Week of 21st April: I want to Work in Africa, Akale Wube, 13th Annual Africa Business Summit, Focus-Best from Africa: Senegal meets Zimbabwe, Making it Big in Events, Ebony Inspired, Contemporary Somali Culture, Celebrate Pangaea, What were Black People doing in World War 1, iCAN Networking, Namvula at SOAS, Open the Gate, Aziza Brahim

Suba (greetings in Maasai)

Another interesting week for Proud to be African Clothing with lots of live music, film, theatre, Networking and presentations.

Half of a Yellow Sun is still on in theatres, we need to push it up the box office

Have a great week!

Monday 21st April Easter Monday

Nothing is happening, stay in bed and sleep

Tuesday 22^nd April

At 7.00pm The Frontline Club presents #FCBBCWS: Egypt’s Roadmap at The Frontline Club, 13 Norfolk Place, W2 1QJ. This panel discussion will examine the military authorities roadmap to Egypt’s second democratic elections since the fall of Mubarak, with Khalid Abdalla (Zero Production) an others. Tickets are £12.50 (£10.00 concs) from here.

Wednesday 23^rd April

At 12.00pm SEER presents an Exhibition of Ed Mpisaunga at The Crypt Gallery of St Pancras Church, Euston Road, NW1 2BA. The Zimbabwean painter and illustrator fascination with the universe and the invisible curtain between this world and the next  is symbolised in his work. Running till 26^th April, admission is FREE

At 6.00pm the Royal African Society hosts I want to work in Africa in the Brunei Suite, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1E 7HX. Chaired by John Battersby (Brand South Africa), the panel Onyekachi Wambu (AFFORD), Ike Anya (Nigeria Health Watch), this will discuss the themes in Frances Mensah Williams (author and HR Consultant), I want to work in Africa a step by step guide with stories and tips from people who have successfully made the trip back to Africa. RSVP this FREE event here. 

At 6.00pm is Ebony Inspired UK in the Haldanes Room, UCL, Wilkins Building, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT. This business, networking and social event for black professionals and entrepreneurs, is in its second year. Tickets are £15.00 in advance from here, £20.00 on the door or £5.00 for UCL students.

Thursday 24^th April

At 7.00pm The Mosaic Rooms presents Contemporary Somali Culture at The Mosaic Rooms, A.M. Qattan Foundation, Tower House, 226 Cromwell Road, SW5 0SW. this panel discussion reflects on contemporary Somali culture with Nadifa Mohamed (novelist), Ismail Einashe (journalist), Rashid Ali (architect) and other guests. Followed by a Q&A, RSVP this FREE event by email. 

At 7.00pm London African Startups hosts Business Networking at Jamies Bar, 10-18 London Bridge Street, SE1 9SG. This is a business networking event for London based African start ups in order to find start up peers, build networks, get advice and tips. RSVP via the Meetup Group for £1.00 here.

At 7.00pm the Saatchi Gallery presents Celebrate Pangaea at The Saatchi Gallery, Duke of Yorks HQ, Kings Road, SW3 4RY. Nigerian born composer and performance artist Helen Parker-Jayne of The Venus Bushfires will perform a captivating live set interpreted by contemporary African dance, this performance is in light of the Saatchi Gallery’s new exhibition Pangaea: New Art from Africa and Latin America. Tickets are £5.00 (including a drink) from here

At 7.30pm English PEN hosts Poetry and Protest-Campaign for Enoh Meyomese at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA. Hosted by Shane Solanki, this event highlights PENs campaign for the release of imprisoned Camerounian poet Enoh Meyomese, with an open mic from Student PEN, followed by a panel discussion on ‘How to be a literary activist’ with Sophie Mayer (poet and activist), Laila Sumpton (poet and writer) and James Byrne (The Wolf Magazine) followed by performances from Sonority Turner (slam poet) and Aoife Mannix (poet and novelist). Tickets are £5.00 from here.

At 7.30pm The Mama Jumbe Book Club meets at Mama Jumbe’s, 350 Katherine Road, E7 8NW, where they will be discussing short stories everyone can relate to the accompaniant of music by DJ Gabe, they will be reading Miss Lora by Junot Diaz. More details about this FREE event here.

At 6.30pm movebacktonigeria.com hosts Networking Drinks and Property in Nigeria at The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tower of London, 7 Pepys Street, EC3N 4AF. This event will consist of a presentation and Q&A with Femi Akintunde about the Lekki Pearl Development, followed by a networking drinks reception. Register for this FREE event here.

Friday 25^th April

At 6.00pm is iCAN Social Networking Evening at La Tasca, 12 Hertsmere Road, Canary Wharf, E14 4AE. This informal networking event for African/ Caribbean workers and professionals. Come with business cards or just come to chill and hang out with people like you, RSVP and more information about this FREE event here. 

At 6.00pm Purple Page’s presents the African and Caribbean Relocation and Investment Summit 2014 at The Phoenix Centre, 73 Oxford Street, W1D 2EP. This event presents a common platform for African and Caribbean businesses ad potential investors. Admission is £5.00 from here. 

At 6.30pm Black History Walks hosts What were Black People doing in World War 1 in The Blue Room, BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 8XT. Covering WW1 in Southern and Western Africa and the role of Colonial troops in the struggles and victories (or defeats) of the Imperial Powers. Register for this FREE event here.

At 7.00pm Namvula will be playing her Zambian Afro-Folk in the Brunei Suite, SOAS. Drawing heavily on her Zambian heritage as well as her Scottish roots the accomplished acoustic singer will be producing her unique uplifting sound. Email to reserve a FREE place, more details here. 

At 7.00pm is the Mobile Chic Boutique and Phoenix Centre Launch Party at The Phoenix Centre, 73 Oxford Street, W1D 2EP. With pop up shops, Caribbean and English cuisine, ice cream parlour and beauty treatment room. This launch includes a FREE cocktail reception, RSVP here.

At 7.00pm is Come Rhyme with Bang Said The Gun at Cottons Islington, 70 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QP. Hosted by Dean Atta and Deanna Rodgers, the Appetizers are the 6 open mic slots, followed by the Starter Dan Cockrill, main course, Peter Hayhoe and Dessert Laurie Bolger, all in a chilled Caribbean themed atmosphere. Admission with Caribbean supper is £12.50 (£10.00 concs) or £7.00 for the show only from here. 

At 8.00pm is Making it Big in Events in the Conference Centre, Hughes Perry Hall, Cartwright Gardens, University of London, WC1B 5DN. This event presents the opportunity to earn from industry experts what it takes to organise the perfect event. Hosted by Amina Habeeb (Model/ Bllgger) with Pauline Long (BEFFTA Awards), China L’One DJ/ Entrepreneur), Afi Ofori (Zars Media), Anikk Rau (Pony Express) , Faith Kalejaiye (Deizi Events), Ruth Odunuga (360 Hype Wedding and Event Management and Lexy Boahene). Q&A’s, light refreshments, networking, business pitches, games and more.  Tickets are £10.00 from here. 

At 8.00pm is Open the Gate at Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, Dalston, E8 4AA.  Featuring live performances from Afriquoi, playing African dance music with kora, Congolese guitar and deep house vocals, Renkon Band playing Japanese reggae and blues, soulful indie music form Jessie Lee, with DJs Volta 45, Chief Commander Yaaba, Oli Hurez. Admission  is FREE before 9.00pm, £5.00 before 10.00pm and £10.00 thereafter

At 8.00pm the African Business Networking Group hosts the Networking Mixer Party at the South Bank Bar, 57-59 Camberwell Road, SE5 0EZ. This event is for African professionals, entrepreneurs and business owners to mix, mingle and network. Admission is £5.00 on the door

At 9.30pm singer/ songwriter Fidel will be performing at The Spice of Life, 6 Moor Street,m W1D 5NA. Admission is £6.00 on the door

Saturday 26 ^th April

At 7.30am the London Business School presents The 13^th Annual Africa Business Summit at RCOG, London Business School, Sussex Place, Regents Park, NW1 4SA. Themed ‘Beyond the Hype: The Not for tourists Guide to Investing in Africa’, the event will feature keynote speakers such as Ben Magara (Lonmin), Colin Coleman (Goldman Sachs), James Mwangi (Equity Bank), Justine Greening MP (Secretary of State for International Development), Okechukwu Enelamah (African Capital Alliance), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (ex Governor Central Bank of Nigeria) and Souad Benbachir (CFG Group). Followed by a gala evening with dinner and live African entertainment. Tickets start from £160.00 from here.  www.lbsabs.org 

At 2.00pm the Deptford Film Club presents a Film Africa Triple Bill at the New Cross Inn, 323A New Cross Road, New Cross, SE14 6AS. Starting with Soul Boy (Kenya, PG) a family friendly story of a young teenagers epic adventure across Nairobi, Coz Oz Moni (Ghana, PG) at 3.00pm, a hilarious pidgin English musical by Ghanaian hip hop stars FOKN Bois and Tey/ Aujourd’Hui (Senegal, 12) a lyrical walk through Dakar on the last day of your life. FREE entry to all

At 2.00pm African Odysseys screens Comrade President: The Story of Samora Machel and the fight for Freedom in Southern Africa at The BFI Southbank. This documentary about Mozambiques revolutionary leader Samora Moises Machel is told through rare footage and interviews. Admission is £6.00 from here. 

At 7.00pm Focus Organisation presents Best From Africa: Senegal meets Zimbabwe- Mbira Music Vs Mbalax at Passing Clouds. Featuring Zimbaremabwe a musical collective led by Linos Wengara Magaya practicing and playing Mbira music, Senegalese guitarist and singer Abdoluaye Samb will be performing with his band Minnjiaraby ,  with DJs JP Kairo  playing Downstairs and DJ Yaaba Funk playing upstairs. FREE before 9.00pm, £5.00 before 10.30pm £8.00 in advance from here.

At 8.00pm Akale Wube will be back at Rich Mix. This Parisien Ethiojazz quintet inspired by the legendary Ethiopiques series, have recreated the classic Ethiopian jazz sound with horns, drums, and guitars. They are joined by vocalist Genet Assefa of Krar Collective  Tickets are £15.00 (£12.50 in advance) from here. 

Sunday 27^th April

At 1.00pm Africa4U presents The Small World Community Concert at The White Lion, 234 Streatham High Road, Streatham, SW16 1BB. Featuring Elaka (performing artist), O Rael (performing artist), Akpos Ogagbe (Comedian), Ferdinand Lawson (writer), Madam Mary Ajoke (community ambassador), Derek Dziv (motivational speaker),  Dorothy Dix (Creating Brighter Features), Ali Skuse (Speaker on health), James Kiriamiti (community ambassador), Wayne Bouycard Radio presenter), Nia Conscious Brother, Dark Zac (Zimlink). This is a FREE event, more details here.

At 7.00pm Aziza Brahim will be performing at St Pancras Old Church, 191 Pancras Road, Kings Cross, NW1 1UL. The Western Sahara singer will be performing tracks from her new album Soutak, combining her Saharan roots and her current Spanish residence. Tickets are £14.00 in advance from here and £16.00 on the door.

At 7.00 pm Uncle Errol presents True Stories at The Tea House Theatre, 139 Vauxhall Walk, Vauxhall, SE11 5HL, featuring he warm, fiery, passionate poet Karmelle and an open mic. Admission is £5.00