Week of 21st January: Divas on Demand, Afrobeat, Networking, Jamaican history, debates, quiz and movies

Hello snow buddies!.

If you're like me stuck in the house (or too lazy and comfy to shift!!) then you have a prime opportunity to get a Proud to be African hoodys for you and your children.

Monday marks the beginning of the second term of the first (and hopefully not last) son of Africa to be President of the USA, there are many networking events as well this week such as Divas on Demand this Thursday where you can mingle with Claudia Liza (BBC3) and Jenny Garrett . We have great talks such as Eirencon on Monday as well as Afrobeat on Saturday, Afrobeat plays on Friday and Africa Centres Sunday Sunday movie. No excuse to be bored, cold or unoccupied this week!!

Monday 21^st January

From 9.30am to 4.30pm Freeagent and NBWN Acelerator present Women in Business: Unlocking Your Millionaire Mindset in Room M117, London Metropolitan University, 84 Moorgate, EC2M 6SQ. This event is designed to help you identify the issues that keep you from working hard at your business but not making money with a line up of accomplished speakers and presenters such as Matt Perkins (Head of SME’s at Freeagent), Sheila Elliott (BSS Management Consultancy), Leigh Ashton (The Sales Consultancy), Hannah Foxley (The Womens Wealth Expert) and Folake Balogun (WDF Productions).

Book this FREE event here.

At 7.00pm Facilitators for a Better Jamaica will be hosting Yes We Can-Moving Forward, a cultural reception to mark their 10 year anniversary and the inauguration of US President Barack Obama at Veranda Bar, 30 Acre Lane, Brixton, SW2 5SG, by pleasant coincidence the inauguration day coincides with the Martin Luther King Jr Day in the USA a rather fitting and poetic symmetry! Tickets are £10.00 with complimentary cocktails and canapés.  Tickets and more details here.

At 7.30pm Paula Hemming and Sacha Anthony present Kick Ass Networking at The Folly Bar, 41 Gracechurch Street, EC3V 0BT where you can learn exact strategies you need to succeed and how to avoid the biggest mistakes small businesses make. Starting off with an hour of networking followed by a topic introduced by the organisers for brainstorming and discussion, followed up by Accountability and report backs for people to share strategies that worked for them with the group. Tickets which include a glass of Prossecco start from £28.00 from here.

At 6.30pm Eirencon presents 21^st Century Imperatives for Africa’s Cities at Clifford Chance, 10 Upper Bank Street, E14 5JJ. Moderated by Lanre Akinola (This is Africa magazine) guest speakers Kunle Adeyemi (NLE), Giles Omezi (Laterite), Jonathan Ledgard (The Economist) and Jennifer Robinson (UCL) will discuss the effect rapid urbanisation has upon democracy, identity and citizenship, whether traditional forms of organisation can counter the alienations of urban life and the disparity between the wealthy and poor. Register for this fascinating FREE event here.

Wednesday 23^rd January

At 5.30pm we have a Panel Discussion on Michel-Rolph Trouillot at University College London, Institute of the Americas, Seminar Room 103, 51 Gordon Square, WC1H 0BW. This reflection on the life of Haitian scholar Michel-Rolph Trouillot, the author of pioneering work in anthropology, history and politics in Haiti and the Caribbean. The panel will consist of Professor Richard Drayton (KCL), Professor Andrew Leak (UCL), and Dr Diana Paton (Newcastle). This is a FREE event but registration is advised, more details here. 

From 6.30pm to 9.00pm the African Peoples Advocacy Group, Women4Africa and UCL present the African Diaspora New Year Lecture: The Inspiring Power of Africa at University College London, Room LG04, 26 Bedford Way, Russell Square, WC1H 0AP. Chaired by Eric Chinje (Mo Ibrahim Foundation), the keynote lecturer will be Chantal Aboa (African Peoples Advocacy), other speakers include Sam Onigbanjo (Women4Africa) with special guest of Honour Sorious Samura the multi award winning Sierra Leonean journalist and filmmaker (Cry Freetown, Exodus etc). RSVP for this FREE event by email or by phoning 01634 573 619

Thursday 24^th January

At 7.00pm the SOAS Pan African society hosts the discussion Is capitalism good for Africa in Room G50, SOAS Student Union, Thornhaugh Street, WC1H 0XG. Considering 7 out of 10 of the worlds fastest growing economies are in Africa, yet the gap between rich and poor is growing is capitalism the best system or are there alternatives? Come here and share your views! More details here.

From 6.00pm to 8.00pm we have Divas on Demand Networking Event at the Museum of London, 150 London Wall, St Pauls, EC2Y 5HN. Divas on Demand is a monthly networking event focussed on ladies of all ages, professions, cultures and backgrounds who share the common goal of achieving success. This months event is themed Secrets of Successful Women. Guest speakers Claudia Liza (BBC 3 presenter) and Jenny Garrett (author Rocking Your Role) discussing Relationships and Spirituality, with entertainment provided by talented singer, song writer and multi instrumentalist Julia Biel. This FREE event is open to men and women book here.

At 6.30pm IRIVA presents ‘You Cant Get Lost in Cape Town’ at IRIVA, 1 Rivington Place, EC2A 3BA. Acclaimed author Zoe Wicomb reads from her collection of short stories and novels set in apartheid and post apartheid South Africa and reflect upon their links to the work of South African artist Peter Clarke whose works are also being shown at Rivington Place until 9^th March 2013. Admission is £6.00 from here.

From 7.00pm to 10.00pm the Africa Centre hosts its first Quiz Night for 2013 at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JT with Quizmaster Richard Morgan of Anglo American this is an opportunity to test your Africa general knowledge. Teams can be of 4-6 people or you can come as an individual. Register for this FREE event here. 

From 10.00am to 4.00pm we have Pamper and Pose at Matthews Yard. 1 Matthews Yard, Croydon, CR0 1FF, where you can have your hair styled by a fully qualified hairdresser, a mini makeover, stylist, statement jewellery, one to one photo shoot session with Paula Hemmings, 1 free digital image all for £29.99 from here!

Friday 25^th January

From 1.00pm to 5.00pm Newcastle University and the National Archives host Obeah histories: Exploring Caribbean Lives under Colonial Laws at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, TW9 4DU. This half day workshop explores the history of Caribbean religion and its suppression from the 18^th to 20^th century’s focussing on African oriented religious practices, participants will be able to explore original archival documents as well as examine images from the National Archives Caribbean through a Lens Project. This is a FREE event and a great opportunity to examine archival material relating to the Caribbean, more information here.

Saturday 26^th January

At 8.00pm Moringa Music Label presents AJ Holmes and the Hackney Empire album Launch at The Dalston Victoria, 451 Queensbridge Road, Hackney, E8 3AS. This is the launch of the debut album Wedding by afro party sensation AJ Holmes and the Hackney Empire, alongside the band will be Miles Cleret and DJ sets by The Very Best and Palm City Social DJs. With Palm Wine inspired melodies and West African food served before hand, entrance is £6.00 from here.

From 11.00am to 6.00pm we have the Blackachieverz Official Launch at St Marys Church Hall, High Street, Acton, W3 9BY. This is a dedicated finance, investment, lifestyle and history event with professional speakers such as Monique Newton (Female British Double Weightlifting Gold medallist), Ade Adepitan MBE (Wheelchair basketball player and Television presenter), D. Hunte (Motivator and coach) and more. Tickets start from £3.00 from here. Children FREE with facepainting and other activities and a free Caribbean meal with a VIP ticket.

At 6.30pm Damwin Media presents African Jambalaya at SYNC London, 361 High Street Stratford, Stratford, E15 4QZ where Nollywood meets afrobeats theatre. This musical drama revolves around King Diamond who strikes up a deal with Oba Toh Badt, the most feared babalawo in the land to save his daughter from her wayward ways. Featuring a stellar cast from Wande Cole, Desmond Elliott, ADot Comedian to Shillouetez in the Dark this is a unique diverse mix of theatre, comedy, afrobeats, poetry and dance all in true Nollywood style! Tickets are £25.00 (£20.00 earlybird) from here. 

At 9.30pm Afrobeat Vibrations returns for 2013 at The New Empowering Church, 1a Westgate Street, Dalston, E8 3RL, with authentic afrobeat by the Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra with guest musicians and DJ Koichi Sakai on the decks. There will also be a screening of the film ‘Fela live in Berlin’, with a free Nigerian meal after the show. Entry is £8.00 before 10.00pm, £12.00 thereafter. £10.00 advance tickets are available from here. Oya everybody shout ‘Yeah Yeah!’

Sunday 27^th January

At 2.30pm the Africa Centre presents a screening of the Moroccan film What a Wonderful World at the Africa Centre. Faouzi Bensaidi film is about a Casablanca prostitute Souad, her best friend Knza and Kamel a contract killer and the bizarre relationship that forms between them. Admission is FREE from here however a donation of £3.00 is politely requested.