacks in South Africa where an Indian storeowner rescues a Pakistani vendor and nurses him back to health. These are followed by a Q&A with director Jordache Ellapen, tickets are £9.00 (£6.50 concs) from here.

If you missed it there is another screening at 1.30pm we have another screening of Otelo Burning (15-South Africa) at  the Everyman, Screen on the Green, 83 Upper Street, Islington, N1 0NP. Tickets are £10.00 (£9.00 concs and £8.00 members)

At 3.30pm, 5.00pm and 6.30pm we have Gems from the Diaspora, 7 short films Yellow Fever (Kenya/ UK- 7 minutes), Native Sun (Ghana/ USA-21 minutes), 6 (UK-4 minutes), Thula (UK-10 minutes), The Three Furies (UK/ Netherlands-10 minutes) and Whiteys on the Moon (UK-3 minutes). This is FREE event is at Picha House, Rich Mix.

At 4.00pm we have The Children of Troumaron (18-Mauritius) at The Ritzy Picturehouse, set in the improvished ghetto of Port-Lousi Mauritius with 4 youngsters dreaming to escape from the confines of their poverty, this is a poetic adaptation of Ananda Devi’s novel. This is followed by a Q&A with director Harrikrisna Anenden and Ananda Devi. Tickets are £ from here.

At 4.30pm at Hackney Picturehouse we have Inside Story (18-SouthAfrica) a drama about an aspiring Kenyan footballer trying to the rise to the top of the game while battling HIV. The film uses CGI as well as dramatic storytelling to educate the audience about the science of HIV. Tickets are £7.00 (£5.50 concs, £5.00 members, £5.00 children) from here 

At 6.30pm we have Grey Matter (18-Rwanda) at The Ritzy Picturehouse about Balthazar a young filmmaker looking for funds to direct his first film The Cycle of the Cockroach. After rehearsing a scene, reality bleeds into fiction and the cycle plays out on screen. This is a poetic allegory of the Rwandan genocide (although it is never mentioned), with poetic cinematography and an ensemble cast. Followed by a Q&A with director Kivu Ruhorahoza. Tickets are £10.50 (£9.50 concs, £8.50 members)

Also at 6.30pm at the Hackney Picturehouse we have Umbilical Cords (PG12-South Africa) a documentary that examines the bonds and binds of mother-daughter relationships by following 6 characters stories from South Africa, Argentina, Lesotho and the UK. Followed by a Q&A with director Sarah Ping Nie Jones, tickets are £10.00 (£9.00 concs and £8.00 members) from here.

At 8.00pm at The Ritzy Picturehouse we have Juju a 7 piece Senegalese blues outfit which has elements of the Fula and Mandika cultures playing original compositions, mixed with mbalax,, rumba and Afro Latin, led by singe, guitarist and composer Abdoulaye Samb, tickets are £6.00 (£5.00 concs, £4.00 members and FREE for The Children of Troumaron and Grey Matter ticket holders).

Final film of the evening is Man on Ground (18-South Africa)at 8.30pm at the Hackney Picturehouse about a Nigerin political activist who is on the run from imprisonment in Johannesburg just as xenophobic tensions erupt in South Africa’s townships, as he goes missing his brother a banker in London comes to look for him, in this noir thriller. This is followed by a Q&A with director Akin Omotoso, tickets are £10.00 (£9.00 conc. £8.00 members) from here.

Sunday 4^th November

From 11.00am to 7.00pm we have the 3^rd installation of Natural November at Hammersmith Town Hall, King Street, Hammersmith, W6 9JT. This cultural, hair, health, wealth and beauty event will consist of a selection of seminars, services and market stalls, with special guests Alim Kamara, Bashiyra, Black History Studies, Black History Walks and the Greenelight Academy of Healing. Tickets are £10.00 in advance and £15.00 on the door, the 1^st 100 tickets purchased online get a free goody bag, entry for under 16’s and OAP’s are FREE (ID required) from here http://www.naturalnovember.co.uk/#!tickets

At 5.30pm we have Another Level Open Mic at The Soul, 300 Hoe Street, Walthamstow, E17 3JA, where local and emerging artists get to perform and get recognition. Performers can email their audio/ video clips, admission is £5.00.

Film Africa: 

From 12.00pm to 2.00pm we have Master class with Akin Omotoso at BFI Southbank. The South African based Nigerian actor, producer and director will focus on the universality of stories in cinema using examples across genres and cultures. This is a FREE event, although spaces are limited

At 12.00pm we have Veejays in Dar Es Salaam (PG12-Tanzania) at Rich Mix a documentary about the hugely popular film culture of video jockeying (VJing), i.e. translating Hollywood, Bollywood or kung fu blockbusters into local languages, with VJ’s often becoming celebrities in their own right due to their commentaries and insights. Tickets are £9.00 (£6.50 concs) from here.

 From 2.00pm to 4.45pm there is an afternoon of family activities at Hackney Picturehouse, with Storytelling with Helen McDonald, Mask making with Tonie Grelet and Africa Drumming and song

At 3.00pm there is a Practitioners Panel Discussion on Filming Sensitive Issues at BFI Southbank an opportunity to hear from award winning feature an documentary filmmakers approach sensitive issues in and about Africa. Panellists include Kivu Ruhorahoza (Rwanda-Grey Matter), Malika Zouhali-Worrall and Kathrine Fairfaz Wright (Call me Kuchu), Karen Boswall (From the Ashes/Dancing on the Edge. This is a FREE event but space might be limited.

At 3.00pm there is Soul Boy (PG-Germany) at The Ritzy this is a fantasy tale of a young boy in Nairobi’s Kibera slum who has to save his ill father by recovering his fathers soul by completing 7 tasks, this family friendly film is followed by a Q&A with director Hawa Essuman. Tickets are £7.50 (£6.50 concs, £5.50 for member and children)

At 3.50pm we have Life, Above All (PG-South Africa/ Germany) at Hackney Picturehouse is about 12 year old Chanda confronting a communities prejudices against HIV. Tickets £7.00 (£5.50 conc, £5.00 members) from here

At 4.00pm at the Hackney Picturehouse is an African Drumming Workshop, £5.00 (£3.00 for Film Africa ticket holders)

At 4.30pm we have the first musical in Pidgin English by the amazing Ghanaian duo FOKN Bois (M3nsa the Magnificent and Wanlov Kubuolor) Coz Ov Moni (12-Ghana) at Rich Mix. Starring Wanlov and M3nsa as two friends who wake up and plan to go clubbing in the evening with some lady friends but their crazy walk through town gets them more than they bargained for. This is a genuinely innovative and funny piece with excellent Afrobeat all the way through, there are FREE screenings at 4.30pm, 6.00pm and 7.30pm.

At 5.30pm there is Nairobi Half Life (15-Kenya) at the Ritzy Picturehouse, about an aspiring actor who moves from his home village to Nairobi to try and make it but finds himself drawn into the world of petty criminals and small time crooks. Tickets are £10.50 (£9.50 concs, £8.50 members) and is followed by a Q&A with director David Tosh Gitonga book from here.

An African Election (PG-Switzerland/ USA/Ghana) features at 6.00pm at the Hackney Picturehouse, this documentary about the 2008 Ghana election features the politics, personalities and processes of the period, this is followed a Q&A with director Jarreth Merz. Tickets are £10.00 (£9.00 concs and £8.00 members) from here.

From 6.00pm to 8.00pm we have Open Screen for Short Films, the cinematic equivalent of an open mic, i.e. you book a slot and show your short film, organised by Joseph Adesunloye of DreamCoat Productions. This event is FREE to attend, register interest by email, indicating the title, length, format of screening, theme and language of your film 

At 7.30pm we have Carmen Souza at the Hackney Picturehouse, the Cape Verdean singer-songwriter will be performing with her long time collaborator Theo Pas’cal channelling her culture with songs from her many albums. Admission is £5.00 (FREE for Film Africa Sum ticket holders)

 At 8.45pm at Hackney Picturehouse, we have The Assassins Practice (18-Nigeria), which tells the story of a failed stock investor who hires and assassin to stage an attempted armed robbery in order to claim the life insurance; unfortunately the deal brings more than he bargained for. A unique debut by UK/ Nigerian director Andrew Ukoko who will be holding a Q&A after the screening. Tickets are £10.00 (£9.00 concs) from here

Week of 22nd October: Giants of Lovers Rock, Black History Month Festivals, Networking, music and dancing

Hello wonderful people,

Proud to be African

Another activity packed week for your benefit listed here below from Proud to be African Clothing.

Plenty of things to do, places to go and people to see so take a look through the days and keep yourself busy. And if you happen to meet me at any event wearing your Proud to be African Shirt you get a free gift (please note apparently a hug or handshake can be defined as a gift!!!)

Monday 22^nd October

At 6.00pm Lets Event presents: Lets Watch ‘The Life Story of Marcus Garvey’ a film (as the name implies) about the life of Marcus Garvey. The film starts at 7.30pm and is followed by a discussion, all this takes place at Bar 19:20, 19-20 Great Sutton Street, Farringdon, EC1V 0DR. Admission is £2.00 only

At 7.00pm at the Culture Space, Canada Water Library, 21 Surrey Quays Road, SE16 7AR singer Pauline Black of the platinum selling band The Selector will read from her autobiography Black by Design, this event is FREE.

At 7.00pm is a screening of the movie ‘The Help’ at Wood Green Central Library, 187-197A High Road, Wood Green, N22 6XD, set in the Deep South of the USA, this is a story about two women who develop an unlikely friendship in extraordinary circumstances. This screening is FREE

From 7.00pm to 8.30pm is a lecture on The Origin of Modern Jazz by Robin Walker at Marcus Garvey Library, Tottenham Green leisure Centre, 1 Philip Lane, Tottenham, N15 4JA, this FREE lecture charts the evolution of jazz from the greats of Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk to the modern jazz legends of the present day

Tuesday 23^rd October

10.30am to 4.00pm at the Ladywell Day Centre, 148 Ladywell Centre, Dressington Avenue, Ladywell, SE4 1JF you can celebrate Black History Month and World Mental Health Day, there will be food, henna design, music from the Lewisham Concert Band, Egyptian dance, African poetry and entertainment at this FREE event

At 6.00pm on Room K0.18, Strand Campus, The Strand, WC2R 2LS, Kings College London, the KCL African Caribbean Society (ACS) presents Celebrating Success, a night of informal presentations by prominent speakers about how to become successful, this will be a interactive event with the opportunity to ask questions as well as listen to the invited guests. This is a FREE event

Born in the UK Made in Africa

At Peckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR at 7.00pm we have a talk, African musicians and Renaissance royal celebrations, by Dr Miranda Kaufmann about the contribution of African musicians during the 1500’s such as John Blanke. This is a FREE event.

At 8.30pm we have a musical gem which is not quite London but close enough and interesting enough to warrant a mention. Kora virtuoso Sona Jobarteh and her band will be performing at the Canterbury Festival at St Alphege, St Alphege Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2EB. Sona Jobarteh is the granddaughter of master griot Amadu Bansang Jobarteh and the cousin of kora maestro Toumani Diabate, not only is she the first female kora virtuoso, she is also a singer, producer, composer and multi instrumentalist who has worked with musicians from Africa, the US and Europe. This one is well worth the journey; tickets are £12.00 from here 

Wednesday 24^th October

At 5.30pm Young Black Grads presents the BHM Conversation at Be At One, 16-18 Brushfield Street, Old Spitalfields, City of London, E1 6AN. This informal networking session is ideal for engaging with fellow YBG members and friends; conveniently it’s at Happy Hour so you can ‘indulge yourself’ as well! Tickets are £5.00 from here


From 6.00 to 10.00pm, Professionals For Africa will be holding a Networking event at Shaka Zulu Restaurant, The Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, Camden, NW1 8AB. So grab your business cards and come meet Africans or friends of Africa in a relaxing environment, to network, make friends, or just hang out with colleagues. This event is FREE just RSVP here.

At 6.00pm we have Olaudah Equiano and Robert Wedderburn Remembered at Shoreditch Library, 80 Hoxton Street, Shoreditch, N1 6LP. Author and historian Steve Martin uses their writings, speeches and archive images to represent the opinions of these black political figures of the 18^th and 19^th century. This is a FREE event.

At 7.00pm we have a book launch: Udo Nwabueze Agomoh’s book Banana Skin-Love Magic at the Marcus Garvey Library. This is a FREE event

Thursday 25^th October

From 5.00pm to 8.00pm UCL Global Disability Research Group will be holding a Disabled Children in East Africa Seminar at The Wolfson Centre, University College London, Mecklenburgh Square WC1N 2AD. In which 3 speakers will discuss their MSc projects focussing on different aspects of disabled children’s lives in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. This event is FREE, RSVP here.

Proud to be African Children's clothes

At 7.00pm SOAS ACS presents Black Hair and Beauty: A Discussion, in Room G51, SOAS, Russell Square Building, Thornhaugh Street, WC1H 0XG with a guest panel consisting of Nouriah Bah (SOAS), Tola Okogwu (Editor, Inspired Style) and Fiona Onanuga (Editor, Love Your Tresses). This FREE event will have panel discussions, refreshments and lively debate.

At 7.00pm Raw Materials and Floetic Lara present Black History Celebrations, an evening of live music, poetry and lyricism at Raw Materials, 2 Robstart Street, Brixton, SW9 0DJ. Stand by for some old classics as well as music from the Raw Vibes Band featuring Tagz, Lochei, Honey Raym, Floetic Lara and Andrea Bentley and musicians JB, Miles, Chavez, Chris Franck and Don Chandler, this is a FREE event but please call 0207 737 6103 to RSVP

At 7.00pm historian Cecil Gutzmore presents Jamaica: 50 years on from Independence, accompanied by a song by Brenda Rattray at Manor House Library, Old Road, Manor House, SE13 5SY. This is a FREE event

Location

Short Description

Friday 26^th October

 At 6.15pm EIRENICON hosts Industrial Strategies For Africa at RCOG, 27 Sussex Place, Regents Place, NW1 4RG. The event will discuss African manufacturing and industrialisation policies and what strategies government and the private sector should be taking. The Keynote speaker is Dr Kandah Yumkella(Director General, United Nations Industrial Development Group), he will be joined for a panel discussion by Mr Admassu Tadesse (CEO, PTA Bank, The Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank), William Wallis (Africa Editor, Financial Times) and Mr Hinh Dinh (Lead Economist, The World Bank). This is FREE but RSVP from here essential

From 6.30pm to 9.30pm is the UK-East Africa Health Partnerships: Opportunities and Challenges at the Uganda High Commission, 58-59 Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, WC2N 5DX. This is the first networking meeting of the East African Healthcare Forum (EAHF) which seeks to create peer to peer and institutional healthcare partnerships. This event is themed ‘Exploring the opportunities and challenges of working in the East African health environment’, with confirmed speakers, Perry Mohammed (Global Access Programme and Partnerships at Janssen), Moses Batwala (Doctors For Africa). There will also be a video presentation by Mr RJ Jutley (Consultant Cardiologist and Chairman Pan African Heart Foundation), this will be followed by a panel discussion and time for networking over drinks. This is a FREE event but RSVP here

At 7.00pm we have Bass Culture: The Influence of reggae on British music at The Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, SE15 4ST, this is a discussion about the progression and influence of reggae music on mainstream music and popular culture, the panel will consist of Mykaell Riley, Lezlee Lyrix, David Katz, Sticky and Lady Chann. Followed by performances by the Rasites, Prince Malachi and RTKal. This is a FREE event RSVP here.

At 7.30pm the Caribbean Community Choir will hold an evening of song at Crofton Park Libray 375 Brockley Road, Crofton Park, SE4 2AG with writer Steve Smith, this is a FREE event.

Date

Saturday 27^th October

Proud to be Nigerian

At 10.00am, the Igbo Culture and Support Network (ICSN) comes forth with the Igbo Dance School another initiative alongside last week’s Iri ji (New Yam festival), and the Igbo language school. This 8 week dance class runs from this Saturday. This class will teach traditional Igbo dances and is open to males and females, with each lesson building stamina, technique and mastering choreography. For those that don’t know, the Igbo nation is the third largest tribe in Nigeria and has a rich traditional and modern heritage from the Igbo Ukwu pots and Nsibidi written language to modern authors such as Chinua Achebe and Chimanda Ngozi Adichie. The course is £65.00 and takes place at the Islington Arts Factory, 2 Parkhurst Road, Holloway, N7 0SF until 15/12/2012. For more information email Kaosochi.

From 11.00am to 2.00pm genealogist and family historian Sharon Tomlin will be holding a Caribbean Ancestry Research session at John Harvard Library, Borough High Street, SE1 1JA where you can research your Caribbean history and build your family tree. This event is FREE but book your place here. 

From 12.00pm to 6.00pm we have Southwark Councils Black History Month Jamboree an afternoon of family celebrations at the Thomas Carlton Centre, Alpha Street, SE15 4NX. There will be performances by the Koruso Southwark Community Choir , Kinetika Bloco Youth Carnival, Metronome Steel Orchestra, Nikisha, Carl Campbell Dance Company and Triniboi Joocie. There will be workshops by Tayo Fatunla his artwork is to the left!!!, Drumhead African drumming and Afrikan yoga. There will be a Health Seminar by Illumina Lifestyle, a Spotlight on authors Junior James and Stephen Bourne. This is a FREE event but some workshops will need RSVP, more details here.

At 12.00 midday is the YBS Talks Politics, Government and Communities event at Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, 39 Brookmill Road, Deptford, SE8 4HU which seeks to provide career advice and information to young people and get them engaged in politics, government and the community. There will be an opening talk by Matther Ryder followed by a Q&A, a Panel Debate with Richard Serunjogi, Rukayat Sarumi, Dr David Michale and Emeka Egbuonu, with a closing speech by Doreen Lawrence. This is a FREE event but please RSVP here and email for more information.

From 1.00pm to 5.00pm at the Wood Green Central Library is the Black History Month Festival, a fun filled family festival with stalls, visual arts, music, literature, food, arts and crafts

From 1.30pm to 5.30pm is the Paceworking Tea Party ‘Stand Up For Downs’ at the Kingsley Hotel, Bloomsbury Way, Bloomsbury, WC1A 2SD. As part of Down Syndrome Awareness Month this event seeks to raise awareness and raise funds for the Downs Heart Group and The Downs Syndrome Foundation Nigeria. The event will be moderated by Seye Aina and Segun Ariyo and there will be drinks, cakes, sandwiches a raffle, spoken word and poetry performances by Tinu Adewoye and Pete Godismo and other entertainment. Confirmed speakers are Mrs Rose Mordi (Down’s Syndrome Foundation Nigeria), Penny Green (Downs Heart Group), Debbie Ariyo OBE (AFRUCA) and Dayo Olomu (Dayo Olomu & Associates).  Tickets for this very worthy course are only £30.00 from here

At 2.00pm Pauline Dodgson Katiya and Nigel Watt discuss Zimbabwean author Wilson Katiyo and his books ‘Son of the Soil’ and ‘Tsiga’ at the  Wood Green Central Library.

Born in the UK Made in Jamaica

At 6.00pm we have Giants of Lovers Rock Part 4 at the IndigO2, Millenium Way, Greenwich, SE10 0AX. Literally a who’s who of Lovers Rock, Janet Kay, Kofi, Carroll Thompson, Sandra Cross, Vivian Jones, Victor Romero Evans, Michael Gordon, Peter Hunnigale, Marie Pierre, Sister Love Featuring Ika, Sonia Chosen Few featuring AJ Franklin, Barry Biggs , 15, 16, 17 (yeah it’s a genuine band, ask somebody!!), Winsome Tradition  featuring Paul Dawkins, Trevor Walters, Lovella Ellis, Eargasm featuring Dennis Pinnock, Leroy Simmonds, Janet Lee Davis, Don Campbell, Adele Harley and Lady Lex. Hosted by Robbe Gee and Eddie Nestor, tickets range from £20 (standing) to £60 (Kings Row) from here

At 7.00pm AngloNubia presents Africa the Experience at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel, 4-18 Harrington Gardens, South Kensington, SW7 4LH, this event will serve as a showcase for members of the fashion and entertainment industry to showcase their collections. As well as fashion shows there will be performances from entertainment and music stars. Tickets are £25.00 from here. 

Proud to be African Polo shirts

At 7.00pm we have the 9^th BB Awards Gala Night at The Hilton London Tower Bridge, 5 More London Place, SE1 2BYhosted by BBC presenter Brenda Emmanus. The event features exhibitions, award presentations, a live band, delicious cuisine, comedy, a fashion show and musical performances. Tickets are £90.00 email or check the website.   

At 7.00pm we have Black History Month Celebration and Networking Event at Veranda Bar, 30 Acre Lane, Brixton, SW2 5SG this fun packed event with all funds raised going to the Lime Jewel fundraising campaign for Haiti. Although this event is FREE you can donate £3.00 while you RSVP here. 

At 7.30pm there is a screening of the Jamaican movie ‘Better Mus Come’ at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, which traces the origins of the use of street gangs by Jamaican politicians in their struggle for electoral victory. Tickets are £12.00 (£10.00 concessions)

At 8.00pm at InSPire, The Crypt at St Peters, Liverpool Grove, SE17 2UD we have Silver Sounds where older clubbers can enjoy a selection of soca, reggae, ska and rocksteady hits. This is a FREE event but tickets must be collected from InSPire or Southwark Pensioners Centre.

At 8.00pm at the Broadway Theatre Catford, The Broadway, SE6 4RU is The Prophet Kwaku, venting is controversial but very funny comedic spleen, tickets are £15.00 from here 

At 10.00pm at Club Couture, 58 Camberwell Church Street, Camberwell SE5 8QZ we have The Afrika Wears Ball, with DJ’s Natural Mystic Danny Tammuz, AmeN NoiR, Selektah Ras and others playing the very best in 80’s, 90’s classics afrobeats, bashment, soca, neo soul, RnB, reggae, dancehall, funky house and so on. So get your African designer wear (such as a Proud to be African T shirt, hint hint!!) or traditional and get yourself down there. Tickets are £7.00 in advance from here and here, more on the door.     

Sunday 28^th October

Proud to be Ghanaian

We have a Ghanaian Sunday at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JT, with the light hearted movie Road to Accra at 2.30pm, about Addey a hardworking family man who marries off his daughter to a rich man when he loses his job as a lorry driver, however she runs off to Accra with the poor man she loves. This event is FREE RSVP here.

The 2^nd International Black Hairtage takes place from 3.00pm to 8.00pm at the Tricycle Cinema, 269 Kilburn High Road, Kilburn, NW6 7JR. There will be a Mini Market and Beauty Exhibition running through out. From 3.30 to 5.35pm will be Films with Q&A’s, from 5.35 to 6.00pmwill be a networking session alongside the mini market and from 6.00 to 7.00pm a Natural Hair Workshop, from 7.30 to 8.00pm more networking. The mini market is free throughout, Films with Q&A are £8.00, workshop £7.00 from here.

Also on Sunday at 5.00pm is the 14^th Annual Gathering of Africa’s Best (GAB) Awards at the Hilton London Paddington, 146 Praed Street, Paddington, W2 1EE the GAB Awards were started by The Trumpet Media Group to highlight Africans excelling the various fields as widely varied as the Arts, Media, Banking and Finance, Medicine, International Relations, Sport, Entertainment, Health, Business and so on. Tickets’ start from £100.00 from here.

The Ghanaian theme continues at 6.00pm at the Africa Centre with The Hiplife in Ghana a discussion by author Dr Halifu Osumare on how hip hop music and culture in Ghana over the past 20 years has formed a new musical genre and subculture known as hiplife. This FREE event will be moderated by Alexis Akwagyiram, RSVP here.  

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London Black History Month and African Events for the week of 15th October

Hello good people,

Black History Month is well and truly upon us as can be seen by the wide variety of events below and Proud to be African Clothing is fully into the swing of things. From book readings, children’s story telling and mask making to exhibitions and carnivals there’s something for everyone from Jamaica to Nigeria to Somalia.  Beneath the selection below there are links to some of the Black History Months of a few London Boroughs as you’ll see they are a little too many to all mention!

Monday 15^th October

Between 3.30pm and 5.00pm we have African Animal Face Painting at Alexandra Park Library, Alexandra Park Road, Wood Green, N22 7UJ, this FREE children’s event will let the little ones transform themselves into different animal characters.

Between 4.00pm and 5.00pm, Proud to be African Clothing favourite El Crisis will be at the Forest Hill Library, Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3HZ for a spoken word session for the Forest Hill Library’s 12-18 theatre group, however this FREE event is open to all.

At 7.00pm is a screening of the ‘Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman’ at Wood Green Central Library, 187-197A High Road, Wood Green, N22 6XD.  This film tells the story of 110 year old Jane Pittman as interviewed by a New York journalist in 1962 of her memories of life in the US predating the end of slavery, her long walk to freedom and her son’s life as an educator and civil rights worker. This is a FREE event

Tuesday 16^th October

At 7.00pm is the Kings College London (KCL) ACS: Movie Night at the Anatomy Lecture Theatre, Hodgkin Building, KCL, Guys Campus, London Bridge, SE1 1UL, the series will have a selection of African and Caribbean movies. 

From 6.00pm to 9.00pm at the Lecture Theatre M, University of Surrey, Stag Hill Campus, Guildford, GU2 7XH is the first iteration of The Great Debate Tour. Its targeted at Black Students in UK universities to explore the issues of employment, crime and education. This event is FREE.

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At 6.15pm we have Jamaica’s 50^th Anniversary: Reflection of the Past 50 Years at the Homerton Library, Homerton High Street, Homerton, E9 6AS. This FREE workshop explores Jamaica’s 50 years of independence through interactive dance and song, from reggae music to sporting success. The first 2 attendees will get a free book celebrating Jamaica’s independence, so turn up early!!!

At 7.30pm at The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG, we have the Lovers Rock Monologues, in which music and theatre combine with the inside story of Lovers Rock the UK reggae sub genre, think ‘Silly Games’, ‘I want to wake up with you’  which dominated the 70’s and 80’s. Starring Janet Kay, Carroll Thompson and Victor Romero Evans, its running till Saturday (no show on Friday). Tickets range from £12.00 to £18.00 from here. 

Wednesday 17^th October

At 5.30pm is I have a dream.. Yes we can. This workshop is for 16 year olds and over and discusses leadership using the examples of Martin Luther King and Barack Obama and questioning what makes a good leader. This FREE workshop takes place at Stamford Hill Library, 120 Stamford Hill, Stoke Newington, N16 6QT.

At 7.45pm is the world premiere of ‘Amina’, the latest Nollywood production to premiere in London starring Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Van Vicker, Vincent Regan, Alison Caroll, Nicole De Souza and Wil Johnson at the Empire Leicester Square, 5-6 Leicester Square, Piccadilly, WC2H 7NA. Directed by Christia Ashaiku it tells the story of Amina a gifted woman whose life is turned upside down by an unplanned pregnancy. Tickets range from £20.00 by calling 07946 811 253 or by mail with the after party continuing at Jewel Bar, 4/6 Glasshouse Street, Piccadilly Circus, W1B 5DQ from 10.30pm, with DJ Abass and DJ Wil Johnson. More details on the website.

Thursday 18^th October

At 6.00pm our friends at Ghanaian networking group Star 100 present the second event in the Ghana: Big Issues Discussion Forum Series at the Shell Centre, 4 York Road, Waterloo, SE1 7NA. This event will examine Ghana’s predicted economic growth by analysing Ghana’s key sectors and discussing which sectors contribute most to this growth, areas of opportunity for Diaspora investment, which government policies would attract entrepreneurs and investors, and sectors Ghana must solidify to qualify as a middle income country. The panel discussion will be moderated by Komla Dumor (BBC) and confirmed panellists include Simon Merchant (Jacana Partners), David Warwick (MASDAR Corporate Farming), Amone Gbedemah (Vodafone), and Professor John Sutton (London School of Economics). The event runs till 10.30pm, early bird tickets are £20.00, standard; £25.00 and FREE for Star100 subscribers from here.

At 6.00pm Queen Marys ACS presents Afro centric Fashion Show and After Party with Adrita Vierra London. As well as the fashion show there will be dancers, poets and singers, this show is part of Black History Month and is FREE. There will be an After Party at 9.00pm at the Drapers Bar and Kitchen, Drapers Square, Queen Mary Students Union, 432 Bancroft Road, E1 4DH with DJ’s playing Afrobeats, bashment, Hip hop, R and B and more again, this is FREE 

At 6.00pm at Dalston CLR James Library, 60 Roseberry Place, Dalston Square, Hackney, E8 3BQ we have Finding the Spotlight: Supporting the next generation of Black Female Leaders. In which a panel of leading women such as playwright Bola Agbaje, politician Kate Osamor, author Verna Wilkins and Lorraine Martins MBE of the Olympic Delivery Authority will debate black female leadership in 2012, moderated by Joy Francis. This is a FREE event.

At 7.00pm we have Sudanese poet Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi at The Mosaic Rooms, 226 Cromwell Road, Earls Court, SW5 0SW. Saddiq will read and discuss his new poems and reflect on his stature as an Arab language African poet and his residency at The Petrie Museum. This is a FREE event, register here. 

Friday 19^th October

At 12.00pm Nubian Jak Community Trust in association with The Jamaica High Commission and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea will be unveiling a Blue plaque in honour of Jamaican legend Arthur Wint- Doctor, RAF pilot, diplomat and Jamaica’s first Gold Medallist at 22 Philbeach Gardens, SW5 9DY, special guests include the Jamaican UK High Commissioner Mrs Aloun Ndombet-Assamba, the Mayor and Mayoress of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Valerie Wint and Dr Alison Wint.

The Somali Week Festival starts at 6.00pm running till 28^th October. This year’s theme is ‘Courage’ and will hold at Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, E2 6HG. Special guests are Hon Rushanar Ali MP, Mr Lutfur Rehman Mayor of Tower Hamlets, poet Said Salah, Muuse Ali Faruur, Hassan Qawdhan, Abdidhuuh Yusuf, James Byrne, Claire Pollard, Abdilahi Bootaan and Mohamed Warsame ‘Hadraawi’. Admission is £10.00 and the event will be in English and Somali

At 7.00pm we start our Friday evening in style with UK Jazz legend Courtney Pine at the Islington Assembly Halls, Upper Street, Angel, N1 2UD. Debuting material from his 15^th studio album ‘House of Legends’, the sax maestro will be bringing together musicians from Africa, the Caribbean and Europe with a mix of ska, mento and calypso. Supported by Dominican guitarist Cameron Pierre tickets are £20.00 from here. 

At 7.00pm London South Bank University ACS presents Kultur: Rep Your Country at the LSBU Students Union, Thomas Doyle Street, Elephant and Castle, SE1 6NG. The event will see open mic slots, performances by Electrik, Shillouettz in the Dark, Chunky, Azonto dance competition and many more. The After Party starts at 12.00am. Tickets are £3.00 in advance for LSBU students (£5.00 on the door and £7.00 after 9.00pm), £5.00 for non students in advance (£7.00 on the door, £9.00 after 9.00pm).

At 7.30pm there is more jazz with the Jambo Jambo Charity Concert 2012 at St Marys Church, The MT, Acton, W3 9NW, with the John Evans Trio and other local singers and musicians in aid of the local charity Jambo Jambo which sends disadvantaged young people on life changing experiences to Africa where they work on local improvement projects. Tickets are £7.00 from here 

At 7.30pm at the Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG instead of ‘The Lovers Rock Monologues’ we have the documentary ‘The Story of Lovers Rock’ a behind the scenes look at the show, presented by Victor Romero Evans and featuring live guest PA’s. Tickets are £12.00 (£10.00 concessions) from here. 

Saturday 20^th October

At 10.00am we have the Nigerian Carnival UK, at Kennington Park, Kennington Park Road, SE11 4BE. This event is FREE, with a kids zone, cultural events, performances, stalls and exhibitions more information here 

From 11.00am to 3.00pm 100 Black Men of London will be holding an Education Through Film event at London South Bank University, 100-116 London Road Elephant and Castle, SE1 6LN, these are educational and/ or entertaining films for or by or about the African diaspora. This is a FREE event, for more details check the website or email.

At 12.00pm begins the Algerian Cultural Festival in celebration of Algeria’s 50 years of independence at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch E1 6LA. The day long event starts off with an Algerian lunch, whilst you can browse through a book stall, big screen Algerian exhibition, and mingle with artists in the expo space. There will also be a children’s workshop with games and drumming up till 1.30pm

 From 1.00 to 2.15pm is a film screening of ‘Africa Rocks the Qasbah’ followed by a talk with Mireille Mendes and Dr Leo Zeilig. From 2.30 to 4.00pm is the panel discussion ‘Algeria: between the colonial past and legacies of independence, a nation looking ahead’. From 4.15 to 4.45pm there will be a performance by Diwan El Malouf performing a combination of Issawa sacred songs, Gnawa and Maalouf music. 5.00 to 6.30pm are screenings of short films ‘Prends Ta Place (Take Your Place)’ and ‘Mollement, un Samedi matin (Softly One Saturday Morning)’ followed by a talk by Zahia Smail Salhi and a Q&A.

At 7.45pm the evening entertainment begins (this part is ticketed) events kick off at 8.00pm with a screening ‘HarragaUK’ followed by a short Q&A with director Slimane Ouguenoun. At 8.45pm is the Farah Dance Troupe a dance collective representing the different regions of Algeria. From 9.30pm to 1.00am is the festival party featuring live music from Algerian Uk based artists such as YADi, Diwan El Maalouf, Cheb Nacim, Sid Ahmed El Bahi, The Papers, Raouf Adear and many more covering different Algerian genres from Andalusian, Chaabi, Malouf, Indie, Rai, rap etc.  The Day events (Midday to 6.30pm) are all FREE, evening performances (from 7.45pm) are £10.00 in advance, £12.00 on the door (£6.00 concessions) from here or by calling the box office on 0207 613 7498. You can’t say Algerians don’t do their things in style!! 

At 2.00pm Somali Week Festival continues with Oral to Written Language: Celebrating the 40 year anniversary of the Somali Script at Oxford House, Bethnal Green. There will be a panel discussion, poetry, and talks by Somali language experts. This event will be in Somali language, admission is £5.00

At 3.00pm is Steal Away: The Story of Harriet Tubman at Peckham Library, Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR an hour long FREE monologue by storyteller Sandra Agard for adults and children about the legendary Harriet Tubman

At 3.30pm the London Afro-Caribbean Book Club will be discussing Alex Wheatle’s novel ‘Brenton Brown’ at Cottons, 70 Exmouth Market, Islington, EC1R 4QP.  

From 6.00pm to 9.00pm you have Through Southwark’s Eyes: the greatest black sporting heroes at Culture Space, Canada Water Library, 21 Surrey Quays Road, SE16 7AR, with sporting legends joined by future sporting talent to discuss their achievements, inspirations and celebrate through film, photography and spoken word past sporting heroes. Speakers will include Ade Adepitan MBE (wheelchair basketballer and TV presenter), Percy Hutchful (London 2012 torchbearer), Joshua Lee (Multi Sports Coaching Company), Mrs Deirdre Mills (Jamaican Deputy High Commissioner), Sam King MBE (Southwark’s first Black Mayor and World War 2 veteran). This is a FREE event but booking is essential form here.

At 8.00pm our friends at Ghanaian Londoners host their Black History Month Networking Party at Abacus, 24 Cornhill, City of London, EC3V 3ND. Meet up with old friends and make new ones at this African themed networking party. There will be guests speakers, Golden One Minute opportunity for entrepreneurs and attendees to tell everyone what they do and who they are, speed networking session and informal networking (i.e. mingle!). After 10.00pm is an Old Skool Party by Akwaaba UK going till 4.00am, so if you’re 25+, Ghanaian, African or a friend of Africa come along. FREE tickets for the first 50 to sign up, £7.00 thereafter. 

From 8.30pm to 10.30pm Somali Week Festival goes musical with the king of lute Hudaydi with New Orleans jazz band Lejazzebel, at Oxford House, Bethnal Green. This fusion of New Orleans jazz and Somali Qaraami music, contrasts not just the different traditions but the different cultures. This will be followed by the band for Aar Maanta and Fuad Omar. Admission is £10.00

Sunday 21^st October

From 12.00pm to 6.00pm is the Black Market with PCS Learning Centre, 3^rd Floor, 231 Vauxhall Bridge Road, SW1V 1EH

At 2.00pm our friends at Mwalimu Express return to Rich Mix, 35- 47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA with another installation with kids yoga, music, movies, book stalls, with tunes by the Shrines Max Reinhardt and Rita Ray

At 2.30pm at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, we have Babylon UK, the classic reggae music film set in 1980’s South London portraying the young black community at the sharp end of inner city survival, starring Brinsley Dan and directed by France Rosso. This is a FREE event RSVP from here. 

At 6.00pm we have Education Africa Teachings Fundraising Screening of ‘The Story of Lovers Rock’ at the Heritage Inn, 301 Cricklewood Broadway, Cricklewood, NW2 6PG. The group is raising money to take 25 young people to Ghana to learn about its culture and history. Tickets are £10.00 from here. 

At 6.00pm Conversation with Musse Ali Faruur: Heritage and Classical poetry and Djibouti Fusion at Oxford House. Chaired by Mohammed Bashe, Muuse Cali Cige ‘Faruur’ will share his poetry and experience of Somali traditional knowledge. The second part of the evening a mixture of poets, dancers and musicians from Djibouti will present Djibouti Fusion Admission is £10.00 and is in Somali.

The Mahogany Bridal Show, the largest African Caribbean bridal fashion show in Europe at City of Westminster College, Paddington Green, W2 1NB, with over 50 exhibitors, fashion shows, wedding planners, makeup artists, hair stylists, bakers, caterers, photographers, you can get your entire wedding done in a single walk of the venue!. Tickets are £10.00 from here. 

BLACK HISTORY EVENT LINKS

Hackney

Lewisham

Haringey

Southwark