Week of 13th May: The Shepherds Chameleon, Prof Chinua Achebe Send Off, Africa Debates, Saluting the Black President, Jamaican history, Women4Africa and Ballet Black

Hello,

This week Proud to be African Clothing bring you the a wide variety of event including multiple Africa Capoeira: Fly Away Beetle and From Namibia with Love. Saluting the Black President a tribute to Fela Kuti, Ballet Black and a Celebration and Night Vigil for the legendary Nigerian author Professor Chinua Achebe.

debates and discussions in Parliament and SOAS. Film screenings including

Enjoy the week.

Monday 13^th May

At 2.30pm is the first Caribbean TV series on UK TV for many years Keeping Up with the Joneses will be broadcasting on Sky 209 and Virgin 828 with a new episode each weekday (2.30pm and 11.00pm) until 31^st May. This sitcom follows the Joneses a family who reluctantly become the subject of a reality TV show, with a TV crew filming their every move with hilarious and embarrassing consequences. More details here.

At 6.00pm the Africa All Party Parliamentary Group and Royal Africa Society host Securing Domestic and Foreign Tax in Africa: What role for the G8 in Committee Room 11, Houses of Parliament, SW1A 0AA. Chaired by Hugh Bayley MP with speakers John Christensen (Tax Justice Network), Alex Cobham (Centre for Global Development) and others this expert panel will discuss how the global tax system can be effectively structured to the benefit of low income countries in Africa and what influence the UK hosted G8 summit has to bring about these changes. RSVP for this FREE event here.

At 6.30pm is a film screening of Capoeira: Fly Away Beetle at PCS Headquarters, 160 Falcon Road, Clapham Junction, SW11 2LN in which 3 old masters tell the story of the Capoeira and how the conditions of slavery shaped this unique martial art. Followed by a live demonstration of capoeira and a discussion, admission is £5.00 (children under 16 FREE). More details here.

The African High Commissioners/ Ambassadors Group in London presents The Africa Jubilee Business Forum at Lancaster House,  Stable Yard, St James, SW1A 1BB. Themed African- British Business Partnership at 50 and Beyond, it will be opened by the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg MP and Dr Tedros Adhanom (Foreign Minister of Ethiopia). There will be a panel discussion of senior African and British business leaders to discuss the following topics; Capitalising on the African opportunity, What makes a project bankable, Utilising natural resources for economic development and Enabling economic growth through infrastructure development. The event will conclude with a reception hosted by the Minister for Africa at the FCO Mark Simmonds MP. For further details email Agnes Gitau 

Tuesday 14^th May

From 4.30pm to 6.00pm AFFORD presents Labours Post 2015 Vision: Tackling inequality and promoting sustainable development in the Attlee Suite, Portcullis House, Westminster, SW1 0AA with Ivan Lewis MP (Shadow Secretrary of State for International Development). Mary Creagh MP (Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Caroline Flint MP (Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change). The Shadow DFID, DEFRA and DEC teams will discuss Labours post 2015 vision for international development with an interactive Q&A to follow. RSVP to Tara Acomb by email.

At 6.00pm the Royal Africa Society presents Warp Speed: Technology and Change in Future Africa in the Khalili Lecture Theatre, School of African and Oriental Studies, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG, chaired by Fatimah Kelleher (Social development Consultant) with speaker Jonathan Ledgard (Afrotech Lab, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) this discussion will consider Africa’s security, environmental and humanitarian challenges as well as its economic potential. RSVP for this FREE event here.

Proud to be South African

At 6.30pm is a performance of Mies Julie at The Riverside Studios, Crisp Road, Hammersmith, W6 9RL. This special performance includes pre show drinks and canapés, a talk by the CEO and Director of Baxter Theatre as well as the award winning play about the ruinous night of passion between a fiery Afrikaner farmer’s daughter and a Xhosa servant on a dry remote Karoo farmstead. Tickets are £35.00 , RSVP by email.

At 7.30pm Utopia Theatre presents The Shepherds Chameleon at the CLF Art Cafe, The Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST. Written by Eugene Ionesco and directed by Moji Kareem, in this comedy the playwright is the shepherd and the theatrical world the Chameleon engaged in a ridiculous battle of wits. Running till 25^th May, tickets are £5.00 on Mondays, £10.00 for previews and £12.00 standard from here on the box office on 0207 732 5275 

Wednesday 15^th May

At 10.00am the Overseas Development Institute presents Africa Risen in Committee Room 14, Houses of Commons, Palace of Westminster, SW1 0AA, in conjunction with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Overseas Development this panel discussion will discuss the ‘Africa Rising’ narrative and African economic progress. Chaired by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead, speakers include Oliver August (The Economist), Ricardo Fuentes-Nieva (Oxfam), Thandika Mkandawire (London School of Economics) and Martine Guerguil (IMF). RSVP here for this FREE event.

At 1.15pm Juwon Ogungbe will be singing at the St Sepulchre Church, Holborn Viaduct, EC1A 2DQ. Accompanied by Asako Ogawa on piano he will be singing a programme of art and folk songs from Spain, Argentina, France and the USA.

Thursday 16^th May

Born in the UK Made in Nigeria

From 12.00 to 2.00pm the Business Council for Africa hosts Meet the New British High Commissioner to Nigeria at Simmons and Simmons, City Point, One Ropemaker Street, EC2Y 9SS. Dr Andrew Pocock will reflect on the importance attached to UK/ Nigeria relations, including doubling bilateral trade by 2014, working together on security issues and helping Nigeria achieve MDGs. Admission is £95.40 from here.

At 5.30pm UCL Institute of the Americas presents MG Smith and the Ras Tafari Movement in Kingston, Jamaica in Seminar Room 103 , University College London, 51 Gordon Square, WC1H 0PN. The distinguished Caribbean scholar Professor Robert Hall (UCLA) will deliver a paper on M.G. Smith’s seminal 1296 Report on the Ras Tafari Movement in Kingston Jamaica. RSVP for this FREE event here. 

At 7.00pm is a screening of From Namibia with Love at Harecourt United Reformed Church, 120 St Pauls Road, Highbury, N1 2LR, this documentary charts the life of a Namibian- Finnish couple alongside their struggles with and against SWAPO during the fight for Namibian freedom and independence. Followed by a discussion with the documentaries director. This is a FREE event, more details here.

Friday 17^th May

Born in the UK Made in Jamaica

From 11.00am to 6.00pm the Institute for Commonwealth Studies hosts Heritage, diversity and the legacies of Empire in Room 349, Senate House, Malet Street, Russell Square, WC1E 7HU.This symposium will investigate the ways that legacies of empire inform approaches to heritage and diversity in Europe. With a wide range of speakers from across British, European and Commonwealth academia the symposium will conclude with a guided tour of the Africa collections in the British Museum on the morning of Saturday 18 May. Attendance fee (including lunch and refreshments) is £15.00 (£10.00 concs) to register, contact astrid. swenson@brunel.ac.uk.

From 12.15 to 3.00pm Business Council Africa hosts the British

Proud to be Zimbabwean

Heads of Mission in Southern Africa at Slaughter and May, 1 Bunhill Row, EC1Y 8YY In which British Heads of Mission from Southern Africa discuss business prospects across the SADC region, speakers include Timothy Smart (Ambassador to Madagascar), Nick Leake (Ambassador to Mauritius), Shaun Cleary (High Commissioner to Mozambique), Andy Henderson (Trade commissioner UKTI South Africa) and James Thornton (High Commissioner to Zambia). Tickets start from £32.00 (for members £95.40 for non members) from here. 

Proud to be African

At 7.00pm we have Saluting the Black President Fela Kuti at 229 The Venue, 229 Great Portland Street, W1W 5PN, featuring a super awesome line up of Ginger Baker, Tony Allen, Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra, Shingai Shoniwa, (of the Noisettes) Keziah Jones, Terri Walker, Ty, Blak Twang, Afrikan Boy and BREIS. After party with DJ Koichi Sakai, DJ Rita Ray and Max Reinhardt, tickets from £22.00 from here.

At 7.00pm Quincy’s Comedy Lounge will be at Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 1DG, with a diverse line up including Curtis Walker, Kevin Orkian and QCL Comic Idol runner up Rory Vassell. He will also be presenting a cheque to the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) with the money he raised from a previous charity boxing match. Tickets are £15.00 from here.

At 7.30pm is Ballet Black at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham, N15 4RX. Casso Pancho’s Black Ballet celebrates the talent of Black and Asian dancers from around the world. Christopher Marney creates this latest outing with an episodic journey through relationships built during WW2. Tickets are £15.00 (£12.00 concs) from here.

At 8.00pm  Wormfood will be launching their new album at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA, supported by gnawa master Nuru Kane, 10 piece Afrobeat orchestra Bronzehead and afro/ indie fusion Boy Mandeville. Tickets are £8.00 from here. 

Saturday 18^th May

From 4.00pm to 6.30pm is Careeershift UK 2.0 with Jimi Tewe at The Agora, Harris Academy, Falconwood, DA16 2PE for people considering a return to Africa for employment but unsure about an effective way to make the transition. Speakers include Jimi Tewe (Inspiro Consulting, Nigeria), Damilola Oluwatoyinbo (blogger) and Ibiyemi Solanke (Corporate Lawyer). RSVP for this FREE event here.

At 6.00pm we have the Women4Africa 2^nd Annual Awards Ceremony at Kensington Great Hall, Hornton Street, Kensington, W8 7NX. With speeches by Sir Paul Judge, Eric Chinje and Dr Joe Odumakin and awards for outstanding women from Africa. there will be a fashion show by Issosey children, Afrobeat by Dele Sosimi (busy this week!) and comedy by Funmbi. Tickets from £35.00 from here. 

Proud to be Nigerian

At 7.00pm is the Night Vigil and Service of Songs in Celebration of the Life and Times of Emeritus Professor Chinua Achebe   at All Saints Cathedral, 105 New Cross Road, SE14 5DJ. Following the church service there will be a night of celebrations at Millwall FC Sports Hall, Zampa Road, SE16 3LN with cultural troupes from all over Nigeria as well as Ghana, the Caribbean and Congo and a re-enactment of Things Fall Apart. Expected guests include former Commonwealth Secretary General Emeka Anayaoku, Nigeria High Commissioner Dr Dalhatu Tafida, Rt Hon. Chi Onwuarah MP and Mayor of Enfield Kate Anolue, representative of various embassies, with refreshments provided by Anambra Women’s Group. To join in sending off and celebrating this great son of Africa RSVP Chief Ubaka Alex Achebe on 07949 006 880.

Sunday 19^th May

At 4.00pm Waltham Forest Libraries presents Stories of Migration at Leyton Library, High Road Leyton, E10 5QH. This family event relives the experiences of Caribbean people following their migration from the West Indies to Britain in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. RSVP for this FREE event here. 

Week of 8th April: TY Album Launch, Courtney Pine, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, ACLT, CLR James Appreciation, South African Achievers, Kirikou at the Africa Centre

Summertime and the livings easy!

This week we have lots of legends and notables of African literature art and music with a Chinua Achebe

Appreciation, not 1 but 2 chances to catch one of Nigeria’s finest new authors Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie here in London, as well as British Hip Hop legend TY’s new album launch at The Jazz Cafe, ACLT events, Courthey Pine,  CLR James Appreciation, a film about Muhammad Ali and the animated film Kirikou at the Africa Centre. It may be winter outside but culturally it’s definitely spring!

Monday 8^th April

From 7.00pm to 10.00pm Wandsworth Mayors Office and Grenada High Commission will be hosting a Caribbean Evening at The Waterfront, Battersea Reach, Juniper Drive, SW18 1TS in support of the Mayors Charities. Tickets are £25.00 from here. 

Tuesday 9^th April

From 1.30pm to 5.00pm Meridian Sport and Social Football Club hosts Team Nigeria Press Conference in the Banking Hall, Nigeria High Commission, 9 Northumberland Avenue, WC2N 5BX, the African Cup of Nations UK is a football competition contested by youths and mens national teams from different UK based Africans. The final will be played at West Hams Upton Park in June. His is a FREE event, register here. 

At 6.30pm is the Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Appreciation Readings at the Dalston CLR James Library, 60 Roseberry Place  , Dalston, E8 3BQ. This will be a celebration of the works and literature of the Father of African literature and the young author seen as his natural successor. The readings will be by Andrea Enisuoh and Ngozi Headley-Fulani with additional support by Ngoma Bishop. This is a FREE event.

At 7.45pm the lady herself talks about her new novel Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ‘Americanah’ at the Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. Her new work is a story of love and race spanning 3 continents and numerous lives centred on a young man and woman and the countries they choose to call home. Tickets are £10.00 from here.

Wednesday 10^th April

From 8.00am place4BRICS hosts the African Creative Industries Investment Summit at The Africa Centre, 38 King Street, WC2E 8JT. This event is for anyone interested in advertising, the arts, broadcasting, fashion, film, music and publishing in Africa and will gicve key insights into Africa’s creative industries by industry experts such as Obi Asika (Storm 360, Glu Africa), Yemisi Mokuolu (Hatch Africa), Njabulo Madlala (South African Opera Singer), Omar Ben Yedder (IC Publications), Nadia Denton (Author-Black British Filmmakers Guide to Success), Sinem Bilen-Onabanjo (FAB Magazine), DjoTunda Wa Munga (Filmaker), Josette Matomby (African Fashion Week), Prof Johanna Gibson (Queen Mary’s University of London), Dr Nicola Searle (UK Intellectual Property Office), Basi Akpabio (Producer), Magali Marcus (Marcus Global Communications ), Elisabeth Lalouschek (October Gallery), Patrick Campbell (OHTV), Simon Vandi (SiVa Entertainment), Lyndon Roberts (Lawyer), Konye Roberts (Adbelts) and Dr Shiyghan Navti (IBM). Tickets are £95.00 from here or £125.00 on the door. 

At 1.00pm The Royal Society for the Arts presents Humanising History and Cultures: The Role of literature at the RSA, 8 John Adam Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 6EZ with Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (very busy lady this week) in conversation with Ellah Allfrey Deputy Editor of Granta Magazine with her views on literature. This is a FREE event book here.

At 7.00pm is The Urban Collective : Supporting the ACLT at East Village Club, 59 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HX. Hosted by Love2dance founder Danielle Blenman, it features live music, fashion and poetry, with performances by Anthony Anaxagorou, TALIsinc, iamshugi, Taiwo and more, with a fashion show by Clee Clothing and Ish Couture the Tickets are £5.00 in advance from here and £8.00 on the door. 

At 7.00pm Black Cat Music presents Courtney Pine in Support of the Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal at the Brixton Jamm, 261 Brixton Road, Brixton, SW9 6LH. Playing works from his latest album the veteran saxophonist will be supported by The Portraits, Jerry Deeney, Paper faces and Zita Holbourne. Tickets are £13.00 in advance and £15.00 on the door from here. 

At 7.00pm Jazz Cafe and Supa Dupa Fly host British Hip hop superstars TY’s Kick Snare and An Idea EP Release Party at  The Jazz Cafe,5 Parkway, London, NW1 7PG, with a host of special guests including BREIS, Akala, Durty, Goodz, Native Sun, Mystro and Pumpkin followed by music from DJ’s Big Ted, Boogie Bunch, Rapzscallion, Bunny Bread, Man vs Wife and Mr Thing. This is proper hip hop at its finest, tickets are £12.50 from here. 

Thursday 11^th April

From 8.30am to 2.30pm CountryFactor will host ZimInvest London 2013 Forum at International Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane, W1J 7QY. Themed why Zimbabwe Matters, this is a platform for promoting opportunities to investors in mining, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, PPP’s and privatisation. Tickets start from £90.00 from here. 

At 7.30pm Tilts London Liming  returns to Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA with spoken word with a chilled out carnival vibe. This Kaiso and Comedy special will feature Calypso legend Alexander D Great, comedian Prince Abdi, spoken word poets Tim Clare, Femi Martin and Tim Bombdog as well as performances from Melanie Abrahams and James Ingham. Tickets are £8.00(£6.00 concs) from here. 

Friday 12^th April

At 6.00pm the TUC hosts Muhammad Ali and his Impact on Minority Communities at Congress House, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3LS. This event features a screening of ‘The King of South Shields’,  a film covering the visit of boxer Muhammad Ali and his wife and daughter to South Shields Mosque and the effect this visit had on the local Yemeni community. Followed by a discussion with Alex Pascall this is a FREE event,register here. 

At 6.30pm Kofi Arts hosts The Art of Love: Expressions of Spirituality on Ancient African Art  at Kofi Arts Studio, 115 Melfort Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 7RX a talk charting how spirituality was portrayed through the male and female figure in pre dynastic times. Tickets are £7.00 from here.

At 6.30pm BEMA hosts The Importance of The Black Vote in Hackney at Dalston CLR James Library, Dalston Square, a discussion by Operation Black Votes, Simon Woolley about the impact, importance, patterns and relevance of votes cast by African Caribbean people in Hackney over the last 40 years. Hosted by Andrea Enisuoh with Diane Abbott MP, Jules Pipe (Mayor of Hackney), Ngoma Bishop (BEMA) and local councillors. This is a FREE event register here.

Saturday 13^th April

From 11.00am to 6.00pm is the CLR James Legacy Conference at WEA London Region, 96-100 Clifton Street, EC2A 4TP celebrating the works of the great Trinidadian writer and activist C.L.R. James. Confirmed speakers include Darcus Howe (writer and broadcaster), Selwyn Cudjoe (Wellesley Ollege), Mike Dibb (Film maker), Robert A. Hill (UCLA) and Selma James (author). RSVP this FREE event here. 

At 6.30pm is the South Africa Achievers Awards Gala Dinner at The Cumberland Hotel, Great Cumberland Place, W1H 7DL to celebrate South Africa’s unsung heroes and heroines with a champagne reception, 3 course meal, fashion show with raffle prizes to be won. Tickets are £60.00 from here. 

Sunday 14^th April

At 2.30pm the Africa Centre is showing Kirikou and the Sorceress at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden,  WC2E 8JT. This animated feature film draws on West African folklore and is about a boys extraordinary journey to bring peace and harmony to his village, featuring the music of Youssou N’dour. This is a FREE event although a £3.00 donation is kindly requested.

At 8.30pm is Juwon Ogungbe and Life Force Music at Vortex Jazz Club, 11 Gillett Square, Dalston, N16 8AZ. Hosted by Lord Eric Sugumugu singer, composer and multi instrumentalist Juwon Ogungbe will be performing tracks from his album, Life Force Music and new material, tickets are £12.50 (£10.00 concs) from here. 

Week of 28th January: the ANC, There Was a Country, V&A Museum, Live Jazz, Tropical Vibes and Movies

Hello My Good Friends,

Divas on Demand

As we come to end of February there a whole series of fascinating events to keep us warm and engaged. Last week Proud to be African Clothing had a great time at the Divas on Demand Networking event with Jenny Garrett, Claudia Liza and Gemma Feare, we look forward to the next one! As we enter the US Black History Month this week we have Ethiopian coffee documentary's  book talks on the ANC and Nigeria, Igbo Dancing, live jazz, Chadian movies, African art at the V&A Museum.

Monday 28^th January

At 7.30pm the Africa Centre presents South Africa, The new ANC leaders and an uncertain future at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JT, a talk with journalist Fiona Forde (author of ‘An inconvenient youth: Julius Malema and the new ANC’) with author Gillian Slovo about the changing face of the former liberation movement as it governs modern South Africa. Although this is a FREE event a £3.00 donation is politely hinted at here. 

At 6.00pm the Lets Events team will be screening the documentary Black Gold at Bar 19.20 19-20 Great Sutton Street, Farringdon, EC1V 0DR. The film follows an Ethiopian coffee producer as he goes around the world attempting to get a fair price for his high quality coffee. Admission is FREE and the film starts at 7.30pm sharp

Tuesday 29^th January

At 7.00pm the Igbo Culture and Support Network (ICSN) Book Club returns to review Professor Chinua Achebe’s new book ‘There was a Country: A personal memoir of Biafra’ at Madam Chis, 187 Upper Street, Islington, N1 1RQ. Come along have some excellent nibbles and discuss this brilliant and deeply controversial book

Thursday 31^st January

At 5.00pm Chatham House presents Land Reform in Zimbabwe Revisited: A Qualified Success? at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE, with former UK Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Joseph Hanlon (LSE), Jeanette Manjengwa (University of Zimbabwe), Teresa Smart(Institute of Education). They will be discussing a new book ‘Zimbabwe takes back its land’ which argues that despite hyperinflation and political violence, the new farmers are doing relatively well and becoming productive countering the dominant media narrative. This is a FREE event register here.

At 6.30pm Millers Jazz Lounge presents Alim Kamara Live Hip Hop Night at O2 Water Margin, 23 Entertainment Avenue, Greenwich, SE10 0DY. Hosted by G.R.E.E.D.S with special guests Andrew Muhammad, Ego-Ella May and the NuVibez band. Along with the live poetry and music there is also a buffet. Tickets are £20.00 from here.

At 8.00pm Supa Fine presents Lumiere, Julivaa, Flexie Musio, Missbee and Modupe at the Hideaway, 114 Junction Road, N19 5BL performing live jazz, soul and folk music followed by Resident DJ’s Citizen K and Speedy, GUBA Award winner Juliyaa will be performing her African inspired soul vocals with guitarist Tom Povey, Lumiere will be performing her unique blend of acoustic folk and slow soul, Missbee will be fusing classic Ella Fitzgerald sounds with latin, soul  and old school jazz, ranging from sad to soulful with Carl Harris on vocals and Keeling Lee on guitar, Modupe is a soulful vocalist with effortless stage presence and finally Nigerian vocalist Flexie Muiso. Tickets for all this soulful, jazzy goodness is £5.00 from here. 

Friday 1^st February

At 6.30pm in the Lunch Room of the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) Museum we have Africa: Speed, Search, Sound at the V&A museum, Cromwell Road, Kensington, SW7 2RL. Where you can speed date with historians about their favourite items, search for hidden representations of Africa, make recycled accessories, learn drum calls and party. There will be live music by the Thabani Nyoni Band in the V&A Cafe at 8.00pm. This is an uber groovy FREE event with many never seen before African art treasures. More details here

Saturday 2^nd February

At 10.00 am the ICSN Dance school returns to Islington Arts Centre, 2 Parkhurst Road, N4 0SF for 2013. With a fusion of dance styles as well as core Igbo dancing this course lasting till 23^rd March 2013 is only £65.00. Email for more details 

From 1.00pm we have London Tropical Vibes 2013 at Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, WC1R 4RL, there will be a Tropical Market with delicious foods, cocktails and other products on sale in the main hall, a festival showcase, exciting workshops and a buffet of French Caribbean cuisine followed by a party with all flavours of tropical music including a Latino band Cajunto Sabroso followed by Sunbailante DJs. All of this tropical goodness can be yours with tickets ranging from £5.00 to £27.00 from here.

From 2.00pm to 5.30pm the LCSI presents African Diaspora in Development of Africa at London West Valley College, 218 Whitechapel Road, E1 1BJ. The seminar will cover African development needs, donating skills and time for development, establishing partnerships, funding opportunities, working with international organisations etc. Reserve your place at this FREE event here. 

At 6.30pm Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen will be hosting Its Ghana be Meze at Carlton London Cafe, 4 Roach Road, E3 2PA. This is a 6 course meze madness of delicious Ghanaian street food, with vegetarian options. There are two sittings one at 6.30pm and the other at 8.30pm. All for just £20.00. 

Sunday 3^rd February

At 2.30pm the Africa Centre has a screening of the Cannes Film Festival winner A Screaming Man at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JT. This Franco-Chadian drama by Mahamat Saleh Haroun is about Adam a former swimming champion who is now a pool attendant at a 5 star hotel, forced to give up his job to his son by the new Chinese owners, he becomes resentful all the while the country is in civil war with the District Chief harassing Adam for his contribution to the war effort, but being penniless he only has his son. RSVP for this FREE screening here.

Week Starting 10th December: books, debates, poetry, Femi Temowo, networking, clubbing and lectures

Hello Everyone,

Just 17 days to Christmas and the nice days off at home stuffing yourself and getting merry. Remember Proud to be African Clothing is giving you 10% off all purchases with the discount code BROWN10!

And just to make it all the more groovy we now have Proud to Ghanaian Maroon hoodys, Born in the UK, Made in Jamaica hoodys for kids and adults, Born in the UK Made in Africa for kids and adults (in black and grey) and Proud to be African hoodys (in black and grey) for kids as well as adults.

Monday 10^th December

From 9.30am to 5.00pm we have Somalia Open for Business at the Holiday Inn Kensington Forum, 97 Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 4DN. This conference brings together those who wish to bring economic development to Somalia, with sessions covering Business and the economy, Law and Order, Health, Education, Youth opportunities, Agriculture and Fishing and Transport and Infrastructure. Tickets are £32.45 from here.

At 6.00pm we have There was a Country: Reflections from the Nigerian Diaspora in Committee Room 6, House of Commons, Westminster, SW1A 0AA. This event seeks to bring together Nigerians of all backgrounds and other interested parties to discuss Chinua Achebe’s sensational and controversial new book, ‘There was a country: A Personal History of Biafra’. The panel discussion will cover key legacies of the coup and civil war in the context of Nigeria’s present realities and the future. Chaired by the Right Honourable Chi Onwurah MP (Shadow Minister for Innovation, Science and Digital Infrastructure) with Donu Kogbara (Journalist), Dipo Salimonu (Eirenicon), Onyekachi Wambu (AFFORD) and Dr Muhammad Jameel Yusha’u (Northumbria University). RSVP for this FREE event by emailing. 

At 6.30pm we have We Just Begin at the Free Word Centre, 60 Farringdon Road. EC1R 3GA. At this event you can learn about 7 ecological sites set up to test ways to restore environmental health and different models of land ownership. Of these 5 are in East Africa, 1 in the UK and 1 in the USA. Named the Barbets Duet after a species of woodpecker that sing with one voice and drawing from western and African knowledge pools, there will be presentations by James Magode Ikuya from Uganda, Chris Jones from Cornwall and Barbara Heinzen. Tickets for this event are £5.00 (£3.00 concs) from here. 

Tuesday 11^th December

At 8.00pm Greenwich University ACS presents Showtime: The Christmas Send Off at Sparrows Bar, Sparrows Farm, Greenwich University, Avery Hill Campus, Sparrow Lane  SE9 2BT with DJ's playing the hip hop, R&B, funky house, UK garage, reggae, soca, slow jams and classic R&B and hip hop. Its £3.00 entry for Greenwich students, £4.00 for guests. More details here.

Wednesday 12^th December

At 6.30pm Place4BRIC’s presents Taster: Business Models and Investment in Africa’s Creative Industries at the Google Campus, 5 Bonhill Street, EC2A 4BX. This networking event will consist of a presentation about the upcoming conference as well as drinks and networking. This FREE event is ideal for tech entrepreneurs, start ups or techies RSVP here. 

At 6.30pm we have The I’mPOSSIBLE conversation Winter Edition 2012 at Pearson plc, 80 The Strand, WC2R 0DW. This event focuses on publicising the life journeys of women of colour on Britain. The panel for this event is hosted by journalist and author Hannah Pool are Foluke Akinlose MBE (founder of preciousonline.co.uk), Dorothy Koomson (bestselling author), Rachel Ritfield (international fashonista) and Rachel Springate (CEO of Enright Entertainment). Tickets are £25.00 each or £17.00 if bought for 4 people from here.

Thursday 13^th December

At 5.30pm BEN TV and the House of Commons present The African Diaspora Conference: Effective Opposition in Sustainable Democracy at the House of Commons Offices, Portcullis House, Westminster, SW1A 2LW. This conference subtitled The Role of African/ Nigerian Diaspora, questions whether Nigeria has a genuinely effective opposition that can take on the ruling party and what contribution the Diaspora can make to building effective democratic structures in Nigeria and Africa and how to contribute to wealth creation. The panel hosted by the Right Honourable Simon Hughes MP (Deputy Leader, Liberal Democrats) will consist of Governor Peter Obi (Executive Governor, Anambra State), Right Honourable David Lammy MP (Member for Tottenham), Right Honourable Adeyemi Ikuforiji (Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly), Edward Akinlade (Suru Group), Alistair Soyode (BEN TV), Tunde Alabi (Coordinator and Organiser). This is FREE invitation only event email Tunde Alabi for registration or call him on 07575816767.   

At 5.30pm we have the 2^nd Annual NAPPUK End of Year Event:  Accelerating National Development Through Project Management at the Rennie Room, Institution of Civil Engineers, 1 Great George Street, Westminster, SW1P 3AA. Guests speakers include Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Dalhatu S Tafida, Mr Andrew Bragg, (Chief Executive, Association for Project Management), David Shannon (Association for Project Management), Rosemary David –Etim (FBN Bank UK Ltd). RSVP for this FREE event here.

At 7.30pm we have Proud to be African favourite Femi Temowo Live at Deans Street Pizza Express, 10 Dean Street, Soho, W1D 3RW. Playing his first gig at this venue with his usual stellar line up of Richard Olatunde Baker ( on Talking Drum), Jonathan Idiagbonya (Piano), Karl Rasheed Abel (Bass) and Troy Miller (Drums). Tickets are £15.00 from here.

Friday 14^th December

At 6.30pm is The Inaugural Tajudeen Abdul Raheem Lecture at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JT. This lecture is in honour of Tajudeen Abdul Rahman a prominent Nigerian civil society campaigner who died in a car accident in 2009. Themed The African Union at Ten: with particular reference to Continental Security with Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari as the keynote speaker. Former Nigerian Ambassador to the UN and UN Special Advisor on Africa and Special Envoy to Myanmar and Angola he is an expert on regional integration, foreign policy and Africa’s role in the UN. RSVP for this FREE event here (a £3.00 donation is gently hinted at)

At 6.30pm Poesy Unplugged returns to The Rock Tower, 49 Tufnell Park Road, Tufnell Park, N7 0PS. This laid back and friendly poetry/ music slam, is ending the year on a high with an open mic session, music, poetry, spoken word and of course mince pies! This is a friendly, FREE event, check here for more details.

At 9.30pm we have the School of African and Oriental Studies (SOAS) Christmas Party at Area, 67 Albert Embankment, SE1 7TP. Featuring Proud to be African Clothing favourite Afrikan Boy, Rumba De Bodas, Orchid Road and many others, with DJ’s Barney Spiegel, Harikiri, Jabs and Seani K, Jack Jewell, Nadia, Skywalker, Subprime and Tri:bal playing disco, house, hip hop, funk, dubstep, moombahton, drum and bass and electro. Earlybird tickets are £5.00, standard £10.00 (with a £3.00 refund with fancy dress) from here, more on the door but only up to 11.00pm. The dress code is Christmas themed fancy dress or casual

Saturday 15^th December

From 2.00pm to 6.00pm the Students Association of Nigerians in the Diaspora (SANDS) presents London Forum on Constitutional Reform in Nigeria at London Metropolitan University, North Campus, Room GC1, 166-220 Holloway Road, N7 8DB. This seeks to give Nigerians in the diaspora an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing constitution review process in Nigeria. In the morning will be an open session for a draft submission to the House of Representatives, in the evening will be a panel debate on ‘Enacting a Peoples Constitution: So far, so Good’. Panel discussants include Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Hon. Mulikat O. Akande-Adeola, Hon Betty Apiafi, Dr Alistair Soyode, Mr Bimbo Folayan. Register for this FREE event here. 

 At 3.00pm we have the opening performance of Ola Rotimi’s play Our Husband has gone mad again at Georgewood Theatre, Goldsmiths College, Lewisham Way, New Cross, SE14 6NW.  . Directed by Lookman Sanusi this comedy pokes fun at the misfits and opportunists who bespoil the African political landscape as a retired Major takes to politics for reasons of vanity rather than patriotism, with his hapless efforts taking an even worse turn when his American wife arrives and discovers his 2 other secret wives. There is another performance at 7.30pm of this classic play which runs until Thursday the 20^th. Tickets are £10.00 from here.

At 6.00pm we have the 4^th Annual Kenya Achievers Award at The Royal Regency, 501 High Street North,E12 6TH. This event seeks to recognise Kenyans and their achievements around the world and in the UK, with entertainment and a 3 course Kenyan buffet, admission for this event is £30.00 in advance from here and £50.00 on the door. 

At 6.00pm we have Mutsa Mutsaa Fashion and Beauty Cocktail Party at the 5* Courthouse DoubleTree Hotel, 19-21 Great Marlborough Street, W1F 7HL. This fun night of fashion, music, cocktails, shopping and pampering will have designers, designer clothes and accessories. Fashion shows, 15 minute pamper sessions, a goody bag, discounts and competitions. Something for the discerning fashionista. With 3% of the proceeds going to AMREF UK(the maternal health charity), tickets are  £20.00-£25.00 from here.

At 7.00pm we have EDnKEV (featuring Eddie Kadi and Kevin J) at Sync London, 361-375 Stratford High Street, Stratford, E15 4QZ. This show features two of London’s favourite comedians joining forces for a night full of laughter. To see UK Black Comedy at its finest get your ticket for £20.00 form here. 

At 7.30pm we have Samuel Coleridge Taylor at the Croydon Festival Gala Concert at St John the Evangelist, Auckland Road, Upper Norwood, SE19 2RX. Performing Samuel Coleridge Taylors Violin Concerto in G minor op. 80, Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast and Ballad in A minor. A welcome opportunity to see this fine Black composers works performed by the Westminster Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by John Butcher. Tickets are £8.00

At 9.00pm we have The Official Naija UK All White Party at Club Favour, 516 Old Kent Road, SE1 5BA. £10.00 before 12.00 midnight. Birthday bookings by BB28F6395. More details available

At 10.00pm the Igbo Cultural and Support Network will be holding their Christmas Party at Biagio Bankside, 32 Southwark Bridge Road, SE1 9EU. DJ’s on the night will be playing the best in Afrobeats, hip hop, funky house, bashment and old school classics. There will be prizes for best dressed males and females and of course plenty fine fine African women and men. All this for just £10.00 in advance from here or £15.00 on the door.

Sunday 16^th December

From 2.00pm to 6.00pm our good friends at Mwalimu Express return to Rich Mix, 35-37 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA, for the final event of the year. This month’s destination is Senegal, with live performances by the excellent West African Blues Project featuring Modou Toure (on kora) and Ramon Goose (on guitar), with the screen station documentary The United States of Africa. This is a FREE family friendly event with children’s face painting, kids yoga and dancing, oware board games and DJ’s Rita Ray and Max Reinhardt on the decks.  

At the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JT, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm we have a screening of Yaaba in which a 10 year old boy Bila befriends an old woman named Sana who has been accused of witchcraft and ostracised. When Bila’s cousin falls ill Sana goes on a long and gruelling journey to get the medicine to save him, imparting her love and wisdom along the way. This screening is FREE but a donation of £3.00 is politely hinted at. RSVP here.