Week of 23rd December: MERRY CHRISTMAS, TAOBQ Xtra History, Emeka Elendu and the Kalakuta Afrobeat Specialists

Añuli Ekeresimesi!! (Merry Christmas in Igbo),

This is a quiet week for events so have a great holiday, Merry Christmas from Proud to be African Clothing!

 Barka de kristimeti (Merry Christmas in Hausa)

Monday 23^rd December

At 6.30pm Akoben Awards and TAOBQ hosts Xtra History and Reasoning Sessions at Harrow Civic Centre, Station Road, HA1 2XY. Facilitated by TAOBQ’s Kwaku and hosted by the Mayor of Harrow Councillor Nana Asante, this will feature a Global Africa Quiz. Register for this FREE event here

Tuesday 24^th December Christmas Eve

The day before Eat Chicken and Rice Day, you know you can sneak home early because the Boss plans to do the same. You could use your time productively and get the 10% discount at Proud to be African Clothing. And go to Midnight Mass, you know your mother will phone to check

Wednesday 25^th December Christmas Day

Añuli Ekeresimesi (Igbo)
Barka de kristimeti (Hausa)
Eku odun Keresi (Yoruba)

Dress in your Christmas clothes, go and dance Azonto in church while you plan which part of the chicken you will chop first.

In the evening you will start Googling gym membership. Stop deceiving yourself and have more rice. The discount code for Proud to be African Clothing still works and you know as well as I that you forgot to buy someone something. Do something productive before you doze off in front of the Sound of Music with a stomach bigger than a pregnant goats.

Thursday 26^th December

That’s right, no work today. Oya go and start visiting people to eat their leftover chicken and give them the Proud to be African Clothing hoody or T shirt you bought for them

Friday 27^th December

At 9.00pm is Emeka Elendu and Kalakuta Afrobeat Specialist featuring Aina! Roxx at the Hootananny Brixton, 95 Effra Road, Brixton, SW2 1DF. Original Fela guitarist Emeka Elendu and his 12 piece Kalakuta Afrobeat Specialist. FREE before 10.00pm, £3.00 thereafter

Saturday 28^th December

Weekend again! Spend the day on Facebook and Amazon (or Proud to be African Clothing!) or  admiring yourself in that Proud to be African hoody someone who really loves you bought for you.

Sunday 29^th December

Sleep, tomorrow is work

Week of 16th December: Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mama Africa, Screen Nation Christmas Soiree, Marsha Ambrosius Live, Feferity, Black Comedy Awards, Nigerian Centenary Discussion

Hello, how are you?

Sawubona, unjani? (Zulu)

Molo, Kunjani (Xhosa)

Lotjhani, unjani (Ndebele)

Dumela O Kae (Sepedi, Sotho, Tswana)

Hello, hoe gaan dit (Afrikaans)

Sawubona, kunjani (Swati)

Ndaa, vho vuwa hani (Venda)

Ayuxeni, Ku njhani (Tsonga)

Christmas Party season is here! And the super markets are selling sweets cheap so I’m sure like me you are essentially subsisting on free chocolates, (No? Just me then? Hmmmm lets move on shall we......)

As we move towards Christmas and New Years it’s not too late to get 10% off all purchases at Proud to be African Clothing using the voucher code CHRISTMAS10, at www.proudtobeafrican.co.uk it doesn’t run out till 25^th December.

Hopefully you can also pay a visit to the Mella Centre, 73 Oxford Street, W1D 2EP, this African space in the heart of London is open 7 days a week from 10.00am till late with a unique array of art, style, books, skin and healthcare products. There’s a chill out lounge with delicious home made food and cakes with African sounds and ambience, with entertainment every Friday to Sunday from 5.00pm. Check out the Facebook and get in touch with them, we really can’t complain there is no space for Africans or African Caribbean’s if we don’t support those who are making it happen.

                                                                                  

‘.....If you had been poor in your last life I would have asked you to be rich when you come again. But you were rich. If you had been a coward, I would have asked you to bring courage. But you were a fearless warrior. If you had died young I would have asked you to get life. But you lived long. So I shall ask you to come again the way you came before......’

 From Things fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (1930- 2013)

Nelson Rohilala Mandela (1918-2013)

Lawyer

Founder of Umkhonto we Sizwe

President of the ANC

President of the Republic of South Africa

Father

Grandfather

African

Rest in Peace

Monday 16^th December

At 3.00pm Chatham House hosts Nigeria’s Change in Context: The Politics of Progress, Prospects and Overcoming Impediments at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE, with Labaran Maku (Nigerian Minister of Information) who will discuss change in Nigeria in recent years, the Federal Governments priorities and plans for further reforms ahead of the 2015 elections. To attend this FREE event contact Chris Vandome

Tuesday 17^th December

At 6.30pm BEN Television hosts the Nigerian Centenary Discussion at City Hall, The Queens Walk, SE1 2AA. This is an evening of networking and discussion revolving around the Nigerian Centenary and the social, economic and political life of Nigeria, RSVP this FREE event by email.

At 7.00pm is Let’s Eat.. End of Year Dinner at Mama Calabar, 3^rd Floor, Dexion House, 2-4 Empire Way, Wembley, HA9 0XA. The evening will consist of ice breakers and dinner games, as well as whichever dishes from Mama Calabar one might wish to order. Although FREE to attend (pay only for what you order) a £5.00 deposit is needed to secure a space

At 7.00pm is the Screen Nation Christmas Soiree 2013 at a Secret Central London Location. Headlined by DJ Abrantee with complimentary fine wines, lagers, food and gift bags, stars laughs and performances. Rubbing shoulders with the likes of Chucky Venn, Zaraah Abrahams, David Harewood, Caroline Chikezie, Nonso Anozie, Charlene White and Ashley Walters. There are only 100 tickets and they start from £25.00 from here.

At 9.00pm is Super Jazz Night Christmas Special featuring Quentin Collins at the Silver Bullet, 5 Station Place, Finsbury Park, N4 2DH. The Bukky Leo Quartet welcomes Quentin Collins one of Europes top trumpeters. With Jonathan Gee on piano, Nick Pinni on the bass, Sophie Alloway on the drums and Bukky Leo on tenor sax and vocals.with live performances by The Nora Bite Duo featuring Ian de Preda on vibraphone and an open jam session. FREE entry all night, more details here 

Thursday 19^th December

At 7.00pm is The Black Comedy Awards Ceremony and Christmas Party 2013 at Crystal Banqueting Hall, No 1Poppin Building, Southway, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 0HB. Hosted by Real McCoy  stars Eddie Nestor and Robbie Gee with live music from Nicci, comedy from Glenda Jackson, Slim, Linda Hargreaves and Njambi McGrath. Followed by an after party till 2.00am with music by DJ’s Fatman & Colonel and Mykal Supabad. Tickets start from £25.00 from here

Friday 20^th December

At 7.00pm KMT and Boulevard La Palma present Mama Africa at Arch 365, 15-16 Lendal Terrace, Clapham, SW4 7UX, with resident DJ’s on rotation Oya Bun, Bogossy Freshfrenchy, KT and special guests playing Hiplife, afrobeats, coupe decale, afro deep house music, tribal, latin music, Portuguese, Brazilian and ancestral music. FREE before 9.00pm, £3.00 before 11.00pm and £5.00 thereafter. More details here

Saturday 21^st December

At 7.00pm is Marsha Ambrosius Live at The IndigO2, the O2 Arena, Peninsula Square, North Greenwich, SE10 0AX. The former Floetry vocalist will be performing tracks from her solo albums ‘Late Nights and Early Mornings’ and  ‘Friends and Lovers’ as well as hits from her time with Floetry, supported by special guests. Tickets start from £25.00 from here. 

At 9.00pm is Eddie and Robbie’s Christmas ‘A Wha me a go win’ at The Camden Centre, Judd Street, WC1H 9JE. This gameshow cabaret party features reggae star Tippa Irie, comedienne Glenda Jaxson, The Real McCoys Mr Fraizer. With raffles, party, raves, punch and a chill out bar, tickets start from £14.99, check here for more details 

At 10.00pm is the Jamaica Times Christmas Cracker featuring JC Lodge at Caribbean Edge, 117 Bruce Grove, N17 6UR. A night of sorrel, Christmas cake, rum punch, Jamaican patties and entertainment from chart topper, JC Lodge, comedian Ping Wing, singer Ash I, Eillen Mascoll, Big Chain and others, with DJ’s keeping it ticking over till 4.00am. Tickets are £14.50 from here.   

Sunday 22^nd December

From 3.00pm to 8.00pm Feferity returns to Bar 414, 414 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LF. The event features, films, live music and great African cuisine. Tickets are £5.00 from here

At 6.00pm Lela’s Lounge presents Talk To Me (The Lock and Key Edition) at Stone Bar, 68-70 Honor Park, SE23 1DY. This night of dating games, networking and entertainment will see all females issued with a lock and males with a key, essentially go around and see who your lock fits! Admission is £15.00 from here.

Week of Monday 9th December: 10% Off! Angelique Kidjo, ICSN Christmas Party, Felabration 2013, The African Market, BSN Christmas Networking, Re-Imagining Africa: Poetry Jam, Russia’s Policies in Africa, Kiskirine Afroica Fair, Pride of the Motherland, Focus 3rd Year Anniversary

Moni (Hello in Chichewa),

I guess there is only one news story this week, the passing on of Nelson Rohlihlahla Mandela, former

President of the Republic of South Africa.

Alot has been written, alot has been said. It is incomprehensible for many people to completely understand what Mandela means to many Africans but to me in particular he represented the Africa that would have been if we got it right first time, if we’d fought the good fight, won the wars and then won the peace. As the only liberation leader to willingly give up power and not accumulate wealth.

Mandela was far from the perfect person or the perfect leader. But he showed the world the Africa that we Africans see every day, a land filled with wisdom, fun, forgiveness and humanity.

You do not mourn the death of 95 year old men, people of that age are so close to the other side that it is merely walking from one room to another.

As we die and are returned to the land and become one with the land, we live on.
As long as Africa lives we live.

So as Madiba crosses to the next world I will use the words of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at TEDx Euston this Saturday, “Mandela is dead. Long live Mandela”

Monday 9^th December

At 4.30pm Chatham House hosts Russia’s Policies and Interests in Africa at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y xx, with Mikhail Margelov (Special Representative of the Russian Federation to African Countries) who will discuss Russia’s priorities in its dealings with the African Continent. To attend this FREE event contact Lubica  Pollakova. 

At 6.30pm is Lets Talk 4^th Anniversary at the Juno Bar, 134-135 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JE. This anniversary evening will feature special guests from the past 4 years with cake and a raffle. Hosted by Essay and Mikey admission is £2.00

Tuesday 10^th December

 At 6.30pm is Transatlantic Exchanges: African American and South African Jazz Musicians in the Arts One Lecture Theatre, Queen Mary University London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS. Professor James Miller (George Washington University) will deliver a seminar on Free Jazz and liberation Movements on Two Continents, focussing on the mutual fascination between black communities in the US and South Africa and the convergence of these interests expressed through jazz. This FREE presentation is followed by a drinks reception, RSVP here. 

Wednesday 11^th December

At 7.00pm is the PENHA Fund Raising Dinner at Adulis Oval, 44-46 Brixton Road, Brixton, SW9 6BT. The Pastoralist and Environmental Network in the Horn of Africa (PENHA) works in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Uganda, Kenya, Somaliland and Djibouti. This fundraising and networking dinner will feature traditional Ethiopian food, the Ethiopian Coffee ceremony, live music, dance and art. Tickets are £50.00 from here.. 

Thursday 12^th December

At 4.30pm the ODI presents Preventing violent conflict in Africa: Inequalities, perceptions and institutions at the Overseas Development Institute, 203 Blackfriars Road, Southwark, SE1 8NJ. This event will use research by the Japanese Agency for Development to explore why neighbouring countries some of which share common historical traits of historical inequalities  have sometimes taken contrast pathways of violence and conflicts. Register for this FREE event here.

At 6.30pm INIVA hosts the Stuart Hall Library Research Network Meeting in the Stuart Hall Library, Institute of International Visual Arts, Rivington Place, EC2A 3BA. Sayed Sattar Hassan and Karl Ohiri present My Grandad’s Car, a video and photography project by the two friends who explore their identities as British born men of Pakistani and Nigerian origin via their connections to their grandfathers cars. Register for this FREE event here. 

At 6.30pm is the Black Solicitors Network Christmas Networking Special: An Audience with Richard Reddie at Fasken Martineau LLP, 17 Hanover Square, W1S 1HU. Writer and broadcaster will present ‘Martin Luther King Jr: the Law and his legacy’ in the anniversary year of the seminal ‘I have a dream’ speech. Followed by a Q&A and a networking reception. RSVP this FREE event here.

At 7.30pm AfricAvenir and Friends of Namibia present Namibian Short Films Screening at Harecourt United Reformed Church, 120 St Pauls Road, N1 2LR. This London premiere of 4 short Namibian films My Beautiful Nightmare (Periyi Katjavivi), Dead River (Tim Huebschle), 100 Bucks (Oshosheni Hiyeluah) and Try (Joel Haikali). Followed by a QA with curator and film critic Hans-Christian Mahnke (AfricaAvenir Windhoek). Register for this FREE event here. 

Friday 13^th December

At 5.00pm the Somali Relief and Development Forum presents Re-Imagining Africa: Poetry Jam at SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG. This event will feature poetry and spoken word as well as cakes, arts and crafts and poetry workshops Tickets are £3.00 from here.

At 7.00pm is Focus 3^rd Year Anniversary and BEFFTA Awards Celebration at Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, E8 4AA. Featuring soukous kings Kasai Masai, kora maestro Kadialy Kouyate, Zimbabwean mbira maestro Kudaushe Matimba, West African Dance Company Yaye Dib Sabar, spoken word artists Oneness Sankara with DJ’s DJ Vivi, JP Kairo, AJ Holmes and Moroka playing the best African music. Tickets are £7.00 from here. 

At 7.00pm Desire Events UK presents Kwabena Kwabena Save a Life Concert at Dominion Centre, 9 The Broadway, High Road, N22 6DS. The artiste is seeking to raise funds for the National Cardiothoracic Centre, Korle Bu, Accra, Ghana with his Save a Life UK Concert Tour. Tickets for this worthy event start from £15.00 from here.

At 7.30pm is the Songlines Music Awards 2013 Winners Concert in the Hall, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS. Featuring Beninois superstar Anglique Kidjo, French/ north African band Lo’Jo, Ethio jazz/ Jamaican Dub cross over band Colossus Dub Band and Zimbabwean Afro fusion Mokoomba. Tickets start from £15.00 from here

At 7.30pm Black Diamondz presents Watch Me Blow at the Rag Factory, 16-18 Heneage Street, Brick Lane, E1 5LJ. This annual Christmas live music and fashion event will be raising funds for Awal Children of the Future which assists street children in Ghana. Tickets are £10.00 from here. 

Saturday 14^th December

From 12.00pm to 6.00pm Kiskirine Events presents Africa Fair at Harrow Civic Centre, 1 Station Road, Harrow, HA1 2XY. This indoor event hosted by the Mayor of Harrow will feature stalls, workshops, art exhibitions, culture arts and music, and it’s FREE to attend! More details here. 

From 2.00pm to 7.30pm Reuben P. Joseph presents Pride of the Motherland... Freedom at the Yaa Asantewaa Arts Centre, 1 Chippenham Mews, W9 2AN. This event highlighting fashion and culture will feature catwalk runway shows with 20 designers and 26 models, live poetry, African drums, soca, calypso, steel bands, theatrical productions and more. Tickets are £10.00 from here part of the proceeds go to the Cancer Black Care and African Caribbean Leukaemia trust.

At 5.30pm is the Jairos Jiri UK Supporters Launch Dinner at Mama Jumbe’s, 350 St Katherine Street, E7 8NW. This group seeks to mobilise new and refurbished items for the disabled in Zimbabwe. The buffet is £15.00 here. 

At 7.00pm Zoes Ghana Kitchen hosts their 5 Course Ghanaian Christmas Dinner at Palm 2, 152-156 Lower Clapton Road, E5 0QJ. As well as a 5 course dinner, there will be a raffle to win a hamper, pass the parcel, cocktails and its bring your own bottle. Dinner is £35.00 (£33.00 for veggies) from here. 

At 7.00pm AGMP and Knitting Factory Records presents Felabration 2013 at 229 The Venue, 229 Great Portland Street, WC1X 8BZ celebrating Fela Kutis 75^th Birthday and the album release of Red Hot and Fela, featuring the Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra, Shingai Shoniwa, Baloji, TY, Blak Twang, Sam Duckworth, ESKA, Olugbenga, Afrikan Boy, Z Star, the Goldsmith College Choir and other special guests. Tickets for this collection of awesomeness are £20.00 from here.   

At 9.00pm is the Igbo Culture and Support Network Christmas Party at Drapers Bar, Drapers Square, 423 Bancroft Road, E1 4DH, with hip hop RnB, Naijabeats, Azonto, old skool you name it, plus plenty fine fine Igbo boys and girls! Tickets are £10.00 in advance from here, £15.00 on the door. 

Sunday 15^th December

From 12.00pm to 7.00pm is The African Market in Gillett Square, Dalston, N16 8JH. Open the Gates, Christmas African Market will feature clothing, jewellery, accessories, books, arts and crafts, homeware, natural beauty, music, books and much more. With facepainting, drumming circle and glitter tattoos. This market is FREE to attend.

Remember you can get 10% off all purchases at Proud to be African Clothing using the voucher code CHRISTMAS10, at www.proudtobeafrican.co.uk until 25^th December. 

Week of 2nd December: TEDx Euston Ripple Effect, Afridiziak Winter Fair, Commonwealth Carol Service, Creative Nigeria, Zimbabwean Arts and Culture, Lela’s Lounge, Krismasi Njema!, Investing In Africa, Caribbean Christmas Cheer

Jam Na (How are you in Fulfude),

As we roll into December, Proud to be African Clothing is starting our Christmas Sale early, using the voucher code CHRISTMAS10, you can get 10% off all purchase at www.proudtobeafrican.co.uk until 25^th December. You can get T shirts for men, women and children, as well as hoodys, baby grows, vests and polo shirts. I trust our ever growing legion of fans will be wearing Proud to be African as they step out to this week’s events which include TEDx Euston (actually in Blackfriars), a first class event organised by African professionals for Africans about Africa and African issues. The keynote speaker is one of the most powerful women in Africa this year Nigeria’s Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala with many other speakers it promises to be another 5 star event.

For Christmas shoppers there is the Afridiziak Winter Fair who will offer a unique cultural shopping experience as well as raising money for the Sickle Cell Society

Music from Adam Glasser and the Soothsayers, events and seminars such as Creative Nigeria, Christmas ‘do’s’ such as AMREFs Krismasi Njema and Caribbean Christmas Cheer.

There’s more than enough to keep you busy while you wonder round snug and warm in your Proud to be African hoody.

Have a good week!

Monday 2^nd December

At 8.30am is Investing in African Mining 2013 in the Great Eastern Room, Andaz Hotel, 40 Liverpool Street, EC2M 7QN. This full day seminar features 17 presentations with updates by mining companies on their African projects, finance, technical presentations and networking. Admission from C$60.00 here. 

At 5.00pm is Senegal’s Art Today: An increasing diversity of practice in Room 4429, Russell Square College Buildings, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG. Chaired by Dr Charles Gore (SOAS) with Salimata Diop (Art consultant) who will introduce the audience to the fast changing landscape of Senegalese art and the most dynamic Senegalese artists. This is a FREE event, more details here. 

Tuesday 3^rd December

From 12.00pm to 7.00pm the Association of Corporate Counsel presents Investing in Africa: Current Trends at 41 Lothbury, EC2R 7HF, in house counsel will share their experiences of doing business in the region and giving practical tips, with roundtable discussions on Anglophone West Africa, East Africa, Lusophone Africa, Francophone Africa and South Africa, with the keynote speaker setting out the political and economic landscape. Admission starts from £50.00 from here..

At 6.00pm the Zimbabwe Association presents Zimbabwean Arts and Culture Panel Meeting at the Comic Relief Offices, 89 Albert Embankment, SE1 7TP. The event will feature a panel discussion with Josh Nyapimbe (Nhimbe Trust) and Chipo Chung and members of the Zimbabwe Association and Britain Zimbabwe Society. This is a FREE event

Wednesday 4^th December

At 5.00pm the Centre for African Studies presents Islam, Power and Popular Culture in Northern Nigeria in Room B101, Brunei Gallery, SOAS. Chaired by Professor Graham Furniss (SOAS) with Abubakar Aliyu Liman (Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria) who will review the politics of cultural production in northern Nigeria through the prism of Islam. This is a FREE event. For more info email.

At 6.30pm the Royal Commonwealth Society hosts the Commonwealth Carol Service 2013 at St Martin’s in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ. ‘Themed Opportunity through enterprise’, there will be a mix of carols, performances and readings including performances by the Purcells Schools Commonwealth Ensemble, young composer Kayi Pau and The Senanyake London Choir. There will be readings by the Dominican High Commissioner HE Francine Bacon and the Commonwealth Secretary General HE Kamalesh Sharma and addresses by Big Issue founder John Bird MBE, and the Right Honourable Vince Cable MP (Secretary for Business, Innovation and Skills. Tickets are £10.00 from here.

At 6.30pm is the Professor Richard Reid Inaugural Lecture: The Trouble with African Past. The Pre-colonial in the Making of Uganda in the Brunei Gallery, SOAS. Professor Richard Reid (SOAS) will consider the role of history in modern African society vis a vis the developmental agendas and the notions of economic growth against which African progress and stability are measured. Register for this FREE event here

Thursday 5^th December

From 12.00pm to 2.00pm the Tessa Sanderson Foundation presents Tessa Sanderson White CBE Christmas Lunch Reception Champagne Buffett at The House of Lords in The River Room, House of Lords, Houses of Parliament, Westminster, SW1A 0AA, this reception will be hosted by The Earl of Erroll and The Baroness Howells of St Davids. RSVP by emailing Sheila Williamson

At 3.45pm Hatch Events presents Creative Nigeria in Level 5, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. This information and networking session will expose the audience to Nigeria’s creative industries with Nollywood, Half of a Yellow Sun, D’Banj, 2Face Idibia, Lagos Fashion and Design Week and Naija pop as examples. Speakers include Yemisi Mokuolu (Hatch Africa Solutions), Nkiru Asika(Enterprise Creative), Femi Longe (Open Living Labs), Andrea Calderwood (producer Half of a Yellow Sun), Digger Elias (51 Lex Records), Fiona Howe (Scenario Films), Nkwo (Fashion designer),  Ozzie Ojo (music producer) and Tom Rowland-Rees (Cinema Kpatakpata) Register for this FREE event here.

At 5.00pm the UCL Institute of the Americas hosts Beyond Remittances and Tourism: What Future for the Caribbean Economy in the Galton Lecture Theatre, UCL, 1-19 Torrington Place, WC1E 7HB. Panellists Professor Victor Bulmer-Thomas (University of London), Vindelyn Smith-Hillman (Bank of Jamaica) and Alan Smith (HSBC) will explore whether tourism, regional integration or international integration can lead Caribbean countries to improve their standard of living. RSVP this FREE event here. 

At 6.30pm AMREF hosts Krismasi Njema! at St Dunstans in the West, 186a Fleet Street, EC4A 2HR. AMREF’s annual Christmas conference combines favourite European carols with traditional African Christmas songs sung by the London African Gospel Choir, Christmas readings and then wine and nibbles. Email Katharine to book tickets; £25.00 (£7.00 for children) all funds go to AMREFs work in East Africa.

At 7.00pm Raw Live presents The Soothsayers at the Jamm, 261 Brixton Road, Brixton, SW9 6LH. Hosted by Floetic Lara, featuring London band The Soothsayers with special guests Nanci & Phoebe, Monster Playground, Raw Fire, Raw Sounds, Amy True, DJ Snuff and many more. Admission is £5.00.

Friday 6^th December

At 6.30pm is Reality of Life London Conference at Waterlily Banquet Suite, 69-89 Mile End Road, E1 4TT. themed ‘Inspiring a generation-Mid reorientation’, hosted by Tayo Akobi JPguest speakers include Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafida (Nigeria High Commissioner), Professor Kwaku Donso-Boafo (Ghana High Commissioner), Otunba Gbenga Daniel (former governor of Ogun State, Nigeria), Councillor Kate Anolue (Former Mayor of Enfield), Councillor Tulip Siddiq (PPC for Hampstead and Kilburn CLP), Mrs Chineze Ben-Nwankwo (Public Health Economist), Nnena Ani (Nollywood actress) and Saka Ayinde Orobo (FUMAN,Nigeria). Entertainment will be provided by Dolla Billz, TuSTEP, Maury Deebee, Blue Rise, MC Boy, Vanessa Adekola Dancers and many more. Tickets from £50.00 from here.

At 7.00pm is Afrotake Night at Mama Jumbe’s, 350 St Katherine Street, E7 8NW, this monthly event promotes African culture and business for people who enjoy Live Afro soul music , wine tasting, afro cuisine and networking in a classy, elegant and chilled out atmosphere. Live music will be provided by Lerato Larrie Zwezwe and DJ Lady C. Tickets are £25.00 from here (including a glass of wine/champagne and a buffet)

 At 8.30pm South African virtuoso’s Adam Glasser and Pinise Saul will perform at The Ivy House, 40 Stuart Road, Nunhead, SE15 3BE. The harmonica/ keyboardist and vocalist will perform their unique form of township jazz, Broadway standards and original tracks with jazz guitarist Nigel Price and band. Tickets are £10.00 from here. 

Saturday 7^th December

From 9.00am to 11.00pm is TEDxEuston 2013- Ripple Effect at The Mermaid Conference Centre,

Puddle Dock, Blackfriars,  EC4V 3DB. This event organised by African professionals devoted to leveraging the power of idea is focussed on issues important to the Africa and the diaspora. Speakers include Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Nigerian Minister of Finance), Jacqueline Nwobu (Munaluchi Bride Magazine), Ikenna Azuike (Whats Up Africa), Fadekemi Akinfaderin-Agarau (Education as a Vaccine), Emeka Keazor (Historian), Catherine Phiri (Media 365), Ayo-Dele (musician), Nt’abiseng (musician) .Tickets are £70.00 (£50.00 students) from here.

From 11.00am to 7.00pm is the 4^th Annual Afridiziak Gift and Occasions Winter Fair at the Embassy Tea Gallery, 195-205 Union Street, SE1 0LN. This unique shopping event brings together entrepreneurs selling unique culturally inspired gifts with the discerning shopper. Goodie bags for the first 50 shoppers, raffle prizes and pop up cafes. Admission is £3.00 (FREE for under 16’s)  from here percentage of the proceeds at the door go to The Sickle Cell Society

At 5.30pm The London African Reading Group will be reading Hairdresser of Harare at Book and Kitchen, 31 All Saints Road, W11 1HE. RSVP this FREE event literary event by email.

At 7.00pm Star100 presents Winter Wonderland 2013 at Balls Brothers Minster exchange, Mincing Lane, EC3R 7PP. This event will consist of a champagne reception and a 3 course sit down dinner with wine, with networking games, music (including Azonto of course!). Tickets start from £50.00 (£90.00 for a pair) from here. 

At 8.00pm TriniPosse UK presents Caribbean Christmas Cheer at Brogan’s Irish Bar, 1 Fulham Broadway, Fulham, SW6 1AA. This little slice of Trinidad and Tobago Christmas cheer will feature parang music, food and other entertainment. In keeping with the season of giving each invitee is asked to bring an unopened tin of food and a gift suitable for a child aged 1-12 which will be donated to one of the selected charities (NSPCC and Home Start Camden). Tickets start from £6.50 from here.

Sunday 8^th December

At 6.00pm Lelas Lounge presents Talk To Me (The Social Network Edition) at Stone Bar, 68-70 Honor Park, SE23 1DY. This night of discussion, networking and entertainment hosted by Mika will feature networking, games and ice breakers as well as a DJ set by Mika, with buffet platters available. Admission is £10.00 (£15.00 inclusive of buffet) from here.

At 7.30pm SafariMusic presents Adam Glasser at Safari Bar, 975 High Road, North Finchley, N12 8QR. The harmonica virtuoso accompanied by Robin Aspland on piano and the house band Just East, will perform music as varied as jazz ballads as township jazz. Tickets are £5.00 from here. 

Week of 25th November: Mandela- Long Walk to Freedom, Manu Dibango, Google Top Black Talent, PFA Winter Networking, Women at the Top, A.R.I.S.E., Numbi Afro Disco, Black Book Swap, Angie Le Mar, African Business Expo

I ni cheh (hello in Bambara),

This week sees Proud to be African Clothing has another wide range of events for you.

Films such as the Kite Runner, a preview of Mandela-A Long Walk to Freedom,. Poetry and Spoken Word withUncle Errol Returns with the final Poetry Jam of the year. Literature sees the Black Book Swap return to Brixton, while Mama Jumbe’s Book Club discusses short stories. Music with Manu Dibango’s 80^th Birthday and Numbi’s Afro disco. Seminars and Talkson Central African Republic, Paul Robeson, Google Top Black Talent. Networking with Professionals for Africa, African Business Expo and Uptions.

And much much more

Have a great week

Monday 25^th November

At 6.30pm is a Preview Screening of Mandela- Long Walk to Freedom at the Frontline Club, 13 Norfolk Place, W2 1QJ. Based on Mandela’s autobiography, starring Idris Elba and Naomie Harris, it will be followed by a Q&A with screenwriter Bill Nicholson. Tickets are £10.00 from here.

At 6.30pm is Black Bloomsbury in Conversation: Paul Robeson, politics and interwar London at the UCL Art Museum, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT. Jordan Goodman author of Paul Robeson: A Watched Man and Hakim Adi (author and lecturer) will discuss Robeson’s legacy and influence, Register for this FREE event here.

At 7.00pm Lets Watch screens The Kite Runner at the Juno Bar, 134-135 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, E1 6JE the movie based on the novel of the same title about two young boys growing up in 1970’s Afghanistan, with their lives torn apart by the Russian invasion. Tickets are £2.00, for more information check here. 

Tuesday 26^th November

At 7.30pm is Manu Dibango’s 80^th Birthday Celebration in Barbican Hall, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS. The renowned world music pioneer of ‘Soul Makossa’ fame returns to London with special guests for an electric live performance. Tickets start from £20.00 from here.

Wednesday 27^th November

At 3.00pm Chatham House presents Crisis and Response in the Central African Republic: Challenges to Delivering Frontline Humanitarian Assistance at Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE. Jose Bastos (Medecin Sans Frontieres, Spain) and Patricl L’Hote (ICRC) will discuss their recent experiences in CAR and highlight the humanitarian impact of the latest bouts of violence. For more information about this event contact Chris Vandome. 

At 5.30pm Flavourmag presents Google Top Black Talent an Online Hangout. The 6^th in this series for black students and professionals is on Sales and Branding, featuring Adrian Joseph (Google), NMichael Barclay (Pluck), Nick Smith (All3Media International), Osita Osadebe (Gumtree), Clive Davis (Freelance Business Development Executive) and Bianca Miller (The B Group). This is a FREE Online event.

At 6.00pm is the Professionals For Africa Winter Networking Event at Cape Bar, corner of Wood Lane and Love Street, City of London, EC2V 7JQ.. this extremely popular event returns for the winter edition. In fact its so popular it is split into two, with Business networking from 6.00pm to 8.00pm and Social Networking with a music video from DJ Bobbi for those who wish to relax. Open to all Africans or those with interest in Africa register for this FREE event here. 

At 6.00pm the Inspirational YOU presents Women at The Top at the House of Commons, Palace of Westminster, SW1A 0AA. This panel discussion hosted by Garry Green (Barrister, 2 Bedford Row Chambers) is a celebration of female leadership and gender diversity on the boardroom, with Tracy Ayling QC (2 Bedford Road Chambers), Samantha Johnson (The Sun), Tessy Ojo (Diana Award), Gina Miller (SCM Private), Caryl Longley (Deloitte LLP), discussing women in competitive industries, breaking the glass ceiling, mentoring and being visible, register for this FREE event here. 

At 7.30pm is Uncle Errols Poetry Jam 13 at the Vibe Gallery, 100 Clements Road, Bermondsey, SE16 4DG. Feature act is Tsega Tebege, along with open mic for experienced and beginner poets and spoken word artists, with a £40.00 prize to the poet the audience likes most. Entry is £4.00

Thursday 28^th November

From 10.00am to 9.00pm Private Equity Africa hosts Raising Funds for Africa Investment at Charles Russell, 5 Fleet Place, EC4M 7RD. Leading experts will expand on the practicalities of fundraising successfully for Africa with master classes and panel discussions on top LPs for Africa, Track record proxies, fund positioning and marketing, placement agents, investor and media relations, building the right team, GP due diligence, risk and regulations and lessons learnt. Tickets start from £95.00 from here. 

At 6.00pm BCA hosts Sourcing Talent for Business in Africa’s Emerging Markets at Stephenson Harwood, 1 Finsbury Circus, EC2M 7SH. This panel discussion on how companies can access, attract and retain the best talent in Africa and from the diaspora will feature Clare Reilly (Diageo), Frances Mensah Williams (reconnect Africa) and Karl Craven (Global Solutions) and chaired by Lanre Akinola (This is Africa). Tickets (inclusive of buffet) start from £32.00 from here.

At 6.00pm the National Council of Barbadian Associations presents Celebrating 46 Years of Barbados Independence at the Barbados High Commission, 1 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3ND. This evening celebrates 47 Years of Barbados Independence with a panel discussion, folk singer and poetess Patricia Chase and an Expo of Barbadian Products. Discussing the topic ‘Why Caribbean women are perceived as dominant’ will be Alan Smith, Tony Sealy and Francoise Hendy, chaired by Marilyn Devonish. Register for this FREE event here. 

At 7.00pm the Central London Debating Society hosts The Future of the Rwandan Economy at Morgan Stanley, 20 Bank Street, E14 4AD. This debate and discussion focuses on how the City can ai the growth of emerging economies with a special focus on Rwanda with a panel made up of business owners and international development experts. Although this event is FREE a donation of £5.00 is recommended here. 

At 7.30pm is the Mama Jumbe’s Book Club at Mama Jumbe’s, 350 St Katherine Street, E7 8NW, reading Miss Lora by Junot Diaz with music by DJ Gabe. Guest author will be Robyn Travis (Prisoner to the Streets). More details of this FREE event here. 

Friday 29^th November

From 9.00am to 6.00pm is the Africa Business Expo at the ILEC Conference Centre, Lillie Road, SW6 1UD. This networking event seeks promote African socio economic and infrastructural development showcasing emerging markets, SME’s and providing business growth opportunities. Register for this FREE event here. 

From 10.00am to 6.00pm is the Foreign Direct Investment Opportunity in Nigeria Exhibition at America Square Conference Centre, 1 America Square, EC3N 2LS.register for this FREE event here.

 

From 10.30am to 4.30pm Positive Inclusions hosts Skills Day: Take Your Future Into Your Own Hands at Barclays Bank Headquarters, 1 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, E14 5HP. This event will provide support and career guidance, assistance in compiling a great CV and developing excellent interview techniques. Guest speakers include Mavis Amankwah (PR Guru) discussing hiring new staff, Winsome Duncan (The Healing Factory) will be delivering a Proactive Employment Workshop, Sophie Lau (from BBC’s The Apprentice) will be telling her personal story as a restaurateur and Project Manager and Lesley Dube (Positive Inclusions) will be discussing the Governments Start Up Loans Programme. Register for this FREE event here

At 4.30pm African Partnership Development UK presents the 2013 UK Diaspora Trade and Investment Summit at MacMillan Hall, Senate House, University of London, Malet Street, Russell Square, WC1E 7HU. This is for UK based Nigerian and UK/ EU investors looking to do business in Nigeria, giving access to Nigerian Government support schemes, company registration by Nigeria Corporate Affairs officials, access to corporate business funding and networking. Register for this FREE event here.

At 5.00pm is the C.Hub Magazine Anniversary Fashion and Music Banquet at Ravensbourne, 6 Penrose Way, the O2 Greenwich, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 0EW. Compered by Tola Onigbanjo (Women4Africa) this event celebrates the first year of C. Hub magazine, with a catwalk and fashion showcase endorsed by Adebayo Jones with designers Kgtkkt and Eldimaa Fashion, jewellery by Jodyline London and Dapri Jewels London, entertainment by afrobeats sensation Komo Official, rapper Yezzi Yezzir, dancers Iam Movement Duo Dancers, GOP Girls Dance Group and DJ Fasida on the decks. Tickets start from £30.00 from here. 

At 6.00pm Uptions presents End of Year Festive Networking Night at Dog Eared Films, 25-28 Field Street, Kings Cross, WC1X 9DA for African Caribbean entrepreneurs, innovators and professionals who wish to widen their social circle and build professional and personal relationships. Admission is £5.00 (or 2 for £6.00) from here.

At 6.30pm is Come Rhyme With Me.. London at Cottons Islington, 70 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QP. This evening of rhyming and a 3 course Caribbean meal hosted by Dean Atta and Deanna Rodger, will feature an Open Mic with the Appetisers, Starter with Spike-The Corby Poet, the main with Joelle Taylor and Dessert with EZ Stone. Admission is £12.50 (supper included) or £7.50 entry only from here, concessions available. 

At 7.30pm is Love Unlocked at Mama Jumbe’s. This 30+ Lock and Key Party for single professionals hosted by Awele Odeh is a unique way to meet new people in a relaxed environment, every girl has a padlock and every guy a key, every time you get a match you get a ticket that enters you into a raffle as well as a nifty ice breaker! With music by Yung Milli, tickets are £15.00 from here.  

Saturday 30^th November

From 12.00pm to 6.00pm Eldimaa Fashion hosts The Afro- Caribbean Shopping Experience at the Adulis Oval, 44-46 Brixton Road, SW9 6BT, featuring fashion, art, jewellery, accessories and food by African Caribbean inspired business owners. More details about this FREE event here.

At 12.00pm is Black Book Swap 4, Upstairs at the Ritzy, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG. Featuring Bernadine Evaristo author of 7 books, Lloyd Bradley (author of Sounds Like London: 100 Years of Black Music in the Capital), Irenosen Okojie (featured in the anthology Flight) and Nadifa Mohamed (The Orchard of Lost Souls). There will also be the usual large selection of novels and non fiction books to swap or buy. Tickets are £7.50 from here £10.00 on the door. 

From 12.00pm to 6.00pm is the Africa Business Expo Conference at the Hilton Paddington, 146 Praed Street, W2 1EE. This expo is a networking event that aims to promote African socio economic and infrastructural development showcasing emerging markets, SME’s and providing business growth opportunities. Register for this FREE event here.  

From 1.00pm to 8.00pm is the Afrikan Market Village Gathering in Pennack Community Hall, Pennack Road (off Summer Road), Peckham, SE15 6DD. This monthly market features stalls selling women’s and menswear, children’s wear, hats, DVD’s and CD’s, baked goods and much more. This is a FREE event

At 7.00pm is An Audience wih Angie Le Mar at New Testament Assembly, 7 Beechcroft Road, Tooting, SW17 7BU. Supported by MOBO Award Winner Lurine Cato, this is Angie Le Mars first stand up show in 10 years, reflecting on growing up in church, pursuing her dream as a comedian and her return to the place her talent was began. Tickets are £10.00 from here, £13.00 on the door. 

At 7.00pm is the Sierra Leone Excellence Awards at V360 Banqueting Suite, Lancaster House, 70 Newington Causeway, Elephant and Castle, SE1 6DF. Hosted by Alim Kamara and Edwina Momoah, these seek to honour Sierra Leoneans who have excelled and brought honour to Sierra Leone, with a focus on those in London. Entertainment will be provided by Famous (Kopo don) and Nasser Ayoub (Tranga yase borbor) , Rnb from Alonzo, Team Salut, FTFreshmusic, Cece, Plan X, Usifu Jalloh and comedian H.E. Tommy Massaquoi. Special guests include the Sierra Leone, Ghana and Gambia High Commissioners, Kei Kamara, Ellen Thomas and more. Tickets including a sit down meal start from £30.00 from here. 

At 8.00pm Numbi presents Numbi Afro-Disco! featuring Tony Allen at Rich Mix. Numbi promises to end the year with a bang with master drummer and Afrobeat legend Tony Allen in conversation with Numbi resident artist Elmi Ali on the launch of his book Tony Allen: An Autobiography of the Master Drummer of Afrobeat. He will also be performing an exclusive set as well as a book signing. Hosted by Miriam Solomon and Sai Murray with young poets Onysha D Colllins and Annie Aisha, 2 piece female percussionist ensemble; Foroyaa and DJ Qurra on the decks all topped of with a soul train dance off.  Tickets are £10.00 in advance, (£5.00 concs) and £12.00 on the door 

Sunday 1^st December

At 4.00pm Cezanne Poetess hosts ‘How To Get the Ring on Your Finger’ Book Launch at The Mella Centre, 73 Oxford Street, W1D 2EP. This self help book is based on the advice of over 30 men on what would make them commit to marriage. With readings from the book, poetry recitations accompanied by saxophone and acoustic guitar, book signings and food on sale. Register for this FREE event here. 

At 7.00pm A.R.I.S.E. returns to The Tabernacle, Powis Square, Talbot Road, Notting Hill, W11 2AJ. Host Daddy Ernie will be interviewing a trio of personalities in the African Caribbean community. Guests will be Dawn Butler (ex MP), Danny John-Jules (actor) and Janet Kay (singer), with musical entertainment provided by house band d22. Tickets are £12.00 from here more on the door. 

Week of 18th November: Nigeria Italy Football Friendly, From Kenya with Love, EFG London Jazz Festival, Human Rights, Justice and Accountability in Nigeria, A Conversation with Professor Attahiru Jega, Ballake Sissoko, VC4Africa Meetup, Toumani Diabate and Trio da Kali in Concert, Talk to Me, The African Market, African Bridal and Wedding Fayre

Abedi (hello in Dioula)

Proud to be African Clothing brings you another weeks worth of grooviness from sport with the Nigeria-Italy

Football Friendly in Craven Cottage, to shopping, with sapelle.com’s new Pop up store From Kenya with Love in Monmouth Street near Covent Garden and The African Market in Rich Mix .

Networking from VC4Africa and Ebony Inspired. Speed dating from Talk To Me. Talks and presentations on Nigeria in the Houses of Parliament, Kings College and others

Music! With Toumani Diabate, Ballake Sissoko and Seddik Zebiri. Story Telling with Enchanted Tales 2 and Africa’s Cowfoot.

100 Black Men of London will be holding their Community Mentoring Open Day in South London, it might be worth checking out

Hope you all have a mighty fine week

Monday 18^th November

From 11.00am to 7.00pm is sapelle.com’s pop up store From Kenya with Love at 53 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9DG. Open till the 30^th November this is the UK Online retailers 3^rd pop up store and features Kenyan labels such as KikoRomeo, Kooroo, Riri, Jamil Walji and LaCollane di Betta and a wide range of ethical, tribal inspired ladieswear, menswear and gifts for day and evening. Open 7 days a week (12.00pm to 6.00pm, Sunday’s) theres more information here.

At 5.00pm Chatham House presents Public Perception and Policy: Famine and Food Securitisation in the Horn of Africa at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE. Chaired by Eliza Anyangwe (The guardian) with Professor Suzanne Franks (City University) and Rob Bailey (Chatham House) as discussant, this event will look at the impact of reporting on famine and food securitisation in the Horn of Africa examining, themes in Professor Franks book ‘Reporting Disasters: Famine, Aid, Politics and Media’ on how the international aid policy and be both informed and misinformed by an incomplete portrayal of events and media pressure. To attend this FREE event contact Chris Vandome. 

At 7.45pm is the Nigeria-Italy International Football Friendly at Craven Cottage, Stevenage Road, Fulham, SW6 6HH. Stephen Keshi’s Super Eagles face off against Cesare Panderi’s Gli Azzurri. The African Cup of Nations winners will be looking to see if their dominance of the African continent can work in Europe, look for a dazzling style of football. Tickets start from £20.00 from here.

EFG London Jazz Festival

At 8.00pm is Spoek and Benin City at XOYO, 32-37 Cowper Street, EC2A 4AW. The South African, rapper, singer, instrumentalist Spoek’s genre straddling ‘township techno’ will meet the bass heavy, jazz, hip hop of Benin City. Tickets are £15.00 from here

At 8.30pm is Louis Moholo-Moholo and Alexander Hawkins and The Mediums at the vortex, 11 Gillett Square, Dalston, N15 8AZ. The South African percussionist Louis Moholo-Moholo will be teaming up with pianist Alexander Hawkins and the Mediums a trio of cello and two saxophones. Admission is £15.00 from here.

Tuesday 19^th November

At 9.30am AFRUCA hosts Working with Black/ African Children in Foster Care at Leroy House, 436 Essex Road, N1 3QP. This course aims to enable foster carers and practitioners working with black African children to develop strategies to improve placement arrangements and understand cultural significance of culture and religion. Tickets are £40.00 from here. 

At 6.30pm is The Queen Mary’s University of London, Centre for the Study of Global Security and Development Annual Lecture 2013: Africa’s Recovery and Beyond in G.E. Fogg Lecture Theatre, G. E. Fogg Building, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Campus, Mile End Road, E1 4NS. Professor Makandawire (LSE) will deliver the key note lecture on ‘Africa’s Recovery and Beyond’. This is a FREE event, RSVP here.

EFG London Jazz Festival

At 1.30pm is Adriano Adewale: Catapluf Musical Journey in the Purcell Room, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. The Brazilian percussionist and his band will explore the sounds and rhythms of the world. Tickets are £5.00 from here.

At 7.30pm is Courtney Pine- House of Legends and Monty Alexander- Harlem Kingston Express at the Barbican, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS. This mix of Caribbean music features pianist Monty Alexander’s live show based on his Grammy nominated Harlem- Kingston Express album and saxophonist Courtney Pine’s return to his roots with House of Legend a celebration of Caribbean musical tradition. Featuring members of Aswad’s horn section with other special guests the concert will be preceded by a FREE panel discussion on the Impact of Caribbean music at 6.00pm in the Fountain Room. Tickets start from £10.00 from here

Wednesday 20^th November

At 5.30pm the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nigeria presents Too Many to Count? Human Rights, Justice and Accountability in Nigeria in Committee Room 9, House of Commons, Palace of Westminster, SW1A 0AA. This is the Launch of the 2013 Country Visit Report of the APPGN, with Meg Hillier MP (Chair, APPGN) and James Deddridge (Secretary, APPGN) who will be presenting findings from the Groups July fact finding mission to Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja, with their observations particularly in terms of women and child rights in Africa’s most largest nation. To attend this FREE event email Moira Welch. 

At 5.30pm the Royal African Society presents A Conversation with Professor Attahiru Jega: The Road to 2015 General Elections at Kings College London, Room K6.07 (War Studies Meeting Room), Kings Building, Strand Campus, WC2R 2LS. Chaired by Dr Funmi Olonisakin (African Leadership Centre, KCL) Professor Jega (Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Nigeria) will deliver a presentation themed ‘Explaining Nigeria in the Emergent Global Order: The Road to 2015 General Election’, introduced by Professor Stephen Chan (SOAS) followed by a discussion and Q&A. Register for this FREE event here. 

At 6.30pm is Ebony Inspired UK at Beaufort House, 354 Kings Road, Chelsea, SW3 5UZ, this is a monthly networking event for new and established black entrepreneurs. Tickets are £10.00 from here. 

At 8.00pm Malian kora maestro Ballake Sissoko will be performing at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA.  The award winning artiste will be gathering together 3 long time musical companions on the guitar and balafon for his latest project At Peace. Tickets are £10.00 from here.  

Thursday 21^st November

At 6.00pm is the VC4Africa GEW Meetup London at Cape Bar, corner of Wood Lane and Love Street, City of London, EC2V 7JQ. This informal networking event as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2013 will bring together entrepreneurs, angels and VC investors. Register for this FREE event here. 

At 6.00pm Lela’s Lounge presents Talk To Me at Stone Bar, 68-70 Honor Oak Park, SE23 1DY. Hosted by Mika, with space for 18 males and 18 females aged between 25-33, this is speed dating with the 4 minute rounds to allow you to get to know one another. Once the speed dating part of it is done, you can stick around and enjoy the music and company. Standard tickets are £12.00 or £15.00 inclusive of buffet from here. 

At 6.30pm Wherever The Need hosts Festival Kenya at Supernova, Victoria Embankment, WC2N 6PB. This gala dinner and cultural showcase is part of Kenya’s 50^th Independence Celebrations and will feature a traditional Samburu welcome, cocktail reception, 3 course dinner, live entertainment featuring DJ Dudu Sarr and a fashion show starring Ajuma Nasenyana (African Model of the Year 2012). The event seeks raise money to build rainwater reservoirs in Laikipia, Kenya. A table for 10 starts from £2,500.00 from here

At 7.30pm is Copy of Livingstone- London’s Legacy at Harecourt, 120 St Pauls Road, N1 2LR, Dr John Stuart (Kingston University) will use the bicentenary of David Livingstones birth to reflect on the legacy of 19^th Century European missions to Africa on contemporary 21^st century London. With African Christians from all types of churches, what needs to be sustained and what needs to be discarded. Respondents include Dr Elizabeth Henry (Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns), Justin Bahunga (AFRUCA), Dr Berhanu Kassayie (Development Economist). Register for this FREE event here. 

EFG London Jazz Festival

At 8.00pm is Claude Deppa and the Azanian Diaspora Ensemble at Charlton House, Royal Greenwich, Charlton Road, Charlton, SE7 8RE. The South African trumpeter launches his new album Azanian, is it I bringing together Afro Caribbean jazz and spoken word this is a FREE event.

At 8.00pm is the Soweto Kinch Trio at the 606 Club, 90 Lots Road, SW10 0QD. The saxophonist will be combining his free styling rap with jazz and hip hop fusing past, present and future. Tickets are £20.00 from here. 

Friday 22^nd November

At 6.45pm is Black Women of Soul, Rock and Pop at Hochhauser Auditorium, Sackler Centre, Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 2RL. Presenting Madeline Bell, Linda Lewis and Janet Kay in conversation together for the first time with journalist Jacqueline Springer. Tickets are £9.00 (£6.00 concs) from here. 

At 7.30pm is Toumani Diabate and Trio da Kali in Concert at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. The 2 time Grammy Award Winning kora player joins Trio Da Kali consisting of vocalist Hawa Kasse Mady, balafon virtuoso Lassana Diabate and ngoni player Mamadou Kouyate. These brilliant musicians from Southern Mali will be bringing new life to the ancient griot tradition. Tickets start from £17.50 from here. 

At 7.00pm Passing Clouds presents The Meridian Music Waves featuring Seddik Zebiri and Seeds of Creation at Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, Dalston, E8 4AA. Seddik Zebiri and the Seeds of Creation will be palying their unique brand of Berber music fused with Afor blues, jazz and psychedelic sounds, with special guests Claude Deppa on trumpet and Jaz Kahina (hip hop/ spoken word). Also performing will be El Andaluz, this trio of the oud, violin and derbouka will be playing classical Arab Andalus music. DJ’s Wala Danga and Mr K will be on the decks. Admission is FREE before 9.00pm and £5.00 after 10.00pm, £8.00 after

At 7.30pm is Congo, Poetry and Music with JJ Bola at The Human Rights Action Centre, Amnesty International, 17-25 New Inn Yard, EC2A 3EA. This cheese, wine, music and poetry evening seeks to raise funds for the Save the Congo funds and provide a forum for Londoners to discuss and network. Admission is £5.00 from here. 

Saturday 23^rd November

From 11.00am to 6.00pm Nigerian Women in Diaspora Leadership Forum (NWIDLF) presents The Big Early Child Marriage Conference at City of Westminster College, 25 Paddington Green, Paddington, W2 1NB. Eminent speakers will present and discuss on changes in Nigerian law and the possible effect they will have on future generations of Nigerian girls. Register for this FREE event here. 

From 12.00pm to 4.00pm 100 Black Men of London presents the Community Mentoring Programme Open Day at Blackfriars Settlement, 1 Rushworth Street, SE1 0RB, in which people can drop in and learn about the Me I Can Be programme for boys and girls of 10 -15 years and the  Parents Programme. This is a FREE event RSVP here. 

At 5.30pm Shanti Chi Vision presents Enchanted Tales 2 at the Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, Dalston, E8 3DL with Griot Chinyere accompanied by Theo Calliste telling the story of The Torch Mystery, which follows 2 young children who have been called upon to investigate the whereabouts of a missing sacred torch. £6.50 in advance from here £8.00 on the door. 

Sunday 24^th November

From 12.00pm to 7.00pm is The African Market at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA. Open the Gate’s signature event will feature stalls with arts and crafts, fashion, literature, jewellery and accessories, food, music, drumming, face painting and much more. And of course it’s FREE.

From 12.00pm to 6.00pm is the African Weddings and Bridal Fayre 2013 at Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton Hill, Brixton, SW2 1RW, where you can get help planning your traditional or church wedding, with stalls, wedding planning, bead making, marriage seminar, fashion shows, Free Make uo Demo, discounts and Prize Draws. RSVP this FREE event here. 

At 8.00pm is Africa’s Cowfoot with Jally Kebba Susso at Rich Mix. This combination of African storytelling and live music features Usifu Jalloh supported by Gambian Mandingo griot Jally Kebba Susso. The event will also be supporting the Pen and Paper Campaign in Gambia. Tickets are £7.00 in advance from here or £10.00 on the door.