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)