Week on 3rd February: Nollywood on the Move, Numbi’s Night of Afropolitan Dandies, Reception with Cayman Island Premier, NELA Awards 2014, Welcome to Busseyworld, Afrogala 2014, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, Red Velvet,

Akkam (Hello in Oromo),

Welcome to February, Proud to be African Clothing has a host of movies, plays, discussions and

presentations this week.

Enjoy

Monday 3^rd February

At 5.00pm Chatham House hosts Mozambique’s Prospects: Investment and the Importance of Strategic Infrastructure Development at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE. Chaired by Elisabete Azevedo-Harman (Chatham House) with Hon Gabriel Muthisse (Mozambique Minister of Transport and Communications) who will discuss the strategies and priorities of the Ministry of Transport and Communication and the importance of infrastructure in developing Mozambique’s potentials. To attend contact ChrisVandome.

At 7.30pm The Caramel Film Club screens In The Hive at Exhibit, 12 Balham Station Road, Balham, SW12 9SG. This feature film about an unorthodox school for boys with disciplinary and other issues in the rural US South, stars Loretta Devine, Vivica A. Fox. Admission is £5.00, more details here. 

Tuesday 4^th February

At 7.00pm the Royal African Society presents Nollywood on the Move: 1991-2014 in the Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square,WC1H 0XG. Chaired by Nadia Denton (author Black British Filmmakers guide to success), with Dr Francoise Ugochukwu (The Open University) and Phoenix Fry (University of the Arts London), the discussion will look at themes that arise in Nollywood films such as culture, the effect of religions and the influence of globalisation, the didactic nature of production and their links with Nigerian literature. RSVP this FREE event here.

At 7.00pm Mothership Connections Book Club will be screening Of Good Report in Room G50, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street. This is a South African horror sci fi film, more details here.

Wednesday 5^th February

At 12.00pm Chatham House presents Division and Conflict in South Sudan: Challenges to the Humanitarian Response at Chatham House, Eric Marclay (ICRC) will discuss the humanitarian dimensions of the conflict, the challenges confronting humanitarian operations and the impact of politics on the crisis. To attend contact Chris Vandome. 

At 7.00pm Friends of British Overseas Territories hosts a Reception with the Premier of the Cayman Islands at 6 Arlington Street, St James, Green Park, SW1A 1RE. The honourable Alden McLaughlin MBE Prime Minister of the Cayman Islands will discuss the current relationship between The Caymans and Britain and support available for the young Cayman Islanders working and studying in the UK. Tickets are £20.00 (£10.00 for members) from here. 

Thursday 6^th February

At 6.30pm is Towards Reforming the International Financial and Monetary System at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, WC2A 2AE. Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson (Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Coast) will reflect on the technical and moral origins of the crisis and explore the areas that need reform. Book tickets for this FREE event by email or phone 0207 955 6043.

At 8.00pm Fimber Bravo, Susumu Mukai, Leo Taylor and Kadialy Kouyate will be performing at Cafe Oto, 18 -22 Ashwin Street, Dalston, E8 3DL. Trinidadian steel drum maestro Fimber Bravo teams up with a range of musicians including kora maestro Kadialy Kouyate. Tickets are £7.50 from here.

Friday 7^th February

At 7.00pm Red Velvet is showing at The Tricycle Theatre, 269 Kilburn High Road, NW6 7JR. This play starring Adrian Lester is inspired by a true story of in 1833 the greatest actor of his generation has collapsed playing Othello and a young black American actor has been asked to take over his role, how will cast, critics and the audience react? Tickets are £31.00 from here running till March 13^th.

At 9.00pm is A Southern African Dine, Drink and Dance Affair at Mama Jumbes, 350 Katherine Road, E7 8NW. Feast on a boerwors and sosatie banquet, washed down by Viceroy and Castle lager and then dance it off to music by London’s finest Southern African DJ’s. FREE entry

Saturday 8^th February

From 9.30am to 3.00pm is Seize the Opportunity! Expand to Africa- An SME Perspective. With Ernie Barrett(Cambria Solutions Group Holding Ltd) and Folasade Ovie-Afabor (JIL Ventures). With networking, lunch, case studies and workshops about SMEs that are trading in Africa. Tickets start from £50.00 from here.

From 12.00pm to 5.00am is Welcome to Busseywood: World Cinema (True Grit) at the CLF Art Cafe, 133 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST. This is the second instalment of the wildly successful 16 hour film festival. Curated by Vashti Henry and hosted by Kunga Dred, there will be screenings ranging from France, Vietnam, Brazil across 3 floors, with music till 5.00am. More about this epic and FREE event here 

At 6.00pm is the Nigerian Entertainment and Lifestyle Awards 2014 at The Regent, 331 Regent Park, Finchley Central, N3 1DP. Hosted by WiseTola, this awards show will feature awards for personalities of Nigerian origin, a Nigerian buffet and music and entertainment until midnight. Tickets are £50.00 from here. 

At 6.00pm Imperial College ACS presents Afrogala 2014: The Untold Stories in the Great Hall, Sherfield Building, Imperial College London, South Kensington, SW7 2AZ. This blend of dance, music and fashion celebrates African and Caribbean culture. Tickets are from £12.00 to £20.00 from here. 

At 7.30pm Bukky Leo’s Reggae Ska Quartet presents Kasai Masai at The Forge, 3-7 Delancey Street, Camden, NW1 7NL, featuring the Soukous kings Kasai Masai, with Bukky Leo’s Reggae Ska Quartet Kendrick Row on drums, Lance Rose on bass, Edison Herbert on guitar and Bukky Leo on tenor sax. FREE entry.

At 8.00pm Numbi present A Night of Afropolitan Dandies at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA, hosted by Elmi Ali and featuring a poets corner with Numbi resident artists Dorothea Smartt, Olumide Popoola and Kayo Chingonyi, live music by Le Rouge et Le Noir, Swedish/ Eritrean singer Miryam Solomon accompanied by Jean Berthon on guitar and DJ Dapper D on the decks, tickets are £10.00 (£5.00 concs) from here and £12.00 on the door. 

Sunday 9^th February

At 3.00pm Hackney Picturehouse screens 35 Shots of Rum at The Attic, Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, E8 1HE. This is the story of a middle aged widower and his twentysomething year old daughter, his on-off girlfriend and their footloose friend. Tickets are £7.60 from here.