Another groovy summer week with so much awesomeness it is
hard to choose where Proud to be African Clothing
should set up shop!
We start of with the Africa Writes 2013 Programme an
absolute heaven for fans of African literature. From book readings, book
launches, plays, music, parties, discussions, new books, ancient books you name
it its all there and FREE. Yes that’s right except for 2 events everything is
as FREE as a FREE thing! So there is no excuse for Africans, Friends of Africa,
book lovers, Africanistas or just about anyone who likes good things to not get
themselves down to the British Library and celebrate African scholarship. As
well as that the incredible Chiwetel Ejiofor (Who starred in films like Four Brothers, Dirty Pretty Things,
BBC2’s Dancing on the Edge, Children of
Men. And in theatre in Othello to
name a few) stars in Aime Cesaire’s classic play A Season in Congo at the Young Vic.
We are also counting down to African Fashion Week London which
will be running from the 1st to the 3rd of August at the Old
Truman Brewery Block, Shoreditch, with Yinka Shonibare MBE as patron, over 100
designers and exhibitors this will be one of the African fashion events of the
year, look out for more updates as the days count down.
Enjoy the week!!
Monday 1st
July
From 1.00pm to 3.00pm
is Wosene Worke Kosrof in Conversation at GAFRA, 9 Cork Street, W1S 3LL. The
Ethiopian artist internationally famed for using the fiedel script of his native Amharic as a key element in his
creations will be talking about his work with exhibition curators Mesai
Haileleil and Raku Sile. The exhibition runs till 26th July.
At 5.00pm Chatham
House presents Economic Reports on
Africa 2013: Making the Most of Africa’s Commodities at the Royal Institute of International Affairs,
Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE. Chaired by Bob Dewar (Chatham
House), Emmanuel Nnadozie (Economic Commission for Africa) will discuss with
Paul-Harry Aithnard (Ecobank Capital) the importance of designing and
implementing effective development plans and industrial strategies to promote
commodity based industrialisation. To attend this FREE event contact Chris Vandome
At 6.30pm WHEAT
MST presents Meet Celebrate Grow at Durning Hall, Earlham Grove, Forest Gate,
E7 9AB, this is an intergenerational event featuring networking and
entertainment featuring Music4Causes, rappers Kimba and Paradise. Light refreshments
will be available at this FREE
event. Register here.
Tuesday 2nd
July
At 6.30pm the
Royal Africa Society hosts the book launch of Youth and Revolution in Tunisia
in the
Brunei Suite, School of
Oriental and African Studies, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG. Alex
de Waal (The World Peace Foundation) will be chairing the launch of Professor Alcinda
Honwana’s (Open University) new book about the uprising in Tunisia that sparked the wave of
revolution across North Africa and the resultant tensions between younger and older
generations., RSVP for this FREE
event here.
At 7.00pm is the Black Sci Fi and Fantasy Book Club in
the 5th Floor Restaurant, Waterstones,
203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9HD, themed as a ‘safe place’ for Black people who
enjoy Sci Fi and fantasy novels and all the things that come from those genres.
Bring a book and enjoy this FREE
event
At 7.00pm is Hammer & Tongue Hackney 2013 Slam
Final at Pogo Cafe, 76 Clarence
Road, Dalston, E5 8HB, in which Hackney’s Slam poetry winners from the
2012/1 season come together for the East London Slam Final with 3 rounds of
heavy hitting, crowd winning poetry in a variety of styles judged by the
audience to establish Hackney Slam Champion. Hosted by Angrysam, Raymond
Antrobus and Stephanie Dogfoot, featuring Richard Purnell and DJ Kit Caless on
the decks. More details for this FREE
event here
Wednesday 3rd
July
From 10.00am to
5.00pm is Your Future, Your Ambition
at the Highbury Suite, Emirates
Stadium, Arsenal Football Club, Highbury House, 75 Drayton Park, N5 1BU. This
event features well known companies such as Cisco, EDF Energy, National Grid,
Shell, Accenture, IBM and others hosting an exciting event for 7 to 20 year
olds on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths related subjects and what
they hold for the future. 7-11 year olds will attend an exhibition and breakout
sessions between 10.00am and 1.00pm, 12- 16 year olds will have a morning
(10.00am-1.35pm) and afternoon (1.40pm to 5.00pm) session, while the 17 + will
have a specific breakout session aimed at providing experience and exposure to
the softer skills and attributes needed to stand out to prospective employers,
hosted by ACBN, Ernst and Young, The Knowledge Channel, National Grid and
others. This is an excellent FREE
event that is a must for any young person looking for exposure to the world
that awaits them, register here.
At 3.00pm Chatham
House hosts International Responses to
Transnational Challenges in North and West Africa at the Royal Institute of international Affairs,
Chatham House, with Joao Honwana (United Nations) who will discuss the role
the international community plays in addressing the drivers of instability in
the western Sahel region such as poverty and poor governance. To attend this
event contact Tighisti Amare.
At 4.30pm Chatham
House hosts Implications of Escalating
Insecurity in Central Mozambique at
the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House with Elisabete
Azevedo- Harman and Alex Vines discussing the deteriorating security situation,
resulting from political tension and its effects on regional security and the
country’s economy. For more details contact Tighisti Amare
Thursday 4th
July
At 6.00pm Beba Summer
School will be holding an Open Evening at The Calthorpe Project, 258-274 Gray’s Inn Road, WC1X 8LH. An opportunity
to find out about the school, its vision, backs and what to expect. Reserve your
FREE place here
Friday 5th
July
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At 6.30pm is August Town in the John Gielgud Theatre, RADA, Malet Street, WC1E 7JN. This play by Claire Prempeh directed by Daniel Raggett about a South London couple Lloyd and Marcia who go to visit her widowed aunt in Jamaica where Lloyed secual desirtes are provoked by an enchanting homosexual Caribbean spitirt. Tickets are £10.00 (£5.00 concs) from here or from the Box Office on 020 790804800
Africa Writes 2013
on Friday
The 3 Day Africa Writes 2013 Programme by the Royal African
Society and the British Library begins at 10.00am
with Africa in Translation at The British Library Conference Centre, 96
Euston Road, Euston, NW1 2DB. This 3
panel symposium by acclaimed translator Wangui wa Goro will reflect on
translation and its importance for knowledge management in Africa. This is a FREE event.
From 2.00pm to 5.00pm
is Writing Africa Futures at the British Library Conference Centre, in
which 5 authors shortlisted for the 2013 Caine Prize alongside distinguished
authors Doreen Baingana, Zoe Wicomb and Professor Stephanie Newell hold an in
depth discussion on the continents flourishing literary future. RSVP for this FREE event here.
At 6.30pm is The Diaspora Writes Back at the British Library Conference Centre. This
poetry evening moderated by Bernardine Evaristo MBE (Founder Brunel African
Poetry Prize) features acclaimed poets Warsan Shire, Nick Makoha, Nii Ayikwei
Parkes and Leeto Thale. Tickets are £7.50
(£5.00 concs) from here.
|
Saturday 6th
July
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At
12.00pm Angel Foundation hosts Family Fun Day at The Round Chapel, Powerscroft Road, Lower Clapton Road, E5 0LY.
The day starts with Arts and crafts, culture, beauty, music, Zumba, books and
gifts and Barbeque. A Kids Korner with face painting, bouncy castle, T shirt
designing, cupcake decorating, balloon models, drumming and more. From 6.30pm
there will be a concert with James Anderson, Winston Reddy, Yvonne Curtis,
Momo-Watt, Steff From London, Sophie Nicole, Rachel, Poetry by Uncle Syd (Base
FM), Jazz, Reggae and a saxophonist, dances, an auction and raffle. Hosted by
Andrew Clunis (Jamaica Times UK) and Janelle Oswall (The Voice) with Dady
Ernie, Errol Hines, Diane Abbott MP and George Ruddock (Jamaica Gleaner). Money
raised woll be used to pay for hospital equipment and an ambulance to be
shipped to Jamaica. Tickets start from £7.00 for adults and £2.50 for children from here.
At 1.00pm is Caribbean Film Corner ‘Carnival Saturday
Soup’- Dancehall Edition at The Tabernacle,34-35 Powis Square, Notting Hill,
W11 2AY. This documentary presents and represents Jamaican urban street
culture and lifestyle from the perspective of musicians, producers, dancers,
school children and others. Tickets are £8.00
(£7.00 students and £5.00 concs) from here.
At 4.15pm and 6.00pm
is Chasing the Moon at RADA, John Gielgud Theatre, Malet Street,
WC1E 7JN. This play by Chipo Chung directed by Mimi Poskitt is a
collection of stories and personal
memories from interviews reflecting the prospect of diasporans returning
to Zimbabwe, diarising the writeers yearning to retunr home in the wake of the
2008 election. Tickets are £10.00 (£5.00
concs) from here or from the Box Office on 020 790804800
At 5.00pm is the Africa Gospel Music Awards 2013 at The Great Hall, Queen Marys University,
Mile End Road, E1 4NS. This is the 4th incarnation of this
prestigious event with artistes such as Tehila Crew (Nigeria), Cwesi Oteng
(Ghana), Dena Mwana (DR Congo), Charisma Hanekam (South Africa), Jackie Mugabo
(Rwanda/ UK), Pappy Messages (DR Congo/ UK), PK Boadi (Ghana/ UK), Josephine Atanga
(Cameroon/ USA), Beatrice Muniu (Kenya/ UK), Isabella Uzodike (Nigeria/ UK),
Isaac Frempong (Ghana/ UK), Myco Chris (Uganda/ UK) and JayEss, hosted by
comedian MC Mark , with TV host Praise Asemota. Tickets from £20.00 from here.
At 7.30pm Olivier
Award Winning actor Chiwetel Ejiofor stars in A Season In the Congo at the
Young Vic, 66 The Cut, Waterloo, SE1 8LZ. This fascinating drama by Aime
Cesaire, directed by Joe Wright and choreographed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
charts the rise and fall of the pioneer Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba and
his passionate determination to free his people from Belgian rule. Filled with
dance and music as well as stellar performances, it runs till 14th
August and tickets start from £10.00 from
here.
Africa Writes 2013
on Saturday
At 12.00pm is Find Your Voice at the British Library Conference Centre a
peer led workshop for 1- This is FREE but spaces are limited so arrive early
19 year olds, facilitated by Thiongo’o Kimathi Ngugi
(short fiction writer) and Elmi Ali (poet, writer, performer).
Also at 12.00pm is Storytime! at the British Library Conference Centre for 4-7 year olds, with
interactive story telling workshops, Facilitated by Louisa Bello (Nigerian/
English ESL teacher and writer). FREE
event parents welcome as well.
From 12.15pm to 1.00pm
is African Writing Today at the British Library Conference Centre, a
panel discussion with Doreen Baingana, Binyavanga Wainaina and Leila Aboulela
exploring current trends in African writing. This is a FREE event.
At 1.00pm is ‘Fairytales For Lost Children’ by Diriye
Osman at the British Library
Conference Centre. This pre book launch event with the author will be
hosted by Dele Fatunla (one of PTBA’s contributing artists!). This is a FREE event.
At 1.30pm is ‘Black Star Nairobi’ by Muloma wa Ngugi at
the British Library Conference Centre. This
book launch with the author will be chaired by Dr Ranka Primorac (University of
Southampton) This is a FREE event.
At 2.00pm is ‘Orchards for Lost Souls’ by Nadifa Mohamed
at the British Library Conference
Centre. This pre book launch event with the Granta Best of Young British
Novelists Under 40 nominated author will be chaired by Richard Dowden )(Royal
African Society RSVP for this FREE
event here.
At 2.00pm is African Literature Prizes and The Economy
of Prestige at the British Library Conference Centre.
Chaired by Lizzy Attree (Caine Prize for African Writing) the panel will
include Billy Kahora (Kwani?), Jamal Mahjoub and Bernadine Evaristo MBE. This is
a FREE event.
At 3.30pm is a Tribute to Chinua Achebe at the British Library Conference Centre with
publishers James Currey and Becky Nana Ayebia Clarke OBE and authors Chibundo
Onuzo and Chuma Nwokolo, chaired by Richard Dowden. This is a FREE event.
At 4.30pm is ‘Bonfires of the Gods’ by Andrew Eseimokumo
Oki at the British Library
Conference Centre. This book launch with the author will be chaired by
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim (2013 Caine Prize shortlisted author) This is a FREE event.
At 5.00pm is Meet
the 2013 Caine Prize Shortlisted Writers at the British Library Conference Centre with the five shortlisted authors
for the 2013 Caine prize, discussing their work with Tricia Wombell (Black Book
News). This is a FREE event.
At 6.30pm is Two Writers, Two Generations: Ngugi wa
Thiong’o and Mukoma wa Ngugi at the British
Library Conference Centre an
intimate conversation between acclaimed author Ngugui wa Thiong’o and his son
author Mukoma wa Ngugi chaired by publisher Margaret Busby. Tickets are £7.50 (£5.00 concs) from here.
At 7.00pm is the Africa Writes Party with NUMBI and Kwani? at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road,
Shoreditch, E1 6LA. This is a celebration of 10 years of Kwani? and the
launch of Scarf Magazine. Tickets are £10.00
(£5.00 concs) from here.
Sunday 7th
July
From 3.00pm to 7.00pm
Nitro Theatre and KAYD Somali arts & culture present Summer Caashaq at Rich Mix, featuring Abdikariim Rass and Kuljit Bhamra with Nimo
Dagan playing a fusion of Punjabi and Somali music, Warsan Shire a Kenyan born
Somali poet and writer and Hudeydi the Somali folk artist performing the Oud
(the Somali Lute).
This is a FREE
event, more details here
Africa Writes 2013
on Sunday
At 12.00pm is Beyond Timbuktu: West Africa, Script and
Manuscript at the British Library
Conference Centre, in which Dr Marion Wallace (The British Library)
explores Timbuktu and Mali’s deep rooted culture of written scholarship and
literature with manuscripts from the British Library’s own rare manuscripts. This
is a FREE event.
Also at 12.00pm is Storytime! at the British Library Conference Centre for 4-7 year olds, with
interactive story telling workshops, Facilitated by Louisa Bello (Nigerian/
English ESL teacher and writer). Arrive Early as space will be limited at this FREE event, parents welcome as well.
Also at 12.00pm is Words, Youth and Revolution at the British Library Conference Centre an
intergenerational workshop FREE
event parents welcome as well.
At 12.30pm is Fantasy or Reality? Afropolitan Narratives
of the 21st Century at the
British Library Conference Centre, a debate on whether Afropolitanism is a
new way of being revolutionarily African or shallow consumerism, chaired by
Professor Paul Gilroy (Kings College London) with Binyavanga Wainana (author),
Minna Salami (blogger), Emma Dabiri (PhD Researcher) and Nana Ocran
(journalist). This is a FREE event.
At 1.30pm is Writing the Revolution: Scarf Magazine
Launch at the British Library
Conference Centre, presenting Scarf magazines Revolution issue featuring a
dazzling and radical take on contemporary art, literature, film and music. This
is a FREE event
At 2.00pm is ‘The
Hairdresser of Harare’ by Tendai Hochu at the British Library Conference
Centre, a book reading by the author, chaired by Chino Odimba (Bristol Old
Vic). This is a FREE event
At 2.30pm is Re-writing Africa: The Place of Non Fiction
at the British Library Conference
Centre, a panel discussion chaired by Ike Anya (TEDxEuston), with Billy
Kahora (Kwani?), Mary Harper (BBC World Service), Michael Salu (Granta) and
Samson Kambalu (artists and author) discussing the new narratives that
challenge conventional representations of Africa. This is a FREE event
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At 3.30pm is Digital Futures: The Changing landscape of
African Publishing at the British
Library Conference Centre, in which a panel chaired by Mary Jay (Former
Director African Bools Collective) discusses the future of publishing in
Africa, featuring Elizabeth Wood (World Reader), Lynette Lisk (Pearson
Education), Simi Dosekun (formerly of Kachifo Ltd) and Michael Bhaskar (Profile
Books). This is a FREE event
At 4.30pm the
programme concludes with Sundiata Keita
and the Epic of Ancient Mali at the British
Library Conference Centre, this is a staged production of the Epic of
Sunjata using excerpts of an English transcribed text. Featuring actor Denver
Isaac and renowned griot and master kora player Seckou Keita. Introduced by
Wilfred Willey (Malian Community Council) this event is FREE.