London African events for the week 9th to 15th July

Hello

Everyone, in the spirit of Proud to be African Clothings hapless IT efforts of recent weeks (breaking my laptop, phone line disappearing) I'll try and split upcoming events from other posts.

Upcoming Events

Monday 9^th July

6.30-9.30pm -Professionals for Africa will be holding an event, Venture Capital: Raising Finance for SMEs at Members Club, 1 Change Alley, Bank, EC3V3ND. If you’re interested in the key challenges and opportunities that business owners and startups face in Africa when raising finance then come and listen to an investor panel consisting of African professionals that are active in Africa. Each panelist will speak and then there will be a Q&A.

Session 1: Investor Panel, moderated by Mark Florman  (CEO, British Venture Capital Association)
Michelle Kathryn Essomé (CEO, African Venture Capital Association (AVCA))
John Butt (CEO, Conduit Ventures)
Simon Merchant (CEO, Jacana Venture Partnership)
Session 2:  Entrepreneur Panel moderated by Nzube Ufodike (Founder, Amoo Venture Capital Advisory)
Remi Okunlola (Co-Founder, SeaWolf Oilfields)
Hannah Acquah (Founder, The Knowledge Channel)
Joe Collins (Founder, African Supplies)

Tickets are £45.00 from here

Thursday 12^th July

From 6.00pm to 8.30pm, BTWSC and BritishBlackmusic.com/ Black Music Congress (BBM/BMC) hosts the ‘Who I Am & What I Do Networking’ event at The Space, Willesden Green Library Centre, 95 High Road, NW10 2SF. The event starts with a Caribbean meal, there’ll be a microphone for those who wish to talk about their businesses. Tickets are £15.00 from here

At 7pm Ghanaian Londoners will be hosting an Afrobeats Karaoke Night, rocking until 10pm at Alabar Lounge, 807High Road, Tottenham, N17 8ER, this is the first of Afrobeats (or even African music) Karaoke that I’ve heard of so if you’re Oliver Twist ing or maybe just want to Chop my Money, you can Yori Yori down to Alabar Lounge and Sing that stupid song with your Ifunanya!! Its £5.00 for a ticket book in advance from here

At 7.00pm at the Africa Centre, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8JT is Dialogue with Africa-Peter Sellars in Conversation with Michael Walling. Peter Sellars is the Patron of Border Crossings and is in London with his new production Desdemona, inspired by Othello by Toni Morrison with music by Rokia Traore, the piece raises questions around the legacy of colonisation, Africa`s relationship with Shakespeare, and the role of culture in the process of healing. The event is free RSVP by emailing daniela@businessofculture.com

At 6.00pm another entrepreneur event organised by the LSESU Entrepreneurship and Business in Africa (EBA) is a talk by Mr Emeka Azinge as part of their "Inside the mind of an African Entrepreneur" series on 'The Challenges faced by Entrepreneurs in Developing African Nations'. Mr Azinge is a UK law graduate who is now practising as well as consulting in Lagos, Nigeria. There will be a Q&A as well as networking. This free event takes place at London School of Economics, St Clements Building, Rm CLM.2.05, Houghton Street, WC2A 2AE  Please RSVP

Friday 13^th July

From 11.00am to 9.00pm the Association for African Owned Enterprises (AAOE)  will host the 2^nd African Women in Business’ Conference at School of Oriental and African Studies, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square,WC1H 0XG. Endorsed by the Under Secretary of State for Equalities, Right Honourable Lynne Featherstone, hosted by broadcaster Savahna Nightingale with confirmed speakers Baroness Oona King, Elsie Owusu OBE (Partner, Feilden+Mawson and Founder Member of the Society of Black Architects), Em Ekong (Director of Urban Inclusion at The African & Caribbean Business Experience), Kubi Springer (Branding Specialist), Eryca Freemantle (International Celebrity Make Up Artist), Justina Mutale (CEO of Positive Runway), Carol Nyazika (Personal Branding Strategist), Nyasha Gwatidzo (Founder & Director of Vana Trust).

Tickets are £55.00 for the whole day and £25.00 for the evening only

At 8.00pm there is a super duper special treat with the stage play of the UK/ Nigerian TV sitcom  Meet the Adebanjo’s Live at the Broadway Theatre, Catford Road, Catford, SE6 4RU. The full cast will be there from Mr and Mrs Adebanjo, Aunty Funke, Pastor Michael, Toby, Kevin, Sade, cousin Femi and Greg. Tickets are £20.00, with VIP going for £40.00 that include front row seats, signed DVD boxset, Red Carpet pictures, meet and greet with the cast and free entry into the official After party. Can’t say better than that! Tickets can be bought from outlets or online

Saturday 14^th July

Meet The Adebanjo’s Live comes back for two more shows at the Broadway Theatre with a matinee at 3.00pm and the final show at 8.00pm. Tickets are available online or at the following outlets
Tasty's - Woolwich 0208 854 2171
Obalende Suya - Peckham - 0207 703 7033
D Den - Cricklewood - 0208 830 5000
Presidential - Old Kent Road 0207 708 4491
Le-Joint Fish Bar - Old Kent Road - 0207 207 6789
Mama Cass - Burnt Oak - 0208 952 4200
Tomi's Kitchen - Deptford - 0208 694 9352
Tomi's Kitchen - Hackney - 0208 694 9352
Tomi's Kitchen Barking 
Flavors - Hackney - 0207 275 8024 

From 3.00pm to 7.00pm all fans of British reggae and Lovers Rock BBM/ BMC in association with The West Indian Association of Service Personnel (WASP) and Back2DaFuture Music present British Reggae and Lovers Rock: A Product of Migration.The  event consists of family friendly talks, live and recorded music and audio visual displays. The evening ends on a high note with a Lovers Rock/ Reggae session with Chardel, Frederica Tibbs and Andrew Sloley + Prezedent with Kwaku BBM on the decks. Taking place at WASP, 165/167 Clapham Manor Street, London, SW4 6DB, it’s a fundraiser for WASP as well with tickets going for £4.00 (£2.00 for under 18’s) from here

Between 6.30-10.00pm, The NXG Awards 2012 take place at the Shaw Theatre, 100-110 Euston Road, NW1 2AJ. This annual event seeks to recognise the next generation of talent in music, fashion, and media and so on. There will be live performance from the candidates in front of a panel of judges. The event will be hosted by comedian Poets Corner, with guest performances by Cashtastic, Cleo Sol, Clixx and Lady Leshurr. Tickets are £11.50 in advance £16.50 full price, buy from here

Also on Saturday is a new play ‘Zhe’ Created by Chuck Mike, Antonia Kemi Coker and Tonderai Munyevu at the Africa Centre, Covent Garden. It is the true story of two British Africans living at the intersection of culture, nationality, gender and sexuality.
If you would like to attend the showing, please contact victoria@collectiveartistes.co.uk or call 020 7607 5453.
To learn more about Collective Artistes and ZHE: visit: www.collectiveartistes.co.uk/current-productions


Sunday 15^th July

From 12pm this Sunday the Igbo Cultural and Support Network (ICSN) will be holding its Sports Day at Finsbury Park, near the Endymion Road Entrance. Near Manor House Tube, Egg & Spoon Race, Sack Race, 3 legged race, Tug of war, Skipping Race and much much more!!

Guests will be split into teams and there will be a prize for the winning team. It’s a free event with lots of friendly young people, all are welcome and invited, so come along, with friends and make a picnic of it for an afternoon of fun and mingling(and fine fine Naija girls of course), RSVP via the Facebook page

An African Summer

Happy custome

Hello Everyone

Fascinating weekend of which I can but tell you a bit. On Friday we were at the Southbank Centre for Jumoke Fashola and Friends, where we were entertained by the lady herself as well as her friends including Proud to be African favourite Floetic Lara.

On Saturday and Sunday we were at the Back2Black Festival at the Olds Billingsgate, selling, listening to awesome music, meeting old friends and making new ones!

For a fan of African music this festival was essentially what heaven will sound like. The Back2Black festival started in 2009 in a disused railway station in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil with the aim of reinforcing the cultural connections between Brazil and Africa, in fact the largest concentration of Yoruba speakers outside Nigeria is Brazil, and in Lagos, Brazilian architecture and names still abound from the descendants of returnees, so with the musical links, Brazilian and African food, beautiful African and Brazilian women I can assure you it was a goooooooooood weekend .

The festival started on Friday with Macy Gray headlining. We attended the market hosted by Open the Gate on the Saturday and the festival started off with the sublime Fatoumata Diawara on the main stage, killing us with her energy and reminding us just why Mali and its beautiful culture is so close to all our hearts particularly at this time. She was followed by the incomparable Grammy award winning Hugh Masekela, who refused to allow his 73 years to dim him as he gave a barnstorming performance, with my favourite being his rendition of Fela’s ‘Lady’, his version always reminds me of my youth as it was a favourite in our house at the time, he ended up with his classic ‘Grazing in the Grass’, ably supported by his excellent band. Honestly just those two were worth the entrance money alone but it got better as they were followed by Brazilian musicians Mart’nalia and then Criolo featuring Mulatu Astatke.

Fortunately for me the market closed at 10.00pm allowing me to go up and shake my nyash (and other body parts!) to Femi Kuti and the Positive Force! And to top it all the super groovy DJ Gilles Petersen came on to give us good music to finish the night, while Dele Sosimi and the Synchro System kept people going downstairs.

On the Sunday Euro 2012 notwithstanding the venue was packed and sold out, the afternoon started with blues singer Muntu Valdo. He was followed by the amazing collaboration of  Mali’s Toumani Diabate and Brazils Arnaldo Antunes and Edgar Scandurraon the Main Stage, however down on the Vault Stage our old friends from Mwalimu Express has set up there homely family friendly fun complete with Oware tables, Childrens Yoga, books and music. My afternoon was made by the utterly sublime music provided by Diabel Cissoko on the kora and Ramon Goose on the guitar. Terrible businessman that I am I abandoned my stall to soak it up. The video doesn’t do it justice but it was heavenly. The adults played the traditional African game Oware provided by The Oware Society, the children had African Yoga and storytelling by the excellent Alim Kamara.

  

The afternoon got better with a fascinating talk on Democracy and literature hosted by Margaret Busby with Chimamanda Adichie and Moroccan writer Tahar Ben Jelloun. The lively debate conducted French and English covered everything from the role of the writer to the place of literature in democracy. As ever with Chimamanda Adichie articulation

The evening concluded with two gems Amadou and Mariam the Malian duo who for the entire duration of their set gripped the crowd and didn’t let go, followed by Festival host and former Brazilian Minister of Culture, Gileberto Gil.

Even after he had finished the goodness didn’t end as Congolese band Jupiter and Okwess International completely rocked the Vaults with their Bafenia Rock in fact some of my fellow stall holders (no names!) abandoned their stalls to go and shake their behinds!! Hmm!!

Well that was the weekend that was, I hope to be able to tell you about the Literature Festival at SOAS but hold this one for now and prepare for another super internationally groovy week with literature and music par excellence.

Upcoming events:

Tuesday 3^rd July is veeeery busy with events and eventualities

The AfricaUtopia Festival is in full swing at the South Bank Centre, SE1 8XX with the following events:

Amadou and Mariam

At 6:00pm in the Front Room of Queen Elizabeth Hall, Chicago based author, broadcaster and award-winning Guardian columnist for, Gary Younge explores what it has really meant to have an African in the White House at Putting the African into African American:Obama's presidency and what African Americans still needs to learn from Africa. As the son of a Kenyan immigrant Barack Obama's challenges and opportunities have been different from other African-American politicians, exposing the tensions both within black America and the diaspora. This event is Free

At 6.30pm in the Level 5 Function Room of the Queen Elizabeth Hall is the African Writers' Evening chaired by novelist Nii Ayikwei Parkes (Ghana) in which author/ journalists Bottom of Form José Eduardo Agualusa (Angola) and Dinaw Mengestu (Ethiopia) explore through readings and discussion the limitations of borders in the imaginative landscape of the African writer. Tickets are £8.00 from here

At 8pm we see Senegalese sensation Baaba Maal in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, with Word Sound Power. He will be performing alongside writers and poets like Lemn Sissay, Pauline Black, TJ Dema, Pedro Perez, Agnes Agboton, Bewketu Seyoum and our good friend Inua Ellams (busy fellow!!). Tickets from £10.00 from here

7.45pm ‘Robben Island Bible’ is a play based on the true story of a copy of 'The Complete Works of Shakespeare' that was smuggled into Robben Island by an inmate while Nelson Mandela was incarcerated there and was passed between his fellow prisoners, who memorised and wrote down extracts of the work. This story was turned into a play by theatre director Matthew Hahn featuring extracts of Shakespeare intercut with testimony of the prisoners. Extracts from the work read by Chuk Iwuji, Vincent Ebrahim and Cornelius Macarthy. Before the reading, Ashwin Desai will give a keynote talk based on his book 'Reading Revolution - Shakespeare on Robben Island’. Tickets are £10.00

Another happy customer

On 4^th July between 9.30am and 11.00am, African Foundation for Development (Afford) will be launching their Africa Gives Initiative at Chatham House 10 St James's Square, London SW1Y 4LE. They aim to link young Africans in the diaspora to share their experiences of Africa, $40 billion of remittances flow back to Africa every year, this initiative seeks to find different platforms to energise philantrophic giving among young Africans. The event is chaired by Professor Catherina Pharoah, Co-Director, ESRC Centre for Charitable Giving and Philanthropy with panellists Hadeel Ibrahim, (Mo Ibrahim Foundation), Gibril Faal, Chair, (AFFORD), James Nyoro, (Rockefeller Foundation) 

Tony Elumelu, (Tony Elumelu Foundation). The event is free, register here

Also on Wednesday the 4^th, as part of events marking the announcement of the 2012 Caine Prize for African Writing there will be a seminar at the Anatomy Museum, 6th Floor, at Kings College, The Strand WC2R 2LS London from 1pm to 4pm. Chaired by Zoe Norridge (King's College London) with Ranka Primorac (University of Southampton), and Mpalive Msiska (Birckbeck College) as panellists. If you would like to attend please email: robert@raittorr.co.uk.   

At 7.45pm in the Purcell Room of the South Bank Centre is Nigeria Now, with 2 brilliant Nigerian female writers Noo Saro-Wiwa, (Transwonderland) and Chika Unigwe, (on Black Sisters Street, with a new novel Night Dancer published this summer), explore the complexities of Nigeria and discuss the role of the writer and activist in the country in the light of recent history. Tickets are £10.00

At 8.00pm is another special treat with Taj Mahal Grammy award winning Blues and Roots multi-instrumentalist and composer at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, tickets are from £10-£40. Not much more to say get involved!

At 9:30pm in the Purcell Room is the Africa Sci-Fi Screening which explores the subject of genre in African writing, visual art and film, this event features discussion alongside screenings from short films featured in the exhibition Superpower: Africa in Science Fiction at the Arnolfini, Bristol.

On Friday the 6^th of July Atongo Zimba the Ghanaian Afro fusion musician performs at Green Note, 106 Parkway, London, NW1 7AN. This versatile musician has opened for many of Africa’s greats such as Angelique Kidjo and Hugh Masekela so you lucky people get to see him for tickets starting from £10.00 in advance and £12.00 on the door

On the 7^th of July Afford will hold the main Africa Gives Conference on the theme, ‘Building the Africa-Gives Platform’ at the Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London, WC1H 0XG. The confirmed speakers are the Right Honourasble Chuka Umunna MP, Shadow Secretary of State  for Business, Skills and Innovation, Herman Chinery-Hesse Founder and Chairman of SOFTribe, Ghana and Ms Jacqueline Shaw of the Africa Fashion guide (and a great supporter of Proud to be African Clothing!). The event starts at 8.30am and runs to 4.30pm with a series of workshops on workshops on: What features should be incorporated in the Africa-Gives platform? How to stimulate and maintain volunteering amongst young African? How to mobilise young Africans to raise funds for African projects? How to expand diaspora involvement in corporations and institutions working in Africa?. Book your place here and learn more about Africa Gives here. 

Between 12 and 4.00pm on Saturday 7^th BritishBlackMusic.com/Black Music Congress will be hosting a family friendly Sports and Community Day, with quizs, games and activities hosted by Kwaku at Spectrums (Phoenix 2), 68 Lilburne Walk, St Raphaels Estate, Neasden, NW10 0TW

Between 5-10pm there is the Africa Gospel Music Awards 2012 at The Hippodrome, North End Road, Golders Green, NW11 7RP. Hosted by MC Mark with performances by Emmy Kosgei, Diana Hamilton, Makoma, Four Kornerz, Wole Awolola, Taymee Tee, Rebecca, Iyobo Von Lierop, Hykerne Kudinga, Atta Boafa, Kelechi Ify, Allen Caiquo and Ephraim. Tickets range from £15.00 to £40.00 from here.

  

On Sunday the 8^th  of July from 12 midday to 9.30pm is ZIMARTS Day with Stella Chiweshe, the Mbira Queen of Zimbabwe Live at the V22 Workspace F-Block, The Biscuit Factory, 100 Clements Road SE16 4DG this celebration of contemporary and traditional Zimbabwean arts and culture at the V22 Summer Club, in support of the Chivanhu Trust. with events, workshops, films and food children have free admission, tickets are £7.00 in advance and there will be a limited number of £10 tickets available at the door. Music from the Mandingo Jazzmen and Munkinpure, kids workshops and movies

Between 7 and11.30pm is The Gold Show at Walkabout Bar, Embankment, this event, will have comedy, poetry and dancing, There will be Rachell Kerr, Tunday the Saxophonist, Infecta and so much more as can be seen here, tickets are £6.00 and can be bought here

At 8.00pm there is the Kalakuta Afrobeat Band at the The Majestic Restaurant, 330 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8QH. Come down for some swinging Afrobeat!

7.00pm to 2 am on Sunday is FLOetic Lara's All Star Birthday Concert & Celebration at the Brixton Jamm, 261 Brixton Road, London SW9 6LH with Don-E, El Crisis, Nyarai, Toneo, Indigo, IDK, Sodg, Manic MC, Lyrical Healer, Tagz, Andrae Bentley, LeeN, Best Kept Secret, Adelaide Mackenzie, Alabama 3 all hosted by Best Kept Secrets AmeN NoiR
Tickets are £6 before 7:30pm and  £8 after

More than enough for now, till next week

Back 2Black, Africa Writes: Music, poetry, literature and discounts!

Ok let me throw one greeting your way

People of the north I greet you, people of the south may our lands be bountiful, people of the east may, the sun is out the sky is blue, Euro 2012 is drawing to a close, Wimbledon has started and the Olympics are around the corner. Proud to be African Clothing is in full effect around town and do we have a super duper groovy week lined up for you!!!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Again there are a wide variety of events for all you lucky, lucky people!

On the 26^th of June, is a book launch ‘Grape-The Vineyards of South Africa’, between 5 and 7pm at the South Africa High Commission, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DP. It is hosted by Democratic Alliance Abroad and covers the fluctuating fortunes of South Africa’s wine industry and how it affected the coloured community and how it has adapted to changes in climate and the economy. Register here for this free event

Also on Tuesday the 26^th our good friend Inua Ellams new show ‘KnightsWatch’ opens in Sheffield. This rhythmic combo of poetry with a live soundtrack from Drummer Aki Fujimoto and flautist Mikey Kirkpatrick is the story of Michael who is seeking to avoid the violence of city life but is drawn into the gang culture he abhors as the battle lines are drawn can he succeed in ending the impending gang war.

First show is at the International Drama Students Festival with London shows at Camden Peoples Theatre, 58-60 Hampstead Road, London, NW1 2PY on Friday the 29^th June and Saturday the 30th, tickets are £10 (£8 concs). Inua will also be at Poetry Parnussus at the Southbank Centre until the 1^st of July. But more from Inua later, he is a busy bee this week I see!!

On Wednesday the 27^th of June Collaborate for Africa holds their next meeting at Avanta, 48 Charlotte Street, London, W1T 2NS. The event is from 6.15-8.00pm and is a networking event for individuals who are passionate about development work in Africa. Come along with your ideas, requests for assistance, volunteers, consultations or introductions

On the 27^th as well are the Ebony Business and Recognition Awards 2012 starting 6.00pm at the Proud 2 at The 02, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX. The Ebony Business awards look to recognise the achievements of Black owned businesses, with categories as ranging from Youth Entrepreneur, International Trade and Travel and Transport, the full list of categories are here, where you can vote or nominate someone (or yourself) for an award. Tickets range from £20.00 to £30.00 and can be bought here, with discounts for group bookings

Also on the 27^th the BritishNigerian Law Forum (BNLF) will be holding a free seminar at London South Bank University on ‘Legal info on housing’. This will be at the Keyworth Centre, LSBU, Keyworth Street, London SE1 6NG, it is right next to Elephant and Castle tube station Information will be provided on Access to social housing with councils and housing associations, your rights to have repairs carried out, your rights in cases of unlawful eviction and unlawful sub-letting with an expert panel will of experienced housing lawyers, including a barrister and other housing law experts who act for local authorities and tenants. This event is free but register by sending an email to events@bnlf.org.uk or call 07721 382733

 On Friday the 29^th at 6:30pm is the African-Caribbean Entrepreneurs Networking evening, taking place at UnLtd, 123 Whitecross Street, Islington, EC1Y 8JJ. This event is a must if you want to learn firsthand about some of the funding and other support opportunities which are on offer for social enterprises. Speakers include Dan Lehner (UnLtd's Interim Head of Ventures) who will give an overview of some of the current funding programmes offered by UnLtd, including the Big Venture Challenge and Sunny Lambe (Founder and Executive Director of the Black Business Initiative) who will discuss the 2012 Black Business Awards, RSVP here

Also on Friday the 29^th Star 100 the Ghanaian networking group will be holding their monthly meet up at Balls Brother Minster Exchange, Minster Pavement, Mincing Lane, EC3R 7PP. The evening’s special guest is Lesley ‘Super’ Sackey a British Ghanaian female boxer, who successfully juggles her boxing career, with media and personal training work; she’s also the first British woman to win the European Union Championships in 2008 on first entry. Contact the organisers here for this interesting event to round up the week. Its £10.00 in advance and £15.00 on the door but free to Star 100 members (incentive to join eh, do so here!) 

But the Christmas and New Yam Festival come early this Friday as the Back2Black Festival at the Old BillingsgateVaults. This stunning event involves 3 days of live music with an eclectic line up of African, Brazilian and international artists across 3 stages all hosted by Brazilian superstar Gilberto Gil. Taking place in the stunning new riverside venue of Old Billingsgate Market, 1 Old Billingsgate Walk, 16 Lower Thames Street, EC3R 6DX, transformed for the occasion by Brazilian visual artist Miguel Rio Branco.

There are 3 stages and the line up is as follows for Friday

On the Main Stage we have:

• Macy Gray!!
• Luiz Melodia
• Linton Kwesi Johnson & Dennis Bovell
• Marcelo D2
• DJ Nuts
• 
  

On the Vault stage   

• Vieux Farka Touré
• Baile Funk - feat. DJ Sany Pitbull, Passinhos & Fininho

Terrace Stage

• Emicida
• Drum Heads & Pracatum Drumming School

Day tickets are £35 / £20 (under 16's) on Friday and £45/ £25 (under 16's) for Saturday and Sunday or a weekend pass at £120 covers you for the entire festival

For Saturday and Sunday you are all in for such a treat it’s unbelievable! Unfortunately both are happening over the same period so you better get your roller skates on as you will be zipping between them!

The Back 2 Black Festival continues on Saturday with more great musicians and talks by Diaspora artists

On the main stage for Saturday we have

• Roots Manuva
• Criolo feat. Mulatu Astatke
• Hugh Masekela
• Femi Kuti & The Positive Force
• Fatoumata Diawara
• Mart'nalia
• Gilles Peterson

On the Terraces Stage

• Shrine Synchro System
•  Candylo
• Gomanchi
• Talk: Cultural Identity & Communities: City of God author Paulo Lins joins musician and poet Kalaf Ângelo and Professor David Treece to explore how music, literature and other artforms can act as a medium to define and forge identities and how the Afro-Brazilian experience compares with the multiple identities inherent in contemporary Britain.
• Talk: Music in Exile: Gilberto Gil (Brazil) and trumpeter Hugh Masekela (South Africa) are both Cultural ambassadors for their respective countries on the world stage making them uniquely well placed to reflect on the relationship between Brazil and Africa today and how music can revitalise Brazil’s African roots.

On the Vaults Stage

• Tono
• Flavio Renegado
• Soul Caribbean
• Drum Heads & Pracatum Drumming School

 There is also a market in the vaults where yours truly will be selling Proud to be African Clothing with reckless abandon!

As if that weren’t enough for Saturday the first Royal Africa Society, Africa Writes Festival starting at Midday runs concurrently at the Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre in the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).  This weekend long series of book launches, readings, panel discussions, children's workshops and other activities also featurs a two day international book fair of publishers of African writing and an outdoor pan-African food market featuring dishes from all four corners of the continent.

Proud to Be Africans favourite poet Inua Ellams (wandering about alot, maybe he has sokugo!) will be in attendance alongside other poets such as Modeste Hugues, Oxmo Pucion, Kety Nevyabandi Bikura, Shalija Patel, T.J. Dema, Paul Dakeyo, Bewketu Seyoum, Abdulahi Botaan Hassan 'Kurweyne', Warsan Shire, Sam Elmi, Elmi Ali,,Yemisi Blake, Safia Elhillo.

Participating authors include Ellen Banda-Aaku, Nuruddin Farah, Kojo Laing, Lily Mabura, Jack Mapanje, Obi Okigbo, Noo Saro-Wiwa, E. E. Sule, Goretti Kyomuhendo and the five shortlisted Caine Prize writers for 2012, namely Rotimi Babatunde, Billy Kahora, Stanley Kenani, Melissa Tandiwe Myambo, and Constance Myburgh. Participating, Mariama Khan, Togara Muzanenhamo, and Lemn Sissay.

2012 marks the 50^th anniversary of the African Writers Series and the sublime Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie will be delivering the main lecture focusing on the legacy of the series. For those of us who grew up reading such classics as Burning Grass, Weep not Child, The Concubine, Things Fall Apart this is not to be missed. Just writing about this takes me back to my youth sitting in the guava tree reading Burning Grass and then accusing everyone of using baduhu on me (if you don’t know what I’m on about buy the book!!)

The lecture begins at 6.00pm and as we know from past experience, she is an excellent speaker with an intelligent perspective on literature and the modern African diaspora perspective; this should be a cracking one! RSVP here.

Also in London is the Ghanaian Old School Reunion taking place at Bacons College, Timber Pond Road, SE16 from 10.00am to 6.00pm, this event aims to reunite people in the UK who attended Ghanaian schools, colleges or universities, for a fun filled day of activities for all the family. Tickets are £10.00 for adults and £5.00 for children.

If you can’t make it and you’re stuck in Milton Keynes then an excellent alternative event is the MK 2012 which will hold at Willen Lake Park 6, between 10.00am and 10.00pm.

The grooviness continues on Sunday 1^st July with the Back2Black Festival at Old Billingsgate Vault continuing from 12 midday to 8pm with performances on the Main Stage by

• Gilberto Gil and special guests
• Jorge Ben Jor
• Amadou & Mariam
• Toumani Diabaté + Arnaldo Antunes + Edgar Scandurra

The Vault stage features

• Jupiter & Okwess International
• DJ Joao Brasil
• DJ Nepal
• Mwalimu Express
• Talk: Literature & Democracy: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (she’s a busy lady!!) and Tahar Ben Jelloun (Morocco); two of Africa’s finest writers come together to discuss the role of literature in the process of Africa's democratisation and development. How can writers probe, reflect and stimulate cultural and political change across the continent?

The Terrace stage

• Natasha Llerena
• All Comers Drumming Workshop
• Afrik Bwantu
• Baia

The RAS Africa Writes Festival proceeds procedurally as well at the Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre SOAS on Sunday with book fair, food market, more poets and authors’ than you can shake a calabash at!!!

Another literary feast beckons this Sunday at the South Bank Centre, with Africa Utopia, a month long (yeah month long, no excuses!) celebratory combination of African talents in the realm of spoken word and music. Taking place in the Clore Ballroom at 6.00pm it features the Caine Prize Readings which are a brilliant snapshot of contemporary African fiction. Five shortlisted authors will read at this event, and discuss their work with Ellah Allfrey, Deputy Editor of Granta the chairperson.

 This year's shortlisted authors are: Rotimi Babatunde (Nigeria), Billy Kahora (Kenya), Stanley Kenani (Malawi), Melissa Tandiwe Myambo (Zimbabwe) Constance Myburgh (South Africa).

Book Tickets  form here, this is a month long series and I’ll write more about it this weekend

In the evening we are reunited with our good friends at Arise. This talk show type event see’s luminaries of the Black community interviewed in front of a live audience. Taking place at the Tabernacle, 35 Powis Square, London W11 2AY, this Sundays guests are Judith Jacobs, Leo Muhammed and Shaun Wallace. Hosted by Daddy Ernie with music by the resident band D22 featuring Bastedo it is a lovely way to end a stimulating and energetic weekend. Phone 07792767142, 07770266067 for tickets are £10.00 in advance, more on the door,

Can you honestly say you have a reason to be bored this weekend, I’ve given you literature, music, reunions, talks, talk shows, free, and not so free. And I’ve not even asked you to buy a T shirt!!!

Remember that in the countdown to the Olympics, you’ll be able to get 10% off all purchases with the code ‘Olympic10’. And if I spot you at any events wearing a Proud to be African T shirt, I’ll either give you a discount or a present so stop by and say hi!!

See you around this weekend!!

Music, poetry, Networking and more

 It’s a sunny Sunday and it’s been another weekend of wonderful African events, with Proud to be African well represented.

This Friday there were 2 excellent events that are worthy of mention, at Catford Broadway Theatre, The Spirit of Africa, musical show had its last performance, this gratifyingly well attended show, encompassed several musical themes from about Africa, with Zulu dancers, an evil herbalist and solo singing in the first act, warming up for a scintillating and second portion of which my personal favourite was the Ethiopian dancers but the crowd loved the whole thing particularly the village drunk and the herbalist who had seen the error of her ways and demonstrated her repentance with  some excellent dance moves. As the team said this is just the first incarnation of this project. We are looking forward to more from the Masai Culture team in future.

At the same time halfway across London at the Brady Art Centre, Mosi Conde was performing. This talented kora player from Guinea again never fails to impress.

Saturday saw the IDAY, International Day Celebrations for African Children and Youth at the Civic Centre, Old Kent Road. Hosted by the President of IDAY UK Chief Mrs Yemisi Sanusi, this packed day saw a mixture of informative seminars, exhibitions and fashion shows.

The first session covered ‘Providing Quality Education for all African Children by the Year 2015’ and was chaired by Dr Edwin Sawacha with lively comments from the participant s and the floor, this was followed by a session on Every Child Matters: Contributions of Africans in Diaspora towards the education of deprived and disabled children’ in which the fact that not a single African government had a programme to deal with autism was revealed as well as the debilitating effects of sickle cell on African youth. After a lunch donated by 805 Restaurant, Old Kent Road, there were appreciation awards presented to worthy members of the African diaspora by such luminaries as the Mayor of Southwark, the Mayor of Brent and Mrs Julie Coker to name a few.

The final 2 sessions covered Health Education and Safeguarding the African child and then a summary  of the days events. The day was closed with a prayer and vote of thanks by the President of IDAY UK.

This very worthy cause was ably supported by a glitterati of notable Africans in the UK such Mr Femi Okutobo of Trumpet newspaper and Councillor Michael Shittu.

On Sunday we caught Tony Dudu and the Gumbe Jazz at the Hootanany in Brixton, a brilliant display of African jazz with Latin undertones from the Guinea Bissau guitarist. A wonderful performance one minute it felt like you were in a South African Township, next on a beach in Barcelona. Hope to catch the next one!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday 20^th June sees Komla Tsey launching his book Rethinking Development for Africa: An oral history from Ghana at the Africa Centre, Covent Garden. This free event starts at 6.30pm.

On Thursday the 21^st of June LERECA  will be holding an Afterwork at The Gallery, 10-11 Austin Friars, EC2N 2HG between 6.30pm and 10.30pm. Happy hour is between 5 and 8.00pm with 50% of all drinks and platters and there are a choice of drinks and cocktails at this venue to tempt even the most sybaritic of you! This is a free social/ networking event by an extremely friendly group of black professionals encompassing not just the Anglophone diaspora but the Francophone and Lusophone. RSVP to Stephanie 07942343119 and Samantha 07879892536

On Friday the 22^nd June Britafrique will be holding a CV and interview technique workshop for graduates and young people between 16 and 23 years old. The event is free and takes place between 5.30pm and 8.30pm, contact Michelle Akintoye to book

Also on Friday our good friends at Poesy will be holding another ‘Unplugged’ poetry and jam session, come along for an amazingly friendly and chilled atmosphere, excellent poetry from veterans and first timers as well as music and refreshments. This Free event is at The Rock Tower, 49 Tufnell Park Road, N7 0PS and starts at 6.30pm

On the same Friday evening between 6.30 and 9.00pm VC4Africa will be holding another VC4Africa London Meetup at the Society Bar & Restaurant, 33 Blackfriars Lane, EC4V 6EP; this is the place to be if you are looking to network with intelligent young black professionals. The range and breadth of industry sectors and professions is extremely wide from doctors and engineers, to civil servants and soldiers. It’s always a good vibe and it’s free so bring lots of business cards and your best networking face!

Come Saturday the 23rd and Proud to be African will be rushed of our feet again as there are a lot of excellent African themed events around London between 2.30 and 4.30pm BBM/ BMC/BTWSC will be hosting ‘Remembering Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’ at the Gayton Library,5 St John's Road, Harrow On The Hill, HA1 2EE. For the uninitiated Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, son of a Sierra Leonean doctor who was a composer who lived between 1875 and 1912 and composed such masterpieces as Hiawathas Wedding Feast, African Dances and the Petite Suite de Concert to name a few. For fans of classical music (another guilty pleasure of mine) this is a must but even more important for fans and champions of black history, this is a fascinating story of a man making his way in the world against the grain of the time and being celebrated for his skills and talents both home and abroad

At 4.00pm is the Ghana4PeaceConcert Live, hosted by Nana Kwame Osei-Tutu & Adwoa Agyemang at the Dominion Centre, 9 The Broadway, High Road, Wood Green, London, N22 6DS. The show starts at 5.00pm running till 10pm it will feature No Tribe Band-GH, Mershelia Williams, Pastor Kwame Amponsah, Rev Osei Kofi, Atta Boafo, Pastor Osby, Allen & Da New Waves, Daniel Akakpo, PK Boadi, Michael 'Lyrical' Agyei-UK, Psalmist George, The Davison Band-UK, Matthew Boamah, Maame Serwaa, Emmanuella Bafoah-Moloney. Ghanaian London events are well run and friendly and are really a must for anyone wishing to link up with the Ghanaian diaspora, despite being an obnoxious Nigerian (!) I am always made extremely welcome and have always left having made new friends and contacts, it’s a free event with tickets are available from here.

Sunday the 24^th of June we round up with the Kulcha Village Sunday Market at the Mama Afrika Kulcha Shap, 282 High Road Leyton, Leyton E10 5PW. Other than the stalls this event will feature free workshops, West African head wrapping and Children’s face painting. Free entry all day and runs from 12 midday to 6pm. For stalls contact Kai on 0208 5392154or 07908814152

I’m sure that’s enough to keep you all going for now!!!

In the countdown to the Olympics, you’ll be able to get 10% off all purchases with the code ‘Olympic10’

We will also be running competitions and polls to see what countries we should feature next on the ‘Proud to Be....’ range

Zimbabwe

South Africa

Ghana

Kenya

Uganda

You decide, we provide!!!!

Pass this on to your friend and contacts but feel free to let me know if you don’t want to be contacted anymore, I haven’t yet figured out how to do it automatically but it will be done!!

Last flight to Abuja and Football

A long weekend, lots of festivities, barbeques, pomp, circumstance and rain! It can only be a London summer! Well we at Proud to be African Clothing were happy to get into the Jubilee swing of things this weekend.

On Saturday we attended Passion for Homeland at Greenwich University. This event hosted by the universities Nigerian Students Association was well attended get together for Nigerian students and their friends, which saw performances and presentations by invited guests.

Stylesafrik the new online fashion store website for African Fashion has gone live!!! Make sure you check it out for your designer fashion, urban wear and children’s wear as well as innovative and inspiring homewear section giving buyers the opportunity to purchase limited edition handmade items made by artist using traditional methods

 www.stylesafrik.com

Upcoming Events

On Wednesday 6^th June is Sahara Nights at the Roundhouse featuring live music and spoken word from Shawari performers from Western Sahara under a tent at the Roundhouse, Camden

Obi Emeleonye

Friday the 9^th of June sees a host of stellar events. Obi Emeleonye’s latest blockbuster ‘Last Flight toAbuja’ premieres at Troxy Cinema, 490 Commercial Road, London, E1 0HX. The movie written and directed by Obi Emeleonye and produced by Charles Thompson concerns the travails of the passengers of Flamingo Airways last scheduled flight from Lagos to Abuja. A combination of events leads the flight teetering on the edge of disaster. A series of flashbacks shows the various ways and means that each passenger ended up on the flight with all sensing impending doom, except one person! Why, what does he know and will the plane make it?

I guess you’ll have to be there to find out!

Tickets are £20 Economy, £30 Business class and £50 First class and can be bought here.

The film features a stellar cast and stars  Hakim Kae Kazim, Jim Iyke, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde amongst others.

The films premiere is dedicated to the Nigerians who lost their lives in the tragic Dana Air accident on Sunday.

Also on Friday the 8^th of June at the Logan Hall, 20 Bedford Way is the The Spirit of Afrika an exciting new musical that captures the true diversity of the continent. It consists of an array of UK- based African dance performance groups, including Kenyan, Senegal, Ivory coast, Zimbabwean, Guinea, Ethiopian, Mali, Ghanaian, Ugandan,  Nigerian and  South African Zulu dance troupes, who have joined forces for a one of a kind production. The enthralling epic storyline sees East meet West and South collides with North, as all of Africa prays for rain after the villagers of Bamba commit atrocities and the Gods punish them by bringing drought to the entire African regions. Instead of acknowledging their mistakes and seeking forgiveness they get an evil, wicked seer, to lie that the sacrifice should be the virgin girl called Amani, because she is different. Tickets are from £10-£25 with 10% off for group bookings.

                                                                                                               

Dates: 

8^th June, 7.30pm-Logan Hall            

Box Office 07853 942 068              

                               

10^th June, 5.00pm -St Albans

Box Office 01727 844 488

15^th June, 7.30pm -Broadway Theatre Catford, London                                                                                                            

Box Office 020 8690 0002            

On Saturday the 9^th of June Nigerian Students Union UK (NSUUK) is bringing the various Nigerian student bodies together for a 1^st Nigerian Students Societies Football Challenge at Powerleague Catford, Canadian Avenue, SE6 4SW. Come and indulge in that most Nigerian of past times, football!!! Cheer on your friends and university team. Its £20 per team to enter and we are promised EPL footballers to present prizes, cash prizes, goody bags, Naija food, free parking, entertainment and fine fine Naija girls (ok so I added the last one myself but a man can only dream!)

Lets not forget Janice Okoh's Egusi Soup is still playing at the Soho Theatre until Saturday the 9th of June

As well as Bola Agbajee's Belong in Peckham

Oya enjoy the shortened week and see you later for an exciting weekend!!