Week of 30th September: Soweto Kinch’s The Legend of Mike Smith, The Governors Story, Black History Month, Carleen Anderson, Rwanda under the RPF, Beauty in Business African Boutique, Flavour N’Abania, The Harder They Come

Kedu!

Eka le!

Sannu!

Greetings in the languages of Nigeria’s largest tribes unfortunately there is not enough space for all 300 but as this week see’s the Federal Republics 53^rd birthday I thought why not!

This week sees film screenings from The Harder They Come, The Runner, Nothing but a man, Talk To Me.
To seminars on Rwanda, South Sudan, Afro Europeans, Mining and risk management, Black History Walks at the Imperial War Museum,  

.

Fashion with the Beauty in Business Contemporary Africa Boutique and Nigeria Independence Fashion Show

Music with Soweto Kinch’s epic The Legend of Mike Smith, The Bukky Leo Quartet, Flavour N'abania, Fela Kutis 75th Birthday, The Soul Caribbean Band.

An extremely full week.

Enjoy!! 

Monday 30^th September

At 6.30pm the High Commission for Grenada presents a Book Launch of The Governors Story Dame Hilda Bynoe by Merle Collins in the Waldegrave Drawing Room, St Mary’s University, 268 Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, TW1 4ST. This authorised biography of the first Caribbean black female Governor General in the Commonwealth. Register for this FREE event here. 

At 6.30pm Harrow Black History Month Group presents 2013 African History Season Launch at Harrow Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow, HA1 2XY. An intergenerational presentation by Lee Jasper and a Q&A based on this year’s theme ‘African British Civil Rights Since the 1960’s’ in the presence of the Harrow Mayor Councillor Nana Asante. Register for this FREE event here.

At 7.00pm is a screening of Talk To Me at Whirled Cinema, 259-260 Hardess Street, Loughborough Junction, SE24 0HN. This biopic of Ralph Waldo ‘Petey’ Green is set against vibrant should music in mid to late 60’s Washington DC, starring Don Cheadle, Chiewetel Ejiofor and Taraji P. Hanson. Tickets are £8.00 from here

Tuesday 1^st October (Nigeria Independence Day)

From 8.30am to 5.00pm the Canada-Southern Africa Chamber of Business presents The 10^th Risk Mitigation and CSR Seminar at Canada House, Trafalgar Square, SW1Y 5BJ. This seminar explains in detail how companies can mitigate their risks in multiple jurisdictions with expert speakers, Q&A’s and case studies by successful Canadian companies. Tickets are $225.00 ($185.00 for members) from here. 

At 12.30pm is AfroEurope@ns IV: Black Cultures and Identities in Europe: Continental Shifts in Perception at Senate House, Malet Street, Russell Square, WC1E 7HU. This interdisciplinary Conference running till Friday 4^th October will have papers covering literature, history, music, art, translation, politics, immigration, youth culture, European policies, and perceptions of North Africa and will feature keynote speakers Susheila Nasta, Caryl Phillips, Anna Rastas, Ribka Sibhatu, Dominic Thomas and Ngugi wa Thiong’o. Registration ranges from £35.00 per day (£25.00 concs) to £125.00 for the full conference from here. 

At  7.30pm is Soweto Kinch’s The Legend of Mike Smith at The Albany Theatre, Albany Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG.the award winning saxophonist and hip hop star will be performing a live theatrical  performance of his critically acclaimed album ‘The Legend of Mike Smith’, inspired by Dantes Inferno and the 7 deadly sins with choreography by Jonzi D the show tells the story of Mike Smith an aspiring MC caught in a world of temptation as fantasy and reality collide. Running till 5^th October, tickets are £12.00 from here.

At 9.00pm The Bukky Leo Quartet will be jamming at The Silver Bullet, 5 Station Place, Finsbury Park, N4 2DH, with Lance Ross on bass, Emiliano Franco on bass and Jonathan Gee on Piano. FREE entry, more details here. 

Wednesday 2^nd October

From 9.45am is South African Township Singing at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, 35 Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2H 8EP with Joyce Moholoagae and Paul Bartholomew this practical day of songs in Zulu, Sesotho and Xhosa, where you will receive tips and techniques on how to teach the songs as well as translations and guidance in pronunciation and the background to the songs. Admission is £80.00 including refreshments and lunch from here. 

At 12.30pm is Day 2 of AfroEurope@ns IV: Black Cultures and Identities in Europe: Continental Shifts in Perception at Senate House, Malet Street, Russell Square, WC1E 7HU. In the evening  is the John La Rose Memorial Lecture by Ngugi wa Thiong’o. Registration ranges from £35.00 per day (£25.00 concs) to £125.00 for the full conference from here or £5.00 for the lecture only.

At 6.30pm the Black Solicitors Network hosts Inspired To Succeed at Linklaters Auditorium, 1 Silk Street, EC2Y 8HQ.Chaired and moderated by Zeinab Badawi (Channel 4 News), speakers include Sandie Okoro (Baring Asset Management) and Ravi Chand (Home Office). RSVP for this event by email           

Thursday 3^rd October              

       

At 12.30pm is Day 3 of AfroEurope@ns IV: Black Cultures and Identities in Europe: Continental Shifts in Perception at Senate House, Malet Street, Russell Square, WC1E 7HU. In the evening is the Wasafiri Poetry Evening: Putting International into National Poetry Day. Registration ranges from £35.00 per day (£25.00 concs) to £125.00 for the full conference from here or £5.00 for the poetry evening only. 

At 1.00pm SOAS presents Food Security in Africa in Room 116, Russell Square College Buildings, 40 Bernard Street, WC1N 1LJ. Chaired by Dr Michael Jennings this event asks if Africa can be efficiently and profitably fed and how. Register for this event here.

From 1.30pm to 6.00pm Mine Africa present’s the 3^rd Focus on West Africa: London UK Seminar at Herbert Smith Freehills, Exchange House, Primrose Street, EC2A 2HS. This seminar features updates by mining companies on their West African projects band technical presentations on doing business in West Africa. Tickets are C$60.00 (about £36.00) from here. 

At 5.30pm Stevie Ray’s presents The Soul Caribbean Band featuring Carleen Anderson, Zara McFarlane and Richard Blackwood at Shaka Zulu, Farm Road, Camden, NW1 8AH. Hosted by Richard Blackwood, with diva Carleen Anderson (Brand New Heavies) and young singer Zara McFarlane, the live band led by Kevin Robinson will be playing standards as well as new arrangements mixing soul, reggae, ska, salsa, calypso and RnB. There will also be a Q&A with Carleen Anderson. Admission is £22.00 from here. 

At 6.30pm UnLtd presents Dream. Act. Inspire! Start Something That Matters at Google Campus, 5 Bonhill Street, EC2A 4BX. This event features an exciting line up of social entrepreneurs who have ‘started something that matters’ featuring Kresse Wesling (Elvis & Kresse), Edwin Broni-Mensah (Give Me Tap), Honor Evans (Once Loved Shoes), Angga Kara (Yorkshire Tee/ Hantu), Rob Drake-Knight (Rapanui) and Jodie Brown (TOMS). With complimentary light refreshments register for this FREE event here.

At 7.00pm is BREIS makes National Poetry Day Special at Deptford Lounge, 9 Deptford Lounge, Giffin Street, Deptford, SE8 4RW. The acclaimed, poet, rapper and spoken wpord artist will perform and compere a showcase of young voices. This is FREE event is part of Lewisham BlackHistory Month.

At 7.30pm Muntu Valdo and his Band will be performing at The Vortex, 11 Gillett Square, Dalston, N16 8AZ, they will be performing new material and supported by the sublime Bumi Thomas. Tickets are £12.00 from here. 

Friday 4^th October

From 9.00am to 5.00pm is Rwanda under the RPF: Assessing Twenty Years of Post-Conflict Governance in the Brunei Gallery, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG. This 2 day conference analyses the twenty years that have passed since the Rwandan genocides and the political, social and economic changes that the policies of the Rwandan Patriotic Front have brought about, speakers include Gerald Gahima, Jean-Paul Kimonyo, Filip Reyntiens, Shyaka Anastase, Fred Golooba-Mutebi, An Ansoms and David Booth. Register for this conference here. 

At 5.30pm Purple Pages presents the African & Caribbean Relocation and Investment Summit 2013 at the University of Westminster 309 Regent Street, W1B 2HW. Hosted by Andrew Mohammed this summit provides a common platform for African and Caribbean land and property owners, buyers, firms and corporate entities to showcase themselves. Register for this FREE event here.

At 6.30pm Harrow Black History Month Group will have a Surprise African British Civil Rights Screening at Flash Musicals Youth Theatre, Metheun Road, Edgware, HA8 6EZ. Followed by a post screening Q&A with Imruh Bakari (University of Winchester), light refreshments available. Admission is £5.00 event here, £7.00 on the door. 

At 9.00pm is Fela Kuti’s 75^th Birthday at the New Cross Inn, 323A New Cross Road, New Cross, SE14 6AS. Featuring Afrobeat band Kalakuta, 3Quency and DJ Boogie Bush. Tickets are £5.00 (£3.00 concs) with more details here.

Saturday 5^th October

From 9.00am to 1.00pm is Rwanda under the RPF: Assessing Twenty Years of Post-Conflict Governance in the Brunei Gallery, SOAS. This 2 day conference analyses the twenty years that have passed since the Rwandan genocides and the political, social and economic changes that the policies of the Rwandan Patriotic Front have brought about, speakers include Gerald Gahima, Jean-Paul Kimonyo, Filip Reyntiens, Shyaka Anastase, Fred Golooba-Mutebi, An Ansoms and David Booth. Register for this FREE conference here.

At 9.30am The Royal African Society hosts the Annual Symposium and AGM of the Sudan Studies Society of the United Kingdom in the Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS. The conference will feature a variety of South Sudan experts such as Dr Chris Morton (Pitts River Museum), Ahmed Elzobier (blogger), Dr Douglas Johnson (Chair SSSUK), Professor Wendy James, Jane Hogan (Durham University), and Helen Young (Feinstein International Centre). Full programme and registration  for this FREE event here. 

From 12.30pm to 6.00pm is Beauty in Business Contemporary Africa Boutique at Candid Arts Gallery, 5 Torrens Street, EC1V 1NQ. This pop up boutique will be showcasing creativity from the African diaspora and local African artists as part of the Fashion4africa project which aims to train, mentor and develop creative skills in Africa with the next trip to Gambia planned for 2014. Register for this FREE event here. 

At 5.45pm is ‘Nothing but a man’ at BFI Southbank, The Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XT. This depiction of black life in early 1960s Alabama is about the railroad labourer Duff and teacher Josie and their struggles to settle into their life together. Directed by Michael Roener, tickets start from £8.50 from here. 

At 6.30pm Miss Igbo UK presents The Nigeria Independence Fashion Show at D Plaza Lounge, The Plaza, 234 Trafalgar Road, Greenwich, SE10 9ER. The event will feature Nigerian designers and models, Nigerian music and history, Nigerian snacks and special performances. Tickets from £7.00 from here. 

At 6.30pm Screening Africa presents Saeed Taji Farouky’s The Runner at 1 Andrews Road, E8 4QL. Part of Yinka Shonibare’s Guest Projects Africa and curated by Joseph Adesunloye, this film about Western Saharan champion long distance runner Salah Hmatou Ameidan will be followed by a directors Q&A and a directors workshop. Tickets start from £8.00 from here.

At 7.00pm is the Miss Black Africa UK 2013 Grand Finale at The Royal Regency Hall, 501 High Street North, Manor Park, E12 6TH. With Head Judge Adebayo Jones and guest judge Ini Edo. Tickets start from £25.00 from here. 

At 7.30pm is the last day of Soweto Kinch’s The Legend of Mike Smith at The Albany Theatre, Albany Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG.the award winning saxophonist and hip hop star will be performing a live theatrical  performance of his critically acclaimed album ‘The Legend of Mike Smith’, inspired by Dantes Inferno and the 7 deadly sins with choreography by Jonzi D the show tells the story of Mike Smith an aspiring MC caught in a world of temptation as fantasy and reality collide. Running till 5^th October, tickets are £12.00 from here.

At 9.00pm Elefest hosts The Harder They Come 40^th Anniversary Screening at Hotel Elephant, Newington Causeway, 40-42 Newington Causeway, Elephant and Castle, SE1 6DR. This classic starring Jimmy Cliff as a musician from rural Jamaica who travels to Kingston in search of fame and fortune but ends up an outlaw. Followed by a ‘70’s inspired DJ set by Don Letts. Tickets are £5.00 from here. 

Sunday 6^th October

From 11.00am to 4.00pm is Yam Yam Launch Day at The Albany, Deptford, featuring a petting zoo all day, a BBQ from 12.00pm. Family gardening workshops, growing up club, Art workshops and Mazi Mas cooking workshops, groundnut workshop, Poetry Performance and Live Music from 6.00pm from Good Evening Arts. This is a FREE event more details here.

From 2.00pm to 4.30pm Black History Walks presents What were Black People doing in World War 1 at The Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ.  This event presents a comprehensive overview of the African and Caribbean presence and contribution to the Second World War including interviews with Jamaican WW1 veterans, this is a FREE event.

 At 6.00pm Cokobar presents Flavour N’abania at the indigO2, O2 Centre, Peninsula Square, Greenwich SE10 0DX. One of the most popular Nigerian solo afrobeats artistes with a huge stage presence, Flavour will be performing his repertoire of hits fresh from a sold out 10 city US tour Hosted by Eddie Kadi and featuring Olamide and Sean tizzle, with guests DJ’s tickets from £25.00 from here. 

At 7.00pm is Tell Hell I Ain’t Coming at The Broadway Theatre, Catford Road, SE6 4RU. Marcia Samuels gospel musical is about Pastor Allgood. Its Sunday morning and he’s going to hell! Tickets start from £20.00 from here. 

Week of 23rd September: Afrobeat Vibration, Miss Ghana UK, Google Top Black Talent, Vieux Farka Toure, London Afrobeat Collective, The African Market, Nigerian History in Social Media, Uncle Errols Poetry Jam, Miss Ghana UK

Mokom, idem fo? (Hello, how are you? in Efik),

I trust you are all and enjoyed all the enjoyable that Proudto be African Clothing had for you last week?

Well this week in addition to being the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 53^rd Birthday, we have Google Top Black Talent, WriteOut, the I’mPossible Conversation, How Social Media Demystified Nigerian History, Security in Africa and a Nigerian Youth Roundtable.

Musically we have the London Afrobeat Collective, Vieux Farka Toure, Dele Sosimi’s Afrobeat Vibration, South African Classical musician Njabulo Thabiso Madlala

We also have Open The Gate’s The African Market, Miss Ghana UK, Uncle Errols Poetry Jam, iCAN Networking, The Premiere of the Battered Movie in Greenwich and much more

Have a good week peoples!

Monday 23^rd September

At 4.30pm Flavourmag presents Google Top Black Talent at Google UK Ltd, 1-13 St Giles High Street, WC2H 8AG. This instalment is focussed on Law and Confidence with top role models from law, technology, marketing, music, fashion and PR to help give career insight and learn key skills. Speakers include Garvey Hanchard (Bircham Dyson Bell), Tunde Okewale Esq (Doughty Street Chambers) , Suzanne Burrell (Sandwell Council), Shirley Nwosu (Barrister), Olumide Solanke (Duncan Lucas and Trinity Solicitors), Joy Odunsi (Potential U) and Sherry Dixon (Confidence speaker). Register for your FREE place here.

At 7.00pm the Igbo Culture and Support Network presents the Igbo Language School at Bloomsbury Square. This 10 week course is suited for beginners and will teach the rudiments and basics of the Igbo language, running till 2^nd December the course costs £150.00, for details contact ICSN on 07914696543 or by email 

At 7.30pm is a Filmphonics LAMF Special: African Film Live Score with Dat and Atongo Zimba at the Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 1HE.  Drummer and percussionist Davide De Rose, guitarist Nathaniel Keen aka Dat and koliko (two stringed lute) player Atongo Zimba will create a unique live score for one of West Africa’s finest cinema releases. Tickets are £9.00 in advance from here, £10.00 on the door.

Tuesday 24^th September

At 11.00am Chatham House presents South Sudan: Current Trends and Future Prospects at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE where Toby Lanzer (Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General) will discuss the political and humanitarian situation in South Sudan and give his perspectives on the country’s future prospects. To attend this FREE event contact Tighisti Amare.

At 7.30pm is Vieux Farka Toure at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. Son of legendary Malian guitar player Ali Farka Toure, Vieux is known as the ‘Hendrix of the Sahara’ and is one of the main stays of the new generation of Mali’s desert blues. Come and get a little bit of Saharan warmth with tickets from £15.00 here.

Wednesday 25^th September

At 6.30pm Precious presents Write Out! The Second Edition at The Channel 4 building, 124-126 Horseferry Road, SW1P 2TX. Focussing on women in publishing with author Dorothy Koomson, Marie Claire Features Director Andrea Thompson, literary agent Susan Yearwood, emerging writer Irenosen Okojie. Hosted by author and lecturer Greta Solomon, tickets are £25.00 from here

At 7.00pm is the I’mPossible Conversation Autumn Edition 2013 at L’Oreal UK Headquarters, 255 Hammersmith Road, Hammersmith, W6 8SJ. Featuring Donna McConnell (Daily Mail), Paulette Randall (London 2012), Shingai Shoniwa (The Noisettes), Tumi Soyinka (Mizani UK), Carlene Firmin MBE (Misunderstood Partnerships) and hosted by Eliza Anyangwe (Guardian), these five women will share their stories and answer questions. Tickets are £25.00 (concs available) from here

At 7.30pm is Uncle Errols Poetry Jam at The Vibe Gallery, 100 Clements Road, Bermondsey, SE16 4DG. Hosted by the inimitable Uncle Errol and featuring the sublime Oneness Sankara and alot of open mic spots. £4.00 admission, you can’t go wrong. More details here

Thursday 26^th September

At 6.30pm Social Media Week hosts How Social Media Demystified Nigeria’s History at the Centre for Creative Collaboration, 16 Acton Street, WC1 9NG, in which Dr Emeka Keazor gives a panoramic view of history education in Nigeria and will examine 50 greatest unknown Nigerians in history and highlight the utility of social media in highlighting history’s hidden gems. Register for this FREE event here..

At 7.30pm is Mama Jumbe’s Book Club at Mama Jumbe’s 350 Katherine Street, E7 8NW where short stories are discussed and debated. This sessions offering is Miss Lora by Junot Diaz. More details here.

At 9.00pm The London Afrobeat Collective plays at Floridita, 100 Wardour Street, W1F 0TN, get ready for a night of vibrant Afrobeat from this 12 piece London based collective (hints in the name!). They say imitation is the best form of flattery and I say flatter away!! Tickets are £10.00 from here. 

Friday 27^th September

From 8.30am to 4.00pm is SecurityinAfrica.com at London Hilton Hotel Park Lane, 22 Park Lane, W1K 1BE, themed showcasing security supplier solutions to the security challenges in Africa this event seeks to find solutions to security challenges in Africa. Tickets are £150.00 from here.

From 11.00am to 4.00pm Nigerian Youth for Development presents A Roundtable Conference on The Nigerian Youth of the 21^st Century in Chapman Hall, Queens Building, Southlands College, Universty of Roehampton, 80 Roehampton Lane, SW15 5PU. This interactive event seeks to attract Nigerian youth in London as well as those interested in Nigeria for a discussion on Nigeria development. Register for this FREE event here. 

At 6.00pm is the iCAN Social Network Evening at La Tasca, 12 Hertsmere Road, Canary Wharf, E14 4AE where you can network with fellow African, Caribbean professionals. Register for this FREE event here or just turn up! 

At 7.00pm is A Benefit Performance of A Story I am In at The Tabernacle, 35 Powis Square, W11 2AY. This celebration of Caribbean laureate James Berry’s literature though poetry, music and spoken word will feature John Agard, Grace Nichols, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Roger McGough, Ian McMillan, Andrew Motion, Michael Rosen, Hannah Lowe, Maura Dooley, Michael Horovitz, Carroll Thompson, Victor Romero Evans, Janet Kay, Inua Elllams, Dean Atta, Susana Howard, Myra Barrs, Melanie Abrahams and Keith Waithe. Tickets are £45.00 from here and include a buffet dinner with the proceeds going to a Trust being set up for James Berry.

At 8.00pm The Igbo Culture and Support Network will be hosting the ICSN Bowling Night at Surrey Quays, Hollywood Bowl, The Mast Leisure Park, 3A Teredo Street, Surrey Quays, SE16 7LW. Come along for a fun evening of bowling, food, gist and friendship. £5.50 per game

Saturday 28^th September

From 11.00am to 5.00pm is Open the Gates The African Market at the Old Spitalfield Market, Liverpool Street, E1 6EW. Featuring over 25 stalls of African fashion, literature, skincare, haircare and beauty, literature, toys, and much more. FREE entry all day.

At 5.30pm NABSS and Black History Walks present Queen Nzingha Lectures 11: Cancer , Psychology and Health in Room B36, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street, WC1E 7HX featuring 10 things black women need to know about cancer with biochemist Abi Begho. Register for this FREE event here.

At 6.00pm Akwaaba UK presents Miss Ghana UK at the Troxy, 490 Commercial Street, Limehouse, E1 0HX. Celebrating 21 years of Ghanaian beauty in the UK, tickets start from £20.00 from here.

At 9.00pm is the Afrobeat Vibration Sessions September Edition at the New Empowering Church, 1a Westgate Street, E8 3RL. This instalment features the Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra live on stage with special guests, DJ Koichi Sakai on decks and a film screening. Entry is £8.00 before 10.00pm, £12.00 thereafter, £10.00 advance tickets are available from here. 

At 9.00pm Fabecs Production presents the premiere of Battered Movie at Odeon Cinema, Bugsby Way, Greenwich, SE10 0QJ. Featuring Fatima Jabbe, Lanre Balogun, Super Eagles footballer John Utaka, Yvonne Hay, Atto Erick, Theodora Ibekwe, Olivia Eze, Marie Gomez, Jay One and many more. Tickets start from £20.00 from here

Sunday 29^th September

At 1.00pm The August Music Festival presents Njabulo Thabiso Madlala and William Vann at St Lawrence Jewry, Guildhall Yard, EC2V 5AA, the South African baritone will be accompanied by the William Vann on piano with a programme of Britten songs, Schubert Lieder and South African music. More details about this FREE event here.

At 6.00pm the Black Cinema Club presents Night Catches Us at Black Grape Platinmum Suite, 228 West Green Road, Tottenham, N15 3QR. Written and directed by Tanya Hamilton , starring Anthony Mackie, Kerry Washington, Wendell Pierce and Nakia Dillard and set in 1976 Philadelphia. Admission is £5.00 (£2.00 concs)

Week of 16th September: 11th London African Music Festival, MOSAIC 2013, Sizwe Banzi is Dead at The Young Vic, Nelson Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, African Sculpture, Business in Francophone Africa, World Medical Associations African President in London

Umeze ute (How are you in kinyarwanda)

Another fascinating week awaits with enough stuff to keep you warm and dry. The London African Music Festival continues with a scintillating serving of soul, sound and superlatives! From Queen Salawa Abeni, Tony Kofi, The Venus Bushfires, Book Slam etc there is a wide selection of music, with a smidgeon of literature and spoken word thrown in. Theatre is not left out with African literary classic ‘Sizwe Banzi is dead’ and Award winning ‘A Boy and his Soul’.

Chatham House has its menu of topical events covering Swaziland, South Africa, Sudan and Angola. An Evening with Dr Margaret Mungherera the first African female President of the World Medical Associations. Black Fundraisers Dragons Den, Queen Nzingha Lectures, Africa’s Cow Foot and much more.

It may be raining outside, but we keep it as hot as Equatorial Africa inside!

Have a great week

Monday 16^th September

At 12.30pm is Lost in Isolationism? Swaziland Elections and Prospects for the Future at the Royal Institute for International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE. Chaired by Sir Richard Gozney (former British High Commissioner to Swaziland) with Alex Vines OBE (Chatham House) and  Dr Knox Chitiyo (Africa Programme) . This report lays out the importance for regional and international engagement in sub Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarchy ahead of Parliamentary elections. To attend this FREE event contact ChrisVandome

At 7.30pm is A Boy and His Soul at The Tricycle Theatre, 269 Kilburn High Road, Kilburn, NW6 7JR. Written and performed by Tony Award nominated actor Colman Domingo, this is a story of a boys coming of age to the soundtrack of 70’s and 80’s Philadelphia. Running till 21 September, tickets start from £10.00 from here.

At 8.00pm is the Rachel Kerr Getting Started EP launch at XOYO, 2-7 Cowper Street, EC2A 4AP. The MOBO award winner will be in concert with her band and ILuv Live. the genre crossing album will covers reggae, R&B, pop and more, Tickets are £10.00 (£8.00 guest list by email) 

The 11^th London African Music Festival

At 7.30pm Tunday Akintan (Nigeria) will be performing at The Hideaway, 2 Empire Mews, SW16 2ED. The alto saxophonist, pianist and vocalist will be playing tracks form his two albums ’Mind the Gap’ ‘Yorubeat Plus’ with his 6 piece band mixing jazz, pop, funk and juju music. Tickets are £12.50 (£10.00 concs) from here. 

Tuesday 17^th September

At 10.00am Chatham House presents South Africa’s Experience of Social Dialogue: Internal Dynamics and External Engagements at Chatham House. Chaired by Dr Robin Niblett (Chatham House) with former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe who will discuss South Africa’s strategies to evolve a common vision to overcome internal challenges and to secure economic growth. For an invite to this FREE event contact Tighisti Amare.

At 5.30pm Chatham House presents Reaping the Revenue in Angola: Extractive Industries Transparency and Governance at Chatham House. Chaired by Elisabete Azevedo-Harman (Chatham House) with Elias Isaac (Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa) and Dr Muzong Kodi (Chatham House) the speaker will evaluate the progress made in transparency in Angola’s extractive industries and the outstanding reforms needed to improve governance and accountability in Angola growth. For an invite to this FREE event contact Chris Vandome.

From 10.00am to 8.00pm daily, the Mosaic Festival returns to The Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, SE1 9PH. Running till 23^rd September this event showcases the best of established and emerging businesses/ organisations owned by peoples of African and Caribbean descent. This year the event is partnered with the London Design Festival and will fill 5 floors of the Bargehouse with fine art, sculpture, design, jewellery, fashion, accessories,, ceramics, live music and other performances. More details of this FREE event here

The 11^th London African Music Festival

At 7.30pm The Venus Bushfires (Nigeria) will be performing at The Forge, 3-7 Delancey Street, Camden, NW1 7NL. This unique collective focused on Helen Parker-Jayne Isibor and her psychedelic, tribal and meditative music. Performing with the full members of the Venus Bushfires, tickets are £10.00 (£7.00 concs) from here. 

Wednesday 18^th September

From 11.30am to 2.30pm BCA presents Doing Business in Francophone Africa at Simmons and Simmons, City Point, 1 Ropemaker Street, EC2Y 9SS. This briefing explores the practicability of investing and trading in Francophone Africa and the challenges that arise speakers include Alain Taieb (AGS-Mobilitas Group) who will share his companies 20 year experience of operating in Africa, Paul-Harry Aithnard (Ecobank Group) will highlight the experience of the financial services industry, Yves Baratte and Christian Taylor (Simmons and Simmons) will speak on minimising legal risks and then Luc Rigouzzo (Amethis Finance) . Tickets start from £32.00 from here

 At 6.30pm the Royal Africa Society hosts Africa Emerges in the Brunei Suite, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG Chaired by Richard Dowden (Royal Africa Society) with Professor Stephen Chan OBE (SOAS) Professor Robert Rotberg (Harvard’s Kennedy School) will be launching his book ‘Africa Emerges’ which offers a guide for all those interested in the dynamics of modern Africa’s political, economic and social development. RSVP this FREE event here

At 6.30pm Ebony Inspired UK will be at Beaufort House, 354 Kings Road, Chelsea, SW3 5UZ. This networking event based on black entrepreneurs networking and socialising. Admission is £10.00 from here. 

At 7.30pm the Young Vic presents Sizwe Banzi is Dead at The Young Vic Theatre, 66 The Cut, Waterloo, Southwark, SE1 8LZ. This classic of African literature (I’m sure triggering traumatic childhood memories for WAEC English literature students!) is set in 1972 South Africa, where Sizwe Banzi’s passbook has only 3 days left, so when he stumbles upon a dead body with a passbook he is forced to decide whether his passbook defines who he is. Directed by Matthew Xia and running till 28^th September tickets are £15.00 from here. 

At 7.30pm is Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom at Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX, curated by Hannah Pool 27 leading writers and performers celebrate the achievements of Nelson Mandela performing a piece in his honour and an extract from his autobiography ‘A Long Walk To Freedom’. Performers include Ashley Zhangzha, Ben Okri, Bernadine Evaristo, Beverly Naidoo, Carmen Munroe, Gillian Slovo,  Imraan Coovadia, Inua Ellams (busy man!), John Battersby, Joyce Moholoage, Lebo Mashile, Lemn Sissay, Linton Kwesi-Johnson,Marion Molteno, Pamela Nomvete, Paterson Joseph, Patience Agbabi, Sharon D. Clarke, Shingai Shoniwa, Sindiwe Magona, The Last Posts and Leeto Thale Tickets start from £10.00 from here. 

The 11^th London African Music Festival

At 7.30pm Jaqee (Uganda) and Kasai Masai (Congo) will be performing at Cargo, 8 Rivington Street, EC2A 3AY. Sweden based Ugandan singer Jaqee makes her UK debut with her fusion of R&B, soul, reggae, rock and Caribbean rhythms. Kasai Masai opens the show with sounds from equatorial Africa. Tickets are £12.50 (£10.00 concs from here)

Thursday 19^th September

At 9.30am The UCL Institute of the Americas hosts Assessing Westminster in the Caribbean: Then And Now Conference in Lecture Theatre 10, 51 Gordon Square, WC1H 0PQ. This 2 days international conference has keynote addresses by Professors Norman Girvan and Brian Meeks (University of West Indies) and seeks to consider how the Westminster parliamentary model has been transformed in the Caribbean, its impact on Caribbean democracy and the challenges the model has faced since independence. Register for this FREE event here.

At 1.00pm the Equiano Centre and Petrie Museum host Ideas of African sculpture in Archaeology and art in Modern Britain at Petrie Museum, UCL, Malet Place, WC1E 7HX. This workshop explores how African sculpture was understood in the British artworldof the early 20^th century and the influence of Egyptian artistry on African Caribbean artists. Register for this FREE workshop here.

At 5.00pm Chatham House presents Policy Priorities for Building a Stable Sudan at Chatham House, with Dr Sayed El-Khatib (Centre for Strategic Studies, Sudan) who will offer his thoughts on the policy choices Sudan must undertake to address its economic and political concerns. For an invite to this FREE event contact Tighisti Amare

At 6.30pm is the Black Fundraiser Dragon’s Den event at The Ability Media Centre, 56 Southwark Bridge Road, SE1 0AS. This evening of information sharing and networking will involve an opportunity to meet with an expert for a one to one session and observe pitches to the panel of Dragons. Tickets are £15.00 from here .

At 8.00pm is Afrospot Live at the Rhythm Factory, 16-18 Whitechapel Road, E1 1EW, this platform for African culture will feature Adesose Wallace, drummer Kofi Adu, Sonny Akpan, Alfred Kari Bannerman, Kodjovi Kusj, Luzmira Zerpa with the Afrospot Ochestra, with DJ Fenomeno Show. Entry is £5.00.

The 11^th London African Music Festival

At 6.30pm is Book slam vs London African Music at The Flyover Portobello, 3-5 Thorpe Close, Portobello, W10 5XL. Hosted by Proud to be African Clothing designer and favourite Inua Ellams, the event features author Noo Saro-Wiwa (Looking for Trans-wonderland), soul-folk vocalist Bumi Thomas, poets Roger Robinson and Belinda Zhawi. Tickets are £12.50 (£10.00 concs) from here.

At 7.30pm Queen Salawa Abeni and The Yoruba Women Choir (Nigeria) will be performing at Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. This event sees one of Nigeria’s finest female singers Queen Salawa Abeni (a Muslim) unite with the Christian Yoruba Women’s Choir to perform a special arrangement of Muslim, Christian and secular songs arranged by Funmi Olawumi and Queen Salawa Abeni they are joined by guitarist Wale Thompson and vocalist Busola Oke Tickets are £20.00 (£18.50 concs) from here.

Friday 20^th September

At 6.00pm the East African Healthcare Forum and Africa UK present An Evening with Dr Margaret Mungherera President- elect of the World Medical Associations at the Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG. Dr Mungherera as the first African woman to be elected president of the World Medical Association will spend the evening in dialogue with members of the UK African medical diaspora. Hosted by Dr Titilola Banjoko there will be 3 case studies exploring how the diaspora can assist with strengthening healthcare institutions in Africa, the first by Dr Wangui Manguyi, EAH Forum, Ralph Tanyi (Malaria Working Group) and Dr Vuni Joseph Telemedicine Working Group. RSVP this FREE educational and informative event here.

At 7.00pm is Sadlers Wells Wild Card- Vicki Igbokwe: Between The Lines at The Lilian Baylis Studiom Roseberry Avenue, EC1R 4TN. This mixed bill of works features 3 premières of her works including her latest creation Our Mighty Groove, joined by Alesandra Seutin and Ella Mesma. Tickets are £7.00 from here. 

At 7.30pm is Africa’s Cowfoot!!! Sierra Leone Storytelling Meets South African Acapella at Clemence Hall, Brisbane Street, SE5 7NJ. This one night special features Sierra Leones Usifu Jalloh, Soweto’s Africa Entsha, Tanzania’s Mbira maestro Saidi Kanda, Alim Kamara, Alusine Showers Jalloh, Lady Matto, Plumcroft drummers and others. There will be jollof rice, snacks and market stalls. Get tickets from £15.00 here. 

The 11^th London African Music Festival

At 7.00pm Sister Fa (Senegal) will be performing at The Flyover Portobello, is the outstanding Queen of Senegalese hip hop, using her melodious lyrics to speak about womens rights. Performing in Wolof, Mandingo, Jola and French, she will be performing with her full band. Tickets are £15.00 (£12.50 concs) from here. 

At 7.00pm Mulele Matondo Afrika and Congo Dia Ntotila perform at The Forge, 3-7 Delancey Street, Camden Town, NW1 7NL. Mulele Matondo Afrika and his 6 person band bring acoustic roots music inspired by many African genres from Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe Cameroon, French Caribbean and the UK. Tickets are £10.00 (£7.00 concs) from here. 

At 7.30pm The Fontanelles will be performing Upstairs at the Ritzy, Brixton Oval, SW2 1JG. Anyone who watched FELA! The Musical will be familiar with the pulsating rhythms of this band that provided all the live backing music. This 12 piece band inspired by the legendary Fela, fused Ethio funk, jazz, film scores and much more. Tickets are £7.00 in advance (£10.00 on the door).

  

At 8.00pm Lekan Babalola and the Afrobeat Messengers (Nigeria) will be performing at The Vortex Jazz Club, 11 Gillet Square, Dalston, N16 8AZ. The wizard percussionist will be performing with his7 piece band, the Afrobeat Messengers fusing Afrobeat and jazz. Tickets are £12.50 (£10.00 concs) from here.  

Saturday 21^st September

From 12.00pm to 9.00pm is The Black Market and Film Festival at Platanos College, Clapham Road, Clapham, SW9 0AL. This is an event to showcase and expose black cultural and creative entrepreneurs to sell products, promote skills and engage with the community. There will be seminars and screenings. Tickets are £10.00 for adults, £5.00 for children over 12 from here, more on the door 

At 2.00pm YACnCAY presents Who’s Child is it? Yours or Mine at Kings College London, Guys Campus, New Hunts House, London Bridge, SE1 9RT aiming to bridge gaps between parents and their children with performances and inspirational speakers. Key note speakers include The Most Revered S.A. Abidoye (C&S Movement Worldwide),  Chief Superintendent Wayne Chance (City of London Police), Neil Hutchinson (Southwark Borough Commander), Councillor Ade Aminu ((Deputy Mayor Lambeth), Eze Nacho (author) and Mrs. Bukky Peters (YACnCAY). There will be workshops on Crime (not how to commit them!), Education, Career Paths and Family Dynamics. Entertainment including performances Jaz Ellington and appearances by the Adesina’s of Channel 4’s ‘The Family’ Register for this FREE event here.

At 3.30 pm Young Entrepreneurs Association presents YEAh Live! at Montgomery Hall, 58 Kennington Oval, SE11 5SW. This event will give 18-30 year olds the opportunity ti meet, network and build interpersonal skills and learn from business owners and entrepreneurs. Speakers on the day include Yana Johnson Mbe, Yvonne Omini, Ernest Kouassi and a surprise guest. There will be exhibitors and a Branding for Success Workshop facilitated by Nicola Dillon (Brand and Design Strategist) and advice of applying for and obtaining start up loans by Julian Hall, African inspired fashion show by Mad Ethnik, live PA’s by Jen Titi-Lola Da Sweetnezz, Imanu’el Artist and Liliane Danielle Goualin and Live music by Pacific Vibrations with Tito Gomez . Hosted by Soulsnatcha and Nadina Goodman, admission is £5.00 here   or £7.00 on the door.

At 5.30pm NABSS and Black History Walks presents the Queen Nzingha Lectures: Chocolate, Afros and Secret History in Room B36, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street, WC1E 7HX, with Raw chocolatier Corinne Dennis presenting an African history of chocolate. K.N. Chimbiri (author The Secrets of the Afro comb, 6000 years of art and culture’ and will present a comprehensive history of African combs. RSVP this FREE event here.

At 7.00pm is Get to Know Africa at Hackney Empire, 117 Wilton Way, E8 1BH. This cross art event dedicated to exploring African inspired art with a selection of performances, from a live band, to a percussionist with dancers revolving around 4 up and coming artists. Tickets are £5.00 from here.

The 11^th London African Music Festival

At 7.00pm Fredy Massamba (Congo) performs at The Flyover Portobello, the Congolese singer performs in Kikongo, Lingala and has performed and toured with a wide variety of bands playing soul, hip hop, funk and African chants. For his London debut he will be performing tracks for his CD 'Ethnophony’. Tickets are £15.00 (£12.50 concs.) from here

At 7.30pm Fofoulah (Gambia) and Minn Jiarabi will be performing at Hackney Attic, 270 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 1HE. Fofoulah features a blend of cool grooves, polyrhythm and African praise song based around Wolof drummers. Tickets are £8.00 in advance from here or £10.00 on the door 

At 8.00pm Tony Kofi’s Future Passed Trio (Ghana) at The Vortex Jazz Club, this trios unique sound is built on Winston Cliffords drumming, organist Anders Olinder’s B3 Hammond and Tony Kofi’s alto and baritone saxophones. Tickets are £12.50 (£10.00 concs) from here. 

At 9.00pm SonYambu (Cuba) will be performing at The New Empowering Church, 1a Westgate Street, Dalston, E8 3RL with DJ Green Papi playing authentic Son Cubano rhythms from the streets of Santiago de Cuba a true fusion of Afro Cuban music. Tickets are £12.50 (£10.00 concs.)

Sunday 22^nd September

The 11^th London African Music Festival

At 2.30pm King Masco (Sierra Leone) will be performing at Bar 414, 414 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LN.  This all day spectacular of music and film will feature King Masco and his big band, singing in Krio, English and French. Film screening is at 3.00pm and live performance at 6.00pm. Tickets are £7.00 from here

 At 7.00pm Cleveland Watkiss and the Heads and Feet House Band will be performing at The Jazz Cafe. This new all star band brought together by jazz legends Cleveland Watkiss and Tim Whitehead has put grooves into classics and turned them into hard hitting jazz dance tunes. Tickets are £15.00 (£12.50 concs) from here  

At 8.00pm Hanisha Solomon (Ethiopia) will be performing at The Vortex Jazz Club, the Ethiopian singer was brought up in the Ethiopian church and sings in Amharic and Oromiffa, combining Amharic musical scales with urban grooves. Tickets are £12.50 (£10.00 concs) from here.

At 8.00pm Muntu Valdo will be performing at The Flyover Portobello, the Cameroonian multi instrumentalist combines blues with African traditional music. Playing with the Sawa Blues Band tickets are £12.50 from here.

Week of 9th September: London African Music Festival, Africa Centre Festival, NUBA Awards, British Nigeria Law Forum, The African Market, Welcome to Busseywood, The Caribbean Film Corner, Uganda UK Trade and Investment Forum, Zimbabwe Arts and Culture in Harmony

Tadiyass!!!! (hello in Amharic)

Hope you are enjoying the tail end of summer. If not Proudto be African Clothing is going to share ^nd of September with almost 40 acts from all over Africa, in 14 venues all over London, with music as varied as the languages and the rhythms. There’ll be African classical music, Afro pop, Afro funk, books, poetry, music and other otherables! In fact if you fail to attend at least one performance you should seriously hand in your passport and go home!!! So check out the acts, go and listen to the beautiful, beautiful music of Africa and almost as important support our artists, support our music and support our culture. If we don’t who exactly will?

some serious enjoyment with you. The Africa Centre Festival comes to an end on Monday but on Friday we roll in to the London African Music Festival!! Running till the 22

But in addition to all that we also have the African Employment Challenge, Investment opportunities an risk management by the BCA, the British Nigeria Law Forum on Diaspora Education, The Caribbean Film Corner as part of the Portobello Film Festival, Uganda UK Trade and Investment Forum, Zimbabwe Arts and Culture in Harmony, the Nigeria UK Based Achievement Awards, Welcome to Busseywood- a 16 hour African Film Festival, The African Market, our good friends at Mwalimu Express return as does Numbi and Carpe Diem's Poetry meets Art.

I’m exhausted just writing it, get your running shoes on because you will be spoiled for choice! Enjoy!

Monday 9^th September

At 5.00pm the Africa Centre Festival continues with Afrobeats Take Over at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JT with DJ Unbeetable. Tickets are £5.00 from here. 

At 6.00pm the Africa Centre Festival features’ Africa Talks at the Africa Centre. The first talk is Interventions with Mark Miller (Tate Modern and Tate Britain) discussing delivering cultural productions and sharing insights on digital platforms.

Followed by Pulling Focus: African Film and culture in context at 6.30pm with June Giavanni (African film curator and archivist) and Gaylene Gould (African diaspora film curator) who will discus their experiences promoting African cinema and culture over a 30 year history. RSVP this FREE event here.

From 8.00pm to 10.30pm the Africa Centre Festival presents Africa Karaoke at the Africa Centre, with Mercury nominated rapper Ty, poet Warsan Shire, Anthony Joseph and DJ Psykhomantus. Tickets are £7.00 from here £10.00 on the door.

Tuesday 10^th September

From 11.00am to 6.00pm Tiwani Contemporary presents Arts Connect Film at Tiwani Contemporary, 16 Little Portland Street, W1W 8BP. Running till 18^th September featuring the video works of multi disciplinary artists concerning migratory displacement, ecological misuse of resources and human elasticity. Screening Jude Angowih’s It is Well III (2013). FREE entry, more details here.

At 7.00pm Numbi hosts the Numbi Arts Book Launch at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA. This special book launch features Sai Murray, Christelle Kedi, Funmi Adewole, Dorothea Smartt and Kwani, there will also be the 2013 edition of Scarf Magazine. Tickets are £5.00 from here. 

At 7.30pm Carpe Diem presents Poetry Meets Art at Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, Dalston, E8 4AA. This night of poetry and spoken word to raise awareness of Congo’s conflict material features Tshaka Menelik Imhotep Campbell, David Lee Morgan, Jonas McCloud, Asabi Hawah and Kass Man. There will be open Mic opportunities and artwork and a special performance by Cezanne Poetess. Tickets are £5.00 from here. 

Wednesday 11^th September

At 5.00pm BCA Africa presents African Investment Opportunities- Appraisal and management of risk at Nabarro LLP, Lacon House, 84 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8RW. The event will present views from experienced companies Nabarro LLP (Law), Willis (Insurance Broker) and Macquarie (investment banking group) on the key risks associated with African investment. Patrick Speller (Nabarro LLP) will discuss Key risks in equity transactions- what investors can expect, Robert Barlow (Willis) will focus on the ability to transfer risks to the insurance market. Macquarie will give an overview of their experiences investing in Africa. Tickets are £95.40 for non members (£32.00 for BCA members and £50.00 for BCA partners) from here. 

At 6.00pm Chatham House hosts Africa’s Employment Challenge at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE. Chaired by Komla Dumor, (BBC World News) the speakers at this event will discuss how Africa’s labour force growth can be converted into stable wage paying jobs and inclusive economic growth. David Fine (McKinsey South Africa) will comment on the findings of McKinsey’s report Africa at Work, Alex MacGillivray (CDC) will discuss CDC’s experience of investing successfully and responsibly in Africa and Vernon Soare (ICAEW) will discuss how ICAEW has provided training and practical experience to Africa’s workforce. Followed by a drinks reception, for more information contact the member’s events team. 

Thursday 12^th September

From 11.00am to 6.00pm Tiwani Contemporary presents Arts Connect Film at Tiwani Contemporary. Running till 18^th September featuring the video works of multi disciplinary artists  Mwangi Hutter Single Entities (2013) concerning migratory displacement, ecological misuse of resources and human elasticity. This is a FREE screening.

At 6.00pm the Royal Africa Society hosts The Book Launch of The Orchard of Lost Souls by Nadifa Mohammed in the Brunei Suite, School of Oriental and African Studies, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG. Chaired by Mary Harper (Africa Editor BBC), with Nadifa Mohamed (author and Granta Best British Artists 2013 nominee) and Ayan Mahamoud (Kayd Somali Arts and Culture). The Somali born authors work sees the fall of Somalia through the eyes of three women. RSVP this FREE event here

At 6.30pm the British Nigeria Law Forum presents The Future of Legal Education and Practice in Nigeria- What Role for Diaspora Lawyers at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, Adelaide House, King William Street, EC4R 9HA. This seminar will discuss the opportunities for Nigerian lawyers in the diaspora to contribute to the Rule of Law and economic development in Nigeria. Chaired by OCJ Okocha SAN, MFR Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, the panel will consist of Mr Lanre Onadeko (Nigeria Law School) and Dr Gbolahan Elias SAN. The evening will end with networking and refreshments. Tickets are £12.00 (£10.00 students) from here. 

Friday 13^th September

At 6.00pm is the Caribbean Film Corner at The Tabernacle, 35 Powis Square, Notting Hill, W11 2AY. Part of the Portobello Film festival there will be screenings short films such as  of Jab in the Dark (Trinidad and Tobago), In Between (Martinique), Double with slight pepper (US and Canada set in Trinidad), Dance (Trinidad and Tobago), Ophelia-Kashmirs Ophelia (UK and India), Love me Haiti (Poland and Cuba), Captain T & T (Trinidad and Tobago), Down Dream (Venezuela), The Wanderer of St Marcel (France), The Enigmatic ‘Black Continent’ (Mexico), The Letter (UK and Colombia), The Good, The Beautiful and the Democratic (Venezuela) and The Cool Boys (Trinidad and Tobago),

And it’s all FREE!

At 7.30pm is the For Colored Girls by Ntozake Shange at Canada Water Culture Space, 21 Surrey Quays Road, London, SE16 7AR. Directed by Justina Kehinde this choreopoem uses dance and poetry to deal with the issues of rape, AIDS, infanticide and domestic violence. Followed by a Q&A with Hannah Pool. Tickets are £15.00 in advance from here. 

The 11^th London African Music Festival

Joyful Noise presents The 11^th  London African Music Festival begins with 10 days of African music at 14 venues across London, 39 acts representing north, south, east and west Africa

At 7.30pm is Osibisa (Ghana) at The Hideaway, 2 Empire Mews, SW16 2ED. This legendary band ^th anniversary of their soundtrack for the cult 70’s movie Supafly TNT. Teddy Osei (saxophone), Sal Amarfio (drums), Mac Tontoh (trumpet), Spartacus R (bass) Robert Bailey (keyboards), Wendel Richardson (lead guitar and Lasisi Amao (percussion and tenor sax). Tickets are £15.00 from here. 
formed in 1969 with 20 studio albums to their credit will be celebrating the 40

At 7.30pm is Guy Schalom and the Baladi Blues Ensemble (Egypt) at Rich Mix. Percussionist Guy Schalom is joined by an all star team of Egyptian master musicians including Sheik Taha (quarter tome accordion), Ahmed El Saidi (oriental sax) Aly el Minyawi (duff and doholla), Adam Warne (riq and doholla), with vocalist and oud master Abdul Salam Kheir. Tickets are £12.50 (£10.00 concs) from here.

At 7.30pm is the Family Atlantica (Venezuela) and the Afro Palace DJs, Upstairs at the Ritzy,  Brixton Oval, SW2 1JG. This psycotropical music project spans two continents and fuses Cuban rumba, Venezuelan tambor and tonada, Ghanaian highlife, Ethiopian blues and calypso with other styles. Featuring Jack Yglesias (tube flute, shekere), Kwame Crentsil (percussion), Luzmira Zerpa (vocals), Ni Boye (perxcussion) and Jacobtete (percussion). Tickets are £6.00 in advance from here £8.00 on the door. 

At 7.30pm is Modou Toure (Senegal) and DJ Fenomeno Show at the Hackney Attic, 270 Mare Street, Dalston, E8 1HE. This refreshing Senegalese blues singer will be plays guitar and percussion and performs in Wolof, Mandinko, Soninke, Portuguese, Creole, French and English. He will be performing with his band Tilo. Tickets are £5.00 in advance from here £7.00 on the door.  

At 7.30pm is the Acoustic Africa with Mosi Conde (Guinea), ACD Arts Adungu Players (Uganda) and Bonzi Ghana) at Jacobean Mansion House, Charlton House, Charlton Road, Charlton, SE7 8RE. This triple bill of acoustic instruments sees Conde on the kora, Bonzi on the balafon and guitarist Alfred Bannerman. Tickets are £6.00 ( £5.00 concs) from here..   

At 8.00pm is Malick Pathe Sow and Bao Sissoko (Senegal) and Niran Obasa at The Vortex Jazz Club, 11 Gillett Square, Dalston, N16 8AZ. With hoddu (desert lute) playing vocalist Sow and kora maestro Sissoko this is African classical music at its finest and most traditional. Tickets are £12.50 (£10.00 concs) from here .

Saturday 14^th September

From 12.00am to 5.00pm Tiwani Contemporary presents Arts Connect Film at Tiwani Contemporar. Running till 18^th September featuring the video works of multi disciplinary artists Single Entities (2013). FREE entry
concerning migratory displacement, ecological misuse of resources and human elasticity. Screening Mwangi Hutter

At 9.00am the Zimbabwe Diaspora Focus Group hosts Zimbabwe Arts and Culture in Harmony at Holy Apostles Hall, 47 Cumberland Street, SW1V 4LY, featuring music, poetry, arts, traditional dancing and music, register for this FREE event here.

From 10.00am to 4.00pm The Ubele Initiative presents  Intergenerational Diaspora Communities Conversation at Deptford Lounge, Giffin Street, Deptford, SE8 4RJ. This unique day of dialogue and process work aims to bring together like minded, highly skilled and experienced action oriented people to create new ways of addressing community needs. There is a fee on the day of £10.00 (£5.00 young people). Register here.

From 10.00am to 6.30pm is the 3^rd Ugandan UK Trade and Investment Forum in London, at the Troxy Arena, 490 Commercial Road, Shoreditch, E1 0HX. This forum will discuss a selection of projects, investing in ICT, leveraging public private partnerships, Diaspora bonds, Uganda Stock, opportunities for diaspora venture capital. Panellists will include the Honourable Edward Ssekandi (Vice President of Uganda), Mr Elly Karuhanga (Tullow Uganda). Rt Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga (Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament), Dr Irene Muloni Ugandan Minister of Energy and Mineral resources), Hon. Daudi Migereko (Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development), Eng Dr Frank B. Sebbowa (Uganda Investment Authority) Professor Joyce Kikafunda (Ugandan High Commissioner to the UK), Patrick Bitature (Uganda Investment Board), Ashish Thakkar (Mara Group), Richard Kamajugo (Commissioner for customs), Hon Tress Bucyanayandi (Ugana Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries), Sebaggala M. Kigozi (UMA) and many more. Register for this FREE event here.

From 12.00 noon The Free Film Festival/ CLF Bussey presents Welcome to Busseyworld at the CLF Art Cafe, The Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST, with 16 hours and three floors of African cinema. Finishing up with music on Level 1 will be Afro rock artist Yinka Oyewole and Band, followed by South London Soul Train host Mickey Jazzheadchronic Smith exploring soul and funk, on Level 2 Niita Emvula alongside guest spoken word artists followed by DJ Tom Unlikely Stiedl, closing with special guest The Legendary Flashin Eddie Fowlkes, get the full line up and details of this FREE mega event here

At 2.00pm the BFI will screen 4 Little Girls in the Blue Room, BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, Southbank, SE1 8XT, Spike Lee’s film about the terrorist bombing of churches in Birmingham, Alabama in the 1960's, tickets are £6.00 from here

At 3.00pm is Artist Talk:Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga-Ituika Transformation at October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester street, W1CN 3AL. The exhibition features wall hanging sculptures created from tin cans, steel wire, and oxidised sheet metal, RSVP for this FREE exhibition here.

At 6.30pm is Graphic Africa at Platform at Habitat, 208 Kings Road, Chelsea, SW3 5XP. This exhibition of 16 leading African designers will showcase a thoroughly contemporary aesthetic with designers from 10 countries in East, West and Southern Africa for Design Network Africa. This FREE exhibition runs till 20^th October.

At 6.30pm Black History Walks presents the Nzingha Lectures 9: Black Girls in Film 1963-2013, in the Blue Room, BFI Southbank, Dr Legal-Miller (KCL) will give an illustrated talk on the representation of the Birmingham church bombing. Register for this FREE event here.

At 7.00pm is the 3^rd Annual Nigerian UK Based Achievers Award (NUBAA 2013) at The London Welsh Centre, 157 – 163 Grays Inn Road, Holborn, WC1X 8UE. Hosted by Chuka Royalty and Fanny Oprah this is a platform to celebrate and recognise the commitments and success of Nigerian communities, charities, businesses and social groups. Tickets are £20.00 (£15.00 concs) from here.

At 8.00pm African Fashion Week London presents The African Collective at the Grand Connaught Rooms, 61-65 Great Queen Street, Holborn, WC2B 5DA. This adjunct to London Fashion Week showcases a selection of designs from African talent. Tickets are £11.25 from here.

At 9.00pm Sicnarf and Co Productions present the Premiere of Heartless Carer at The Odeon Greenwich, Bugsby Way, Greenwich SE10 0QJ. Based on a true story it tells the story of a woman who came to join her husband in the UK but fell into the clutches of a notorious womaniser. Directed by Francis Uwadi, starring Yvonne Hays, Ikenna Obi, Lanre Balogun, Ayo Ogundipe, Bisi Hassan, Olivia Eze, Joanna Apple and others. Tickets start from £15.00 from here.

The 11^th London African Music Festival

At 7.30pm Orlando Julius (Nigeria) and The Heliocentrics will be performing at Rich Mix. The legendary Orlando Julius will be performing with the London based psychedelic music collective with DJs AJ Kwame and Baggy of Afri-Kokoa opening the show with rare Afro pop, Afro funk tunes. Tickets are £12.50 (£10.00 concs) from here.

At 8.00pm Adjoa (Ghana) and Niran Obasa will be performing at The Vortex Jazz Club. The UK born afro soul jazz singer fuses soul, jazz and traditional Ghanaian rhythms singing in English, French, Spanish and Twi. She will be performing songs from her new EP ‘Adjoa’ with Chris Jerome (keyboards), Emmanuel Tagoe (percussion), Frank Tontoh (drums) and Eustace Williams (bass)

At 9.00pm M3nsa (Ghana) will be performing at The New Empowering Church, 1a Westgate Street, Dalston, E8 3RL. Son of Osibisa guitarist Tumi Ebo Ansah, the second half of innovative rap duo FOKN Bois, with a collection ranging from pidgin English musicals to Fanti Love songs. Backed  by his band Ryan Ansah (guitar), Fin Crowther (keyboard) and Aki Fujimoto (drums), Tickets are £12.50 (£10.00 concs).

Sunday 15^th September

From 11.00am to 3.00pm Numbi presents Numbi Family Workshops at Rich Mix. With creative photography workshops led by Numbi resident artists Charity Mwaniki, Nadyah Aissa and Kinsi Abdulleh. Tickets are £10.00 (£5.00 concs)

From 11.00am to 6.00pm Open The Gate presents The African Market at Gillett Square, Dalston,N16 8JN. This iconic African market will be held in the public square under a gazebo with African fashion, arts and crafts, food, music, face painting, drumming circles and much more. FREE to attend.

From 2.00pm to 6.00pm Mwalimu Express returns to Rich Mix. This months instalment of London’s finest Pan African family adventure is themed The Algerian Chaabi Chic Season featuring the Yaz Fentazi Trio, the Algerian oud maestro is joined by Zad Ada (bass) and Alessio Baralli (drums), films from screen station, Lucy Angell John’s Parent and Toddler Dance sessions, awale from the Oware Society, face painting and T shirts as well as tunes from hosts and DJ’s Rita Ray and Max Reinhardt. This is a family friendly FREE event

At 8.00pm Bold Tendencies presents Africa is a Film: Otelo Burning at Bold Tendencies, 95A Rye Lane, SE15 4ST. Set in late 1989 South Africa this film tells the story of two 16 year olds as they fall in love with surfing and come of age against the backdrop of the end of apartheid and township violence. Register for this FREE screening here

The 11^th London African Music Festival

At 7.30pm Akim El Sikameya (Algeria) will be performing at The Jazz Cafe, 5 Parkway, Camden Town, NW1 7PG. Singer and violinst AEl Sikamey fuses Andalusian and Arabic music with a sound like a flamenco guitar. Tickets are £20.00 (£18.50 concs)

At 7.30pm Namvula (Zambia) will be performing Upstairs at The Ritzy, she will be performing track from here debut album Tickets are £5.00 in advance from here and £7.00 on the door.

At 7.30pm Miryam Solomon (Eritrea) and Elmi Ali (Somalia) will be performing at The Forge, 3-7 Delancey Street, Camden, NW1 7NL.  The Eritrean singer with one of the most distinctive Afriocan female voices will be singing in Tigrinya and English. Somali poet Elmi Ali opens the show with his intelligent word play. Tickets are £10.00 (£7.00 concs) from here. 

At 7.30pm is a Filmphonics LAMF Special: African Film Live Score with Dat and Atongo Zimba at the Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 1HE.  Drummer and percussionist Davide De Rose, guitarist Nathaniel Keen aka Dat and koliko (two stringed lute) player Atongo Zimba will create a unique live score for one of West Africa’s finest cinema releases. Tickets are £9.00 in advance from here, £10.00 on the door.