Week of 25th March: Floetry, Afrobeat, Black Baby Show, African Market, VC4Africa Networking, Somali Films, Black Relationships, Celebrating Women's Achievement

Proud to be African Hoody

Hello all,

Stuck as we are in perpetual winter Proud to be African Clothing tries to bring you a little piece of African Caribbean sunshine!

As we celebrate the life of Professor Chinua Achebe, the father of modern African literature we have a Poetry Jam, Mama Jumbe’s Book Club and the launch of Courttia Newland’s new book, The Gospel According to Cane.

We have also had another celebrity endorsement with Estelle rocking the Proud to be African hoody, so it may be winter outside, it’s warm inside.

Have a great week and keep warm

                           Monday 25^th March

At 5.30pm the Institute of Commonwealth Studies presents The Developmental State Experiment in Africa: The Experiences of Ghana and South Africa in The Senate Room, Senate House, Malet Street, WC1E 7HU. This is a discussion by Professor Joseph Ayee (Rector, Mount Crest University, Ghana) and Emeka Anyaoku (former head of the Commonwealth). This is FREE, RSVP here.

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From 6.00pm to 11.00pm Lets Events hosts Lets Screen: ‘Hidden Colours’ at Bar 19:20, 19-20 Great Sutton Street, Farringdon, EC1V 0DR. This documentary discusses the history of African and aboriginal people around the globe. A discussion will follow the film, admission is £2.00. Check here for more details.

Tuesday 26^th March

From 6.00pm to 8.00pm the Royal Africa Society and the London Africa Media Network host the Kenya Debate in Room G2, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG, with Solomon Mugera (Africa Editor, BBC), Professor Justin Willis (Durham University), Michaela Wrong (Author/ journalist) and Mariana Pena (International Justice Expert). The event will be chaired by Richard Dowden (RAS) and will discuss the issues arising from the recent tight elections, the effect of the ICC and Kenya Supreme Court, and the way forward for Kenya. RSVP for this FREE event here. 

Wednesday 27^th March

At 6.30pm is the VC4Africa London Meetup at Cape Bar,Corner of Wood Street and Love Lane, The City, EC2V 7JQ, this FREE event is an opportunity to meet up, chat, network and make friends with like minded African professionals or people with an interest in Africa. RSVP this FREE event here.

From 7.30pm to 11.30pm Uncle Errol presents Poetry Jam 5 at the Vibe Gallery, 100 Clements Road, Bermondsey, SE16 4DG cohosted by Cezanne Poetess an array of entertainers will entertain with spoken word and poetry. More details here.

Thursday 28^th March

At 6.00pm KAYD Somali Arts presents Somali Film Night at Idea Store, Chrisp Street, 1 Vesey Path, East India Dock Road, E14 6BT. There will be a screening of two films Janaale (the Fortune Men) is a short documentary exploring the Somali Diaspora from the latter part of the 19^th century, focussing on those who worked as seafarers in Britain’s Merchant and Royal Navy through both World Wars and up to the Falklands War and beyond. Muted Cry is a short play that portrays the devastating effects of FGM. The screenings will be followed by a discussion with the producer of Janaale Jama Guure Mohamed and Leyla Hussein a campaigner against FGM. More details here.

At 6.00pm is the iCAN Social/ Network Evening at La Tasca, 12 Hertsmere Road, Canary Wharf, E14 4AE. This is an informal event where you can show up and network with African Caribbean professionals in a relaxed environment, food and drink . Register for this FREE event here.

From 6.30pm to 8.30pm Tiwani Contemporary will be hosting the Art Connect Series in Tiwani Contemporary, 16 Little Portland Street, W1W8BP exhibiting the work of African female visual artists. There will be a panel discussion moderated by Christine Eyene with Sonia Boyce, Angele Etoundi Essamba, Nancy Mteki, Katy Deepwell and Giulia Lamoni. RSVP by email.

At 7.00pm author Courttia Newland will be Launching his new book The Gospel According to Cane in The Flyover Space, 3-5 Thorpe Close, Portobello, W10 5XL. RSVP by email to meet one of the finest young Black British authors for FREE.

At 6.30pm INIVA hosts Linda Bellos discussing Equality at Rivington Place, Hoxton, EC2A 3BA. The ex politician, activist and businesswoman will set out the current history of the equality politics since the 1970’s and demonstrates how vital the Human Rights Act has been in safeguarding  the rights of some of the most vulnerable. Tickets are £7.00 (£5.00 concs) from here.

At 7.00pm is the Mama Jumbe Book Club at Mama Jumbe’s Restaurant, 350 Katherine Road, E7 8NW, where short powerfully provocative stories will be discussed. This events publication is The Colours of Love by Lauri Kubuitsile. Music will be provided by DJ Finesse, more details here.

Friday 29^th March

From 10.00am to 1.00pm the Reward Charitable Organisation will be hosting its Launch Party at St Christopher Village Inn, 165A Borough High Street, Southwark, SE1 1HR. This night of food, drink and entertainment is seeking to raise money to assist children and young people in Caribbean countries to gain education, improve their standard of living and increase their opportunities. Tickets are £10.00 from here. 

At 6.00pm BMITC presents Celebrating Our Women’s Advancement and Leadership at the Tabernacle, 34-35 Powis Square, Ladbroke Grove, W11 2AY. The event will consist of inspirational stories in celebration of International Womens Month with music, live entertainment and a Caribbean canapé reception, hosted by Angie Le Mar speakers include  Baroness Patricia Scotland (Former Attorney General), Marcia Dixon (Voice), Alice Ukoko (Women of Africa), Jenni Steele (Lioness Ladies), Sonia Megge (Inspirational You), Charlene Bello (Future Leaders 2013) and Osaseri Guobadia (Future Leaders 2013). Entertainment will be provided by Top Level Band with Taymah, DJ Divine and Marc Anthony with spoken word by Neelofer. Pamper and Spoil me bags will go to the first 50 adult ticket holders.  Tickets are £10.00 for adults (£5.00 children) from here

At 6.30pm London Black Professionals hosts the March Meet and Greet at Brown Sugar, 146 High Holborn, Holborn, WC1V 6PJ. This is chilled event where you can hang out, chat, flirt, network or just hang out with fellow black professionals. Admission is £5.00

 At 8.00pm is Afrika In Motion at Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, Dalston, E8 4AA featuring Kadialy Kouyate and Sound Archive. This kora playing Senegalese griot will be performing tracks from his debut album Londo amongst others. Also performing will be percussionist Siemy Di System playing his unique compositions known as world jazz. Upstairs will be DJ Jack Yglesias featuring Kwame with live percussion playing funk, latin and Afrobeat. Admission is FREE before 9.00pm £5.00 there after.

Saturday 30^th March

From 12.00pm to 6.00pm Starlight Music Academy hosts the Black Relationships Conference at the Leander Community Centre, Ship Street off Vanguard Street, Deptford, SE8 4DH. Speakers will include Paul Grant and the event will be looking at the way forward in building sustainable relationships in the black community. Register for this FREE event here. 

From 1.00pm to 5.00pm the African Advocacy Foundation hosts Be Young, Smart and Wise at Marcus Lipton Youth Club, Minet Road, SW9 7UH. The event seeks to highlight the issues of health particularly sexual health amongst young people, the event will consist of poetry, song art and rap performances as well as stalls with free gifts, testing kits and sexual health practitioners and advice services. This event is FREE RSVP here. 

At 6.00pm Ferosh Empire presents Taste of Africa at Mama Jumbe’s 350 Katherine Road, Forest Gate, E7 8NW. This evening will consist of fashion, music, food, networking and dance, Tickets are £10.00 from here and include dinner!  

At 9.00pm Afrobeat Vibrations kick of its second instalment of 2013 at the New Empowering Church, 1a Westgate Street, Dalston E8 3RL with Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra and special guests playing live, and DJ Koichi Sakai on the decks. There will also be a screening of Fela Live at Glastonbury in 1984. Admission is £8.00 before 10.00pm, £12.00 thereafter. £10.00 advance tickets available from here. 

At 9.00pm the London JazzFunk All Stars will be celebrating Women in Jazz and Funk at Cottons, 30 Exmouth Market, Islington, EC1R 4QP, with Natalie (The Floacist) Stewart of Floetry with acts paying tribute to singers such a Amy Wineouse, Jill Scott, Teena Marie and others. Tickets are just £13.50 in advance

At 10.00pm Afrokartel will be at plan B Basement, 418 Brixton Road, Brixton, SW9 7AY, featuring a cross pollination of UK electronic and African music such as kuduro (Angola), Soukous (Congo), Highlife (Ghana), Afrobeats (Nigeria), Benga (Kenya) etc. Tickets are £7.00 from here.

Sunday 31^st March

From 12.00pm to 5.00pm we have the Black Baby Show at the Cre8lifestyle Center, The Old Baths, 80 Eastway, Hackney Wick, E9 5JH. This event is dedicated to African Caribbean parents and carers with books, clothes and other products and services all under one roof. Admission is £10.50 for adults £4.00 for children from here. 

From 12.00pm to 7.00pm is the African Market at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA with a showcase of African arts, fashion, books, jewellery, music and culture from the diaspora. There will be drumming, face painting, kids activity and family workshops. FREE entry all day. In the evening from 8.00pm there will be a Charity Gig for Gambia featuring Jally Kebba Susso and Manding Sabu to launch the Pen and Paper Campaign for St Michaels Nursery School in Njongon, Gambia. You can bring stationary donations on the day. Tickets are £7.00 in advance from here and £10.00 on the door.