JULY #10: A Season of Patrice Lumumba

A SEASON IN THE CONGO, JULY 6 - AUG 17, 2013 THE YOUNG VIC
http://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/a-season-in-the-congo

If you like a bit of African history, this July, enjoy the rise & fall of Patrice Lumumba either in theatre or on screen (see also JULY #7)!

JULY #9 Natural Hair Week: The London Chapter

NATURAL HAIR WEEK - LONDON, JULY 20, 2013
RADISSON BLU, PROVIDENCE WHARF

https://www.naturalhairweek.com/event-programme/london/

This summer I celebrate three years into my 'natural hair journey' and I would never look back!

Join me and other sistas and brothers for hair chit-chat, nibbles, demos, more chit-chat and drinks.

Kickin' it with the Kinks have very kindly created the promo video. See if you can spot me!

JULY #8 Karmen, Karmen, Karmen

KARMEN GEI, JULY 20 & 28, 2013 THE AFRICA CENTRE

http://www.africacentre.org.uk/event/karmen-gei/

I also happen to be a fan of films set in prison so this one should be quite a treat.

Grab you FREE ticket today!

JULY #7 The Truth About Patrice Lumumba

LUMUMBA, JULY 20, 2013 THE AFRICA CENTREhttp://www.africacentre.org.uk/event/lumumba/

African history anyone?

JULY #6 A Festival of Friends

ERIC LAU & FRIENDS, JULY 17, 2013 JAZZ CAFE CAMDEN

http://mamacolive.com/thejazzcafe/listings/upcoming-events/8952/eric-lau/

A promising mish-mash of London based artists including Rahel, Tawiah and Eric Lau!

JULY #5 London Indian Film Festival

LONDON INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL, JULY 18-25, 2013 AROUND LONDON TOWN
http://www.londonindianfilmfestival.co.uk/programme.htm

My top pick:

The Bright Day, July 20-23, 2013 Various Venues
India remains on my places to see, so if like me you like to take in the sights and sounds of a country on film, this promises to be oozing with them! 

JULY #4: Bob Marley Orchestra Anyone?

CATCH A FIRE, JULY 13, 2013 THE ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL SOUTHBANK CENTRE

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/catch-a-fire-77088

An orchestral (if there is such a word) interpretation of Bob Marley choons? Surely that sounds good enough even for a non-orchestra fan like me!

JULY #3 African Markets @Spitalfields

AFRICAN MARKET, JULY 27, 2013 THE OLD SPITALFIELDS MARKET

http://www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/events/fifis-contemporary-market-the-african-market

The sun is finally here and the Afro prints are certainly out! 

Grab some inspiration for your Afro fash, browse the fashion, beauty, home-ware and gift ranges, chit chat with the traders and possibly even grab some market food and drink!

JULY #2 Pizza Express Live

ANOUSHKA LUCAS JULY 12, 2013 THE PHESANTRY, CHELSEA
http://www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk/popBook.aspx?showId=b5bf2f07-b536-40bb-a991-4dba05d5a10d&showDateId=6579

I'm a big fan of a soulful vocal and jazzy pop tune and fresh from the Love Supreme fest, Anoushka is certainly one to watch!

Also on this month, Adjoa plays at the Jazz Club Soho, July 18, 2013.
http://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/jazzBook.aspx?showId=15beb2d6-2442-4d7d-ad4c-e5f422682a46&showDateId=6430

JULY #1 African literature and so much more!

AFRICA WRITES FESTIVAL, JULY 5-7, 2013 THE BRITISH LIBRARY

http://www.royalafricansociety.org/africawrites2013

Get up close and personal with the one and only Ngugi wa Thiong'o, revel with other bookies and enjoy a host of poetry, performances and workshops throughout the weekend!

JUNE #10 Fences

FENCES, JUN 19 - SEP 14, 2013 DUCHESS THEATRE, THE STRAND
http://www.duchesstheatre.co.uk/Fences.html

Another one from the other side of the pond...This time an athlete has to contemplate with missing out on his big dream.

JUNE #9 Even more FREE Sunday cinema

NA CIDADE VAZIZA (HOLLOW CITY), JUN 30, 2013 THE AFRICA CENTRE

http://www.africacentre.org.uk/events/

Catch a glimpse of the bustle in the Angolan city of Luanda.

JUNE #8 Mama Africa!

MAMA AFRICA (A BIOGRAPHY OF MIRIAM MAKEBA), JUN 23, 2013 AFRICA CENTRE

http://www.africacentre.org.uk/event/mama-africa-and-max-and-mona-africa-on-film/

So excited I get another chance to catch this! Tickets are limited! You have been warned!

JUNE #7 Kora Music Mastery

MALICK PATHE SOW & BAO SISSOKO, JUN 8, 2013 THE AFRICA CENTRE

http://www.africacentre.org.uk/event/malick-pathe-sow-bao-sissoko/

I seem to be loving the Kora more and more!
Tickets to see these string masters are limited so grab yours today!

JUNE #6 Make a date with refugee week!

CELEBRATING SANCTUARY LONDON, JUN 21, 2013 RICHMIX

http://www.richmix.org.uk/whats-on/event/celebrating-sanctuary-africa/

Another evening celebrating the diversity of African music all for free!

JUNE #5 Free Sunday Cinema

STONE STREET JUN 9, 2013 RICHMIX SHOREDITCH
http://www.richmix.org.uk/whats-on/event/stone-st/

I am a fan of migration stories so it should be interesting to hear how this one from Trinidad goes...

JUNE #4 Open the gate, please...

OPEN THE GATE AFRO MOVIE FEST AND MARKET, JUN 2, 2013 RICHMIX
http://openthegate.org.uk/

12 hours of Afro vibes and markets, all for FREE!
Check out even more markets and music showcasing this June.

JUNE #3 It's an East-ender film festival!

EAST END FILM FESTIVAL (EEFF) , JUN 25 - JUL 10, 2013 AROUND LONDON
http://www.eastendfilmfestival.com/

I missed the whole fest last year so this year I am looking forward!

My top picks:

Miss Lovely, Jun 28, 2013 Richmix, Shoreditch
http://www.eastendfilmfestival.com/programme/4827/miss-lovely

Songs of Redemption, Jul 9, 2013 Richmix, Shoreditch

http://www.eastendfilmfestival.com/programme/5533/songs-of-redemption

Burn it up Djassa, Jun 28, 2013 Richmix, Shoreditch
http://www.eastendfilmfestival.com/programme/5492/burn-it-up-djassa

Blackout & Platform 12, Jun 30 2013, Rio Cinema
http://www.eastendfilmfestival.com/programme/7083/documentary-afternoon





The Fade, Jul 7, 2013 Rio Cinema
http://www.eastendfilmfestival.com/programme/5019/the-fade

Una Noche, Jul 3, 2013 The Barbican
http://www.eastendfilmfestival.com/programme/4978/una-noche

JUNE # 2 It's a Doc Fest!

OPEN CITY DOCS FESTIVAL, JUN 20 - 23 2013, BLOOMSBURY THEATRE, EUSTON
http://issuu.com/thisisjukebox/docs/open_city_docs_fest___2013___final_catalogue

My top pick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQVuTIIkU1s

Espoir Voyage, Jun 23, 2013
At the heart of African migration...
A mother pleas with her son to return home from the 'greener' pastures of Ivory Coast, while her neighbour prepares to travel there, to explore the last known whereabouts of his brother...

JUNE #1 Somebody say Amen!

THE AMEN CORNER, JUN 4 - AUG 15, 2013 NATIONAL THEATRE, SOUTHBANK
http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/the-amen-corner?dates=2013-08#tabpos

Haven't seen a theatrical production set in Harlem in a long time! Set a midst church and family life, I anticipate nothing less than a soulful, hilarious and vibrant show!