Week of 2nd December: TEDx Euston Ripple Effect, Afridiziak Winter Fair, Commonwealth Carol Service, Creative Nigeria, Zimbabwean Arts and Culture, Lela’s Lounge, Krismasi Njema!, Investing In Africa, Caribbean Christmas Cheer

Jam Na (How are you in Fulfude),

As we roll into December, Proud to be African Clothing is starting our Christmas Sale early, using the voucher code CHRISTMAS10, you can get 10% off all purchase at www.proudtobeafrican.co.uk until 25^th December. You can get T shirts for men, women and children, as well as hoodys, baby grows, vests and polo shirts. I trust our ever growing legion of fans will be wearing Proud to be African as they step out to this week’s events which include TEDx Euston (actually in Blackfriars), a first class event organised by African professionals for Africans about Africa and African issues. The keynote speaker is one of the most powerful women in Africa this year Nigeria’s Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala with many other speakers it promises to be another 5 star event.

For Christmas shoppers there is the Afridiziak Winter Fair who will offer a unique cultural shopping experience as well as raising money for the Sickle Cell Society

Music from Adam Glasser and the Soothsayers, events and seminars such as Creative Nigeria, Christmas ‘do’s’ such as AMREFs Krismasi Njema and Caribbean Christmas Cheer.

There’s more than enough to keep you busy while you wonder round snug and warm in your Proud to be African hoody.

Have a good week!

Monday 2^nd December

At 8.30am is Investing in African Mining 2013 in the Great Eastern Room, Andaz Hotel, 40 Liverpool Street, EC2M 7QN. This full day seminar features 17 presentations with updates by mining companies on their African projects, finance, technical presentations and networking. Admission from C$60.00 here. 

At 5.00pm is Senegal’s Art Today: An increasing diversity of practice in Room 4429, Russell Square College Buildings, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG. Chaired by Dr Charles Gore (SOAS) with Salimata Diop (Art consultant) who will introduce the audience to the fast changing landscape of Senegalese art and the most dynamic Senegalese artists. This is a FREE event, more details here. 

Tuesday 3^rd December

From 12.00pm to 7.00pm the Association of Corporate Counsel presents Investing in Africa: Current Trends at 41 Lothbury, EC2R 7HF, in house counsel will share their experiences of doing business in the region and giving practical tips, with roundtable discussions on Anglophone West Africa, East Africa, Lusophone Africa, Francophone Africa and South Africa, with the keynote speaker setting out the political and economic landscape. Admission starts from £50.00 from here..

At 6.00pm the Zimbabwe Association presents Zimbabwean Arts and Culture Panel Meeting at the Comic Relief Offices, 89 Albert Embankment, SE1 7TP. The event will feature a panel discussion with Josh Nyapimbe (Nhimbe Trust) and Chipo Chung and members of the Zimbabwe Association and Britain Zimbabwe Society. This is a FREE event

Wednesday 4^th December

At 5.00pm the Centre for African Studies presents Islam, Power and Popular Culture in Northern Nigeria in Room B101, Brunei Gallery, SOAS. Chaired by Professor Graham Furniss (SOAS) with Abubakar Aliyu Liman (Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria) who will review the politics of cultural production in northern Nigeria through the prism of Islam. This is a FREE event. For more info email.

At 6.30pm the Royal Commonwealth Society hosts the Commonwealth Carol Service 2013 at St Martin’s in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ. ‘Themed Opportunity through enterprise’, there will be a mix of carols, performances and readings including performances by the Purcells Schools Commonwealth Ensemble, young composer Kayi Pau and The Senanyake London Choir. There will be readings by the Dominican High Commissioner HE Francine Bacon and the Commonwealth Secretary General HE Kamalesh Sharma and addresses by Big Issue founder John Bird MBE, and the Right Honourable Vince Cable MP (Secretary for Business, Innovation and Skills. Tickets are £10.00 from here.

At 6.30pm is the Professor Richard Reid Inaugural Lecture: The Trouble with African Past. The Pre-colonial in the Making of Uganda in the Brunei Gallery, SOAS. Professor Richard Reid (SOAS) will consider the role of history in modern African society vis a vis the developmental agendas and the notions of economic growth against which African progress and stability are measured. Register for this FREE event here

Thursday 5^th December

From 12.00pm to 2.00pm the Tessa Sanderson Foundation presents Tessa Sanderson White CBE Christmas Lunch Reception Champagne Buffett at The House of Lords in The River Room, House of Lords, Houses of Parliament, Westminster, SW1A 0AA, this reception will be hosted by The Earl of Erroll and The Baroness Howells of St Davids. RSVP by emailing Sheila Williamson

At 3.45pm Hatch Events presents Creative Nigeria in Level 5, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. This information and networking session will expose the audience to Nigeria’s creative industries with Nollywood, Half of a Yellow Sun, D’Banj, 2Face Idibia, Lagos Fashion and Design Week and Naija pop as examples. Speakers include Yemisi Mokuolu (Hatch Africa Solutions), Nkiru Asika(Enterprise Creative), Femi Longe (Open Living Labs), Andrea Calderwood (producer Half of a Yellow Sun), Digger Elias (51 Lex Records), Fiona Howe (Scenario Films), Nkwo (Fashion designer),  Ozzie Ojo (music producer) and Tom Rowland-Rees (Cinema Kpatakpata) Register for this FREE event here.

At 5.00pm the UCL Institute of the Americas hosts Beyond Remittances and Tourism: What Future for the Caribbean Economy in the Galton Lecture Theatre, UCL, 1-19 Torrington Place, WC1E 7HB. Panellists Professor Victor Bulmer-Thomas (University of London), Vindelyn Smith-Hillman (Bank of Jamaica) and Alan Smith (HSBC) will explore whether tourism, regional integration or international integration can lead Caribbean countries to improve their standard of living. RSVP this FREE event here. 

At 6.30pm AMREF hosts Krismasi Njema! at St Dunstans in the West, 186a Fleet Street, EC4A 2HR. AMREF’s annual Christmas conference combines favourite European carols with traditional African Christmas songs sung by the London African Gospel Choir, Christmas readings and then wine and nibbles. Email Katharine to book tickets; £25.00 (£7.00 for children) all funds go to AMREFs work in East Africa.

At 7.00pm Raw Live presents The Soothsayers at the Jamm, 261 Brixton Road, Brixton, SW9 6LH. Hosted by Floetic Lara, featuring London band The Soothsayers with special guests Nanci & Phoebe, Monster Playground, Raw Fire, Raw Sounds, Amy True, DJ Snuff and many more. Admission is £5.00.

Friday 6^th December

At 6.30pm is Reality of Life London Conference at Waterlily Banquet Suite, 69-89 Mile End Road, E1 4TT. themed ‘Inspiring a generation-Mid reorientation’, hosted by Tayo Akobi JPguest speakers include Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafida (Nigeria High Commissioner), Professor Kwaku Donso-Boafo (Ghana High Commissioner), Otunba Gbenga Daniel (former governor of Ogun State, Nigeria), Councillor Kate Anolue (Former Mayor of Enfield), Councillor Tulip Siddiq (PPC for Hampstead and Kilburn CLP), Mrs Chineze Ben-Nwankwo (Public Health Economist), Nnena Ani (Nollywood actress) and Saka Ayinde Orobo (FUMAN,Nigeria). Entertainment will be provided by Dolla Billz, TuSTEP, Maury Deebee, Blue Rise, MC Boy, Vanessa Adekola Dancers and many more. Tickets from £50.00 from here.

At 7.00pm is Afrotake Night at Mama Jumbe’s, 350 St Katherine Street, E7 8NW, this monthly event promotes African culture and business for people who enjoy Live Afro soul music , wine tasting, afro cuisine and networking in a classy, elegant and chilled out atmosphere. Live music will be provided by Lerato Larrie Zwezwe and DJ Lady C. Tickets are £25.00 from here (including a glass of wine/champagne and a buffet)

 At 8.30pm South African virtuoso’s Adam Glasser and Pinise Saul will perform at The Ivy House, 40 Stuart Road, Nunhead, SE15 3BE. The harmonica/ keyboardist and vocalist will perform their unique form of township jazz, Broadway standards and original tracks with jazz guitarist Nigel Price and band. Tickets are £10.00 from here. 

Saturday 7^th December

From 9.00am to 11.00pm is TEDxEuston 2013- Ripple Effect at The Mermaid Conference Centre,

Puddle Dock, Blackfriars,  EC4V 3DB. This event organised by African professionals devoted to leveraging the power of idea is focussed on issues important to the Africa and the diaspora. Speakers include Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Nigerian Minister of Finance), Jacqueline Nwobu (Munaluchi Bride Magazine), Ikenna Azuike (Whats Up Africa), Fadekemi Akinfaderin-Agarau (Education as a Vaccine), Emeka Keazor (Historian), Catherine Phiri (Media 365), Ayo-Dele (musician), Nt’abiseng (musician) .Tickets are £70.00 (£50.00 students) from here.

From 11.00am to 7.00pm is the 4^th Annual Afridiziak Gift and Occasions Winter Fair at the Embassy Tea Gallery, 195-205 Union Street, SE1 0LN. This unique shopping event brings together entrepreneurs selling unique culturally inspired gifts with the discerning shopper. Goodie bags for the first 50 shoppers, raffle prizes and pop up cafes. Admission is £3.00 (FREE for under 16’s)  from here percentage of the proceeds at the door go to The Sickle Cell Society

At 5.30pm The London African Reading Group will be reading Hairdresser of Harare at Book and Kitchen, 31 All Saints Road, W11 1HE. RSVP this FREE event literary event by email.

At 7.00pm Star100 presents Winter Wonderland 2013 at Balls Brothers Minster exchange, Mincing Lane, EC3R 7PP. This event will consist of a champagne reception and a 3 course sit down dinner with wine, with networking games, music (including Azonto of course!). Tickets start from £50.00 (£90.00 for a pair) from here. 

At 8.00pm TriniPosse UK presents Caribbean Christmas Cheer at Brogan’s Irish Bar, 1 Fulham Broadway, Fulham, SW6 1AA. This little slice of Trinidad and Tobago Christmas cheer will feature parang music, food and other entertainment. In keeping with the season of giving each invitee is asked to bring an unopened tin of food and a gift suitable for a child aged 1-12 which will be donated to one of the selected charities (NSPCC and Home Start Camden). Tickets start from £6.50 from here.

Sunday 8^th December

At 6.00pm Lelas Lounge presents Talk To Me (The Social Network Edition) at Stone Bar, 68-70 Honor Park, SE23 1DY. This night of discussion, networking and entertainment hosted by Mika will feature networking, games and ice breakers as well as a DJ set by Mika, with buffet platters available. Admission is £10.00 (£15.00 inclusive of buffet) from here.

At 7.30pm SafariMusic presents Adam Glasser at Safari Bar, 975 High Road, North Finchley, N12 8QR. The harmonica virtuoso accompanied by Robin Aspland on piano and the house band Just East, will perform music as varied as jazz ballads as township jazz. Tickets are £5.00 from here.