Africa Day
May 26
The annual Africa Day festival (organised by the GLA) takes place in Trafalgar Square, with African music featuring Les Amazones de Guinée, Busi Ncube and Bassekou Kouyate. A licensed bar, African food stalls and kids’ workshops are all part of the day.
Africa Day, 1-8pm, Trafalagar Square, W1. Charing Cross tube/rail.
May
May 15-June 28Angaza Afrika – African Art NowAn exhibition of major African art, plus the launch of the ‘Angaza Afrika’ book by British Museum curator Chris Spring.October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester St, WC1 (020 7242 7367) Holborn tube.
May 17 London Adventist Chorale – Down by the Riverside LAC sings famous spirituals.Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 (0871 663 2500) Waterloo tube/rail. May 21-29Mosaique Festival Human rights charity Sandblast hosts Saharawi music and handicrafts from Western Sahara made by women refugee workers in Algerian camps.The Chocolate Factory, Unit B104, 5 Clarendon Rd, N22 (020 8881 6483) Wood Green tube.
May 21-29 Mosaique Festival Human rights charity Sandblast hosts Saharawi music and handicrafts from Western Sahara made by women refugee workers in Algerian camps.The Chocolate Factory, Unit B104, 5 Clarendon Rd, N22 (020 8881 6483) Wood Green tube.
May 25 Africa at the Pictures. A day of film screenings and talks, forming part of a broader festival.Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, E1 (020 7613 7498) Bethnal Green tube.
May 26 Africa Day The annual Africa Day festival (organised by the GLA) takes place in Trafalgar Square, with African music featuring Les Amazones de Guinée, Busi Ncube and Bassekou Kouyate. A licensed bar, African food stalls and kids’ workshops are all part of the day.Africa Day, 1-8pm, Trafalagar Square, W1. Charing Cross tube/rail.
May 29 What We Buy Speakers from Fairtrade, Anti-Slavery International and Rugmark explore the patterns of consumerism that made, and still perpetuate, slavery. Includes a panel discussion. Booking essential.6.30-8pm. Museum in Docklands, West India Quay, E14 (0870 444 3855) Canary Wharf tube/West India Quay DLR.
Word From Africa (© Thierry Bal) May 31 Word From Africa A free, all-day celebration of African language and literature, with readings, talks and a market.1-8.15pm. British Museum, Great Russell St, WC1 (020 7323 8000) Russell Square tube.
May 31 The Legacy of the Slave Trade in Sierra Leone A talk by Professor Tunde Zack-Williams, of the African Studies Association of the UK. 3-4pm. Museum in Docklands, West India Quay, E14 (0870 444 3855) Canary Wharf tube/West India Quay DLR.
June
June 5 Exploring Black British Writers A panel of writers, including Courttia Newland, discuss forgotten black British writers. Museum in Docklands, West India Quay, E14 (0870 444 3855) Canary Wharf tube/West India Quay DLR.
June 12 African Writers Evening A fifth birthday event, with Ghanaian writer Nii Ayikwei Parkes. 8pm, £6. Spirit Level at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 (0871 663 2500) Waterloo tube/rail.
June 12 Nuru Kane Senegalese musician Nuru Kane and his band, for one night only.Vibe Bar, 91 Brick Lane, E1 (020 7426 0491) Aldgate East tube.
June 14 Docks, Slavery and Empire A day-long study of the West and East India Docks and the slave trade. 10.30am-4.30pm. £20, concs £15. Museum in Docklands, West India Quay, E14 (0870 444 3855) Canary Wharf tube/West India Quay DLR.
June 24-August 2 Torn Femi Ogun’s play ‘Torn’ returns, with its tale of two lovers, one African, one Caribbean, facing cultural tensions.Arcola Theatre, 27 Arcola St, E8 (020 7503 1646) Dalston Kingsland rail.
June 28-29 Carnival de Cuban Afro-Cuban festival, with bands, music, food and workshops. Sat 12noon-9pm; Sun 12noon-8pm. Southwark Park, SE16. Bermondsey/Canada Water tube.
July
July 6 Caine Prize Authors shortlisted for the Caine Prize for African Literature read from their own work, in advance of the winner announcement the following night.Southbank Centre, SE1 (0871 663 2500) Waterloo tube/rail.
July 13 Talking in Tongues Part of the London Literature Festival, this event features UK-based African writers and performers, including the Southbank Centre’s resident writer Lemn Sissay and hip hop artist Breis. £7; free African Allstars show at 9pm.Purcell Room, Southbank Centre, SE1 (0871 663 2500) Waterloo tube/rail.
July 23-August 9 Gone Too Far Bola Agbaje’s Olivier Award-winning play depicts a world where respect is always demanded but rarely given.Royal Court, Sloane Square, SW1 (020 7565 5000) Sloane Square tube. Then at The Albany, SE8 and Hackney Empire, E8.
July 28-August 2 Tiata Delights ’08 A festival of six new plays by African playwrights resident in the UK, ending with a concert of music by Jamiroquai’s Sola Akingbola. July 28-Aug 1, 7.30pm, Aug 2, 6pm. Concert 9pm. Almeida Theatre, N1 (020 7359 4404) Angel tube.
August
August 16 Out of Africa Picnic at the Shoreditch Festival Craft and food stalls, drumming and African stage shows. 12noon-7pm. Shoreditch Park, New North Rd, N1. Old St tube.August 17Out of Africa Street Party Lower Marsh, near Waterloo station, hosts music, art, crafts and food.11am-8pm. Lower Marsh, SE1. Waterloo tube/rail.
October
Black History Month A UK-wide celebration, with everyone from local councils to church halls and arts centres hosting events celebrating black culture in the UK, including films, exhibitions and kids’ events. http://www.black-history-month.co.uk/
November
November 7-17 BFM International Film Festival The tenth BFM (Black Filmmaker Magazine) festival presents cinema from Africa, the Caribbean and USA. For details see www.bfmmedia.com. ICA, BFI Southbank, British Museum and venues in east London.
Nov 28-Dec 7 Independence Days A festival celebrating 50 years of African independence and cinema, presented by the group Africa at the Pictures, which promotes African filmmaking. For full details see www.africaatthepictures.co.ukRich Mix Cultural Foundation, BFI Southbank, Barbican Centre and other venues.
The annual Africa Day festival (organised by the GLA) takes place in Trafalgar Square, with African music featuring Les Amazones de Guinée, Busi Ncube and Bassekou Kouyate. A licensed bar, African food stalls and kids’ workshops are all part of the day.
Africa Day, 1-8pm, Trafalagar Square, W1. Charing Cross tube/rail.
May
May 15-June 28Angaza Afrika – African Art NowAn exhibition of major African art, plus the launch of the ‘Angaza Afrika’ book by British Museum curator Chris Spring.October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester St, WC1 (020 7242 7367) Holborn tube.
May 17 London Adventist Chorale – Down by the Riverside LAC sings famous spirituals.Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 (0871 663 2500) Waterloo tube/rail. May 21-29Mosaique Festival Human rights charity Sandblast hosts Saharawi music and handicrafts from Western Sahara made by women refugee workers in Algerian camps.The Chocolate Factory, Unit B104, 5 Clarendon Rd, N22 (020 8881 6483) Wood Green tube.
May 21-29 Mosaique Festival Human rights charity Sandblast hosts Saharawi music and handicrafts from Western Sahara made by women refugee workers in Algerian camps.The Chocolate Factory, Unit B104, 5 Clarendon Rd, N22 (020 8881 6483) Wood Green tube.
May 25 Africa at the Pictures. A day of film screenings and talks, forming part of a broader festival.Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, E1 (020 7613 7498) Bethnal Green tube.
May 26 Africa Day The annual Africa Day festival (organised by the GLA) takes place in Trafalgar Square, with African music featuring Les Amazones de Guinée, Busi Ncube and Bassekou Kouyate. A licensed bar, African food stalls and kids’ workshops are all part of the day.Africa Day, 1-8pm, Trafalagar Square, W1. Charing Cross tube/rail.
May 29 What We Buy Speakers from Fairtrade, Anti-Slavery International and Rugmark explore the patterns of consumerism that made, and still perpetuate, slavery. Includes a panel discussion. Booking essential.6.30-8pm. Museum in Docklands, West India Quay, E14 (0870 444 3855) Canary Wharf tube/West India Quay DLR.
Word From Africa (© Thierry Bal) May 31 Word From Africa A free, all-day celebration of African language and literature, with readings, talks and a market.1-8.15pm. British Museum, Great Russell St, WC1 (020 7323 8000) Russell Square tube.
May 31 The Legacy of the Slave Trade in Sierra Leone A talk by Professor Tunde Zack-Williams, of the African Studies Association of the UK. 3-4pm. Museum in Docklands, West India Quay, E14 (0870 444 3855) Canary Wharf tube/West India Quay DLR.
June
June 5 Exploring Black British Writers A panel of writers, including Courttia Newland, discuss forgotten black British writers. Museum in Docklands, West India Quay, E14 (0870 444 3855) Canary Wharf tube/West India Quay DLR.
June 12 African Writers Evening A fifth birthday event, with Ghanaian writer Nii Ayikwei Parkes. 8pm, £6. Spirit Level at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 (0871 663 2500) Waterloo tube/rail.
June 12 Nuru Kane Senegalese musician Nuru Kane and his band, for one night only.Vibe Bar, 91 Brick Lane, E1 (020 7426 0491) Aldgate East tube.
June 14 Docks, Slavery and Empire A day-long study of the West and East India Docks and the slave trade. 10.30am-4.30pm. £20, concs £15. Museum in Docklands, West India Quay, E14 (0870 444 3855) Canary Wharf tube/West India Quay DLR.
June 24-August 2 Torn Femi Ogun’s play ‘Torn’ returns, with its tale of two lovers, one African, one Caribbean, facing cultural tensions.Arcola Theatre, 27 Arcola St, E8 (020 7503 1646) Dalston Kingsland rail.
June 28-29 Carnival de Cuban Afro-Cuban festival, with bands, music, food and workshops. Sat 12noon-9pm; Sun 12noon-8pm. Southwark Park, SE16. Bermondsey/Canada Water tube.
July
July 6 Caine Prize Authors shortlisted for the Caine Prize for African Literature read from their own work, in advance of the winner announcement the following night.Southbank Centre, SE1 (0871 663 2500) Waterloo tube/rail.
July 13 Talking in Tongues Part of the London Literature Festival, this event features UK-based African writers and performers, including the Southbank Centre’s resident writer Lemn Sissay and hip hop artist Breis. £7; free African Allstars show at 9pm.Purcell Room, Southbank Centre, SE1 (0871 663 2500) Waterloo tube/rail.
July 23-August 9 Gone Too Far Bola Agbaje’s Olivier Award-winning play depicts a world where respect is always demanded but rarely given.Royal Court, Sloane Square, SW1 (020 7565 5000) Sloane Square tube. Then at The Albany, SE8 and Hackney Empire, E8.
July 28-August 2 Tiata Delights ’08 A festival of six new plays by African playwrights resident in the UK, ending with a concert of music by Jamiroquai’s Sola Akingbola. July 28-Aug 1, 7.30pm, Aug 2, 6pm. Concert 9pm. Almeida Theatre, N1 (020 7359 4404) Angel tube.
August
August 16 Out of Africa Picnic at the Shoreditch Festival Craft and food stalls, drumming and African stage shows. 12noon-7pm. Shoreditch Park, New North Rd, N1. Old St tube.August 17Out of Africa Street Party Lower Marsh, near Waterloo station, hosts music, art, crafts and food.11am-8pm. Lower Marsh, SE1. Waterloo tube/rail.
October
Black History Month A UK-wide celebration, with everyone from local councils to church halls and arts centres hosting events celebrating black culture in the UK, including films, exhibitions and kids’ events. http://www.black-history-month.co.uk/
November
November 7-17 BFM International Film Festival The tenth BFM (Black Filmmaker Magazine) festival presents cinema from Africa, the Caribbean and USA. For details see www.bfmmedia.com. ICA, BFI Southbank, British Museum and venues in east London.
Nov 28-Dec 7 Independence Days A festival celebrating 50 years of African independence and cinema, presented by the group Africa at the Pictures, which promotes African filmmaking. For full details see www.africaatthepictures.co.ukRich Mix Cultural Foundation, BFI Southbank, Barbican Centre and other venues.
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