Week of 22nd July: Yoruba Arts Festival, The Africa Market, Governor Amaechi at Chatham House, China in Africa, Feferity, ICSN Summer Party, Afrobeat Vibrations, iCAN Networking, Poetry and Theatre

Eka ron, Kedu, Sannu

Another week of excellence is upon us, the Yoruba Arts Festival will give us 2 days of the rich Yoruba cultural diaspora from Nigeria to Brazil to the UK and beyond. Talks at Chatham House from Nigeria and Angola, Making Freedom Conference, The African Market at Old Spitalfields, the Igbo Culture and Support Network Summer Party and Feferity

Remember we are offering 10% off all garments with the voucher code SUN10 until the 12^th of August.

African Fashion Week London 2013 is inching closer, running from Thursday 1^st August to Saturday 3^rd August, featuring over 100 designers and exhibitors hosted by Yinka Shonibare MBE and Mrs Fifi Ejindu. Remember you can get your tickets for this extravaganza at The Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL here 

Monday 22^nd July

From 9.30am the GUBA Foundation presents the Helping Your Child at Home Workshop at Barnbury Community Centre, Jays Street, N1 0TJ. This workshop by a professional autism therapist on how to aid your child at home. Admission is £5.00 from here. 

From 10.00am to 6.00pm is Meschac Gaba’s Museum of Contemporary African Art at the Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG. The Beninois sculptor will be exhibiting the Museum of Contemporary African Art made up of 12 idiosyncratic rooms, with interactive displays, with a mix of decommissioned banknotes, religious artefacts and random knickknacks. Running till 3^rd September, more details here.

Tuesday 23^rd July

At 4.30pm Chatham House hosts Angola’s National Assembly: Negotiating Politics and Impacting Policy at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, St James Square, SW1Y 4LE, with Hon Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos (Speaker Angolan National Assembly)  who will be discussing the role of the Angolan National Assembly and how it is being strengthened to further hold the executive to account. Chaired by Elisabete Azevedo-Harman (Chatham House), to register for this FREE event contact Chris Vandome. 

At 6.00pm is China’s Aid and Soft Power in the Khalili Lecture Theater, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG. This book launch by Professor Kenneth King (University of Edinburgh) of China’s Aid and Soft Power in Africa, is chaired by Richard Dowden (Royal African Society) with Dr Dan Large (Central European University and presents evidence from Egypt, Cameroon, Ethiopia, South Africa and Kenya of the dramatic growth of Chinese soft power and the increasing impact on capacity building. RSVP for this FREE event here.

At 6.30pm the Africa Centre Readers Group will meet at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JT to focus on the theme of change with guest speakers and open forum discussions eploring great authors such as Chinua Achebe, Ama ata Aidoo, Ngugi Wa’Thiongo, Bessie Head, Mariama Ba, Jean Sena and Ahdaf Soeif. This is a FREE event but a donation of £3.00 is kindly requested here. 

Wednesday 24^th July

From 9.30am to 10.30am Chatham House hosts Reform and Resource Governance in Nigeria at Chatham House with HE Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (Governor of Rivers State, Nigeria),who  as  governor of the state with the second largest economy in Nigeria, will discuss his governments strategies for responding to competing priorities across the state and efforts to improve governance and transparency. To attend this FREE event contact Chris Vandome. 

At 6.30pm is The Performers Corner at the New Cross Inn, 33A New Cross Road, New Cross, SE14 6AS, this event revolves around anyone in the performing arts industry from actors to dancers, models, directors, writers, singers, musicians, photographers etc. You get a free headshot, free showreel material, there will be special industry guests and food served. Networking is encouraged so bring business cards; tickets are £7.00 in advance or £10.00 on the door.

At 7.30pm is David Lee Morgan’s show Science, Love and Revolution at the Vibe Gallery, 100 Clements Road, SE16 4DG. This London preview of the Edinburgh Fringe Show with music by Michael Harding  asks is it all over now the communist ideal is over and the great revolutions of the last century have been defeated..hosted by Uncle Errol the night begins with an open mic session and then  special guest performances by Tshaka Menelik Imhotep Campbell, Kat Francois and Zena Edwards, more information on this FREE show here. 

At 8.00pm is Cornel Campbell meets Soothsayers Album Launch at Cottons Rhum Jungle, 70 Exmouth Market, EC14R 4QP. The reggae legend will be appearing on stage with the Soothsayers to launch their new album. Tickets are £10.00 from here.

Thursday 25^th July

At 1.00pm Chatham House hosts Uncovering African Agency: Angola’s Management of China’s Credit Lines at Chatham House. Chaired by Elisabete Azevedo-Harman (Chatham House) with Lucy Corkin (Stellenbosch University, South Africa) author of Uncovering African Agency: Angola’s Management of China’s Credit Lines arguing that a wide range of different countries have demonstrated very different capabilities and experiences of engaging with china of whom Angola has been the most successful. With discussant Ricardo Soares de Oliveira (Oxford University) she will assess how different African countries exploit this relationship to their advantage. To attend this FREE event contact Chris Vandome.

At 6.00pm is the iCAN Social Networking evening at Tompkins, South Quay, Canary Wharf, E14 9HN, this informal networking event is a great place to meet fellow African Caribbean professionals, network, make friends, contacts and relax with a drink after work. RSVP for this FREE event here.  

Friday 26^th July

From 10.00am to 4.00pm the Institute for the Study of the Americas presents Making Freedom: Community Conference in The Chancellors Hall, Senate House, Malet Street, WC1E 7HU. RSVP for this FREE event here. Speakers include Carol Dixon, Sharon Tomlin (Genealogist), Dr Denise Noble (Ohio State University), Dr Christer Petley (University of Southampton), Dr Robbie Shilliam (QMUL), Dr Hakim Adi (University of Chicester), Dr Kimani Nehusi, Dr Lez Henry, Dr Ron Ramdin, John Siblon, Professor Gad Heuman (Warwick University), Sir Keithlyn Smith and others. Discussing topics such as Emancipation 1838: Caribbean Freedom, Caribbean Freedom, Caribbean Family Life after 1838, Finding Caribbean Ancestors, Education, Labour, Emigration and more. Register for this FREE 2 day Conference here.

At 6.30pm Star100 hosts Development through Sports with Tom Vernon at Lewis Silkin, 5 Chancery Lane, Cliffords Inn Passage, EC4A 1BL. This talk by social entrepreneur Tom Vernon who founded Right to Dream Football Academy in Ghana at age 19 will cover, social investment as a development tool, setting up and running a social enterprise in Ghana, the journey to founding Right to Dream, their unique business model and the potential and future of elite sport in Ghana. Tickets are £13.50 from here 

Saturday 27^th July

From 10.00am to 8.00pm is the 4^th Annual Yoruba Arts Festival in Clissold Park, Green Lanes, Hackney, N16 9EJ there will be a series of exhibitions, workshops, competitions and live performances from artists from around the world who have been influenced by Yoruba culture and art.

• 11.00am -2.00pm-DJ Juanito will kick things off with Latin, Brazilian and African beats
• 2.00- 3.00pm- Cultural Performances Brazilian Samba Percussion Band
• 3.00pm -4.00pm Niyi & Co playing Highlife, jazz and Afrobeat
• 4.00-5.00pm- Variety show with Komo (UK/ Nigeria), 4Fingaz (UK/ Nigeria), Africa Entsha (South Africa)
• 5.00-8.00pm- Prince Leye and The Miliki Band playing Juju, Highlife,Faaji and Fuji music. This is day one of this FREE 2 day event. More details here. 

From 11.00am to 5.00pm Open the Gate hosts The African Market at Old Spitalfields Market, 16 Horner Square, Liverpool Street, E1 6EW with a wide variety of African designers, cuisine, literature, health and beauty. FREE entry all day.

At 3.00pm the Africa Centre hosts Africa on Film: Whats ‘The New’ in Film and Digital at the Africa Centre a Screening and discussion event that will introduce audiences to some of the most exciting and popular videos and channels in the African digital sphere. There will be a Q&A with Millennium TV’s founder Winston Bell Gam. Admission is FREE but a £3.00 donation is appreciated here.

At 5.00pm Young Hackney presents Youth Create 2013 at the Young Hackney Forrest Road Youth Hub, 29 Forest Road, E8 3BY. This event will showcase the work that has been undertaken by Young Hackney throughout the year with workshops and performances by the likes of MOBO winning rapper Akala, hosted by comedian Kat, buy your tickets here.

At 6.30pm is Caribburtons Jamaican Pop up Restaurant at the West Indian Ex-Servicemens Association, 161-167 Clapham Manor Street, Clapham. SW4 6BD with a 3 course delight of a Caribbean menu for just £22.00 from here.

At 7.30pm Serious presents Jagwa Music at Cargo, 83 Rivington Street, EC2A 3AY, this Tanzanian collective from Dar Es Salaam who perform with instruments made from recycles goods with a pair of dancers and singer/ MC, this is punk, hip hop and African rhythm all in one. Tickets are £15.00 from here.

At 8.00pm is Summer Party at Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, E8 3JT featuring Hi Life pioneers Paapa J Xperienze, soul jazz Funk band Future Groove, JP Kairo and the Yaaba Funk FJs on the decks playing Hi life, afro beat, funk, Latin groove, broken beat, reggae, soul n’ funk. Tickets are £5.00 from here. 

At 9.00pm is Afrobeat Vibrations Late Summer Edition  at The New Empowering Church, 1a Westgate Street, E8 3RL with Dele Sosimi and his Afrobeat Orchestra and special guests. DJ Koichi Sakai will be on the decks with a film screening at 9.30pm. Tickets are £8.00 before 10.00pm, £12.00 after or £10.00 in advance fromhere.

  

At 9.00pm is the ICSN Summer Party at Festac Bar/ Restaurant, 148 Holloway Road, N7 8DD. This is the first Summer Party by the Igbo Culture and Support network and music will vary from afrobeats to bashment, funky house, old school, hip hop and RnB. Entry is £10.00 (£5.00 to members before 11.00pm). More details here.  

Sunday 28^th July

From 10.00am to 8.00pm is 2nd day of the 4^th Annual Yoruba Arts Festival in Clissold Park, Green Lanes, Hackney, N16 9EJ there will be a series of exhibitions, workshops, competitions and live performances from artists from around the world who have been influenced by Yoruba culture and art.

• 11.00am-2.00pm- DJ Osa Jatt playing Afrobeats, Azonto, Naija and UK Pop
• 2.00-3.00pm Cultural Performances with Ayo-Dele (UK/ Nigeria) and Batala (Brazilian Samba Percussion Band)
• 3.00pm -4.00pm Niyi & Co playing Highlife, jazz and Afrobeat
• 4.00pm -5.00pm – Agemo playing Afro- jazz, highlife and Afro funk
• 5.00pm -6.00pm- The Cyclones
• 6.00-8.00pm- Prince Leye and The Miliki Band

This is a FREE event. More details here. 

At 1.00pm is Accessing The Mainstream-African Art and Fashion- Street Style at Calvert Avenue, Shoreditch, E2 7JP. There will be a pip up African themed live model photoshoot, Q&A with Calvert Street designers, Children’s area, DJ and live acoustic music set and more. FREE but everyone must have an item of African clothing or accessories (maybe a Proud to be African T shirt! Hint Hint!). Register here

At 2.00pm the Africa Centre will be screening Karmen Gei at the Africa Centre, this is a modern day adaptation of Georges Bizet famous opera Carmen set in a women’s prison in Senegal. With a brand new score that draws on pop, jazz and afro pop this is an interesting one. Admission is FREE although a £3.00 donation is politely requested here.

At 2.30pm is Feferity at Bar 414, 414 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LF. There will be films such as The Family Legacy about sickle cell and looking for Sierra Leone and from 6.00pm live music from Khadijatou Doyneh (K2) a multi talented singer-songwriter as well as great African cuisine. Tickets are £5.00 from here.