Week of 28th October: Film Africa, Natural November, Tony Tokunbo Fernandez Black History Event at Parliament, Claudia Jones Lecture, Young Black Grads-Black History Stars, Gina Yashere, iCAN Social Networking, African Bridal Show, Africa Global Women in Business Forum

Iska Warran (hello in Somali)

Hope you are had a good week. Well Proud to be African Clothing has an even better one lined up for you as we try and keep the African sunshine going for just that bit longer.

This week we have Natural November 5, African Global Women in Business, The Great Debate Tour, Emerging Powers and a Rising Africa at the LSE, Tony Tokunbo Fernandez at the Houses of Parliament Black History Month Celebrations, Making Agriculture Work, the African Bridal Show and more

For Entertainment we have Somalia Seaton’s Crowning Glory UCLU BHM Film series and Film Africa.

Film Africa is the Royal African Society’s annual film festival celebrating the best of African cinema from across the continent,, with screenings, panel discussions, Q&A’s, family activities, workshops and other events, Film Africa also supports new talent with The Baobab Award for best Short Film worth £1,000.00 towards their next production. The festival runs from the 1^st to the 10^th of November across 6 venues.

Keep warm and have fun

Monday 28^th October

From 1.00pm to 7.00pm LPF Kiddies Club CIC hosts Inspired to Achieve at The African Community Center, Unit 2 Lyndean Industrial estate, Felixstowe Road, Abbey Wood, SE2 9SG, this family fun day and fundraiser will feature musical performances by Nigerian artist Ayan De First, Sierra Leonean storyteller Usifu Jalloh, Guest DJ and Alingo DJ Kashif Da Flash will be playing afrobeats, there will also be face painting, cakes, a pamper zone. Traditional Afro-Caribbean food on sale, stalls, arts and crafts and dancing. More details of this FREE event here

At 5.30pm UCLU BHM2013 presents BME Talks in the B40 Lecture Theatre, Darwin Building, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT. This evening will consist of intelligent conversations with creative thinkers and networking. Register for this FREE event here. 

From 5.30pm to 8.30pm is the Black History Month Celebration Event at the Stephen Lawrence Centre, 39 Brookmill Road, Deptford, SE8 4HU. This evening of networking, discussions and entertainment will include a Peoples Question Time discussing mental health and wellbeing in the BME community, High rates of BME unemployment, climbing the property ladder, the Black family household and the black church. Hosted by Disciple Samuel Georgewill with guest speakers Rev Yaw Sarpong (Winning Grace Ministries), Fardah (Fathers Barbers, Deptford), Daniel Pink (Lewisham Way Black Fathers Support Group), Oladapo Paul (Light the World FC), Chris Balofin (Olympic Weightlifting Champion), David Nieta (Society of Black Lawyers) and Estella Weston (Family Health ISIS). RSVP this FREE event here. 

At 6.00pm Greenwich Bright Futures Society presents the Great Debate Tour in Room SL010, University of Greenwich, 30 Park Row, Greenwich, SE10 9LS. This year’s topics are The Home Office (immigration and law and order), Integration policy, Enterprise, Voter Registration and the Lack of Women CEO’s. Panellists include Sylbourne Sydial (facilitators for a Better Jamaica), Lina Gradi (Start Young Global), Selena Gray (The Telegraph), TJ Morgan (NUPE) and Nabil Abdul Rashid (Comedian). Register for this FREE event here.

At 6.30pm is Looking for Claudia Jones at the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission, 42 Belgrave Square, SW1X 8NT, this documentary by Nia Reynolds profiles the civil rights activists life and actions. Register for this FREE event here.

  

At 6.30pm is Emerging Powers and a Rising Africa in LSE New Theatre, EAS171, East Building, London School of Economics, Houghton Street, WC2A 2AE. Chaired by Dr Chris Alden (LSE), this lecture will critically examine the trends and possibilities for Africa’s future development and the abilities of its leaders to capitalise on commodities driven growth. Speakers include Dr Ana Cristina Alves (South African Institute of International Affairs), Professor Vladimir Shubin (Russian State University for Humanities), Dr Mehmet Ozkan (SETA Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research) and Dr Soyeun Kim (University of Leeds).No need registration for this FREE lecture.

At 6.45pm is the Claudia Jones Lecture 2013 in the First Floor Auditorium, Thomson Reuters, 30 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, E14 5EP. Keynote speaker Dr Nicola Rollock FRSA (Centre for Research in Race and Education) will speak on Race and racism in a post racial age. To attend this FREE event RSVP Lena Calvert by email.

At 8.00pm is Somalia Seaton’s play Crowning Glory at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 1BN. The all female cast of fun feisty modern women share the trials and tribulations of their hair as they try to uncover what true beauty means. Running till 9^th November tickets start from £8.00 from here. 

Tuesday 29^th October

At 10.00am Chatham House presents Guinea-Bissau: Rescue from Collapse? at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE. Jose Ramos-Horta (UN Special Representative, Guinea-Bissau) will discuss the political instability prevalent in this country due to state failure and narco trafficking. Register for this FREE event by contacting Chris Vandome.

From 12.15pm to 2.30pm is Africapitalism: and how to advance it? at 1 Finsbury Circus, EC2M 7SH. Chaired by Patrick Orr (BCA UK), Lynne Featherstone MP (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for DfID) will discuss DfID’s approach to working with and through the private sector in catalysing African economic growth. Inclusive of buffet lunch and refreshments, tickets start from £32.00 from here. 

At 4.00pm Chatham House presents Justice in Kenya: Impacts of the African Union’s ICC Decision at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House. Chaired by Alex Vines OBE (Chatham House) with George Kegoro (International Commission of Jurists, Kenya), L. Muthoni Wanyeki (Kenyan political scientist), the speakers will discuss the AU’s declaration calling for a suspension of the ICC cases against Kenyan President and Vice President and its implications for the victims of the violence. To attend this FREE event by contacting Chris Vandome. 

At 5.30pm Young Black Grads presents Black History Stars at Opal Bar, Victoria Embankment, WC2N 6PA. This awards ceremony will begin with a drinks and finger buffet followed by awards for YBG Creative Star, YBG Star in the Community, YBG Academic Star and YBG Star Entrepreneur. Tickets are £10.00 (£15.00 for 2) from here. 

At 7.00pm UCLU BHM 2013 presents LOL Comedy at Mullys Bar, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT. This night of comedy hosted by Quincy aka The Cockney Prince will feature Kane Brown, Nabil Abdul Rashid, Ginger and Black and Thanyia Moore. Admission is £4.00 from here.

At 7.00pm the Royal African Society presents Challenging Police Brutality in South Africa today: The Legacy of Neil Aggett in the Khalili Lecture Theatre, School of Oriental and African Studies, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG. Chaired by Shula Marks (SOAS), speaker Dr Beverley Naidoo (author Death of an Idealist: in search of Neil Aggett) and respondents Dr Jonny Steinberg (Oxford University), Siphamandla Goge (SABC Radio News) will discuss state violence and police brutality in South Africa and the effect of impunity on today’s police culture. Register for this FREE event here.

At 7.00pm is Black History Month Celebration at PJ’s Community Service, Parchmore Place, 1-6 The Mews, 92a Parchmore Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 8LX. This educational and motivational event hosted by Claudine Reid MBE and Patrick Reid will feature a presentation by Dr Christopher Johnson on the History of Enterprise in the Caribbean Community and Gospel performances by Praise and Worship duo Clif and Marie. Book this FREE event here.

At 6.00pm the LIDC presents Making Agriculture Work for Nutrition at John Snow Lecture Hall, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, Bloomsbury, WC1E 7HT, this public discussion will see the launch of the Global Panel which will provide global research and policy leadership to maximise the contribution of agriculture and food systems to improving nutrition and health outcomes. Hosted by Peter Piot (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) and Tony Burden (DfID) with speakers John Beddington (UK Chief Scientific Adviser), Jane Karuku (AGRA), John Kufuor (former Ghanaian President), Emmy Simmons (Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa) and Rhoda Peace Tumusiime (African Union). Register for this FREE event here.

Wednesday 30^th October

At 10.00am is Black History Month Celebrations in the Jubilee Room, House of Commons, Palace of Westminster, Westminster, SW1A 0AA hosted by poet, Radio presenter and producer Tony Tokunbo Eteka Fernandez with Helen grant MP (Minister for Women and Equalities), Adam Afriyie MP, Mr Kola Karim (Shoreline Energy International) and the Malawi High Commission Counsel for Trade. Guest speakers Alok Sharma MP, Pauline Long (BEFFTA Awards), Steve Sodje (Sodje Sports Foundation), Alistair Soyode (Ben Television), Dr Nkem (Motivational Speaker), Sam Onigbanjo (Women4Africa), Mrs Cecily Mugo (Utulivu Women’s Group), Mr Doherty (Pathway Sports), Deji Yusuf (Motivational Speaker) and Mrs Ngozi Fakeye (Sister Speaks). There will be performances by Fourfingaz, Elaka, Kafy Shyne and Israel Onoriode. More details here

At 12.30pm UCLU BHM 2013 will be screening a three films beginning with A Separation in Lecture Theatre B11, Seminar Room 4, Bentham House, Endsleigh Gardens, WC1H 0EG, this film concerns a married couple facing a difficult decision whether to stay and improve their child’s life by moving away from Iran or to stay and look after a deteriorating parent who has Alzheimer’s. Register for this FREE screening here.

At 3.00pm is Mississippi Burning this drama thriller is loosely based on the FBI investigation into the real life murders of 3 civil rights activists in Mississippi in 1964. Introduced by Barry Longford (Professor of Film Studies) and followed by a Q&A, book your FREE place here. 

At 5.15pm is London: The Modern Babylon which reaches back to the start of the 20^th century to tell London’s story from the viewpoint of immigrants, bohemians, artists through archive material and the voices of Londoners past and present as the city prepares to host the 2012 Olympics. Book your FREE place here.

At 5.30pm the Msaada and Rafiki Project present Embracing Collaboration and Celebrating Mental Wellbeing at the Ortus Maudsley Learning Centre, 82-96 Grove Lane, SE5 8SN, where experiences about mental wellbeing in African and Caribbean communities will be shared, there will be spoken word, poetry and music from champions, hot food and refreshments, a selection of stalls and free training and much more. Register for this FREE event here. 

At 6.00pm is the Africa Global Women in Business Forum at Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, Euston, WC1H 9BD. Themed Accessing Finance to Bridge the Gap in The Women Economy, the conference seeks to discover financial options available for diaspora women to grow their businesses, understand the criteria for getting funding from financial and development agencies, explore opportunities in various sectors in different regions of the continent, share knowledge and experiences if building successful businesses, develop practical skills and knowledge, connect with global counterparts and given female entrepreneurs a voice. Confirmed speakers include Ndeye Rosalie Lo (NEPAD), Leora Klapper (The World Bank), Khadidjah Doucoure (IFAD), Sung-Ah Lee (alliance for Financial Inclusion), Mariam Dao-Gabala (OikoCredit), Francoise Foning (Les Femmes Chefs d’Entreprises Mondiales), Elizabeth Ssendiwala (IFAD), Vimi Appadoo (National Women Entrepreneurs Council in Mauritius), HRH Muzvare Betty Makoni (GCNW), Suzanne F. Stevens (Ignite Excellence Inc, Canada), Kanini Mutooni (MyAzimia), Peter Ryan (MicroLoan Foundation), Egon Cossou (Africa business Report, BBC), Henriqueta Hunguana (International Capital Corporation), Ronke Lawal (RSL Management Ltd), Minna Salami (MsAfropolitan), David Smith (British African Business Alliance), Ida Horner (African Diaspora Issues), Francine Beleyi (African Diaspora Professional Women in Europe), Jacqueline Musiitwa Muna (diaspora African Women’s Network, USA), Guy Stuart (Microfinance Opportunities), Jacqueline Mugwaneza (Rwanda Bankers Association), Washington Kapiparo (association for African Owned Enterprises), Ada Maduakoh (Sundown Corporate Limited), Bella Ikpasaja (Zeitgeist Africa) and Pauline Long (BEFFTA). Tickets start from £50.00 from here.

At 6.30pm the One Theatre Company presents Plastic Manifesto-Take the booty to the Clinic at Goldsmiths College, University of London, Lewisham Way, SE14 6NW, this powerful drama will be followed by lively debate and discussion. RSVP this FREE show here.

At 6.30pm is the UCLU BHM 2013 Living History Exhibition Closing Night in the Roberts Foyer G02, Roberts Building, UCL, Torrington Place, WC1E 7JE. The exhibition which featured notable black people from all walks of life will close with a series of guest speakers. RSVP for this FREE event here. 

At 7.30pm Raise the Roof Kenya will host Hallow-Eve at the Bar Music Hall, 134 Curtain Road, Shoreditch EC2A 3AR. Covers band Undercover will be playing covers of popular songs from 6 decades with cocktails and other drinks. All the money raised goes to Raise the Roof Kenya to contribute towards building the second phase of their youth education centre in Barut, Kenya. RSVP this FREE event here. 

Thursday 31^st October

At 6.00pm is the iCAN Social and Networking Evening at Tompkins, South Quay, Canary Wharf, E14 9HN, this is an event where professionals of African and Caribbean heritage can mingle and network is a social gathering with no specific agenda. You can register for this FREE event here or just turn up! 

At 7.30pm is African Dancing to Live Drums with Frititi at the interchange Studios, Hampstead Town Hall Centre, 214 Haverstock Hill, Hampstead, NW3 4QP. This evening will feature live music and dance from as far afield as Gambia and South Africa, with the opportunity to learn the different dance steps as well as some of the history behind them. Tickets are £10.00 in advance from here, £15.00 on the door. 

At 7.30pm Gina Yashere will be performing at the Fairfield Hall, Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 1DG, she will be covering the year just passed from the triumph of the Olympics, plebgate to her purchase of reading glasses! Tickets are £17.50 from here. www.fairfield.co.uk 

Friday 1^st November

At xxx is the BME Dementia Awareness Conference at Sattavis Patidar Centre, Forty Avenue, Wembley Park, HA9 9PE. Chaired by Paulette Harris-German with speakers Councillor Patrick Vernon OBE, David Trustwell (NHS), Mary Tilki (Irish Federation) and Janet (YECCO) all giving an insight into denmentia within BME communities. Included are light refreshments and a Caribbean lunch Admission is £15.00 (£6.00 OAPs) from here. 

At 12.30pm Chatham House presents Tunisia in Transition: Prospects and Challenges at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House chaired by Dr Claire Spencer (Chatham House) with HE Ali Larayedh (Prime Minister of Tunisia) who will discuss the changes taking place in Tunisia and outline the challenges facing the country’s current and future governments and opportunities for political and economic development. Register for this FREE event here.

At 6.00pm the Global Institute for Entrepreneurship presents GIE Question Time in The Keyworth Centre, London South Bank University, Keyworth Street, SE1 0AA. This Question Time will feature panellists Cheryl Henry (Purple Pages), Rev Dr Horace Wright (The Holy Qubtic Church), Dr Christopher A. Johnson (Journalist), Jacqui Grant (International Social Development Consultant), Michael Eboda (Powerful Media) and Craig Cordice (Engage Magazine). Hosted by Dr Darren Henry the panel will be filmed and take questions from the audience. Register for this FREE event here.

At 6.30pm the London African Cultural Event Celebrates Black History Month at the Holiday Inn Bloomsbury, Coram Street, WC1N 1HT. This show will be a combination of fashion and music with a fashion show  and live acts such as Liz Ogumbo aka Kensoul, Halii Ihonde and an auction for the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) with a buffet dinner. Tickets start from £20.00 from here

At 8.00pm is Let’s nyam words and food at The Brixton Library, Brixton Oval, SW2 1JQ. Come wearing your finest African traditional clothes and head dresses and share your fondest memories of food and words in this celebration of cuisine, and literature. Tickets are £5.00 from here.

Film Africa

At 6.45pm is A Good Report at the Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 1HE, this intense South African film mixes sex and social commentary in the story of an introverted young teacher at a new school who has a sexual encounter in a bar with a young lady he later discovers is an underage pupil at his school. Shot in black and white this is a story of tragic obsession. Tickets from £10.20 from here.

Saturday 2^nd November

From 11.00am to 6.00pm is the African Bridal Show- London Autumn Edition 2013 at Stratford Old Town Hall, 29 Broadway, E15 4BQ, with Seminars on makeup and Gele artistry, Planning a cost effective wedding and Finding your perfect wedding dress, there will be traditional attire designers and suppliers, Cake and food tasting, skin care, make up and beauty consultations, decorators and venue stylists, photography and videography, wedding planners and much more., with giveaways and goody bags. Register for this FREE event here.

At 1.30pm is Africa in Motion at SPACe, 31 Falkirk Street, N1 6SD, this African Dance workshop inspired by Senegal with 2 workshops facilitated by Aida Dip and Batch Gueye. Tickets from £10.00 from here.  

At 2.00pm is the Queen Nzingha Lecture 12: How True African Dance was Corrupted in Room B36, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street, WC1E 7HU hosted by choreographer Madee. Register for this FREE event here

At 6.30pm British Gospel Arts presents A Soulful Celebration at Gladesmore Community School, G2 Arena, Gladesmore Road, N15 6EB. The B.I.G. Choir and Norways Stavanger Gospel Choir will be celebrating 25 years of gospel music, Caribbean food; cakes and a non alcoholic bar will be available. Tickets are £12.00 (£8.00 concs) from here

Film Africa

At 11.00am are the Family Day Workshops at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA. Featuring Open the Gates signature The African Market and Numbi Family Photography workshop as well as the UK premieres of award winning Tunisian short film Les Souliers d’Aid (My Shoes) about a young village boys with passion running and his obsession with a pair of winged shoes his father is too poor to buy and When They Slept about a girl and her beloved grandfather who’s sudden death presents her with the dilemma of following the dictates of tradition and religion. All of this is FREE!!  Just turn up.  

At 12.00pm is Hoodrush at Rich Mix Cinema. This Nigerian movie is billed as Nollywood meets Glee with two brothers who dream of becoming music stars, who enter a TV Talent show, this debut movie was a 2013 African Movie Academy Award winner, director Dimeji Ajibola will be available for a Q&A after the screening. Tickets are £9.50 (£7.00 concs) from here.

At 7.00pm is Aya de Yopougon and La Radio at Hackney Picturehouse. These family friendly Ivorian animations are based on comic books by Marguerite Abouet; Aya de Yopougon is an upbeat story of friendship about Aya and her friends who live in the Abidjan suburb of Yopougon. La Radio is about an old man who buys a radio and hears a story of destruction on it and takes it to a repair shop convinced that the problems lies within the radio. Tickets are £8.00 from here

At 8.00pm is Horses of God, at the Ritzy Cinema, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG, set in Sidi Moumen a slum of Casablanca in which 2 brothers grow up in a golden world of football, close friends and hard knocks, all of which changes as adulthood gives way to poverty and violence. Tickets are £11.50 from here

At 8.00pm is JUJU! Film Africa Special: Seeds of Creation at the Upstairs, Ritzy Brixton, led by mandol and oud playing Algerian singer Seddik Zebiri their energetic music encompasses many different cultures from jazz, Berber, Afro blues to Greek, French, Italian and more. Admission is £6.00 in advance from here and £7.00 on the door 

At 9.00pm is On the Edge (Sur La Planche) and Archipel at Hackney Picturehouse. The first of these Moroccan films feature Badia and Imane who work in a shrimp factory in Tangiers by day and pick up men at night to supplement their meagre income. Presented by Fayzal Belifa this film captures the frenetic underbelly of a contemporary city and its youth. Archipel a poetic black and white short documentary is set in a tannery where the silence of the people that work there evokes an archipelago of modern ruins. Tickets are £8.00 from here

Sunday 3^rd November

At 11.00am to 7.00pm is Natural November 5 at Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton Hill, SW2 1RW, this natural cultural hair, health, wealth and beauty event will feature special guests Alison Henry, Cushic Global, Excel Empresses, Kolade Kola Ogunbayode, Dr Lez Henry, Neil Mayers, Nibal Chenu Bechola Soweto and Jak Beula. Tickets are £10.00 from here and £15.00 on the door. 

Film Africa

At 11.00am is Industry Forum: The Business of Film in Africa in the Blue Room, BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX, this day will feature industry experts and business leaders from Africa and the Uk maping the existing film and audio visual markets on the continent, explore investment and funding opportunities and discuss training initiatives. There will be a country focus on Nigeria (where else?), which is looking to follow the commercial success with good quality output. FREE but booking essential by email   

At 1.00pm is Crossing Borders: Maghreb Shorts Programme at Rich Mix, programmed and presented by Rosa Abidi, these are the stories of young Maghrebis; featuring The Project (Tunisia), Djouu (Algeria), The Young Woman and the Teacher (Morocco), Zanta Clauz (Baba Noel) (Tunisia) and Sofia (UK/ Morocco) followed by a Q&A with Sofia director Ani Laurie and Bila (producer/ actress/ singer). Tickets are £9.50 (£7.00 concs) from here. 

At 6.30pm is New African Voices at Hackney Picturehouse, this programme of short films features Beleh (Cameroon) , Split Ends (USA/ Ghana), Kwaku Anase (Ghana/ Mexico/ USA), Adamt (Ethiopia), Shoeshine (Tanzania). Tickets are £8.00 from here. 

At 6.30pm is Kontinuason and Dona Tututa at the Ritzy Cinema. The first of these Cape Verdean offerings Kontinuason is about dancer Beti who is offered a chance to leave Cape Verde and join a music show in Lisbon, setting off an internal conflict with the desire to flee and the desire to return. Dona Tututa is a documentary of Cape Verdean pianist and singer Epifania Evora. Introduced by programmer Isabel Moura-Mendes, tickets are £11.50 from here.

At 8.30pm is Mother of George at Hackney Picturehouse, set in New Yorks Nigerian community. When a Brooklyn restaurant owner Ayodele and his bride Adenike fail to have a child, Adenike is compelled to take desperate measures to save her marriage. Tickets are £8.00 from here. 

Week of Monday 21st October: The African Market, Black Jesus, ASAUK 50th Year Celebration, The GAB Awards, Look How Far We’ve Come, Harambe Colloquium, Orisha Experience, AFFORD, Celebrate the Life and Legacy of Mandela in Song , Strings of Fire

Molweni (hello in Xhosa)

After the excitement of last week, Proud to be African Clothing is looking forward to an equally interesting if less packed week, with the Royal Africa Society hosting a slew of events ranging from Somali Remittances, book launches

The ASAUK will be holding their 50^th Year Celebration, there’s spoken word at UCL, Black Jesus at the theatre, Wouty Album Launch.

The African Market will be at Rich Mix and another African market in Spitalfields

Enjoy the week

Monday 21^st October

At 10.00am Global Ethnics Ltd presents Foreign Direct Investment Opportunity in Nigeria at Central Hall Westminster, Storeys Gate, SW1H 9NH. Organised in conjunction with UKTI and the Nigeria High Commission, several Nigerian States will present their investment opportunities to potential investors. This is a FREE event, register here.  

At 1.30pm the Royal African Society presents Somali Remittances in the future? at Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, E2 6HG, part of Somali Week Festival this event discusses how to strengthen and maintain remittance transfers to Somalia/ Somaliland with academics, NGOs, MPs, Somali remittance companies and members of Somali civil society. Register for this FREE event here

At 6.00pm the Royal African society launches The Democratic Republic of Congo: Between Hope and Despair in the Brunei Suite, School of Oriental and African Studies, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG, in which author Michel Deibert (author and journalist) will discuss his new book The Democratic Republic of Congo: Between Hope and Despair with Marie-Claire Faray-Kele (Medical Information Advisor). Composed of first hand interviews from the war torn villages and Kinshasa it explores the complex political, economic and ethnic geography of the country. Chaired by Fred Robarts (United Nations), register for this FREE event here

Tuesday 22^nd October

At 6.00pm is the Queen Marys and Barts ACS Black History Month Showcase at the Octagon, Queens Building, Mile End Road, E1 4NS, featuring spoken word, fashion, music, and more. Tickets are £8.00 (£6.00 for ACS members)

At 7.30pm is Black Jesus by Anders Lustgarten at Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, SW10 9ED, this play set in 2015 Zimbabwe, where Eunice Ncube working for the new Truth and Justice commission interviews on of the worst perpetrators of Mugabe’s regime, only to find that right and wrong, guilt and innocence are less clear cut than she thought. Running till 26^th October, tickets start from £10.00 from here. 

Wednesday 23^rd October

At 5.30pm the Royal Anthropological Institute presents the RAI Research Seminar: Northcote W. Thomas, a Government Anthropologist in Sierra Leone 1914- 15 at the Royal Anthropological Institute, 50 Fitzroy Street, W1T 5BT. Dr Paul Basu will discuss Northcote W.Thomas (1868-1936) who is celebrated as the first government anthropologist undertaking 3 tours of Southern Nigeria and a tour of Sierra Leone. The paper being presented takes a look at his life and anthropological work. Register for this FREE event here

At 5.30pm BBM/BMC hosts Lyrics and History at Lift, 45 White Lion Street, London, N1 9PW, where Kwaku (BBM/ BMC) and Kimba (rapper/ songwriter) will facilitate a youth workshop on producing rap lyrics and spoken word themed on African British history. Book this FREE event here.

At 6.00pm is the Mary Kingsley Zochonis Lecture- Adapting to climate change: Coping with effects of weather changes inRural Sierra Leone in S8 Open Space, Strand Building, Kings College London, The Strand, WC2R 2LS. The keynote lecture will be given by Kabba S. Bangura (University of Sierra Leone) exploring the experiences of rural people impacted by severe weather events, with field based research involving 250 participants from 5 rural communities in the Kambia and Kono Districts. Followed by a drinks reception, register for this FREE event here. 

At 7.00pm is UCLU BME BHM 2013 Word Up! Poetry in the Haldane Room, Wilkins Building, University College London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT. Curated by Belal Amini and hosted by Alim Kamara the event features Tshaka Campbell, TarMan, Anthony Anaxagorou, G.R.E.ed.S, Sophia thakur, Kemi Taiwo, JJ Bola, Massiah Sky, Belal Amini, Bridget Minamore and Joshua Parfitt. Get your tickets here

  Thursday 24^th October

From 10.00am to 8.00pm in London Africa Culture Event (LACE) at Westminster Kingsway College, 211 Grays Inn Road, Westminster, WC1X 8RA. This event hosted by comedienne Donna Spence will showcase a range of talents and raise funds for the ACLT with a fashion show and a series of Workshops such as Black History Studies: Magnificent Traditions of Ancient African Art: Sahara, Nok, Igbo, Yoruba and Benin, Black History Studies presentation: Roots of Black Music, Sherry Dixon- Confidence Building- Developing Interpersonal Skills Workshop, You Naturally: Natural Hair Styling for any Occasion. Tickets for each workshop start from £5.00 from here. 

From 2.00pm to 4.00pm ASSAUK and RAS will screen Sash of Fulfilment at the Stevenson Lecture Theatre, The British Museum, great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG followed by a performance and discussion with Leo Asemota and curator Chris Spring. The event explores key themes in ‘The Ens Project’ Leo Asemotas ongoing multi phase work based on the year 1897 (Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Year and the year the Benin Kingdom was sacked. Tickets for this FREE event are available here.

At 6.00pm is Nationalism, Law and Statelessness: Grand Illusions in the Horn of Africa in the Brunei Suite, SOAS. Chaired by Richard Dowden (RAS) this event discuses the topic of the book, focussing on the link between sovereignty and statelessness as it plays out in the Horn of Africa and the West in the context of the 1998 Ethiopian/ Eritrean War in which Ethiopia arrested and expelled 70,000 of its citizens and stripped over 50,000 of their citizenship based on their ethnicity. Author Dr John Campbell (SOAS) will discuss with Mr Gebriel Gebremedhin (Association of Ethiopian Deportees), Dr Laura Hammond (SOAS), Professor Gaim Kebreab (London South Bank University) and Mr Eric Fripp (Chambers of Ami Feder Esq). RSVP this FREE event here.

At 6.00pm is the 2013 Harambe Colloquium in London-The Next 50 Years: Entrepreneurship in Africa at the Legatum Institute, 11 Charles Street, W1J 5DW, this exclusive evening reception offers the opportunity to discuss the experiences of young African entrepreneurial leaders and examine the state of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. To RSVP send an email with your name, occupation and position, with 2013 Harambe Colloquium in London- The Next 50 Years: Entrepreneurship in Africa in the subject line. 

At 6.30pm is the ASAUK 50^th Anniversary Drinks Reception at the October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester Street, WC1N 3AL. Accompanied by African music with members of RAS and ASAUK and the public. To attend this FREE event email ras@soas.ac.uk with ‘ASAUK 50^th Anniversary Reception’ in the subject line.

At 6.30pm is The Orisha Experience at the Cre8 Gallery, 80 Eastway, Hackney Wick, E9 5JH, a Photographic Exhibition by James C. Lewis, this is the first European exhibition of the this photographic interpretation of the Orishas from the Ifa religious sect. Register for this FREE exhibition running till 1^st November here.

At 6.30pm BBM/ BMC presents Look How Far We’ve Come-Exploring African British Histories at Westminster Reference Library, 35 Saint Martins Street, WC2H 7HP in which Kwaku will focus on his work in progress mapping a millennium of African British histories, including a Q&A and light refreshments, this is a FREE event, register here. 

At 7.00pm is Celebrate the Life and Legacy of Mandela in Song at 49 Queens Gate Terrace, SW7 5PN. This fundraiser concert for Voices of South Africa Educational Project will feature Njabulo Madlala (baritone), Pamela Nomvete (actress), William Vann (piano), Filipa Van Eck (soprano), Sarah-Jane Lewis (soprano), Sipho Fubesi (tenor) and Joyce Mohologae (mezzo-soprano) singing operatic aria, French English and South African Folk Songs. Tickets are £35.00 (£60.00 with dinner) from here.

At 8.00pm is Whose Remembrance? Race, Belonging and the First World War in the Anatomy Lecture Theatre, 6th Floor, Kings Building, KCL, The Strand, WC2R 2LS. Convened by Dr Santanu Das, this event will feature a film screening and roundtable discussion of the 4m colonial soldiers who served in the First World War of whom over a million died. Register for this FREE event here.

At 8.30pm is Soul Power at the Barbican Cinema 3, Beech Street, EC2Y 8AE, this celebration of soul music in Kinshasa, Zaire in 1974 preceded the legendary Ali- Foreman fight, featuring US soul icons such as Bill Withers, Fela, Hugh Masekela, Sister Sledge, Celia Cruz and many others in a 3 day extravaganza. Tickets are £10.50 from here and £11.50 on the door.

Friday 25^th October

At 4.30pm the bfi presents Holy Horror- Nollywood Gothic Films at West Greenwich Community and Arts Centre, 141 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich, SE10 8JL, which examines what Gothic horror is and whether Nollywood has representations of the genre, with discussions, presentations and screenings. RSVP this FREE event here. 

At 5.00pm Jazz Alive and Harrow BHM presents From Martin Luther King to Paul Stephenson in 1963. From Race Riots in Chicago to Cardiff in 1919. How far have we come? at Harrow Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow, HA1 2XY, in which Chicago jazz band leader Ernest Dawkins will give the historical background of his compositions, while Kwaku (BBM/ BMC) will contrast the British experience. Hosted by Harrow Mayor Councillor Nana Asante and followed by a Q&A, register for this FREE event here.
 

At 6.00pm Hart Culture CIC presents Ousmane Sembene Lecture Series- The Representation of Woman2 at Hart Culture C.I.C, Thames Refinery, Factory Road, Silvertown, E16 2EW, examining the representation of women in Ousmane Sembene’s films. Tickets are £5.00 from here.

At 6.30pm Star 100 UK presents Ghanaian Tribes: Marriage, Birth and Death Q&A Recap at Canada Water Culture Space, 21 Surrey Quays Road, Canada Water, SE16 7AR. This is another instalment in Star 100’s Tribes series examining key life stages from the perspectives of Ghana’s main ethnic groups, with by a panel of expert speakers Akwasi Amponsa-Afrifa (Akan), Samuel Banini (Ewe), Dominic Mbang (Northern) and Naa Tsotsoo Soyoo (GaDangme). Moderated by Ben Fletcher and Richard Tandoh, with light refreshments, tickets are £13.50 from here.

Saturday 26^th October

From 9.30am to 5.30pm is the Jamaican Hidden Histories: Cultural Reawakening Conference Day at the London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Road, EC1R 0HB. This is an educational project that focuses on Jamaica’s historical relationship with Britain from the period Oliver Cromwell captured the islands from the Spanish to the 50 years of Jamaica’s independence Admission which includes lunch and refreshments is £10.00 from here. 

At 10.00am AFFORD presents Exploring effective collaboration between the Diaspora and the academic community in Room G3, SOAS. This seminar is part of the Africa UK project and has speakers such as Dr Laura Hammond, Ms Robtel Neajai Pailey, Dr Akin Oyetade (SOAS), Gibril Faal (AFFORD),  Onyekachi Wambu (AFFORD), Farhan Hassan (I.O.E.), Dr Ben Page (UCL) and the African Diaspora Academic Network (ADAN). Register for this FREE event by email. 

From 11.00am to 5.00pm is The African Market at Old Spitalfields Market, Liverpool Street, EC1 6EW, showcasing original and ethical fashion, accessories, jewellery, local and international charities, natural beauty products, books and much more, FREE entry all day

From 1.00pm to 4.00pm is Exploring Mental Wellbeing in our African and Caribbean Communities at Cambridge House, 1 Addington Square, SE5 0HF, an afternoon of discussion, film, learning, light refreshment and African drumming which explores the role of mental wellbeing in Southwark’s African and Caribbean communities. Register for this FREE event here.

At 3.00pm is For Those who will Come: An Afternoon with Mavis Stewart MBE at Haberdashers Aske’s Federation, Jerningham Road, New Cross, SE14 5NY. Special guests include the Jamaica High Commission, Jacob Sakil (former Young Mayor of Lewisham) and Sonia Meggie (Inspirational YOU) who will tell the story of Mrs Mavis Stewart MBE through singing, testimonials, poetry and storytelling. Tickets are £10.00 from here.

At 7.00pm BBI UK presents the 10^th Annual Business Awards Charity Gala and Networking Event at the Hilton Tower Bridge, 6 More London SE1 2BY.  Celebrating diversity and achievement with award presentations, hosted by comedian Eddie Nestor, musical performances by Roucheon Iloyi, Lovella Ellis, Juliet Fletcher, dance from The Movement Factory music from DJ Big Mike, delicious cuisine and a couture fashion show. Tickets start from £100.00 from here

At 7.30pm is the Annual Black history Month Dinner at St Johns, 3 Crawford Avenue, Wembley, HA0 2HX, this sumptuous dinner will be followed by a presentation by history consultant Kwaku, admission is £5.00 (£3.00 for children) RSVP by email or by phone 020 8902 0273 

At 8.00pm is Strings of Fire- Gambia meets Central Africa at Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, E8 4AA, with Gambian kora master and Griot Jally Kebba Susso exploring AfroFunk, jazz, rock and Blues with his band Manding Sabu. Also featuring Zong Zing a 9 piece band led by master guitarist Fiston Lusambo playing Cavacha a form of music from Central Africa. Admission is FREE before 9.00pm, £5.00 before 10.00pm and £8.00 thereafter.

Sunday 27^th October

From 12.00am to 7.00pm Open the Gate presents The African Market at Rich Mix, with many stalls with ethical fashion, arts and crafts, design, handmade jewellery, books, natural beauty and skincare, music, hair care, face painting, drummers circle and homemade African food, FREE entry all day.

At 5.00pm is the 15th Annual Gathering of Africa’s Best (GAB) Awards at the Hilton London Paddington, 146 Praed Street, Paddington, W2 1EE. These awards seek to highlight the achievements in various areas from Arts, Media, Sports, Banking and Finance, Architecture, Literature and many more. For this eventful and entertaining event tickets start from £100.00 from here. 

At 8.00pm Open the Gate presents Abdoulaye Samb and Minnjiaraby Wouty Album Launch at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA, featuring special guests Diabel Cissoko, Luzmira Zerpa, Kyazi Lungagira, Noga Ritter, Maimuna Faal and Baba Galle Kante, supported by Sura Susso and DJ Koichi Sakai, the Senegalese singer whose bands name translates as ‘The love of mixing’ will be launching his new album Wouty, tickets are £7.00 from here, £10.00 on the door.

Week of 14th October: Half of a Yellow Sun Movie Premiere, Onye Ozi World Premiere, Gone to Far, Inspirational YOU, Imperial College Nigerian Society Symposium and Dinner, Iri Ji (New Yam Festival), UK African Caribbean Dental Association, Aar Manta

Kedu! (Hello in Igbo),

Proud to be African Clothing is very excited this week as we have a full representation of African cinema

bursting upon us and not one but multiple offerings from the African film industry particularly the phenomenon that is Nollywood, premiering or showing in London.

Chimanda Ngozi Adichie’s world bestseller ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ has been made into a film! Directed by Nigerian author and playwright Biyi Bandele (Burma Boy) and starring Oscar hopeful Chiewetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave, 4 Brothers, Dirty Pretty Things, Talk To Me etc), Thandie Newton, John Boyega (Attack the Block), Genevieve Nnaji, Onyeka Owenu and many more. This story of Nigerian Independence and the Civil War and the lives and tangled loves of the people caught up in it. Filmed on location in Nigeria, this is movie encapsulates everything about the New Africa, an African story told by Africans, made in Africa by Africans for Africans, to be enjoyed by all. 

Onye Ozi is the first Igbo language film to be made in the UK made by the stalwart of the  new Nollywood; Obi Emeleonye (Mirror Boy, Last Flight to Abuja), starring comedian Okey Bakassi. With his trademark good story telling and high production values, this is really the only place to be this Friday evening.

The London Film Festival has begun, with a smattering of African films Gone to Far is the screen adaptation of Bola Agbaje’s Olivier award winning play set in Peckham examining the dichotomy between brothers raised in Nigeria and the diaspora

Felix is a South African drama about a boy who wishes to follow in his late father’s musical footsteps, B is for Boy is a a Nigerian drama about the lengths a woman will go to get a male child. Grisgris is a Chadian thriller about a street photographers romance with a would be model

To complete the trifecta of Igboness, the Igbo Culture and Support Network will be holding their Iri Ji New Yam Festival on Saturday, where you can partake of traditional Igbo dishes (not all yam based!), dances, masquerades, and many more.

There are also talks and seminars such as Governance in Africa, Lets Talk, Lets Talk Business, T’ings and Time, The 2Inspire Network Ladies Day, Free at Last with Gary Younge and more

Music from Emeka Elendu and Afrobeat Specialists, Somali singer Aar Manta, African flamenco Buika will be performing with Sura Sasso

Plays such as The White Witch of Roase Hall, The Old Woman, the Buffalo and the Lion of Manding

Please go out and support all the fine African events, we cannot complain that we do npt see our stories being told or representations of our lives if we don’t go out and support when these things happen. We have a wide range of excellent films and other productions from the vast African and diaspora experience. I really hope you will support them.

Enjoy the week

Monday 14^th October

At 7.00pm Lets Talk returns with a new venue Juno Bar, 134 Shoreditch High Street, E1 . Hosted by Mikey and Essay this debate night with a hint of spoken word will feature strong opinions and even stronger arguments. Admission is £2.00

At 7.00pm is In Conversation: T’ings & Time- The British State in Black and White at The Maroons Restaurant, 514 Commercial Road, Limehouse, E1 0HY, Chaired by Dawn Butler with Dr Yvonne Thompson and Councillor Lorna Campbell discussing Economic Development in the African/ African Caribbean Community in Britain. Book your place at this FREE event by phone or email.

At 7.30pm Buika and Sura Susso will be playing at Barbican Hall, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS. The smoky voiced flamenco singer will be acknowledging her African roots with the kora player Sura Sasso in this one of London Show. Tickets from £19.95 from here.

At 7.30pm is The White Witch of Rose Hall at The Broadway Theatre, Catford Road, Catford, SE6 4RU. This play of a legendary Jamaican play inspired by true events is retold by Simon James Collier and set in 19^th century West Indies against the backdrop of the abolishment of slavery, voodoo, murder, betrayal and lust. Running till 26^th October tickets are £14.50 from here. 

At 8.45pm The London Film Festival screens Good Report at The Vue West End, 3 Cranbourn street, Leicester Square, WC2H 7AL this intense South African film mixes sex and social commentary in the story of a young teacher at a new school who has a sexual encounter in a bar with a young lady he later discovers is an underage pupil at his school. Shot in black and white this is a story of tragic obsession. Tickets from £16.00 from here. 

Tuesday 15^th October

From 1.00pm to 3.00pm Inspirational You presents Lets Talk Business at The Stephen Lawrence Centre, 39 Brookmill Road, Deptford, SE8 4HU. Hosted by Bernard P. Achampong this event will provide tips for start ups, sustain your business, inspiration, tips for financing, business plans and networking. Speakers include Ketan Makwana (Rockstar Youth), Jenni Steel (Radio Presenter), Kim Sterling-Haig (Tippee Toes), Lorna Stewart (Black 100+), Sarah Asafo-Agyei (Asian Investment Bank), Obi James (Investment Banker) and Lyrical Healer (Author/ presenter/ poet). Register for this FREE event here.

At 6.00pm the Royal African Society presents Governance for Development in Africa in the Brunei Suite, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG. Chaired by Dr Jonathan Di John (SOAS) discussing with Dr David Booth (Overseas Development Institute) the overview of issues surrounding governance for development in Africa using in depth empirical research. Register for this FREE event here.

At 6.00pm the London Film Festival screens Grisgris  at The Vue West End, this Chadian film about a street photographers romantic interest in a would be model. When rising family medical bills lead him to get involved in a dangerous petrol smuggling racket, both he and the object of his affections find themselves in danger. Tickets are £16.00 from here

At 6.15pm The London Film Festival screens Good Report at the Ritzy Cinema, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG this intense South African film mixes sex and social commentary in the story of a young teacher at a new school who has a sexual encounter in a bar with a young lady he later discovers is an underage pupil at his school. Shot in black and white this is a story of tragic obsession. Tickets are £12.50 from here

At 7.00pm Author Dorothy Koomson will be at Canada Water Library, 21 Surrey Quays Road, SE16 7AR. The international bestselling author of 8 novels (My Best Friends Girl, The Ice Cream Girls, The Roase Petal Beach etc) will talk about and read from her works and then take questions from the audience. This is a FREE event.

At 7.45pm is Free at Last with Gary Younge in the Purcell Room, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. In which the author of The Speech: The Story behind Martin Luther Kings ‘I have a dream’ retells the stories of forgotten heroes such as Claudette Colvin, Robert Carter with curator Hannah Pool. Tickets are £10.00 from here. 

Wednesday 16^th October

From 1.00pm UCLU BHM 2013 will be screening 3 movies, the first is ‘The Story of Lovers Rock’ in Seminar Room One, Bentham B11, UCL, Endsleigh Gardens, WC1H 0EG. This film tells the story of the British music phenomenon, Lovers Rock a sub genre of reggae that was uniquely British through comedy, dance and archive footage. Followed by a post screening discussion, register for this FREE screening here. 

At 3.00pm is ‘The First Grader’ the true story of an 84 year old Kenyan villager who fights for his right to go to school and get the education he could never afford. Followed by a post screening chat. Register for this FREE screening here. At 5.15pm is ‘The Curse of the Golden Flower’ about China’s Tang Dynasty. This screening will be introduced by Victor Fan (film Studies Lecturer) and followed by a Q&A, register for this FREE screening here.

At 4.30pm is the Roots of Money: Creative family Workshop at Hale End Library, Castle Avenue, Highams Park, E4 9QD, this event covers the type and history of money and transactions on African history. RSVP this FREE event here.

At 6.30pm UCLU BHM 2013 will host the Living history Exhibition in Roberts Foyer G02, Roberts Building, UCL , Gower Street, WC1E 6BT. This is a collection of images supported by Lord Victor Adebowale are of living people, politicians, entrepreneurs, artists, academics and others. This is a FREE event, more details here. 

At 6.30pm is Ebony Inspired at Beaufort House, 354 Kings Road, Chelsea, SW3 5UZ, where you can network and socialise with like minded new and established black entrepreneurs in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Register for £10.00 here. 

At 6.30pm OBV and University of Westminster present An Evening with Gary Younge in The Old Cinema, Westminster University, 309 Regent Street, W1B 2HW. The writer and columnist will unlock the story behind Dr Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a dream’ speech, give a short reading from his book and discuss the speech with fellow panellists Diane Abbott MP and Professor Kurt Barling (BBC Correspondent). Register for this FREE event by email. 

From 6.30pm to 8.30pm is The 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair in the West Wing, Somerset House, The Strand, WC2R 1LA, featuring artists from the continent and the diaspora such as Edson Chagas, Meschac Gaba, Aboudia, Sokari Douglas Camp CBE, Sammy Baloji, Godfried Donkor and curated by Koyo Kouoh. Running till 2oth October there will be talks, panels and lectures. Tickets are £12.00 (£5.00 concs) from here. 

At 7.00pm The National Geographic Store hosts The Dark Side of the Kalahari with Hannes Lochner at the National Geographic London Store, 102-104 Brompton Road, SW3 1JJ, this book is the result of a 2 year, 100,000km journey in the Kalahari Desert capturing the life of a single leopard and her struggle to raise her cubs in a harsh environment. Register for this FREE event here.

At 8.45pm the London Film Festival screens B is for Boy at The Ritzy Cinema, in which Amaka, a middle class Nigerian mother living in Abuja is desperate to have a male child. As she undertakes desperate measures to get a male child. Tickets are  here

Thursday 17^th October

At 3.45pm the London Film Festival screens Grisgris  at the BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XT this Chadian film about a street photographers romantic interest in a would be model. When rising family medical bills lead him to get involved in a dangerous petrol smuggling racket, both he and the object of his affections find themselves in danger. Tickets are £16.00 from here

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At 5.00pm is An Audience with Kwame M.A. McPherson at The Business Lounge, Wood Green Library, 191 High Road, Wood Green, N22 6DZ. The prolific Jamaican writer and entrepreneur will be interviewed by Dr Darren Henry. Register for this FREE event here. 

At 6.00pm KPMG African and Caribbean Network presents Celebrating the Value of the Black Pound   at KPMG, 15 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, E14 5GL. Themed and moderated by Richard Iferenta (Partner, KPMG) with Piers Linney (Outsourcery), Dawn Butler (Former Labour MP), Justine Lutterodt (Synchrous Leadership) and Michael Eboda (Powerful Media) the panel will discuss the economic contributions of Black Britons and the positive effect of positive leadership. Followed by networking and African canapés. Register for this FREE event by email 

At 6.00pm Lelas Lounge presents Talk to Me (A Speed Dating Affair) at Adulis Restaurant, 44-46 Brixton Road, SW9 6BT. Hosted by Mika this is a speed dating event with style and class for the young, black professional. Tickets are £12.00 from here. 

At 7.00pm Author Malorie Blackman will be at Dulwich Library, 368 Lordship Lane, Dulwich, SE22 8NB, the celebrated author will read from and talk about her work and entertain questions from the audience. This is a FREE event

Friday 18^th October

At 6.30pm is Gone Too Far at the Odeon West End. This comedy drama written by Bola Agbaje (and based on her Olivier Award winning play of the same name) and directed by Destiny Ekaragha involves long lost brothers Yemi and Iku and their simmering adolescent passions against the back drop of tensions on a Peckham estate. Tickets are £16.00 from here.

From 1.30pm to 9.30pm the Imperial College Nigerian Society hosts its 2^nd Annual Symposium And Dinner in The Great Hall, Imperial College London, Cromwell Road, SW7 2AZ. Themed ‘Taking the Great Leap: Overcoming the challenges to Nigeria’s Economic Prosperity’. This will be followed by a Dinner in the evening. The symposium is FREE, while tickets for the dinner start from £25.00 from here.

At 6.00pm is Phase One Network-Panel Discussion at BPP Law School Waterloo, 137 Stamford Street, Waterloo, SE1 9NN. Themed ‘Learning from the lives of young successful individuals’ the panellists will share their journeys, success and failures. The panellists include Kyla Frye (model and actress), Sebastien Thiel (social entrepreneur and Film Director), Irene Awosika (fashion designer), Junior Ogunyemi (Author). Register for this FREE event here.

At 6.30pm is the World Premiere of Onye Ozi (the Messenger) at The Lighthouse, 270 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, SE5 0HQ. Starring Okey Bakassi and Ngozi Igwebike and directed by Obi Emelonye. The premiere will be hosted by Okey Bakassi who will perform his stand up act along with other music performances, and short films before the film starts at 8.00pm, food will be on sale throughout. Tickets are £20.00 (£14.00 for children) from here. 

At 7.00pm KMT and Boulevard La Palma present Mama Africa at Arch 365, 15-16 Lendal Terrace, SW4 7UX, with resident DJ’s on rotation Oya Bun, Bogossy Freshfrenchy and host KMT playing Hip Life, afrobeats, coupe decale, afro deep house music, Latin, Portuguese, Brazilian and Tribal music as well as an African Dance Workshop with Madee. FREE before 9.00pm, £3.00 before 11.00pm and £5.00 thereafter (or FREE entry before 11.00pm for fancy or African dress).

At 7.30pm is Jan Blakes: The Old Woman, the Buffalo and the Lion of Manding at the Albany Centre, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG. Written and told by Jan Blake with music by Kouame and Raymond Sereba this spinning tale has its origins in ancient Mali, spans centuries to tell the story of a conflicted king, jealous first wife, disfigured buffalo woman and a child with a destiny. Tickets are £10.00 (£8.00 concs) from here.

At 8.00pm is Black History Comedy Night at The Broadway Theatre, Catford Road, SE6 4RU, with Eddie Kadi, Kojo and Uncle Adot, this is Black British comedy at its finest. Tickets start from £17.50 from here.

At 8.00pm Emeka Elendu and the Kalakuta Afrobeat Specialist will be Felabrating the Life of Fela Kuti at Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, Dalston, E8 4AA, performing live on stage hosted by MC Honey Brown and supported by Mulele Matondo Afrika and with Rock Ma Beads, Hylu, Sleepy Time Ghost and Wu-Lu upstairs. Admission is FREE before 9.00pm, £5.00 before 10.00pm and £8.00 thereafter

Saturday 19^th October

From 11.00am to 6.00pm is The 2Inspire Network Ladies Day at Old Stratford Town Hall, 29 Broadway, Stratford, E15 4BQ. This event will feature a shopping arena, entertainment and fashion show, pamper corner and lifestyle development workshops such as Eating for Success facilitated by Daniele Pond, Media Communications for Business and Pleasure facilitated by Valley Fontaine, Africans in the Diaspora facilitated by Jean Sinikiwe Chawapiwa, How to make your business tick facilitated by Usha Penumuchi and Adopting a Holistic Approach to Hair Care by Annette Headley . Admission is FREE, workshops are £5.00 from here.

At 2.00pm Author Catherine Johnson will be at Peckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR, the celebrated author and screenwriter of over 20 books  and screenplays such as Bullet Boy and Holby City will read from and talk about her work and entertain questions from the audience. This is a FREE event.

From 2.00pm to 5.00pm is Cultural exhibition and workshop at St Hugh’s Church, Crosby Road, SE1 4PH. This will feature an exhibition of body adornments worn by women from Africa to Asia as well as a head tie workshop and meditation. This is a FREE event

At 3.30pm London Film Festival presents Felix at the BFI Southbank, this South African film focuses on a little boy who wishes to be a saxophonist like his late father despite his mothers disapproval, winning a scholarship to an elite music school with the encouragement of his fathers former bandmates. Currently sold out but more tickets may be released here

At 5.00pm The Igbo Culture and Support Network will host their Iri Ji (New Yam) Festival at The Petchey Academy, Shacklewell Lane, E8 2EY. The New Yam Festival is a combination of a Harvest Festival and thanksgiving in Igbo Culture and this is an opportunity to absorb the culture of one of Africa’s largest but less well known tribes. Also celebrating 15 years of ICSN there will be a variety of Nigerian dishes, Yam Auctions, masquerades and cultural presentation, traditional dances by the ICSN Dance Troupe and then dancing with music from the DJ until the early hours. Tickets are £10.00 earlybird, £15.00 in advance and £20.00 on the door 

At 5.30pm Shanti-Chi and Carpe Diem present Ezigbo the Spirit Child- An enchanted Tale at The Arcola Theatre, 24 Arshwin Street, Dalston, E8 3DL the dynamic African story teller Griot Chinyere supported by Vedina Mose tell the story of Ezigbo the Spirit Child who the river goddess gives  to the chiefs wife after she loses her first child, however the goddess has a single rule for the mother and child to obey. Tickets are £7.20 from here. 

At 5.45pm is the London Premiere of Half of a Yellow Sun at Odeon West End, this epic love story encompassing the lives and loves of a group of young, idealistic Nigerians during the period of Independence to the Civil War. Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton and Anika Noni Rose as twins from a well to do family who’s gradual dissonance is typified by their choice of partners, idealistic Olanna (Newton) with Odenigbo (Ejiofor) a radical university Professor and Kainene (Rose) with Richard (Joseph Mawle) an Englishman studying Nigerian arts. Their lives are shared by their young houseboy Ugwu (John Boyega) as they go through the turbulence of the Nigerian Civil War. Written and Directed by Biyi Bandele, based on the novel by Chimanda Ngozi Adichie and filmed on location in Nigeria, if you haven’t got tickets you better hang outside to soak up the awesomeness. Tickets are actually sold out but try here and see if more have been released.

At 6.00pm the UK African and Caribbean Dental Association Launch will take place at The Hilton Hotel, 5 More London Place, Tooley Street, SE1 2BY. This Black Tie event is to celebrate the birth of the association, share it s vision and mission of raising oral health to the public. Tickets are £70.00 per person and £120.00 per couple from here.

At 6.30pm is Gone Too Far at Hackney Picturehouse. This comedy drama written by Bola Agbaje (and based on her Olivier Award winning play of the same name) and directed by Destiny Ekaragha involves long lost brothers Yemi and Iku and their simmering adolescent passions against the back drop of tensions on a Peckham estate. Tickets are £12.50 from here.

At 8.00pm Aar Maanta will be performing in The Tabernacle, 35 Powis Square, Notting Hill, W11 2AY. This stop on the Somali singers tour is hosted by Prince Abdi, his music harks back to the hey day of Somali music in the 70s with contemporary urban influences, tickets are £11.00 from here. 

Sunday 20^th October

From 2.00pm to 6.00pm Mwalimu Express returns to Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA with a Felabration Session, celebrating the birthday of Fela Kuti and featuring Bumi Thomas live on stage, Felas 1982 documentary ‘Music is the weapon’, Rita Ray and Max Reinhardt on the decks, Parent and Toddler Dancing, face painting, books, music and oware board games. And its all FREE!!! 

At 6.15pm  Half of a Yellow Sun will be showing at Screen on the Green, 83 Upper Street, Islington, N1 0NP, this epic love story encompassing the lives and loves of a group of young, idealistic Nigerians during the period of Independence to the Civil War. Written and Directed by Biyi Bandele, based on the novel by Chimanda Ngozi Adichie and filmed on location in Nigeria, if you haven’t got tickets you better hang outside to soak up the awesomeness. Tickets are also sold out here but there might be returns

At 6.30pm is Gone Too Far at The Vue, West End. This comedy drama written by Bola Agbaje (and based on her Olivier Award winning play of the same name) and directed by Destiny Ekaragha involves long lost brothers Yemi and Iku and their simmering adolescent passions against the back drop of tensions on a Peckham estate. Tickets are £16.00 from here.