Week of 27th May: AFCAR- The Game, African Markets, Soweto Kinch, African Union at 50, Revitalise Nigeria, Face off Kenya, South African Elections, Azonto Decale, Diane Abbot and Somalia Conferences

My Ogas at the top (ask a Nigerian if you don’t know what that means!) I greet you!!

The sun is out and we have a long weekend and a short week, thus Proud to be African Clothing has a lot of flexing and fun in these here pages.

Thula Trends

On Monday we have two doses of Awesomeness with the star studded African vs the Caribbean Charity Football Match at Brentford FC, in addition to the football and fun day there is a fashion show by our new partners Thula Trends a new online African fashion platform launching this Monday (that’s the second thing), showcasing fashion, hair, cosmetics, accessories from African and diaspora designers, they step out in a big way with this Fashion Show and other events. 

Other than that we have Soweto Kinch at Kings Place, Spitalfields  African Market, Economic Conferences on Somalia at Chatham House and SOAS, African business conferences, Nigeria business conferences, social media strategies, South African election meetings, jazz and poetry jams, Diane Abbot education conference, What is Black Music, Open the Gates 4^th Anniversary, conference on Mali and networking with Black Solicitors. In short we have work, play, knowledge and entertainment in equal measures throughout the week

Enjoy

Monday 27^th May

From 12.00noon Jason Roberts and Sodje Sports Foundation present AFCAR- The Game and Family

Born in the UK Made in Jamaica Childrens Hoody

Fun Day at Brentford FC, Braemar Road, BrentfordTW8 0NT. This star studded event will have a family Fun Day at Griffin park with a dance off, music, food stalls, celebrity appearances, a steel band, raffle, steel band vs African dance face off and face painting. The main event is the Friends of Africa vs Friends of the Caribbean celebrity football match kicking off at 3.00pm. The Caribbean Team managed by Ian Wright will feature players such as Jason Roberts, Andy Cole, DJ Campbell, Jamie Lawrence, Paul Merson, Michael Thomas, Paul Davis, Jason Euell, Paul Canoville, Kevin Lisbie, Jamal Campbell Ryce, Sean Davis, Michael Johnson, Richard Langley, DJ Spoony, Dion Dublin, Cyrille Regis, Dave Regis, Omar, Andre Boucard, Ashley Walters, Pascal Chimbonda, Ale Scott, Maxi Priest, Oliver Bernard and Sol Campbell.

Proud to be African Children's T shirts

The African team jointly managed by Fabrice Muamba and Segun Odegbami will feature Patrick Viera, Ade Akinbiyi, the Stein Brothers, Julius Aghahowa, Jay Jay Okocha, Svetoslav Todorov, Tressor Lua Lua, MC Harvey, Clive Betts MP, Vincent Pericard, Ashley Banjo, Chucky Venn, Junior Agogo, Eddie Kadi, James Maza, Max Rushden, Dennis Hobson, DJ Abrantee, Iffy Onuara, Rachel Yankey, Eniola Aluka, Gabriel Zukauni, Tammer Hassan and Ibrahim Sonko (for Africa).

Entertainment by Rough Copy, My7evn, Omar, DLux, Boadicea Dance Group and special surprise guest performance, with Daddy Ernie, Martin Jay, DJ Abass, DJ Edu and Mistri on the decks

In the VIP our new friends and partners Thula Trends will be hosting a fashion show featuring designs from the latest up and coming African designers.

 Tickets for all this awesome, awesomeness are just £10.00 for adults and £5.00 for those under 16 or a family ticket for £25.00  from here (2 adults and 2 children) the aim is to raise funds for the Jason Roberts Foundation which will provide opportunities for children and young people to take part in structured sporting and cultural activities and to develop a Sports Academy in the Caribbean and the Sodje Sports Foundation which aims to inspire and empower children and youth in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.  

http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/afcar-game-27.05.13-759232.aspx

From 10.00am to 5.00pm is Africa at the Spitalfields at Spitalfields Market, 65 Brushfield Street, Spitalfields, E1 6AA, this new shopping experience sees this iconic traders market transformed to showcase talents from Africa and the diaspora with stalls with African music, films, fashion, interior, street food, art, crafts and literature. There will be djembe drummers and you can try hair braiding and face painting. This is a FREE event.

Tuesday 28^th May

Proud to be South African

At 5.00pm is the Developing Effective Market Entry Strategy for Africa Seminar at Broadway House, Tothill Street, SW1H 9NQ. The seminar seeks to increase understanding of the African market landscape, develop Africa market entry, identify and manage barriers to entry and risk management for a new market. Tickets from £135.00 from here.

At 6.00pm Chatham House hosts Unlocking South Africa’s Potential: The Challenge for New Political Parties at the Royal Institute for International Affairs, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE. Chaired by Tony Dykes (Action for Southern Africa) with Dr Mamphela Ramphele (Agang South Africa Party) who will discuss what she considers to be the ANC’s governance failures ahead of the 2014 election, the role of fear in South African politics and how Agang South Africa will challenge the ANC at the next elections. To attend this FREE event contact Chris Vandome.

From 6.00pm to 8.00pm the Royal Africa Society hosts Fifty Years of African Unity at the Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG. Chaired by Onyekachi Wambu (AFFORD) with Alex de Waal (World Peace Foundation) the event will look critically at the achievements and failures of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and its successor the African Union and pose the questions of what if FREE event here.  

Proud to be African T shirt

anything has been achieved. RSVP for this

At 7.00pm the Igbo Culture and Support Network Book Club will be reviewing Americanah at Madam Chi, 187 Upper Street, Islingon N1 RQ. The new novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie covers many continents and is a multifaceted love story, this is a FREE event.

At 7.00pm the Africa Centre hosts Past Performance: Part II at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JT, in which the Black Cultural Archives will discuss the importance of personal collections and the role that the individual plays as custodian of your own archive. A £3.00 donation is gently hinted at for this event here

At 9.00pm The Bukky Leo Quartet will be jamming at Silver Bullet, 5 Station Place, Finsbury Park, N4 DH. Featuring Emiliano Franco on drums, Ben Roft on piano, Dario Di Lecce on bass and the formidable Bukky Leo on Reeds and Vocal. Jamming as of 10.00pm with Cool Jazz movies in the intervals. This awesomeness is FREE!!

Wednesday 29^th May

At 7.30pm is Uncle Errols Poetry Jam at Vibe Gallery, N0014 The Biscuit Factory, 100 Clements

Proud to be African Ladies Vest

Road, SE16 4DG, hosted by WordPlay and featuring Karmelle and David Lee Morgan, this 7^th incarnation of the popular series also features an open mic spot so get there early. More details here.

From 12.00pm to 2.00pm the Royal Africa Society and Somali Economic Forum presents Somalia- Economic and Political Prospects 2013 in G2, School of Oriental and African Studies, Russell Square. Chaired by Richard Dowden (Royal Africa Society) speakers will include Mohamed Omaar (Former Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia), Hassan Dudde (Somali Economic Forum), Said Shire (Author and political analyst), Agnes Gitau (Eastern Africa Economic Chambers of Commerce) discussing- what Somalia should do to make the gains of the last 15 months sustainable, what is the role of the UK in Somalia and how will the UK’s involvement in Somalia work with other key regional players in the sub region. RSVP for this FREE event here. 

From 9.30am to 5.00pm the Centre of African Studies hosts Mali in Transition in the Khalili Lecture Theatre, College Building, SOAS. There will be four panels focussing on Interdisciplinary perspectives on the crises, Emergency crisis and impact on humanitarian action, heritage and conservation and historical perspectives and future scenarios. There will also be a presentation of the works of Mohamed Alher Ag Almahdi, a Malian Taureg atisan who helped restore ancient manuscripts in the British Library and in Timbuktu. This is a FREE two day conference, for more info email Dr Alessandra Giuffrida and to register email this address with ‘Mali in Transition’ in the subject line

 Thursday 30^th May

At 6.00pm Chatham House hosts Milestones in International Criminal Justice: Africa and the International Criminal Court at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House. Chaired by Elizabeth Wilmshurt CMG (Chatham House) with Dr Tiyanjana Maluwa (Pennsylvania State University) and Dr Max du Plessis (Doughty Street Chambers) this seminar will consider the relationship Alis Martin. 

Born in the UK Made in Jamaica

between African states and the International Criminal Court and asses African states efforts to curb impunity, particularly the African Unions policies and initiatives in international justice. To be followed by a drinks reception for more information contact

At 7.00pm Creative I.D hosts Jamaica Fundraising Soiree in Market House, 443 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8LN. Showcasing the new school of artistes with DJ’s Madd P and DJ Devastate, performances by Michelle Escoffery and others and Happy Hour from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. Hosted by Chantal Miller tickets are £12.00 from here. 

Friday 31st May

From 9.00am to 5.00pm is the Revitalise Nigeria

Proud to be Nigerian

Business and Investment Summit at the Thistle Hotel, Marble Arch, Bryanston Street, Marble Arch, W1H 7EH. This event features Davos style panels, keynote speakers, guest speakers, breakout sessions and networking sessions, focusing on ICT, Business and Finance and Oil and Gas. RSVP for this FREE event here.

From 9.00am to 5.00pm is the UK- Africa SMEs Development and Investment Conference at Broadway House, Tothill Street, SW1H 9NQ. The objective of the forum is to support the development of SME’s value chain, drive investment into small businesses, enhance SME’s management capacity, increase SME productivity and competitiveness and support UK SME expansion in the African Market. Speakers include Hiuane Abacar (Mozambique High Commission), Uke Ngwerume (Old Mutual Zimbabwe), Dr Samuel D. Ameyaw (Bank of Ghana), Adam Shepperson (Ecobank Group), Violeta Valkova (Nedbank Capital), Adam Green (This is Africa Magazine And Financial Times), Carolyne Akers (UKTI), John Small Eastern Africa Association), Professor Allam Ahmed (World Association for Sustainable Development), Sisa Ntshona (Barclays Africa), Dr Martin Koyabe (Kenya Overseas Business Alliance), Anis George Haggar (Haggar Holding), Francois van der Spuy (Invest Asset Management), Chi Chi Oriaku (idigitalMercury), David Foxman (DevelopedAfrica), Dr Martin Koyabe (Kenya Overseas Business Association), Professor Augustine John (African Union), Bidemi Alabi (Association of African Owned Enterprises), Ito Naoki (Embassy of Japan), Gibril Faal (AFFORD)and Professor Roger Mumbycroft (Consultant). Tickets from £40.00 from here.

Proud to be Ghanaian

At 6.30pm Star100 presents Online Networking and Social Media Masterclass with Andrew Davis at Balls Brothers-Minster Exchange, Minster Pavement, Mincing Lane, EC3R 7PP. An expert on social media Andrew’s (Founder of Worst Kept Secret) masterclass will focus not only on the business context but also on best practice in using social media for online networking and in a personal capacity, social media strategies and what the current social media landscape looks like. This event is £13.50 or FREE for Star100 Premium members from here.

From 6.30pm to 9.00pm the Black Solicitors Network presents the BSN Networking Night at Corney & Barrow, 10 Paternoster Square, St Pauls, EC4M 7DX. Open to not just those in the legal profession this is a great way to make new contacts, relax and unwind with Our Learned Friends!! FREE event no RSVP needed just turn up!

At 8.00pm is Soweto Kinch: Urban Landscape in Hall One, Kings Place, 90 York Way, Kings Cross, N1 9AG. The award winning saxophonist, composer, Oxford historian, freestyle rapper and all round musician will be bringing his own take on urban culture following the release of his brand new CD ‘The Legend of Mike Smith’ Tickets start from £9.50 from here

Saturday 1^st June

Proud to be African Ladies T shirt

From 9.00am to 2.00pm The Right Honourable Diane Abbott MP hosts Black Children and Education: After Gove, where next? at the Jeffery Hall, Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way, WC1H 0AL, the event will feature experienced speakers and bring together children, teachers, parents and community educators. RSVP for this FREE event here.

From 9.30am to 1.00pm is the African Diaspora Entrepreneurship Business Start Up Workshop on the 2nd Floor, 3Space 9-31 Oxford Street, W1D 2DR. Delivered by Isebail MacKinnon (Machair Social Enterprise) the workshop is for those interested in a move in business in Africa and you will leave with an action plan for you the entrepreneur, a defined and clarified business plan, a market research plan, business tools and resources to help you write your business plan, contacts and resources and an opportunity to network. Tickets are £35.00 from here.

From 2.00pm to 3.00pm Capital Culture Gallery host African Beauty at the Africa Centre, a photographic journey through the eyes of John Kenny this collection of portraits of Africans in traditional communities from the fringes of the Sahara to Angola and Namibia is described as more anthropological than artistic, find out for yourself for £6.00 (under 16s FREE), the exhibition ends 9^th June.

At 5.00pm BBM/BMC and the Black Music Research Unit present the ‘What is Black Music?’ Debate version 1.01 at the University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road, NW1 5LS. In which Mykaell Riley (Black Music Research Unit) and Kwaku (BBM/BMC) grapple with the terminology ‘Black music’ and attempt to define what it means and encompasses. RSVP this FREE event here

Proud to be Kenyan T shirt

At 6.00pm is the Face of Kenya 2013 at The Coliseum Suite, 300-310 High Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1QW. There will be a Madaraka Day Beauty Pageant and Charity show celebrating Kenya at 50, with 20 male and female models and entertainment by the Africa Jumbo Band, Apelles Ogaga, Zangi and Roselyn. Tickets are £25.00

At 7.00pm Zoes Ghana Kitchen hosts Ghana Cuts from Nose to Tail at Studio Gi, 2 Tudor Grove, E9 7QL. With 6 plates of under rated and tasty cuts from the butcher’s knife all begun with a palm wine ceremony and ended with a shot of herbal drink Alomo bitter (recommended for men, hmmm.....). With sides and desert  and a vegetarian option this Mega meal is £30.00 (£26.00 for veggies) from here. 

Proud to be Ghanaian Hoody

At 9.00pm FOCUS presents Azonto Decale single Launch with Muntu Valdo, M3nsa, Kasai Masai and Afla Sackey at the Bedroom Bar, 62- 68 Rivington Street, Shoreditch,  EC2A 3AY. Each of these excellent artists will perform live from their eclectic repertoires as well as the actual album itself with the party rocking till 3.00am. All for just £6.00 from here or £8.00 on the door.

Sunday 2^nd June

From 12.00pm to 12.00 midnight  Open the Gate will be celebrating their 4^th Anniversary Festival at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA with an African Market, featuring designers, crafts, arts, jewellery, books, music and more. With live music from beginning to end from Kodjovi Kush and Afrospot Orchestra, Tony Dudu, Jally Kebba Susso, Seddik Zebiri, Lyric L, One Drum and more with delicious African food served throughout. FREE entry all day! More details here.

Week of 20th May: Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Malaria Control, Black Singles Speed Dating, Contemporary Nigerian Art, Feferity, Somali Cultural Afternoon and Afrobeat Vibrations

Proud to be Zimbabwean

Hail Good People,

This week Proud to be African Clothing is happy to share with you Archbishop Desmond Tutu at KCL, conferences on Malaria Control, South Sudan, UK Bribery Act Speed Dating for Black Singles (oya go and find a wife/ husband!), Nigerian Contemporary Art, music and poetry, Angolan movies in the Africa Centre, Feferity, Afrobeat with Dele Sosimi and a Somali Cultural afternoon.

We're looking forward to our collaboration with Thula Trends next week at the AFCAR Football Match, more on that to follow...

Enjoy the week!!

Monday 20^th May

Proud to be Kenyan

At 2.00pm Chatham House hosts Kenya After the Election at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE in which  Bryan Kahumbura (International Crisis Group) will discuss his report into the Kenyan political process and the steps that led to Uhuru Kenyattas election. Chaired by Russell Pickard (Open Society Foundations) and discussant Daniel Branch (University of Warwick. Register to  attend this FREE event by emailing ChrisVandome. 

At 4.00pm Chatham House hosts Rwanda’s Foundations for the Future: Growth, Business and Development at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Hon Claver Gatete (Rwandan Minister of Finance and Economic Planning), discusses the foundations of Rwanda’s economic transformation, attendance by emailing Chris Vandome.

Proud to be South African

At 4.30pm the Royal Africa Society will host Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the Templeton Prize Forum at The Greenwood Theatre, Kings College London, 55 Weston Street, London, SE1 3RB. The celebrated South African Archbishop and a panel of distinguished academic and religious figures to discuss the question of essence of being human. Moderated by George F.R. Ellis with panellists Malcolm Jeeves, Ian Tattersall, Anthony C. Thiselton, Alan J. Torrance and Adam Zeman. This is a FREE event but likely to be packed so arrive early

From 6.30pm to 8.30pm the APPMG will be hosting Diaspora Contribution to Malaria Control in The IPU Room, Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament, Westminster, SW1A 0AA, discussing how the African diaspora are dealing with malaria control, with Dr Jane Zuckerman (World Health Organisation), Ralph Tanyi (Cameroon Forum) and Alistair Soyode (BEN Television). RSVP for this FREE and informative event here.

At 7.00pm is Michelle’s Urban Quiz Nite Birthday Special at Cottons, 70 Exmouth Market, Islington, EC1R 4QP. This monthly event has questions of film, TV, music sport, world affairs and general knowledge there will be fun, laughter and a huge cake! All yours for £7.00, more details here!

Tuesday 21^st May

Proud to be African Camisole

At 6.30pm Africa-UK hosts African Diaspora and IF Policy Debate in the CPA Room, House of Commons, Westminster, SW1A 0AA. Chaired by The Rt Hon Lord McConnell the IF Campaign seeks to address world hunger with 4 policy asks around Land, Tax, Transparency and Aid and seeks to raise awareness of the role of the African diaspora. The will be presentations by Christine Allen, Karima Ola, The Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin and Anthony Smith (DFID). RSVP for this FREE event here

At 7.00pm Magenta Dating presents Speed Dating for Black Singles at Rodizio Rico, O2 Arena, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 0DX. The events normally consist of 26-30 members and if you make that connection you can treat yourself to the Rodizios selection of meat based dishes. Admission is £10.00 from here.

At 7.15pm is the SWAM&P at Vibe Gallery, 100 Clements Road, SE16 4DG. This Spoken Word, Acoustic Music and Poetry (SWAM&P ) night will be hosted by Anthony Hett, with poets Selina Nwulu, Fluer Alexander, Paul Cree, musician Ewan D. Rodger with 6 open mic slots and Resident poet Rachael Black. All this for £4.00, more details here.

Wednesday 22^nd May

At 11.00am the ODI will be hosting South Sudan at a crossroads: humanitarian response in a changing environment at Overseas Development Institute203 Blackfriars Road, Southwark, SE1 8NJ. The discussion will focus on the drivers of conflict in Jonglei and constraints on humanitarian access. Chaired by Sara Pantuliano (ODI) speakers will be in Juba via video link such as Dr Luka Biong Deng (former representative of the President of South Sudan), Toby Lanzer (United Nations) and Dr Jok Madut Jok (Sudd Institute) and in London Sandrine Tiller (Medecins Sans Frontieres), Sarah Pickwick (Tearfund). RSVP to attend this FREE event here or by email. 

Born in the USA Made in Africa

From 12.30pm to 2.00pm the Royal Africa Society presents The UK Bribery Act, Two Years On: How is it working in Africa? at Nabarro LLP, Lacon House, 84 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8RW. Chaired by Richard Dowden (Royal Africa Society), presentations will be given along with case studies by Lesley Coldham (Tullow Oil), Caroline Newsholme (Nabarro LLP) and Lucy Norton (Control Risks) as to how it works on the ground and how it affects British Companies. RSVP here. 

At 1.00pm Chatham House hosts Debate and Delivery in South Africa’s Parliament: The Role of the Opposition at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, The Democratic Alliance has been the official opposition in South Africa since 2009 Lindiwe Mazibuko (Democratic Alliance Parliamentary Leader) will discuss the DA’s recent electoral success, its priorities and roles in parliament and its perspectives on the economic, social and political challenges confronting South Africa.  Register to  attend this FREE event by emailing Chris Vandome.

Thursday 23^rd May

Proud to be Nigerian

At 6.00pm SOAS will be hosting Trends in Contemporary Nigerian Art in Room B102, 1^st Floor, The Brunei Gallery, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG, in which several visiting Nigerian artists including Ben Osaghae and Fidelis Odogwu will be sharing their thoughts and insights on contemporary Nigerian art. RSVP this FREE event by emailing Anshu Bahanda. 

Friday 24^th May

At 4.00pm Kofi Arts presents The Art of Love: From Bronze to Gold, Art Talk at Kofi Arts Studio, 115 Melfort Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 7RX. Documenting the rise and fall of the Benin Empire, Alvin Kofi will present his work through a monologue. Admission is £7.00 from here.

At 7.00pm Amira Kheir will be performing at The Forge Music and Arts Venue, 3-7 Delancey Street, Camden, NW1 7NL. The Diva of the Sudanese Desert will be accompanied by Camilo Menjura (guitar), Leandro Mancini (Drums) and Liran Donin (bass), all this unique Sudanese jazz and soul for just £10.00 (£8.00 concs) from here. 

                                                                    Saturday 25^th May

Orin Meta

From 1.00pm to 6.00pm The Somali Relief Development Forum hosts a Somali Cultural Afternoon Tea at the Grand Connaught Rooms, 61-63 Great Queen Street, WC2B 5BZ. This Ladies only event is a special fundraiser in aid of Somali women’s health and education, tickets are £25.00 from here.

From 3.00pm to 8.00pm Styled By Africa presents Flight Club #IAMSBA in The CLF Art Cafe, Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, SE15 4ST. Celebrating Africa Day and the launch of their online travel boutique, entertainment will be provided by Afrikan Boy, Baby Sol, Ruby and The Vines and DJ’s from Blackout Productions. There’ll be free nail art and goodies by L’Oreal, duty free displays of African fashionwear, and furniture all hosted by blogger Nigel Ruwende with in-flight dining by Zoes Ghana Kitchen and TAMU Cupcakes. Admission is £5.50 in advance and £7.50 on the  door. 

Born in the UK Made in Jamaica

At 6.30pm Carriburtons Jamaican Pop Up Restaurant will be popping up at the West Indian Ex Servicemen’s Association, 161-167 Clapham Manor Street, Clapham. SW4 6BD. Presenting a delicious 3 course Caribbean feast for just £22.00. Menu and booking here.

At 8.00pm Moringa Music presents Palm City Social at The Dalston Victoria, 451 Queensbridge Road, Hackney, E8 3AS. Featuring A.J. Holmes and The Hackney Empire (British Afro pop), Savannah Maringah Band (Sierra Leonean maringah ) and DJ’s Busy Twist, Vamanos and Moroka with Kastro as MC.  Admission is £8.00 from here. 

Proud to be African Afrobeat

At 9.00pm Dele Sosimi presents the Afrobeat Vibration2013 Summer Edition at the New Empowering Church,1a Westgate Street, Dalston, E8 3RL. As Fela’s former keyboardist and an Afrobeat master in his own right this is the best place to recreate Fela’s Lagos Shrine in London. With DJ Koichi Sakai on the decks and a film screening at 9.30pm, admission is £8.00 before 10.00pm, £12.00 thereafter, with £10.00 in advance from here.

Sunday 26^th May

At 2.30pm The Africa on Film Series will be screening Hollow City at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JT. This 2004 film is set in civil war Angola and is about Bie an 11 year old war orphan rescued after his family is massacred. He is rescued and taken to Luanda the capital but escapes and journeys into the heart of the city. Book tickets for a £3.00 donation from here. 

At 2.30pm Feferity returns to Bar 414, 414-416 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LF, with an afternoon of films, African music and dance. Two films will be screened Roaring Lion: The rise of the Rastafari and Red Earth: The Malian Journey following jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater on a musical journey through Mali (resulting in one of the finest jazz fusion albums I must say). From 6.00pm there will be live musical performances by Afrospot in London, followed by music buy DJ Freestyle, with African food on sale admission is a mere £5.00, more details here.

At 6.00pm is the 2^nd Afro Model Awards 2013 in the Monarch Hall, Hilton Metropole Hotel, 225 Edgware Road, W2 1JU, which recognises achievement in the Afro Caribbean modelling and fashion world. Individuals and organisations can be nominated here. Tickets are £22.00 from here

Week of 13th May: The Shepherds Chameleon, Prof Chinua Achebe Send Off, Africa Debates, Saluting the Black President, Jamaican history, Women4Africa and Ballet Black

Hello,

This week Proud to be African Clothing bring you the a wide variety of event including multiple Africa Capoeira: Fly Away Beetle and From Namibia with Love. Saluting the Black President a tribute to Fela Kuti, Ballet Black and a Celebration and Night Vigil for the legendary Nigerian author Professor Chinua Achebe.

debates and discussions in Parliament and SOAS. Film screenings including

Enjoy the week.

Monday 13^th May

At 2.30pm is the first Caribbean TV series on UK TV for many years Keeping Up with the Joneses will be broadcasting on Sky 209 and Virgin 828 with a new episode each weekday (2.30pm and 11.00pm) until 31^st May. This sitcom follows the Joneses a family who reluctantly become the subject of a reality TV show, with a TV crew filming their every move with hilarious and embarrassing consequences. More details here.

At 6.00pm the Africa All Party Parliamentary Group and Royal Africa Society host Securing Domestic and Foreign Tax in Africa: What role for the G8 in Committee Room 11, Houses of Parliament, SW1A 0AA. Chaired by Hugh Bayley MP with speakers John Christensen (Tax Justice Network), Alex Cobham (Centre for Global Development) and others this expert panel will discuss how the global tax system can be effectively structured to the benefit of low income countries in Africa and what influence the UK hosted G8 summit has to bring about these changes. RSVP for this FREE event here.

At 6.30pm is a film screening of Capoeira: Fly Away Beetle at PCS Headquarters, 160 Falcon Road, Clapham Junction, SW11 2LN in which 3 old masters tell the story of the Capoeira and how the conditions of slavery shaped this unique martial art. Followed by a live demonstration of capoeira and a discussion, admission is £5.00 (children under 16 FREE). More details here.

The African High Commissioners/ Ambassadors Group in London presents The Africa Jubilee Business Forum at Lancaster House,  Stable Yard, St James, SW1A 1BB. Themed African- British Business Partnership at 50 and Beyond, it will be opened by the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg MP and Dr Tedros Adhanom (Foreign Minister of Ethiopia). There will be a panel discussion of senior African and British business leaders to discuss the following topics; Capitalising on the African opportunity, What makes a project bankable, Utilising natural resources for economic development and Enabling economic growth through infrastructure development. The event will conclude with a reception hosted by the Minister for Africa at the FCO Mark Simmonds MP. For further details email Agnes Gitau 

Tuesday 14^th May

From 4.30pm to 6.00pm AFFORD presents Labours Post 2015 Vision: Tackling inequality and promoting sustainable development in the Attlee Suite, Portcullis House, Westminster, SW1 0AA with Ivan Lewis MP (Shadow Secretrary of State for International Development). Mary Creagh MP (Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Caroline Flint MP (Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change). The Shadow DFID, DEFRA and DEC teams will discuss Labours post 2015 vision for international development with an interactive Q&A to follow. RSVP to Tara Acomb by email.

At 6.00pm the Royal Africa Society presents Warp Speed: Technology and Change in Future Africa in the Khalili Lecture Theatre, School of African and Oriental Studies, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG, chaired by Fatimah Kelleher (Social development Consultant) with speaker Jonathan Ledgard (Afrotech Lab, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) this discussion will consider Africa’s security, environmental and humanitarian challenges as well as its economic potential. RSVP for this FREE event here.

Proud to be South African

At 6.30pm is a performance of Mies Julie at The Riverside Studios, Crisp Road, Hammersmith, W6 9RL. This special performance includes pre show drinks and canapés, a talk by the CEO and Director of Baxter Theatre as well as the award winning play about the ruinous night of passion between a fiery Afrikaner farmer’s daughter and a Xhosa servant on a dry remote Karoo farmstead. Tickets are £35.00 , RSVP by email.

At 7.30pm Utopia Theatre presents The Shepherds Chameleon at the CLF Art Cafe, The Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST. Written by Eugene Ionesco and directed by Moji Kareem, in this comedy the playwright is the shepherd and the theatrical world the Chameleon engaged in a ridiculous battle of wits. Running till 25^th May, tickets are £5.00 on Mondays, £10.00 for previews and £12.00 standard from here on the box office on 0207 732 5275 

Wednesday 15^th May

At 10.00am the Overseas Development Institute presents Africa Risen in Committee Room 14, Houses of Commons, Palace of Westminster, SW1 0AA, in conjunction with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Overseas Development this panel discussion will discuss the ‘Africa Rising’ narrative and African economic progress. Chaired by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead, speakers include Oliver August (The Economist), Ricardo Fuentes-Nieva (Oxfam), Thandika Mkandawire (London School of Economics) and Martine Guerguil (IMF). RSVP here for this FREE event.

At 1.15pm Juwon Ogungbe will be singing at the St Sepulchre Church, Holborn Viaduct, EC1A 2DQ. Accompanied by Asako Ogawa on piano he will be singing a programme of art and folk songs from Spain, Argentina, France and the USA.

Thursday 16^th May

Born in the UK Made in Nigeria

From 12.00 to 2.00pm the Business Council for Africa hosts Meet the New British High Commissioner to Nigeria at Simmons and Simmons, City Point, One Ropemaker Street, EC2Y 9SS. Dr Andrew Pocock will reflect on the importance attached to UK/ Nigeria relations, including doubling bilateral trade by 2014, working together on security issues and helping Nigeria achieve MDGs. Admission is £95.40 from here.

At 5.30pm UCL Institute of the Americas presents MG Smith and the Ras Tafari Movement in Kingston, Jamaica in Seminar Room 103 , University College London, 51 Gordon Square, WC1H 0PN. The distinguished Caribbean scholar Professor Robert Hall (UCLA) will deliver a paper on M.G. Smith’s seminal 1296 Report on the Ras Tafari Movement in Kingston Jamaica. RSVP for this FREE event here. 

At 7.00pm is a screening of From Namibia with Love at Harecourt United Reformed Church, 120 St Pauls Road, Highbury, N1 2LR, this documentary charts the life of a Namibian- Finnish couple alongside their struggles with and against SWAPO during the fight for Namibian freedom and independence. Followed by a discussion with the documentaries director. This is a FREE event, more details here.

Friday 17^th May

Born in the UK Made in Jamaica

From 11.00am to 6.00pm the Institute for Commonwealth Studies hosts Heritage, diversity and the legacies of Empire in Room 349, Senate House, Malet Street, Russell Square, WC1E 7HU.This symposium will investigate the ways that legacies of empire inform approaches to heritage and diversity in Europe. With a wide range of speakers from across British, European and Commonwealth academia the symposium will conclude with a guided tour of the Africa collections in the British Museum on the morning of Saturday 18 May. Attendance fee (including lunch and refreshments) is £15.00 (£10.00 concs) to register, contact astrid. swenson@brunel.ac.uk.

From 12.15 to 3.00pm Business Council Africa hosts the British

Proud to be Zimbabwean

Heads of Mission in Southern Africa at Slaughter and May, 1 Bunhill Row, EC1Y 8YY In which British Heads of Mission from Southern Africa discuss business prospects across the SADC region, speakers include Timothy Smart (Ambassador to Madagascar), Nick Leake (Ambassador to Mauritius), Shaun Cleary (High Commissioner to Mozambique), Andy Henderson (Trade commissioner UKTI South Africa) and James Thornton (High Commissioner to Zambia). Tickets start from £32.00 (for members £95.40 for non members) from here. 

Proud to be African

At 7.00pm we have Saluting the Black President Fela Kuti at 229 The Venue, 229 Great Portland Street, W1W 5PN, featuring a super awesome line up of Ginger Baker, Tony Allen, Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra, Shingai Shoniwa, (of the Noisettes) Keziah Jones, Terri Walker, Ty, Blak Twang, Afrikan Boy and BREIS. After party with DJ Koichi Sakai, DJ Rita Ray and Max Reinhardt, tickets from £22.00 from here.

At 7.00pm Quincy’s Comedy Lounge will be at Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 1DG, with a diverse line up including Curtis Walker, Kevin Orkian and QCL Comic Idol runner up Rory Vassell. He will also be presenting a cheque to the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) with the money he raised from a previous charity boxing match. Tickets are £15.00 from here.

At 7.30pm is Ballet Black at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham, N15 4RX. Casso Pancho’s Black Ballet celebrates the talent of Black and Asian dancers from around the world. Christopher Marney creates this latest outing with an episodic journey through relationships built during WW2. Tickets are £15.00 (£12.00 concs) from here.

At 8.00pm  Wormfood will be launching their new album at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA, supported by gnawa master Nuru Kane, 10 piece Afrobeat orchestra Bronzehead and afro/ indie fusion Boy Mandeville. Tickets are £8.00 from here. 

Saturday 18^th May

From 4.00pm to 6.30pm is Careeershift UK 2.0 with Jimi Tewe at The Agora, Harris Academy, Falconwood, DA16 2PE for people considering a return to Africa for employment but unsure about an effective way to make the transition. Speakers include Jimi Tewe (Inspiro Consulting, Nigeria), Damilola Oluwatoyinbo (blogger) and Ibiyemi Solanke (Corporate Lawyer). RSVP for this FREE event here.

At 6.00pm we have the Women4Africa 2^nd Annual Awards Ceremony at Kensington Great Hall, Hornton Street, Kensington, W8 7NX. With speeches by Sir Paul Judge, Eric Chinje and Dr Joe Odumakin and awards for outstanding women from Africa. there will be a fashion show by Issosey children, Afrobeat by Dele Sosimi (busy this week!) and comedy by Funmbi. Tickets from £35.00 from here. 

Proud to be Nigerian

At 7.00pm is the Night Vigil and Service of Songs in Celebration of the Life and Times of Emeritus Professor Chinua Achebe   at All Saints Cathedral, 105 New Cross Road, SE14 5DJ. Following the church service there will be a night of celebrations at Millwall FC Sports Hall, Zampa Road, SE16 3LN with cultural troupes from all over Nigeria as well as Ghana, the Caribbean and Congo and a re-enactment of Things Fall Apart. Expected guests include former Commonwealth Secretary General Emeka Anayaoku, Nigeria High Commissioner Dr Dalhatu Tafida, Rt Hon. Chi Onwuarah MP and Mayor of Enfield Kate Anolue, representative of various embassies, with refreshments provided by Anambra Women’s Group. To join in sending off and celebrating this great son of Africa RSVP Chief Ubaka Alex Achebe on 07949 006 880.

Sunday 19^th May

At 4.00pm Waltham Forest Libraries presents Stories of Migration at Leyton Library, High Road Leyton, E10 5QH. This family event relives the experiences of Caribbean people following their migration from the West Indies to Britain in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. RSVP for this FREE event here. 

Week of 6th May: The Champion Sportsman, Femi Kuti and the Positive Force, Caribbean Family Fun Day, Ghana elections, China in Africa, Images of Black Women Festival, Black Heroes Walk

Hello

As we are relaxing/ chillaxing this Bank Holiday Weekend Proud to be African Clothing is happy to present you with another smorgasbord of events to keep you in touch with African affairs this week. We have African literature with Noo Saro-Wiwa Looking for Transwonderland and ‘Tired of being Black? Try being Irish’, we have theatre with our good friend Ade Solanke reading from her new play East End Boys and West End Girls, The Royal African Society on China in Africa and statistics, music with Femi Kuti and the Positive Force. Film premieres with The Champion Sportsman and Rising from the Ashes, Images of Black Women Festival Film Screening and Caribbean Fun Day. 100 Black Men of Londons Heroes Walk in Brockwell Park. Something for every body, every day take a look below!!

Monday 6^th May

From 9.00am to 11.30pm we have the Caribbean Family Fun Day at North Middlesex Cricket Club, Park Road, N8 8JJ. The day will involve, 20x20 cricket tournament with 4 teams , steel pan, masquerades in carnival costume, a bouncy castle, pony rides, face painting, adult buckaroo, large garden games, tug of war,  mixed 5 a side football, dominoes tournament, steel pan and carnival tutorials, various stalls and an after party hosted by Martin Jay in the community hall. Tickets are £3.00 for children, £5.00 for adults and £12.00 for a family (2 adults, 2 children), children under 5 FREE from here. 

At 6.30pm Free Word hosts Tired of Being Black? Try being Irish at Free Word, 60 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3GA. Gabriel Gbadamosi (author of Vauxhall) and Colin Grant (author of Bageye at the Wheel) discuss their books which both involve child narrators who act as go betweens between black and white worlds, in this night that mixes readings with debates. Admission is £5.00 (£3.00 concs) from here.

Tuesday 7^th May

At 5.30pm Kings College London presents Ghana’s 2012 Elections: Trends and the Way Froward in the War Studies Meeting Room (K6.07), Kings College, Strand Campus, The Strand, WC2R 2LS. With Dr Michael Amoah (Middlesex University) who will be discussing Ghana’s most recent election and what the trends from previous elections show. Followed by a drinks reception, register for this FREE event by email.

From 6.00pm to 8.00pm the Royal African Society hosts the book launch of The Morality of China in Africa at the Brunei Suite, School of Oriental and African Studies, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG. This book is a collection of essays gathering the African and Chinese perspectives on Chinas place in Africa. Speakers include the books editor Professor Stephen Chan (SOAS), Dr Hong Bo (SOAS) and Professor Daniel Large (Central European University).  RSVP this FREE event here. 

At 8.30pm The Images of Black Women Festival Film Screenings will be at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JT. Films to be screened include the documentary Ancestral Voices: Esoteric African Knowledge about African religions, Yennenga about the 12^th century Burkina Faso legend of Princess Yennenga, Yellow Fever a short film from Kenya featuring a mixture of animation and performing bodies. Tickets are £5.00 from here.

Wednesday 8^th May

 At 6.00pm the Royal Africa Society presents ‘Poor Numbers: how we are misled by African Development Statistics and What to do about it’ in the Brunei Suite at SOAS. Chaired by Dr Deborah Johnston (SOAS) with Morten Jeryen (Simon Fraser University) and Judith Randel (Development Initiatives). This event discusses the Poor Numbers the first statistical analysis of the production and use of African economic development statistics. RSVP this FREE event here.

At 6.00pm is the Art of ......Exhibition at 639 Galleries, 639 Tottenham High Road, N17 8BD. This series of exhibitions will celebrate Tottenham’s creative’s and features artists such as Ayesha Feisal, Cezanne, Edward Ofusu, Ade Ogundimo and more. This FREE exhibition runs until 22^nd May.

Thursday 9^th May

At 6.20pm The Prisma hosts Multiculturalism in the UK: has it any future? in Committee Room 10, The House of Commons, Palace of Westminster, SW1A 0AA. Hosted by Jeremy Corbyn MP, with panellists Abdullah al Andalusi (international speaker), Claudio Chipana Gutierrez (Latin American Recognition Campaign), Nigel Pocock (social scientist) and Zita Holbourne (Writer and poet) debating the effectiveness and purpose of multiculturalism in the UK. RSVP for this FREE event here. 

At 6.30pm is the first in the Fashion Africa Business Workshops Series at The Hub King Cross, 34b York Way, Kings Cross, N1 9AB. This is a 4 week intensive program to five design entrepreneurs the tips, tools, strategies and resources to be able to build and grown your own African focussed fashion business. Areas of study include Design skills for the African market, designing with African textiles and techniques, sourcing and production in Africa, working with international factories, mills and print houses understanding FOB prices, minimum order quantities and costing, sales and marketing and more. Tickets for this 4 week course start from £120.00 from here.

At 7.00pm we have Femi Kuti and the Positive Force at Koko, 1a Camden High Street, Camden, NW1 7JE, so of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and legend in his own right, Femi will be bringing his Saxophone and the Shrine to London for one night only, supported by 9 piece reggae band Resonators, tickets for this awesome awesomeness start from £20.00 from here. Everybody say Yeah Yeah!

At 7.00pm is the London Premiere of Rising From the Ashes at the Odeon West End, Leicester Square, 40 Leicester Street, WC2H 7LP. Narrated by Hollywood actor Forest Whittaker this feature length documentary is about cycling legends move to Rwanda to help a group of struggling genocide survivors pursue their dream of a national team. The evening will include a champagne reception and be followed by a Q&A with the film maker and key figures from Team Rwanda. Tickets are £45.00 from here.

At 7.15pm is the Caribbean Literary Salon at Free Word, 60 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3GA. with two writers from Jamaica Kerry Young reading from her new novel Gloria and Ronnie McGrath whose poetry is influenced by surrealism and striking politically charged realism. Hosted by Kevin Le Gendre tickets are £8.00 (£5.00 concs) from here. 

Friday 10^th May

At 8.30pm is the Images of Black Women Festival Film Screenings at the Africa Centre. The screening will include the UK premiere of The Naked Option: A Last Resort a documentary about women in Nigeria fighting against government corruption and Cameroonian Women in Motion revolving around women’s involvement in women’s’ day. Followed by a Q&A tickets are £5.00 from here. 

At 10.00pm is the UK premiere of the Nollywood film The Champion Sportsman at Odeon Cinema, Bugsby Way, Greenwich, SE10 0QJ. Directed by Azubuike Erinugha and starring John Okafor, Patience Ozokwor, Sandra Achums, Stephan Lohse, Andy Edelbut and Mimi Beaufort-Spontin, this comedy drama is about Okoro Ajonuma who sneaks into Germany with a very ‘wrong’ passport, when the origins of his documents are revealed Okoro tries to manipulate his way through linguistic, legal, financial and even sporting realities. Filmed on location in both Germany and Nigeria the premiere will be hosted by the award winning director of The Mirror Boy and Last Flight to Abuja Obi Emelonye and will start with live stand up comedy. All this with tickets starting from just £15.00 from here!

Saturday 11^th May

From 12.00pm to 5.00pm the 100 Black Men of London presents Black Heroes Walk 2013 at The Bandstand, Clapham Common, Windmill Drive, SW4 9DE. This is a 5km sponsored Walkathon in fancy dress as your favourite Black hero or heroine or figure from history, get active and support this worthy charity, Register for this FREE event here. 

From 2.00pm to 5.30pm the London Centre for Social Impact presents African Diaspora in Development of Africa at the Young Foundation, 18 Victoria Park Square, E2 9PF. This seminar is aimed at African diaspora organisations and Africans in the UK and  seeks educate attendees about the different techniques and approaches to setting up development projects, contributing to African development efforts, and needs, understanding different funding opportunities and to effectively present African development needs at community and grant making level to Tickets are £35.00 from here. 

At 6.00pm is Come into the Garden: An evening of Poetry and Spoken Word at 182 Court Lane, Dulwich, SE21 7EA. Hosted by Lettie McKie this is an outdoor poetry evening with a twist, with ambient jazz piano and pink champagne, the line up includes Bridget Minamore, Deanna Rodger, Emma Jones and Charlie Dupre. FREE entry

At 7.00pm is Feferity presents Abladei, Upstairs at The Ritzy, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG this Ghanaian traditional dance band performs thrilling choreography t high life and other Ghanaian music. Hosted by DJ Freestyle admission is £6.00 (£5.00 Ritzy members)

At 7.30pm Ade Solanke will be reading from her new play East End Boys and West End Girls at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA. East meets west as four London teenagers compete for a prestigious scholarship criss crossing London from the Kings Road to Kingsland High Road, each travelling through unfamiliar territory with unexpected results. The reading will be followed by a post show discussion hosted by DJ Excalibah.  Tickets are £5.00 from here

Sunday 12^th May

At 2.00pm the London African Caribbean Book Club will be reading Looking for Transwonderland by Noo Saro Wiwa at Piccadilly, Central London (Location is confirmed when you RSVP). One of the first travel books about Nigeria this is a humorous and eye opening account of the Nigeria many people never get to see, from the hustle of Lagos, the eccentricity of a Nigerian dog show and the calmness of the eastern mountains. The author Noo Saro Wiwa will be in attendance so come with questions. RSVP here for this event.

From 2.00pm to 9.00pm is The East African Buffett at Kukus Nest, 69-71 Goodmayes Road, Ilford, IG3 9UB, this is all you can eat Buffet features dishes from across Eastern Africa. Adults are £12.50 a head, under 10 years £6.25, more information here.

From 5.00pm to 9.00pm, is the First Anniversary of the Diaspora Debating Association at Black Grape Platinum Suite, 268 West Green Road, Tottenham, N15 3QR. The debate topic is ‘African and Caribbean people live better and more successful lives once they leave the UK for Africa/ the Caribbean?’ there will be 2 teams with skilled orators, a panel of judges and an unforgiving audience. Admission is £4.00