Gigs & Events
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Find out what's going on in the world of African arts and music. We've listed everything from club nights to conferences.
If you have an event which you would like listed here, please contact us.
November 2007 Events
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Scratch the Surface
- Exhibitions & Shows
- 1-4 November 2007
- National Gallery
- London
'Scratch the Surface' is part of the National Gallery's contribution to a range of activities and events commemorating the 200th anniversary of the 1807 Act to abolish the British trade in African people. Although the Act did not end slavery itself, it was the first attempt by the British to legally bring the trade to a close.
In this exhibition we examine the role that the slave trade played in the lives of two people featured in portraits in our collection: Zoffany's portrait of 'Mrs Oswald' and Sir Joshua Reynolds's 'Colonel Tarleton'.
Colonel Tarleton, as MP for Liverpool in the 1790s, argued very strongly in Parliament against the abolition of the trade. Mrs Oswald, along with her husband Richard Oswald, owed part of their wealth to a number of plantations in the Americas. The painting of Mrs Oswald was bought by the Gallery in 1938, while the Tarleton portrait was bequeathed to the Gallery by one of his descendants in the early 1950s.
As part of the exhibition, 2004 Turner Prize nominee, Yinka Shonibare MBE, has been invited to create a new installation in response to these two portraits. This stunning new work will go on display in the Barry Rooms.
Other events commemorating the anniversary include related film screenings and Talks at 1pm every Wednesday in September explore Scratch the Surface. Highlights include Yinka Shonibare, MBE, discussing the creation of his installation (5 September), and an exploration of the politics of dress, with exhibition costume maker Mary Charlton.
Some areas of the Gallery will be closed for staff training on Monday mornings until 11am.
- Time: 10am - 6pm daily, Wednesday 10am - 9pm
- Admission: free
- Address: Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
- Nearest stations: Charing Cross, Leicester Square, Embankment and Westminster
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Inhuman Traffic: The Business of the Slave Trade
- Exhibitions & Shows
- 1-30 November 2007
- British Museum
- London
This small exhibition explores how the Transatlantic Slave Trade functioned.It covers more than 500 years, including the Parliamentary Abolition of the Slave Trade in 1807.
It features resistance leaders including Toussaint l'Ouverture, Olaudah Equiano and Nanny of the Maroons, and their continuing llegacy of the struggle to end enslavement.
Located in room 69a.
- Time: 10.00am - 5.30pm
- Admission: free
- Address: Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG
- Nearest stations: Holborn, Tottenham Court Road, Russell Square, Goodge Street, Covent Garden, Euston
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Dilemma of a Ghost
- Theatre & Dance
- 1 November 2007
- Phoenix Arts
- Leicester
Passions explode where culturs collide in 21st century Africa
When African-American Eulaline marries Ato, the sensitive and intelligent Ghanaian student she meets at university, she dreams that they will be "the sweetest and loveliest things in Africa and America rolled together". But when he brings her to Africa, the ghosts of the slave trade return to haunt the golden couple.
Working with the National Theatre of Ghana, Border Crossings has brought togheter a world-class cast from two continents - including renowned Ghanaian musician Osei Korankye and Adeline Amam Buabeng, the formost Ghanaian actress of her generation. Modern beliefs mix uneasily with ancient values in this vital and vibrant production, which uses music, dance and the sheer physical exuberance of Ghana to celebrate 50 years of Ghana's independence and 200 years since the abolition of hte slave trade.
- Time: 8.00pm
- Tickets: £9/ £7 concessions
- Box Office: 0116 255 4854
- Address: Newarke Street, Leicester
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Routes to Freedom
- Exhibitions & Shows
- 1-2 November 2007
- The Drum
- Birmingham
Three separate exhibitions focussing on different aspects of slavery curated as part of the Routes to Freedom season.
Forgotten But Not Gone by Pete Pattisson . On 25 March 1807 Britain officially abolished the slave trade. 200 years later at least 12 million people worldwide remain in forms of slavery. Photojournalist Pete Pattisson looks at slavery and resistance 200 years after abolition including the exploitation and enslavement of men, women and children in India, Haiti, Ghana, Burma Ireland and the UK. This powerful and moving exhibition is a compelling reminder that slavery may be forgotten but has not gone.
Interwoven Freedom by SCAWDI & English Heritage . An exhibition of textiles, text panels and an audio documentary created by Sparkbrook African and Caribbean Women’s Development Initiative (SCAWDI) in a project to highlight the role of women in the abolitionist movement. The exhibition will also contain photographs documenting the project by Vanley Burke.
Recovered Histories by Anti-Slavery International . A historical exhibition that reawakens the narratives of slavery, resistance and the fight for freedom. Featuring testimonies and pictures from Africans subjected to slavery, those participating in the enslavement and those who fought against it.
- Time: 10.00am - 6.00pm
- Admission: free
- Box Office: 0121 333 2400
- Address: 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham B6 4UU
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Bombay Africans 1850 - 1910
- Exhibitions & Shows
- 1-29 November 2007
- Royal Geographical Society
- London
Discover the contribution made by a group of Africans to the exploration of Africa and the anti-slavery movement in the 19th century.
THe journeys of Africans Sidi Mubarak Bombay, James Chuma, Jacob Wainright and Abdullah Susi are revealed; from enslavement at a young age in Africa, these men were freed from slavery by British Royal Navy ships and released to live in India. They later returned to Africa and joined the expeditions of explorers such as Burton, Speke and Livingstone.
Contemporary commentary from London based African adult and children's groups around the broader themes of migration and displacement are included in teh exhibition to help reinterpret the history illustrated by the Society's collections from an African perspective.
- Information: 0207 591 3052
- Address: 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR
- Nearest station: South Kensington
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Putting abolition & Slavery into Perspective
- Festivals & Special Events
- 1 November 2007
- Willesden Green Library Centre
- London
BTWSC co-ordinator and NewAfricanPerspective contributor Ms Serwah leads this programme, which consists of a brief timeline of the trans-Atlantic slave trade followed by a presentation focused on putting the Abolition of the slave trade into perspective. The presentation will highlight the African resistance to slavery and the role of the likes of Queen Nzinga and Nana (Nanny) of the Maroons, and examine the role of abolitionists such as Ottobah Coguano, the Haiti revolution and Toussaint L’Ouverture, and the boycotts leading to the passing of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.
The audience will be reminded that the 1807 Act did not abolish slavery, and that the Abolition Slavery Act was not passed until 1833. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A and discussion session, which will be interspersed by specially commissioned musical performance focused on the Abolition.
Admission to this event is free however pre-booking is required, and this can be done via info@btwsc.com with: booking for Putting The Abolition as the subject line.
- Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
- Admission: free
- Address: 95 High Road, London NW10 2SF
- Nearest station: Willesden Green
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Chilli Fried Third Birthday Party
- Club
- 1 November 2007
- Darbucka
- London
Chilli Fried, London’s unique global music session invites you to celebrate our 3rd birthday with a night of wild and wonderful Arabic sounds!
Live on stage: Algerian superstar Cheb Nacim, playing the hottest, sweetest rai music. Nacim is one of the big names on the scene, known for his soulful voice and melodic song writing skills, he mixes up funky rai and deep North African tradition with touches of flamenco, salsa and rumba. Darbucka’s dancefloor is sure to be packed. On the decks we’re proud to present a very special set from Darbucka’s owner, DJ Ahmad, digging deep into his collection of Middle Eastern classic
- Time: 8.00pm - 12.00am
- Tickets: £5/ £3
- Information: 0207 490 87712
- Address: 182 St John street, London EC1V 4JZ
- Nearest stations: Farringdon and Angel
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Blind Memories
- Exhibitions & Shows
- 1-30 November 2007
- 198
- London
198’s contribution to the commemoration of the parliamentary abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, Blind Memories proposes to look at the role of visual representations in the formation of collective memories of the Trade.
Memory traces, impressions or images, have figured in theories of memory from Aristotle through Descartes, Freud and into 21st century thinking. Precious devices of the mourning process, relics from the past have a crucial role in the foundation of group identities following the experience of a traumatic event. But how legitimate are these relics when, as per the case of visual representations of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, they are partly based upon strangely rooted, compromised emotions “such as envy for the slave as ultimate martyr, philanthropic sentimentality and even pornographic fantasy?” (M. Wood, 2000).
Gathering an eclectic body of work by artists Ana Avendano, Joanne Gibbs, Rita Keegan, Cheryl Lane, Taslim Martin, Agnes Poitevin-Navarre and Susan Stockwell, Blind Memories reinterprets, across a variety of media, the iconic representation(s) of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and their legacies, from 15th century portulan charts to 19th century anthropological photography, critically assesses their role in the History writing process, and their contribution to the politics of representing race and the fantasised, imaginary “other”.
Blind Memories evaluates how this bizarre assemblage of voices allows us to achieve any degree of understanding of the Slave Trade today, and ultimately begs the question: can we make art out of the middle passage?
- Time: 10.00am - 6.00pm
- Admission: free
- Address: Contemporary Arts and Learning, 198 Railton Road, SE24 OJT
- Nearest station: Brixton
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Cry My Zimbabwe
- Theatre & Dance
- 1-11 November 2007
- Warehouse Theatre
- Croydon
Three Zimbabweans tell of their decision to leave Africa to try to start new lives in England. A high energy play - funny, moving and truthful. Please note: this play is unsuitable for children under 12 years old.
Cast: Peter Mutanda, Kabelo Madonko, Edwin Mathe and Dingilizwe Ncube
- Time: 5.00pm and 8.00pm
- Information: info@warehousetheatre.co.uk
- Address: Dingwall Road, Croydon CR0 2NF
- Nearest station: East Croydon
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Joy Guy
- Theatre & Dance
- 1-24 November 2007
- Soho Theatre
- London
'They hate us; they hate us because we are pure. Because we were not stupid enough to get caught, and taken away in chains.'
An exciting, moving, unmissable exploration of celebrity, identity and the tensions between African and Caribbean communities in Britain. Produced in association with The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich and Soho Theatre, London.
Cast: Syan Blake, Michael Brogan, Heather Craney, Joseph Morgan, Pippa Nixon, Alexis Rodney, Abdul Salis, Mo Sesay
- Time: 4.00pm & 7.30pm
- Tickets: £7.45 - £20
- Box Office: 0870 429 6883
- Address: Dean Street, London W1D 3NE
- Nearest station: Leicester Square
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From Talking Drums to Rap and Grime
- Festivals & Special Events
- 2 November 2007
- Tavistock Hall
- London
From The Talking Drums To Rap & Grime commemorates the Abolition Of The Slave Trade Act and highlights the story of slavery from Africa to the present day diasporic experience through narration by Black Music Congress founder Kwaku, and a musical concert by the Bese Saka: The Umbrella Arts Group Of The Diaspora, featuring percussionist, singer and producer Niles ‘Asheber’ Hailstones, vocalist, Afro-beat and traditional drummer Adesose Wallace, soul singer-songwriter Noel McKoy, plus up and coming rap & grime rappers.
Admission to this event is free however pre-booking is required, and this can be done via info@btwsc.com
- Time: 7.00pm - 9.30pm
- Admission: free
- Information: info@btwsc.com
- Address: 25 High Street, Harlesden, London NW10 4NE
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Afro-Tema
- Club
- 2 November 2007
- Cellar Bar 8
- Cambridge
AFRO-TEMA's intoxicating blend of Afro-Latin, Reggae & Mbalax dance music, enjoy a night with with DJ Africathy.
Explorer Magazine Review- "heady mix of traditional and contemporay vibrant live African dance music unlike anything you are likely to experience in Cambridge"
- Time: 8.00pm
- Tickets: £5 adv/ £4 students
- Information: amanasmusic@yahoo.co.uk
- Address: Cobble Yard, Napier Street, Cambridge
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela
- Music
- 2 November 2007
- Oasis Leisure Centre
- Swindon
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's chorus of pwoerful harmonies emote the struggles and passion of South Africa. The warmth and charisma of founder and composer Joseph Shabalala, a man who has survied apartheid with his spirit whole, shines through Mambazo's music - their captivating Zulu harmonies are a proud, strong homage to the jubilancem power and beauty of indigenous music.
Their music explores issues of racism, fair trade and politics among others. After they employed their music to celebrate the end of the aparteid era, Nelson Mandela publicly called Ladysmith "South Africa's cultural ambassadors", following his release from prison. The group sings acapella isicathamiya and mbube muisc - loud, powerful choruses contrast with softer, almost whispering chants where voices blend harmoniously, combined with tightly-choreographed dance moves that keep the singers on their toes.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £22.50/ £34.50 plus booking fee
- Box Office: 01793 445 401
- Address: North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1EP
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Farewell Uncle Tom (c18) plus film discussion
- Film
- 3 November 2007
- BFI South Bank
- London
When films are powerful and challenge the status quo, they are often banned or suppressed. Most films on slavery skim over the realities of what Europeans did to force Africans to work for nothing all day long. This film does not. It is so unflinching in its portrayal of European barbarity during slavery that it has effectively been withheld from audiences for 35 years for fear of the reaction it would get.
Made in the aftermath of the US civil rights movement, the film puts the 1970s fight for equality into context by using a documentary style to see exactly what life would have been like for enslaved Africans on the plantations of the USA adn the legacies of such behaviour on present day society. The film was condemned as racist, ridiculous and unrealistic when it was released when much of the dialogue and events were based on historical letters and documetns that are now readily available via the internet or print.
The film has never been screened in a British mainstream cinema before and is sure to be sold out. It will be followed by a discussion with historians, academics and community activists.
- Time: 2.00 - 6.00pm
- Tickets: £6 (£5 concessions)
- Box Office: 0207 928 3232
- Address: Belvedere Road, South Bank, Waterloo London SE1 8XT
- Nearest stations: Waterloo, Embankment and Charing Cross
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Dilemma of a Ghost
- Theatre & Dance
- 3-7 November 2007
- The Africa Centre
- London
Passions explode where culturs collide in 21st century Africa
When African-American Eulaline marries Ato, the sensitive and intelligent Ghanaian student she meets at university, she dreams that they will be "the sweetest and loveliest things in Africa and America rolled together". But when he brings her to Africa, the ghosts of the slave trade return to haunt the golden couple.
Working with the National Theatre of Ghana, Border Crossings has brought togheter a world-class cast from two continents - including renowned Ghanaian musician Osei Korankye and Adeline Amam Buabeng, the formost Ghanaian actress of her generation. Modern beliefs mix uneasily with ancient values in this vital and vibrant production, which uses music, dance and the sheer physical exuberance of Ghana to celebrate 50 years of Ghana's independence and 200 years since the abolition of hte slave trade.
- Time: 4.00pm & 7.45pm
- Tickets: £14/ £10 concessions
- Box Office: 0208 829 8928
- Address: 38 King Street, Covent Garden London WC2
- Nearest station: Covent Garden
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An Audience with Eddie Kadi
- Festivals & Special Events
- 3 November 2007
- The Shaw Theatre
- London
Eddie Kadi invites you to an evening of laughter, spontaneity, Live Music, Comedy sketches and Dance.
East London born and raised, Yolanda Brown is not just a pretty face! Not only is she a talented Tenor Saxophonist and TV presenter, she has just completed her Masters in Management Science and is currently studying for her PhD at the University of Kent. Yolanda has grown up surrounded by an eclectic mix of music, ranging from Reggae to Salsa and has always found music therapeutic.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £15 advance only
- Information: 07931131372, 07944758438
- Address: 100 - 110 Euston Road London NW1 2AJ
- Nearest station: Euston
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Sandblast Festival 2007
- Festivals & Special Events
- 3-4 November 2007
- Rick Mix Cultural Foundation
- London
The Sandblast Festival will bring 20 Saharawi artists based in the refugee camps and from Spain to the UK for the first time, to present their story through the performing and visual arts, culminating in a concentration of multi-media events at Rich Mix. Check for programme details. Highlights will include the world premiere of THE WALL, a British-Saharawi drama - inspired by the remarkable life of an activist poet and the 2500km long wall in Western Sahara and TIRIS, the new Saharawi band from the refugee camps- who are releasing their first CD, SANDTRACKS, in October. Performing a combination of traditional and contemporary music, they will also jam with UK- based and international artists at Rich Mix.
The British public will have an opportunity to engage with the Saharawi artists in a creative way and learn about the history, culture and identity of a nation. UK-based artists will be actively invited to collaborate. Sandblast will be launching the Saharawi Artists development Fund (SADEF) at the festival to help Saharawi artists fulfil their creative dreams. The festival aims to showcase the rich culture of the Saharawi people to raise awareness and support for their plight. Largely ignored and forgotten by the western powers and its media, the Saharawis were promised a UN organised self-determination referendum in early 1992, but are still waiting for it to take place 15 years later.
The festival seeks to stress the prominent role of Saharawi women in the arts and struggle and challenge prevailing stereotypes and understanding of the Muslim world. Aminattou Haidar, an Amnesty International adopted ex-political prisoner of conscious and leading human rights activist in the occupied territory of Western Sahara and Khadija Hamdi, the President's wife and MP in the Saharawi parliament, will be present to raise the political temperature. Other Saharawi human rights activists, journalists, writers and poets will accompany the artists to highlight the largely unknown repression in their homeland and stimulate public debate.
- Admission: free
- Information: 0207 7613 7940
- Address: 3-4 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
- Nearest stations: Bethnal Green and Liverpool street
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Fundraiser Show for Team Keta Sandlanders
- Music
- 3 November 2007
- Parker McMillan
- London
This is a night of music and fashion to raise funds and support the up-and-coming Ghanaian football team, Keta Sandlanders, and all proceeds go to the team and local charities including Afrikids (a Child Rights Organisation).
The Line-up is headed by Ras Kwame, Twin B, Nana (The Architects) and Young KOF. The night will also feature a fashion show, comedy performances and Ghanaian food will also be laid on. To reserve a place on the guest list email either: info@ketasandlanders.com or info@parkermcmillan.co.uk and give names of the proposed guests.
- Time: 9.00pm - 3.00am
- Tickets: £10
- Information: 0207 256 5883
- Address: 47 Chiswell Street, London EC1Y 4SB
- Nearest Stations: Barbican, Moorgate
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Nubian Open Day
- Festivals & Special Events
- 3 November 2007
- Conway Hall
- London
This Nubian Open Day is intended to celebrate the Nubian heritage and legacy and to highlight the imminent threat to its existence from the proposed Kajbar Dam Project.
The Kajbar Dam, named after the village where it is located, has met with unrelenting local opposition since it was first mooted more than 15 years ago. The affected villagers have succeeded in building a formidable case against the project supported by unambiguous expert opinion which confirms that the negative environmental, social and cultural impact of the project far outweighs the developmental benefits the 750-1000 MW of power the dam will generate. As a result, the project was called off twice, once in 1998 and again in May this year. But a few months ago the building activities resumed. And a peaceful demonstration against the building of the dam was brutally suppressed by the Sudanese authorities.
Of central concern to us internationally is the cultural impact of the proposed dam. Located, as it is, at the heart of the historic land of Nubia, about 40 km north of the ancient Nubian capital of Dongola, it will create a lake that will drown the largest area of undiscovered African heritage. The history of area goes back to 3000 BC or more. Cheikh Anta Diop described its city-states as the seedbed of African and human civilisation; and was one of most populated areas in human history at the time. All modern Africans, historians believe, descended from that early human pool. The international community needs to act now.
Sessions on the day include: Nubian Civilization and its Antiquities; Slide Show on Nubia; The Language, Arts and Architecture of Nubia; The Impact of Dams on Nubian Civilization; A Cultural Evening of Nubian Music and Poetry
- Time: 12.00pm - 11.00pm
- Tickets: £10
- Information: campaign@kajbar.net
- Address: 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1
- Nearest Station: Holborn
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Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba
- Music
- 4 November 2007
- Cargo
- London
Mali's ngoni master Bassekou Kouyate returns to the UK with his band Ngoni ba and wife/ vocalist Ami Sacko. Bassekou was part of Taj Mahal’s and Toumani Diabate’s ‘Kulanjan’ project, as well as being one of the key musicians on Ali Farka Toure’s posthumous album ‘Savane’ which was released July 2006. His critically acclaimed solo debut 'Segu Blue' was released earlier this year.
Bassekou moved to Bamako when he was 19 years old where he met the young Toumani Diabate. By the late 1980s Bassekou was part of Toumani's trio and they recorded their first albums together, ‘Songhai' and ‘Djelika'. Bassekou married the singer Ami Sacko (the so-called "Tina Turner of Mali") and they have been in high demand for the traditional Sunday wedding parties that happen in the streets of Bamako.
Bassekou has now put together his own band, Ngoni ba (meaning "the big ngoni"), Mali's first ngoni quartet. The ngoni is one of Africa's secrets still to be discovered. It is the key instrument for the griot culture. Unlike the kora whose history goes back only a few hundred years, the ngoni has been the main instrument in griot storytelling going back to the 13th century during the days of Soundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali Empire. The repertoire Bassekou plays is Bambara music from the region of Segu. Bambara music is pentatonic in nature and as close to the blues as you can get in Africa.
- Time: 8.00pm - 1.00am
- Tickets: £10 (plus booking fee)
- Information: 0207 739 3440
- Address: 83 Rivington Street, Kingsland Viaduct, Shoreditch London EC2A 3AY
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Numbi
- Theatre & Dance
- 4 November 2007
- Hackney Empire
- London
Numbi is the umbrella for Kudu Arts annual festival an ongoing research project investigating contemporary arts practice from both pre-civil wars Somalia to the present day Diaspora. The idea is to invite artists from a variety of disciplines to work as collaborators with practitioners and young people from the Somali Diaspora. Each artist-collaborator has something distinct to bring.
The goal is to explore new ways of making work—in theatre, visual arts, music and film—that gives a platform to Somali artists and draws from the experience of Somali communities around the world. Cultivating cross-cultural artistic collaborations, the festival aims to deliver work that challenges perceptions, fosters genuine representation, and speaks to both Somali communities and diverse audience of the general public.
Loosely based on the Numbi Launch in October 2006, the line up will include up to 15 Artists who will create a unique cross cultural fusion of contemporary work, spoken word, poetry, urban hip hop, traditional Somali music and dance, and a new short performance piece.
The line up will include The Nomadixs, The Pan Africans, Jamac the dimilian, Byrone Wallen, Mecca to Madiina, Fuad Abdullkhaliq, Prince Abdi, Steven Watts, Yusra warsame, Wiilwaal, Warsan shire and Boock of Rymes.
- Time: 7.00pm
- TIckets: £20/ £15
- Box Office: 0208 985 2424
- Address: 291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela
- Music
- 4 November 2007
- Opera House
- Buxton
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's chorus of pwoerful harmonies emote the struggles and passion of South Africa. The warmth and charisma of founder and composer Joseph Shabalala, a man who has survied apartheid with his spirit whole, shines through Mambazo's music - their captivating Zulu harmonies are a proud, strong homage to the jubilancem power and beauty of indigenous music.
Their music explores issues of racism, fair trade and politics among others. After they employed their music to celebrate the end of the aparteid era, Nelson Mandela publicly called Ladysmith "South Africa's cultural ambassadors", following his release from prison. The group sings acapella isicathamiya and mbube muisc - loud, powerful choruses contrast with softer, almost whispering chants where voices blend harmoniously, combined with tightly-choreographed dance moves that keep the singers on their toes.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £20/ £25 plus booking fee
- Box Office: 0845 127 2190
- Address: Water Street, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6XN
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela
- Music
- 5 November 2007
- Bridgewater Hall
- Manchester
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's chorus of pwoerful harmonies emote the struggles and passion of South Africa. The warmth and charisma of founder and composer Joseph Shabalala, a man who has survied apartheid with his spirit whole, shines through Mambazo's music - their captivating Zulu harmonies are a proud, strong homage to the jubilancem power and beauty of indigenous music.
Their music explores issues of racism, fair trade and politics among others. After they employed their music to celebrate the end of the aparteid era, Nelson Mandela publicly called Ladysmith "South Africa's cultural ambassadors", following his release from prison. The group sings acapella isicathamiya and mbube muisc - loud, powerful choruses contrast with softer, almost whispering chants where voices blend harmoniously, combined with tightly-choreographed dance moves that keep the singers on their toes.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £20/ £25 plus booking fee
- Box Office: 0161 907 9000
- Address: Lower Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3WS
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela
- Music
- 5 November 2007
- The Assembly Rooms
- Derby
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's chorus of pwoerful harmonies emote the struggles and passion of South Africa. The warmth and charisma of founder and composer Joseph Shabalala, a man who has survied apartheid with his spirit whole, shines through Mambazo's music - their captivating Zulu harmonies are a proud, strong homage to the jubilancem power and beauty of indigenous music.
Their music explores issues of racism, fair trade and politics among others. After they employed their music to celebrate the end of the aparteid era, Nelson Mandela publicly called Ladysmith "South Africa's cultural ambassadors", following his release from prison. The group sings acapella isicathamiya and mbube muisc - loud, powerful choruses contrast with softer, almost whispering chants where voices blend harmoniously, combined with tightly-choreographed dance moves that keep the singers on their toes.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £24.50 plus booking fee
- Box Office: 01332 255 800
- Address: Market Place, Derby DE1 3AH
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Benefit Film Screening for Footbal Fables Documentary Project
- Film
- 6 November 2007
- London Stock Exchange
- London
"Football Fables - Vol.1: Gold Kicks" is a documentary project from Adinkra - in association with the UK charities AfriKids and TackleAfrica. The African Cup of Nations will be held In Ghana in January 2008. Against this backdrop Vol. 1: GOLD KICKS will explore how the game possesses a unique status within Ghana and the various effects that football has on the country & its people.
Football Fables will also look at how government, NGO’s and charities all utilise football’s popularity as a medium to affect issues ranging from tribalism, child trafficking/labour to HIV/AIDS awareness. The net proceeds from this project shall directly fund both new and incumbent programs administered by AfriKids and Tackle Africa in Ghana.
The London Stock Exchange has kindly donated their facilities for us to enjoy an informal and relaxed screening event after a hard day at the office, so please come prepared to hold a glass of wine and enjoy some quality cinema. Due to the nature of the FOOTBAL FABLES project, a shortlist of three sports themed classic movies has been compiled for you to vote on for viewing on the night.
RSVP is required to attend the event. Please email full name to the address provided below.
- Time: 7.00pm
- Donation: £8 on entry (includes free glass of wine)
- Information: screenings@footballfables.co.uk
- Address: 10 Paternoster Square, London EC4 7LS
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela
- Music
- 6 November 2007
- Caird Hall
- Dundee
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's chorus of pwoerful harmonies emote the struggles and passion of South Africa. The warmth and charisma of founder and composer Joseph Shabalala, a man who has survied apartheid with his spirit whole, shines through Mambazo's music - their captivating Zulu harmonies are a proud, strong homage to the jubilancem power and beauty of indigenous music.
Their music explores issues of racism, fair trade and politics among others. After they employed their music to celebrate the end of the aparteid era, Nelson Mandela publicly called Ladysmith "South Africa's cultural ambassadors", following his release from prison. The group sings acapella isicathamiya and mbube muisc - loud, powerful choruses contrast with softer, almost whispering chants where voices blend harmoniously, combined with tightly-choreographed dance moves that keep the singers on their toes.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £23/ £25 plus booking fee
- Box Office: 01382 434 940
- Address: City Square, Dundee, DD1 3BB
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Dilemma of a Ghost
- Theatre & Dance
- 8-9 November 2007
- The Drum
- Birmingham
Passions explode where culturs collide in 21st century Africa
When African-American Eulaline marries Ato, the sensitive and intelligent Ghanaian student she meets at university, she dreams that they will be "the sweetest and loveliest things in Africa and America rolled together". But when he brings her to Africa, the ghosts of the slave trade return to haunt the golden couple.
Working with the National Theatre of Ghana, Border Crossings has brought togheter a world-class cast from two continents - including renowned Ghanaian musician Osei Korankye and Adeline Amam Buabeng, the formost Ghanaian actress of her generation. Modern beliefs mix uneasily with ancient values in this vital and vibrant production, which uses music, dance and the sheer physical exuberance of Ghana to celebrate 50 years of Ghana's independence and 200 years since the abolition of hte slave trade.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £8/ £6 concessions
- Box Office: 0121 333 2444
- Address: 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham B6 4UU
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela
- Music
- 8 November 2007
- Royal Concert Hall
- Glasgow
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's chorus of pwoerful harmonies emote the struggles and passion of South Africa. The warmth and charisma of founder and composer Joseph Shabalala, a man who has survied apartheid with his spirit whole, shines through Mambazo's music - their captivating Zulu harmonies are a proud, strong homage to the jubilancem power and beauty of indigenous music.
Their music explores issues of racism, fair trade and politics among others. After they employed their music to celebrate the end of the aparteid era, Nelson Mandela publicly called Ladysmith "South Africa's cultural ambassadors", following his release from prison. The group sings acapella isicathamiya and mbube muisc - loud, powerful choruses contrast with softer, almost whispering chants where voices blend harmoniously, combined with tightly-choreographed dance moves that keep the singers on their toes.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £20/ £22/ £25 plus booking fee
- Box Office: 0141 353 8000
- Address: 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3NY
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Freedom and Culture
- Exhibitions & Shows
- 9-11 November 2007
- South Bank Centre
- London
A struggle for freedom goes hand in hand with a struggle for expression. Artists have always been and always will be a powerful force for emancipation. The quest for freedom has been an important defining force in the way different art forms, from literature to music to dance to the visual arts, have developed in different cultures. The American work songs, spirituals and blues, for instance, trace an arc that have their roots in African music. The experience of slavery, calculated to dehumanise and oppress, was resisted and given a voice and a dignity through these musical forms. And today they have both energised and transformed the vocabularies of modern music.
In partnership with eminent artists, activists and thinkers as well as emergent younger talent, the Freedom and Culture programme explores the crucial dimensions of oppression and freedom, culminating in a vibrant weekend programme around the International Creative Forum. The International Creative Forum itself will be on 10 November.
Presented by Cultural Brokers and Alchemy (Freedom and Culture Ltd) and Southbank Centre.
- Box Office: 0871 663 2505
- Address: Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
- Nearest tube: Waterloo
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela
- Music
- 9 November 2007
- Arts Centre
- Warwick
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's chorus of pwoerful harmonies emote the struggles and passion of South Africa. The warmth and charisma of founder and composer Joseph Shabalala, a man who has survied apartheid with his spirit whole, shines through Mambazo's music - their captivating Zulu harmonies are a proud, strong homage to the jubilancem power and beauty of indigenous music.
Their music explores issues of racism, fair trade and politics among others. After they employed their music to celebrate the end of the aparteid era, Nelson Mandela publicly called Ladysmith "South Africa's cultural ambassadors", following his release from prison. The group sings acapella isicathamiya and mbube muisc - loud, powerful choruses contrast with softer, almost whispering chants where voices blend harmoniously, combined with tightly-choreographed dance moves that keep the singers on their toes.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £22.50/ £25 plus booking fee
- Box Office: 0247 652 4524
- Address: University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL
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London, Sugar and Slavery
- Film
- 10-30 November 2007
- Museum in Docklands
- London
In November 2007, Museum in Docklands will open the only permanent gallery in London that examines the city's involvement in transatlantic slavery and its legacy onthe capital.
Marking the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade act 1807 by Britain, the new gallery is part of a series of events and projects by the museum for 2007 and 2008.
The new gallery, called London, Sugar and Slavery , will reveal how London's involvement in slaving has shaped the capital since the 17th century and will challenge what people think they know about the transatlantic slave trade. It will debunk the myth that London was a minor player in the trade by showing that it funded much of the city's industrial and financial success. From Jamaica Road to the Bank of England, from the merchant houses of Blackheath to the nation's art collections, profits from this most lucrative trade shaped the metropolis.
- Time: 10.00am - 6.00pm
- Admission: free for under 16s, NUS cardholders and disabled carers. Annual adult ticket £5 allowing unlimited readmission for a full year.
- Information: last admission 5.30pm
- Address: West India Quay, Canary Wharf, London E14 4AL
- Nearest stations: Canary Wharf
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Dilemma of a Ghost
- Theatre & Dance
- 10 November 2007
- The West Wing
- Slough
Passions explode where culturs collide in 21st century Africa
When African-American Eulaline marries Ato, the sensitive and intelligent Ghanaian student she meets at university, she dreams that they will be "the sweetest and loveliest things in Africa and America rolled together". But when he brings her to Africa, the ghosts of the slave trade return to haunt the golden couple.
Working with the National Theatre of Ghana, Border Crossings has brought togheter a world-class cast from two continents - including renowned Ghanaian musician Osei Korankye and Adeline Amam Buabeng, the formost Ghanaian actress of her generation. Modern beliefs mix uneasily with ancient values in this vital and vibrant production, which uses music, dance and the sheer physical exuberance of Ghana to celebrate 50 years of Ghana's independence and 200 years since the abolition of hte slave trade.
- Time: 8.00pm
- Tickets: £10/ £8 concessions
- Box Office: 01753 267131823710
- Address: Arbor Vale School, Stoke Road, Slough Berkshire SL2 5AY
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela
- Music
- 10 November 2007
- Derngate
- Northhampton
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's chorus of pwoerful harmonies emote the struggles and passion of South Africa. The warmth and charisma of founder and composer Joseph Shabalala, a man who has survied apartheid with his spirit whole, shines through Mambazo's music - their captivating Zulu harmonies are a proud, strong homage to the jubilancem power and beauty of indigenous music.
Their music explores issues of racism, fair trade and politics among others. After they employed their music to celebrate the end of the aparteid era, Nelson Mandela publicly called Ladysmith "South Africa's cultural ambassadors", following his release from prison. The group sings acapella isicathamiya and mbube muisc - loud, powerful choruses contrast with softer, almost whispering chants where voices blend harmoniously, combined with tightly-choreographed dance moves that keep the singers on their toes.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £24 plus booking fee
- Box Office: 01604 624 811
- Address: Guildhall Road, Northhampton, NN1 1DP
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Freedom and Culture
- Festivals & Special Events
- 10 November 2007
- South Bank Centre
- London
The International Creative Forum (ICF) is one of the highlights of the Freedom and Culture programme. An international, stellar cast of artists, thinkers and cultural commentators will gather to perform, display, discuss and share their ideas on the significance of the bicentenary of the Parliamentary abolition of the slave trade.
Renowned international figures such as Professor Angela Davis, the American activist, academic, and writer and Nigerian playwright and Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka will be speaking at the ICF. Audiences will have the opportunity to hear singing star Heather Small performing her own composition, especially commissioned by Freedom and Culture. Talented composers, Shirley J. Thompson and Philip Herbert, have also been commissioned by Freedom and Culture to provide further dazzling musical contributions that reflect on the themes and issues raised by the bicentenary.
Freedom and Culture will also be commissioning a spoken word artist to perform at the International Creative forum. Visual artist Mary Evans has been commissioned to create an original, site-specific work for the ICF. Other participants include multi-award winning author Andrea Levy as well as acclaimed filmmaker John Akomfrah.
Cost: £120 full price (organisations with a turnover of over £150k a year) Full price group bookings of ten or more will qualify for 10% discount. £60 concessions (individuals,students, OAPs, Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, Organisations with a turnover of less than £150k a year). Note – All prices include teas/coffees and a buffet lunch.
- Time: 9.30am - 5.30pm
- Booking: 0871 663 2598
- Information: admin@freedomandculture.org
- Address: Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
- Nearest Stations: Waterloo, Embankment
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Dilemma of a Ghost
- Theatre & Dance
- 11-14 November 2007
- The Africa Centre
- London
Passions explode where culturs collide in 21st century Africa
When African-American Eulaline marries Ato, the sensitive and intelligent Ghanaian student she meets at university, she dreams that they will be "the sweetest and loveliest things in Africa and America rolled together". But when he brings her to Africa, the ghosts of the slave trade return to haunt the golden couple.
Working with the National Theatre of Ghana, Border Crossings has brought togheter a world-class cast from two continents - including renowned Ghanaian musician Osei Korankye and Adeline Amam Buabeng, the formost Ghanaian actress of her generation. Modern beliefs mix uneasily with ancient values in this vital and vibrant production, which uses music, dance and the sheer physical exuberance of Ghana to celebrate 50 years of Ghana's independence and 200 years since the abolition of hte slave trade.
- Time: 4.00pm & 7.45pm
- Tickets: £14/ £10 concessions
- Box Office: 0208 829 8928
- Address: 38 King Street, Covent Garden London WC2
- Nearest station: Covent Garden
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Singing For Freedom
- Music
- 11 November 2007
- Bernie Grant Centre
- London
This event features international musicians, dancers, acrobats and DJs from different continents, coming together to celebrate the historical and cultural contribution that slaves and their descendants have made to the global society.
At lunchtime there will be a free African drumming and dance workshop. The evening lineup features Alberto Jahsie and his band, featuring Marie Marschall, with tracks from his current album Mind Your Mind, GMQ Crew from Nigera, Jamacia, St. Lucia and London, Abladei UK, a Ghanaian music/dance group, Planetman and the International, who play a combination of reggae, afrobeat and blues, and DJ Jam Rock.
- Time: 9.00pm
- Box Office: 0208 365 5450
- Address: Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham Green London N15 4RY
- Nearest tube: Seven Sisters
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela
- Music
- 11 November 2007
- Pavilion
- Rhyl
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's chorus of pwoerful harmonies emote the struggles and passion of South Africa. The warmth and charisma of founder and composer Joseph Shabalala, a man who has survied apartheid with his spirit whole, shines through Mambazo's music - their captivating Zulu harmonies are a proud, strong homage to the jubilancem power and beauty of indigenous music.
Their music explores issues of racism, fair trade and politics among others. After they employed their music to celebrate the end of the aparteid era, Nelson Mandela publicly called Ladysmith "South Africa's cultural ambassadors", following his release from prison. The group sings acapella isicathamiya and mbube muisc - loud, powerful choruses contrast with softer, almost whispering chants where voices blend harmoniously, combined with tightly-choreographed dance moves that keep the singers on their toes.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £24 plus booking fee
- Box Office: 0870 330 0000
- Address: Promenade, Rhyl, Denbighshire LL18 3AQ
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Zap Mama
- Music
- 11 November 2007
- Jazz Cafe
- London
Born in the Congo to an African mother and Belgian father, harbored by pygmies in the forest in the midst of revolution, and raised in the predominantly French culture of Belgium, vocalist and founder Marie Daulne is not only a living map of the world, but a purveyor of its rich stories and an ambassador to all of its diverse cultures. A brilliant songwriter and performer, she distills and reflects creative energy from an infinite array of sources and beams it back to the world with a brilliance that is unsurpassed.
Zap Mama's Afro-European energy and light shine brighter on her debut on Heads Up International with the August 7, 2007, worldwide release of Supermoon. An engaging blend of world, soul, pop, jazz and other subtle shades too numerous to mention, the album includes guest musicians from around the globe: drummer Tony Allen; bassists Meshell Ndegeocello and Will Lee; guitarists David Gilmore and Michael Franti; pianists Leon Pendarvis, Daniel Freiberg and Robbie Kondor; percussionist Bashiri Johnson and many more.
- Time: 7.00pm
- Tickets: £21.50 advance
- Information: 0207 534 6955
- Address: 5 Parkway, Camden Town, London NW1 7PG
- Nearest Station: Camden
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Anansi: Reunion
- Music
- 11 November 2007
- South Bank Centre
- London
Anansi: Reunion is the captivating new work from award-winning saxophonist/composer, Denys Baptiste. Embodying the spirit of Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas in a beautifully crafted set of music, narration and specially-commissioned illustrations the work draws inspiration from the Anansi Tales – fables from West Africa. Denys has created a modern-day Anansi tale, bringing together different characters from around the world through the auspices of a ‘family reunion’, where each brings to the party the vibrant music and culture of their adoptive regions.
An especially lyrical composer, Denys’ latest work provides a highly accessible route into jazz. It’s a piece that will delight existing jazz lovers whilst newcomers to the genre will be pleasantly surprised to find that jazz isn’t nearly as impenetrable as they’d thought! Denys appears with an exceptional 6-piece band plus narrator, introducing a younger generation to jazz and the character, Anansi, and reacquainting adults with childhood fables through a sparkling musical adaptation of the original themes.
- Time: 3.00pm
- Tickets: £8 plus booking fee
- Booking: 0871 663 2500
- Address: Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela
- Music
- 12 November 2007
- Arts Centre
- Aberystwyth
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's chorus of pwoerful harmonies emote the struggles and passion of South Africa. The warmth and charisma of founder and composer Joseph Shabalala, a man who has survied apartheid with his spirit whole, shines through Mambazo's music - their captivating Zulu harmonies are a proud, strong homage to the jubilancem power and beauty of indigenous music.
Their music explores issues of racism, fair trade and politics among others. After they employed their music to celebrate the end of the aparteid era, Nelson Mandela publicly called Ladysmith "South Africa's cultural ambassadors", following his release from prison. The group sings acapella isicathamiya and mbube muisc - loud, powerful choruses contrast with softer, almost whispering chants where voices blend harmoniously, combined with tightly-choreographed dance moves that keep the singers on their toes.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £22.50/ £25 plus booking fee
- Box Office: 01970 623 232
- Address: University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth Caredigion SY23 3DE
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Colour Coding Metisse Identity
Artist’s talk: Agnes Poitevin-Navarre in conversation with Paul Goodwin (Centre for Urban and Community Research, Goldsmiths University)
The event is free, but booking is required. Please contact 198
- 7.00pm - 8.00pm
- Booking: 0207 978 8309
- Admission: free
- Address: Contemporary Arts and Learning, 198 Railton Road, SE24 OJT
- Nearest station: Brixton
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela
- Music
- 14 November 2007
- Grand Theatre
- Swansea
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's chorus of pwoerful harmonies emote the struggles and passion of South Africa. The warmth and charisma of founder and composer Joseph Shabalala, a man who has survied apartheid with his spirit whole, shines through Mambazo's music - their captivating Zulu harmonies are a proud, strong homage to the jubilancem power and beauty of indigenous music.
Their music explores issues of racism, fair trade and politics among others. After they employed their music to celebrate the end of the aparteid era, Nelson Mandela publicly called Ladysmith "South Africa's cultural ambassadors", following his release from prison. The group sings acapella isicathamiya and mbube muisc - loud, powerful choruses contrast with softer, almost whispering chants where voices blend harmoniously, combined with tightly-choreographed dance moves that keep the singers on their toes.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £15/ £18/ £20/ £23/ £25 plus booking fee
- Box Office: 01792 475 715
- Address: Singleton Street, Swansea, SA1 3QJ
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Dilemma of a Ghost
- Theatre & Dance
- 15-17 November 2007
- Bernie Grant Centre
- London
Passions explode where culturs collide in 21st century Africa
When African-American Eulaline marries Ato, the sensitive and intelligent Ghanaian student she meets at university, she dreams that they will be "the sweetest and loveliest things in Africa and America rolled together". But when he brings her to Africa, the ghosts of the slave trade return to haunt the golden couple.
Working with the National Theatre of Ghana, Border Crossings has brought togheter a world-class cast from two continents - including renowned Ghanaian musician Osei Korankye and Adeline Amam Buabeng, the formost Ghanaian actress of her generation. Modern beliefs mix uneasily with ancient values in this vital and vibrant production, which uses music, dance and the sheer physical exuberance of Ghana to celebrate 50 years of Ghana's independence and 200 years since the abolition of hte slave trade.
- Box Office: 0208 365 5450
- Address: Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham Green, London N15 4RX
- Nearest station: Seven Sisters
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Heatwave 2007: Vieux Farka Toure & ZEEP
- Music
- 15 November 2007
- St Georges
- Bristol
Returning now in its third successive year, Heatwave offers another outstanding line-up for 2007. Two artsists who push boundaries adn challenge stereotyples of musical genre to create their won unique sound.
This year Heatwave is proud to be presenting the debut UK tour of Vieux Farka Toure , one of the hottest talents on teh contemporary music scene. Son of the late maestro and two-time Grammy Award-winner Ali Farka Toure, his music heralds a new generation of Malian desert blues.
Imagine Led Zeppelin, the Meters, Joni Mitchell and The Beatles jamming in Brazil with Tropicalistas such as Gilberto Gil & Os Mutantes and you've got ZEEP - the new band from Nina Miranda & Chris Franck.
After solo sets both artists will come together on stange uniting continents, styles, influences and attitude.
- Time: 8.00pm
- Tickets: £16 (£14)/ £12(£10)/ £8(6)
- Box Office: 0845 40 24 001
- Address: Great George Street, Off Park Street, Bristol BS1 5RR
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Lemn Sissay - Why I Don't Hate White People
- Exhibitions & Shows
- 15-17 November 2007
- Lyric Hammersmith
- London
Everything you thought about race is wrong. And if everything you thought about race is right, then are you the wrong race? Poet and performer Lemn Sissay fuses the lyrical and polemical in his first foray into the world of stand up.
Lemn Sissay is an Arts admin supported artist. 'It would be impossible to come away from this show unmoved and uninspired.' Metro on Something Dark. Not recommended for under 11s
- Tickets: £3
- Box Office: 0870 0500 511
- Address: Lyric Square, King Street, London W6 0QL
- Nearest station: Hammersmith
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Kekele-live + AfrikaJam DJs
- Music
- 15 November 2007
- Hare & Hounds
- Birmingham
Kekele, the Congolese answer to Cuba's Buena Vista Social Club, are survivors from that era [60s]; now based in Paris and mostly in their 50s, they are still cheery and on good form, and are enjoying a new lease of life as musicians. From the first note, the audience is seduced by percolating percussion, honeyed voices and glorious guitars.
A homage to the sultry Cuban grooves that beat in partnership with rhythms of the Congo, the music is ardent, playful and mature, delivered by an unbeatable roster of veteran performers including Nyboma Mwan Dido, Syran Mbenza, Loko Massengo, Bumba Massa and Wuta-Mayi plus five piece band.
- Time: 8.00pm
- TIckets: £6
- Box Office: 0870 320 7000
- Address: High Street, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 7JZ
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela
- Music
- 15 November 2007
- Town Hall
- Leeds
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's chorus of pwoerful harmonies emote the struggles and passion of South Africa. The warmth and charisma of founder and composer Joseph Shabalala, a man who has survied apartheid with his spirit whole, shines through Mambazo's music - their captivating Zulu harmonies are a proud, strong homage to the jubilancem power and beauty of indigenous music.
Their music explores issues of racism, fair trade and politics among others. After they employed their music to celebrate the end of the aparteid era, Nelson Mandela publicly called Ladysmith "South Africa's cultural ambassadors", following his release from prison. The group sings acapella isicathamiya and mbube muisc - loud, powerful choruses contrast with softer, almost whispering chants where voices blend harmoniously, combined with tightly-choreographed dance moves that keep the singers on their toes.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £20/ £22.50/ £25 plus booking fee
- Box Office: 0113 224 3801
- Address: The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 3AD
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Heatwave 2007: Vieux Farka Toure & ZEEP
- Music
- 16 November 2007
- Dartington Hall
- Totnes
Returning now in its third successive year, Heatwave offers another outstanding line-up for 2007. Two artsists who push boundaries adn challenge stereotyples of musical genre to create their won unique sound.
This year Heatwave is proud to be presenting the debut UK tour of Vieux Farka Toure , one of the hottest talents on teh contemporary music scene. Son of the late maestro and two-time Grammy Award-winner Ali Farka Toure, his music heralds a new generation of Malian desert blues.
Imagine Led Zeppelin, the Meters, Joni Mitchell and The Beatles jamming in Brazil with Tropicalistas such as Gilberto Gil & Os Mutantes and you've got ZEEP - the new band from Nina Miranda & Chris Franck.
After solo sets both artists will come together on stange uniting continents, styles, influences and attitude.
- Time: 8.00pm
- Tickets: £15/ £14 concessions/ £7 students
- Box Office: 01803 847 147
- Address: Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6DE
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela
- Music
- 16 November 2007
- Town Hall
- Middlesbrough
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's chorus of pwoerful harmonies emote the struggles and passion of South Africa. The warmth and charisma of founder and composer Joseph Shabalala, a man who has survied apartheid with his spirit whole, shines through Mambazo's music - their captivating Zulu harmonies are a proud, strong homage to the jubilancem power and beauty of indigenous music.
Their music explores issues of racism, fair trade and politics among others. After they employed their music to celebrate the end of the aparteid era, Nelson Mandela publicly called Ladysmith "South Africa's cultural ambassadors", following his release from prison. The group sings acapella isicathamiya and mbube muisc - loud, powerful choruses contrast with softer, almost whispering chants where voices blend harmoniously, combined with tightly-choreographed dance moves that keep the singers on their toes.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £23/ £24 plus booking fee
- Box Office: 01642 729 729
- Address: Middlesbrough TS1 2QQ
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African Heroes of World War 2
- Film
- 17 November 2007
- Imperial War Museum
- London
African and Indian troops did most of the fighting against the Japanese in WW2 but their stories have been erased by British historians.
On this day Biyi bandele author of Burma Boy will relate the stories he recorded from veterans from East and West Africa; Somali and Jamaican war veterans interviewed by local youth; film on African and Asian troops to Burma; film on how and where African-American troops were lynched in England between 1939 - 1945.
- Time: 11.00am - 5.00pm
- Admission: free
- Information: first come, first served
- Address: Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ
- Nearest stations: Lambeth North, Waterloo, Southwark and Elephant & Castle
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Heatwave 2007: Vieux Farka Toure & ZEEP
- Music
- 17 November 2007
- The Phoenix
- Leicester
Returning now in its third successive year, Heatwave offers another outstanding line-up for 2007. Two artsists who push boundaries adn challenge stereotyples of musical genre to create their won unique sound.
This year Heatwave is proud to be presenting the debut UK tour of Vieux Farka Toure , one of the hottest talents on teh contemporary music scene. Son of the late maestro and two-time Grammy Award-winner Ali Farka Toure, his music heralds a new generation of Malian desert blues.
Imagine Led Zeppelin, the Meters, Joni Mitchell and The Beatles jamming in Brazil with Tropicalistas such as Gilberto Gil & Os Mutantes and you've got ZEEP - the new band from Nina Miranda & Chris Franck.
After solo sets both artists will come together on stange uniting continents, styles, influences and attitude.
- Time: 8.00pm
- Tickets: £15/ £13 concessions
- Box Office: 0116 255 4854
- Address: Newarke Street, Leicesterr
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Equiano: His Life & Times
- Exhibitions & Shows
- 17 November 2007
- The Drum
- Birmingham
A conference exploring the life and times of Olaudah Equiano. A former slave, successful business man, and campaigner against slavery, Equiano’s best selling auto-biography was the most important British anti-slavery text of the late eighteenth century and played a crucial role in the abolitionist movement in the UK.
This event will bring together national and international scholars, students, and community activists to debate and discuss Equiano’s legacy followed by an evening of poetry, dance, and performances.
- Time: 11.00am - 10.00pm
- Tickets: £5
- Box Office: 0121 333 2400
- Address: 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham B6 4UU
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela
- Music
- 17 November 2007
- Guildhall
- Preston
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's chorus of pwoerful harmonies emote the struggles and passion of South Africa. The warmth and charisma of founder and composer Joseph Shabalala, a man who has survied apartheid with his spirit whole, shines through Mambazo's music - their captivating Zulu harmonies are a proud, strong homage to the jubilancem power and beauty of indigenous music.
Their music explores issues of racism, fair trade and politics among others. After they employed their music to celebrate the end of the aparteid era, Nelson Mandela publicly called Ladysmith "South Africa's cultural ambassadors", following his release from prison. The group sings acapella isicathamiya and mbube muisc - loud, powerful choruses contrast with softer, almost whispering chants where voices blend harmoniously, combined with tightly-choreographed dance moves that keep the singers on their toes.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £25 plus booking fee
- Box Office: 01772 28 858
- Address: Lancaster Road, Preston, PR1 1HT
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Cesaria Evora
- Music
- 17 November 2007
- South Bank Centre
- London
Cape Verdean singer Cesaria Evora is the queen of the morna - her country's uniquely bittersweet blend of African blues and Portuguese fado. Full of raw emotion, heartbreaking melancholy and delicate nuances, her ballads speak of longing and sadness, passion and pain.
Justin Adams is well known as Robert Plant's guitarist and the producer of Tinariwen's latest album Aman Iman. A copy of his Desert Road album found its way into the hands of Gambian Griot Juldeh Camara, who was entranced by the recording. Juldeh, a virtuoso on the one-string fiddle and a former member of Ifang Bondi, tracked Adams down to find that he had been listening to Juldeh's recordings for years.
This is the debut performance from this new pairing, also featuring Justin's long-time percussionist partner, Salah Dawson Miller.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £37.50/ £27.50/ £10 plus booking fee
- Booking: 0871 663 2500
- Address: Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
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Dilemma of a Ghost
- Theatre & Dance
- 18-23 November 2007
- The Africa Centre
- London
Passions explode where culturs collide in 21st century Africa
When African-American Eulaline marries Ato, the sensitive and intelligent Ghanaian student she meets at university, she dreams that they will be "the sweetest and loveliest things in Africa and America rolled together". But when he brings her to Africa, the ghosts of the slave trade return to haunt the golden couple.
Working with the National Theatre of Ghana, Border Crossings has brought togheter a world-class cast from two continents - including renowned Ghanaian musician Osei Korankye and Adeline Amam Buabeng, the formost Ghanaian actress of her generation. Modern beliefs mix uneasily with ancient values in this vital and vibrant production, which uses music, dance and the sheer physical exuberance of Ghana to celebrate 50 years of Ghana's independence and 200 years since the abolition of hte slave trade.
- Time: 4.00pm & 7.45pm
- Tickets: £14/ £10 concessions
- Box Office: 0208 829 8928
- Address: 38 King Street, Covent Garden London WC2
- Nearest station: Covent Garden
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Heatwave 2007: Vieux Farka Toure & ZEEP
- Music
- 18 November 2007
- South Bank Centre
- London
Returning now in its third successive year, Heatwave offers another outstanding line-up for 2007. Two artsists who push boundaries adn challenge stereotyples of musical genre to create their won unique sound.
This year Heatwave is proud to be presenting the debut UK tour of Vieux Farka Toure , one of the hottest talents on teh contemporary music scene. Son of the late maestro and two-time Grammy Award-winner Ali Farka Toure, his music heralds a new generation of Malian desert blues.
Imagine Led Zeppelin, the Meters, Joni Mitchell and The Beatles jamming in Brazil with Tropicalistas such as Gilberto Gil & Os Mutantes and you've got ZEEP - the new band from Nina Miranda & Chris Franck.
After solo sets both artists will come together on stange uniting continents, styles, influences and attitude.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £20/ £15/ £10
- Box Office: 0871 663 2500
- Address: Belvedere Road London SE1 8XX
- Nearest Stations: Waterloo, Embankment
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Slave Catchers, Slave Resisters
- Film
- 18 November 2007
- National Portrait Gallery
- London
America is one of the richest countries in the world mostly because it benefited from hundreds of years of forced labour. This film details how Africans resisted by various methods such as open rebellions, running away, the underground railroad, learning to read, political lobbying and total defiance in face of death.
It also reveals the extraordinary lengths that white Americans went to suppress African people by terrorism, torture, brainwashing, rap and unjust laws which still have an effect to this day.
- Time: 3.00pm - 5.00pm
- Admission: free
- Address: St Martins Lane, London WC2 0HE
- Nearest stations: Charing Cross, Leicester Square
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Kulture2Couture
- Festivals & Special Events
- 18-19 November 2007
- Victoria & Albert Museum
- London
A weekend of fashion shows, workshops, makeovers, exhibits and seminars celebrating the work of London’s black fashion designers. Kulture2Couture (K2C) is part of the Mayor of London’s Black History Season.
A range of free workshops, seminars and master classes will be on offer to all aspiring designers, make-up artists and anyone who would like greater insight into the industry. UK cosmetics firm, Sleek International will also be holding makeover master-classes throughout the day.
- Time: 11.00am - 6.00pm
- Admission: free
- Bookings: booksings.office@vam.ac.uk
- Information: 0207 942 2211
- Address: Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL
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When Shaka Met Hiphop
- Theatre & Dance
- 18 November 2007
- Norwich Arts Centre
- Norwich
This play is a piece of new writing by Sumiyya Whyte and featuring Anna Mudeka. It is about the life of Shaka Zulu, a great warrior from South Africa, in a place called Zulu land. It brings his story into the future, to modern day London and includes Hip-Hop Music, Dance, drumming and rapping.
The play charts Shaka Zulu’s life from the cradle to the grave. It begins with the star-crossed meeting of his parents Senzan and Nandi both from powerful but rival tribes. As a child Shaka and his mother are banished from their home and Shaka, under the guidance of his mentor Denko, must learn what it means to be a leader before fulfilling his destiny as the ruler and creator of the Zulu nation.
This production promises to be an exciting exhibition of local talent. Devised, produced and performed by youths aged 14-19 alongside performances from Anna Mudeka and the hip-hop collective “Spoken Drama”, this play merges traditional African tribal dance and music with UK hip-hop culture.
- Time: 2.00pm
- Tickets: £6
- Box Office: (0) 1603 660352
- Address: St. Benedict's Street, Norwich, NR2 4PG
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Heatwave 2007: Vieux Farka Toure & ZEEP
- Music
- 20 November 2007
- Pavilion Theatre
- Brighton
Returning now in its third successive year, Heatwave offers another outstanding line-up for 2007. Two artsists who push boundaries adn challenge stereotyples of musical genre to create their won unique sound.
This year Heatwave is proud to be presenting the debut UK tour of Vieux Farka Toure , one of the hottest talents on teh contemporary music scene. Son of the late maestro and two-time Grammy Award-winner Ali Farka Toure, his music heralds a new generation of Malian desert blues.
Imagine Led Zeppelin, the Meters, Joni Mitchell and The Beatles jamming in Brazil with Tropicalistas such as Gilberto Gil & Os Mutantes and you've got ZEEP - the new band from Nina Miranda & Chris Franck.
After solo sets both artists will come together on stange uniting continents, styles, influences and attitude.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £12.50/ £10 concessions
- Box Office: 01273 709 709
- Address: Church Street, Brighton
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela
- Music
- 20 November 2007
- The Sage Gateshead
- Gateshead
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's chorus of pwoerful harmonies emote the struggles and passion of South Africa. The warmth and charisma of founder and composer Joseph Shabalala, a man who has survied apartheid with his spirit whole, shines through Mambazo's music - their captivating Zulu harmonies are a proud, strong homage to the jubilancem power and beauty of indigenous music.
Their music explores issues of racism, fair trade and politics among others. After they employed their music to celebrate the end of the aparteid era, Nelson Mandela publicly called Ladysmith "South Africa's cultural ambassadors", following his release from prison. The group sings acapella isicathamiya and mbube muisc - loud, powerful choruses contrast with softer, almost whispering chants where voices blend harmoniously, combined with tightly-choreographed dance moves that keep the singers on their toes.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £23/ £26 plus booking fee
- Box Office: 0191 443 4661
- Address: St Mary's Square, Gateshead Quays, Gateshead, NE8 2JR
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A Christmas Carol - Ikrismas Kherol
- Theatre & Dance
- 20-29 November 2007
- The Young Vic
- London
A vibrant, thrilling musical adaptation of Charles Dicken's most enduring of all ghost stories. This time Scrooge is a woman, the setting is today’s South Africa and the past is life under the apartheid regime. These are exciting times... The rise of a new economic class. Others face harsh poverty while Scrooge is rich and successful. But she lives a lonely, loveless life. Three ancestral spirits come to visit. By the end she understands it is never too late to learn from the past, to change and live a meaningful and happy life.
An extraordinary new company of 30 performers arrives at the Young Vic this Christmas with two world premieres, filled with the rich musical voice of South Africa - emotional, exuberant and hugely uplifting. Discover these two classics as you have never seen them before. With modern township backgrounds, both shows are performed in the languages of South Africa and English and feature Pauline Malefane, star of the Berlin Film Festival Golden Bear-winning film U-Carmen (2005) and most recently seen at the Young Vic in generations.
Played in repertoire with The Magic Flute - Impempe Yomlingo.
- Time: 2.30pm & 7.30pm
- Tickets: £24.50/ £21.50/ £9.50
- Information: 0207 992 2922
- Address: 66 The Cut, London SE1 8LZ
- Nearest station: Waterloo
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Heatwave 2007: Vieux Farka Toure & ZEEP
- Music
- 21 November 2007
- The Assembly Rooms
- Derby
Returning now in its third successive year, Heatwave offers another outstanding line-up for 2007. Two artsists who push boundaries adn challenge stereotyples of musical genre to create their won unique sound.
This year Heatwave is proud to be presenting the debut UK tour of Vieux Farka Toure , one of the hottest talents on teh contemporary music scene. Son of the late maestro and two-time Grammy Award-winner Ali Farka Toure, his music heralds a new generation of Malian desert blues.
Imagine Led Zeppelin, the Meters, Joni Mitchell and The Beatles jamming in Brazil with Tropicalistas such as Gilberto Gil & Os Mutantes and you've got ZEEP - the new band from Nina Miranda & Chris Franck.
After solo sets both artists will come together on stange uniting continents, styles, influences and attitude.
- Time: 9.00pm
- Tickets: £14/ £11 concessions/ £10 Friends Member
- Box Office: 01332 255 800
- Address: Market Place, Derby DE1 3AH
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Ola Onabule
- Music
- 21 November 2007
- The Pigalle Club
- London
As a Nigerian, the subject of Africa and its history provides a cultural backdrop and influence to much of Ola Onabule’s work. It is often thought that the victims of slavery were those who were taken away. However, it is clear that there was also a profound effect on those who remained.
Ola’s gutsy soul music addresses the effect that post-colonialism has had in the last hundred years upon the psyche of Africans: the cerebral colonisation of Africa through imported religions and western value systems, western technologies and western business; and in turn the impact upon the way that Africa perceives itself.
“His songwriting ability shines whilst his voice is strong and potent” Aspire.
“He writes thought provoking songs and is quite a performer” Gargamel.
- Time: 7.00pm
- Tickets: £15 (standing)
- Box Office: 0845 345 6053
- Address: 215 Piccadilly, London W1J 9HN
- Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus
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Heatwave 2007: Vieux Farka Toure & ZEEP
- Music
- 22 November 2007
- The Stables
- Milton Keynes
Returning now in its third successive year, Heatwave offers another outstanding line-up for 2007. Two artsists who push boundaries adn challenge stereotyples of musical genre to create their won unique sound.
This year Heatwave is proud to be presenting the debut UK tour of Vieux Farka Toure , one of the hottest talents on teh contemporary music scene. Son of the late maestro and two-time Grammy Award-winner Ali Farka Toure, his music heralds a new generation of Malian desert blues.
Imagine Led Zeppelin, the Meters, Joni Mitchell and The Beatles jamming in Brazil with Tropicalistas such as Gilberto Gil & Os Mutantes and you've got ZEEP - the new band from Nina Miranda & Chris Franck.
After solo sets both artists will come together on stange uniting continents, styles, influences and attitude.
- Time: 8.00pm
- Tickets: £17.50
- Box Office: 01908 280 800
- Address: Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, Milton Keynes MK17 8LU
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Field Slave Number 139
- Exhibitions & Shows
- 22 November 2007
- The Drum
- Birmingham
Two exceptional poets Roy McFarlane and Sue Brown bring to life a love story between a dark skinned field slave and a Mulatto house servant on a plantation in America’s Deep South. A powerful and moving story incorporating music and drama, written and produced by Ava Ming to commemorate the bi-centenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.
Suitable for age 12+
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £6 (£4)
- Box Office: 0121 333 2400
- Address: 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham B6 4UU
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Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba
- Music
- 22 November 2007
- Norwich Arts Centre
- Norwich
Mali's ngoni master Bassekou Kouyate returns to the UK with his band Ngoni ba and wife/ vocalist Ami Sacko. Bassekou was part of Taj Mahal’s and Toumani Diabate’s ‘Kulanjan’ project, as well as being one of the key musicians on Ali Farka Toure’s posthumous album ‘Savane’ which was released July 2006. His critically acclaimed solo debut 'Segu Blue' was released earlier this year.
Bassekou moved to Bamako when he was 19 years old where he met the young Toumani Diabate. By the late 1980s Bassekou was part of Toumani's trio and they recorded their first albums together, ‘Songhai' and ‘Djelika'. Bassekou married the singer Ami Sacko (the so-called "Tina Turner of Mali") and they have been in high demand for the traditional Sunday wedding parties that happen in the streets of Bamako.
Bassekou has now put together his own band, Ngoni ba (meaning "the big ngoni"), Mali's first ngoni quartet. The ngoni is one of Africa's secrets still to be discovered. It is the key instrument for the griot culture. Unlike the kora whose history goes back only a few hundred years, the ngoni has been the main instrument in griot storytelling going back to the 13th century during the days of Soundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali Empire. The repertoire Bassekou plays is Bambara music from the region of Segu. Bambara music is pentatonic in nature and as close to the blues as you can get in Africa.
- Time: 7.00pm
- Tickets: £10 (plus booking fee)
- Information: 01603 660 352
- Address: St. Benedicts Street, Norwich NR2 4PG
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Heatwave 2007: Vieux Farka Toure & ZEEP
- Music
- 23 November 2007
- Concert Hall
- Reading
Returning now in its third successive year, Heatwave offers another outstanding line-up for 2007. Two artsists who push boundaries adn challenge stereotyples of musical genre to create their won unique sound.
This year Heatwave is proud to be presenting the debut UK tour of Vieux Farka Toure , one of the hottest talents on teh contemporary music scene. Son of the late maestro and two-time Grammy Award-winner Ali Farka Toure, his music heralds a new generation of Malian desert blues.
Imagine Led Zeppelin, the Meters, Joni Mitchell and The Beatles jamming in Brazil with Tropicalistas such as Gilberto Gil & Os Mutantes and you've got ZEEP - the new band from Nina Miranda & Chris Franck.
After solo sets both artists will come together on stange uniting continents, styles, influences and attitude.
- Time: 7.30pm
- Tickets: £14/ £12 concessions
- Box Office: 0118 960 6060
- Address: Blagrave Street, Reading 939 9809
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Speaker's Corner
- Theatre & Dance
- 23 November 2007
- Bernie Grant Arts Centre
- London
Don Letts (of Big Audio Dynamite and Dancehall Queen Fame) returns in a new guise as Artistic Director of this spoken word theatrical experience.
Seven cutting edge lyricists including rapper and poet Skinnyman, human beatboxer Madflow and spoken word artist Malika Booker expose the slavery that exists in 2007's multicultural generation. Backed by a house band the artists will focus on the legacy of slavery exploring themes such as the enslavement of women, modern day rituals, breaking the cycle of inherent racism and the entrapment of the media. Afterwards stay for the added treat of a rare DJ set by Don Letts.
A Contemporary Music Network Tour produced by Birmingham Repertory Theatre in association with the Albany, Deptford and Contact Theatre, Manchester.
- Time: 8.00pm
- Tickets: £12/ £8 concessions
- Information: 0208 365 5450
- Address: Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham Green, London N15 4RX
- Nearest Station: Camden
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Dutty Mas - An Interpretation of Early Carnival
- Exhibitions & Shows
- 23 November 2007
- The Victoria and Albert Museum
- London
Join the V&A for a special event particularly for adults to explore cultural, economic, political and spiritual themes related to slavery, oppression and freedom. Dutty Mas is an interpretation of Kalinda, an early form of music and dance that rose up out of plantations in the Caribbean around the 1720's. Early Carnival, particularly in Trinidad and Tobago was an expressive form of mimicking the enslaver, but more importantly, it was a bold statement of resistance by those enslaved.
Dutty Mas: Audience Dance & Parade Workshop - Day Event, Lunchroom 15.00 - 18.00. Use recycled materials to make masks and headdresses, costumes using T-shirt printing, learn call and response songs, basic dance and drumming routines that you will perform as part of a parade (see Night Event) and have your face and body painted to represent consumer items connected to the transatlantic slave trade. Use objects in the museum's collection linked to the slave trade to help you realize your ideas. Have your photograph taken in your costume for our Day of Record. Please wear black leggings, track suit bottoms or leotard and remembering the theme of the parade also bring any recycled materials made from fabric, card & paper, plastic etc. to use on your costume. Some materials available.
Dutty Mas - Slavery, Oppression and Freedom - Night Event 18.30 - 21.45. Enjoy adult face & body painting; make a mask and headdress; listen to stories and talks of enslavement, oppression, resistance and freedom; join a drum, song and dance workshop; create a personal logo and caption for a packet of sugar, jar of coffee or cigarette box; enjoy a Caribbean cocktail write and sing Calypso; enjoy a Caribbean cocktail and reminisce to early Calypso tunes; undertake a tour of some of the museum's objects connected to the slave trade; be entertained by an audience parade around the museum with some of our Carnival partners showcasing their 2007 costumes and have your photograph taken for our Day of Record.
- Time: 3.00pm - 9.45pm
- Admission: free
- Information: (0)20 7942 2000
- Address: Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL
- Nearest station: South Kensington
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The Magic Flute - Impempe Yomlingo
- Theatre & Dance
- 23-29 November 2007
- The Young Vic
- London
The greatest piece of music theatre performed as you’ve never heard it: the South African way - thirty singers, marimbas, drums and township percussion. Sir Simon Rattle, Conductor Berlin Philharmonic on Mark Dornford-May's The Magic Flute/Impempe Yomlingo.
It’s a story about the trials of life - growing up, finding the love of your life, learning to be wise. Adventure, fairy story, comedy, drama are all set to glorious music.A delight for young and old alike, with its message of reconciliation. An extraordinary new company of 30 performers arrives at the Young Vic this Christmas with two world premieres, filled with the rich musical voice of South Africa - emotional, exuberant and hugely uplifting.
Discover these two classics as you have never seen them before. With modern township backgrounds, both shows are performed in the languages of South Africa and English and feature Pauline Malefane, star of the Berlin Film Festival, Golden Bear-winning film U-Carmen (2005) and most recently seen at the Young Vic in gernerations.Played in repertoire with A Christmas Carol - Ikrismas Kherol.
- Time: 2.30pm & 7.30pm
- Tickets: £24.50/ £21.50/ £9.50
- Information: 0207 992 2922
- Address: 66 The Cut, London SE1 8LZ
- Nearest station: Waterloo
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Heatwave 2007: Vieux Farka Toure & ZEEP
- Music
- 24 November 2007
- Southport Arts Centre
- Southport
Returning now in its third successive year, Heatwave offers another outstanding line-up for 2007. Two artsists who push boundaries adn challenge stereotyples of musical genre to create their won unique sound.
This year Heatwave is proud to be presenting the debut UK tour of Vieux Farka Toure , one of the hottest talents on teh contemporary music scene. Son of the late maestro and two-time Grammy Award-winner Ali Farka Toure, his music heralds a new generation of Malian desert blues.
Imagine Led Zeppelin, the Meters, Joni Mitchell and The Beatles jamming in Brazil with Tropicalistas such as Gilberto Gil & Os Mutantes and you've got ZEEP - the new band from Nina Miranda & Chris Franck.
After solo sets both artists will come together on stange uniting continents, styles, influences and attitude.
- Time: 8.00pm
- Tickets: £10/ £8 concessions
- Box Office: 01704 540 011
- Address: Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1DB
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African Night Fever
- Music
- 24 November 2007
- The Empire Hall
- Graffham
Atmospheric rural venue synonymous with great African music shows over the past 5 years and a regular audience which likes to dance and enjoy itself. This show's in association with BBC Southern Counties Radio, and the Brighton-based African Night Fever promoters. Well worth the effort to get here !
Artists on the night will include Kanda Bongo Man (Congo), Sakama Live Showband (Tanzania) and DJ Touray Touray. In addition to this on the night there will be Africa Caribbean food from Jollof Bites, as well as a licensed bar
- Time: 6.30pm - 11.00pm
- Tickets: £12.50
- Box Office: 01243 781 312/ 774641
- Information: 01243 774641
- Address: Graffham, West Sussex, GU28 0PY
- Nearest Stations: Haslemere, Chichester, Pulborough (Britsh Rail)
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Demon Juice
- Theatre & Dance
- 24-25 November 2007
- Royal Opera House
- London
The early hours of Saturday morning. Lauryn is in alien territory. On the fourth floor of a disused car park the party is in full swing when she sees a hand inside a clapped-out car banging on the window. A girl trapped inside – in danger. The attacker escapes - jumping out of the car onto a nearby roof. Lauryn gives chase, leaps through the fire, reaches the rooftop lair and finds him there – Juice - eating casually and mocking the Silvertown Princess. He is about to jump again when a supernatural presence appears. Could the demon’s reign be finally over? Demon juice is a dance opera – a street opera – an east side story. The classic tale of Don Giovanni transposed to metropolitan London.
- Time: 7.00pm
- Tickets: £10/ £6 conc
- Box Office: 0207 304 4000
- Address: Bow Street, Covent Garden London WC2E 9DD
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AfroGroov
- Music
- 24 November 2007
- Ritzy Cafe
- London
Soulful evening with DREA PARKS flanked on her side by soft spoken musician Kyaze and his gang. Kyaze has been a fervent supporter of AFROGROOV, the charismatic guitarist has brought us several fresh acts to Afrogroov, remember Ife Piankhi & Leetho. This time around, he comes with his new project DREA PARKS, expect a soothing performance of smooth vocal, socially charged lyrics delivered with soulful emotions and luscious guitar licks.
- Time: 8.00pm - 12.00am
- Admission: free
- Information: 0207 733 2229
- Address: Brixton Oval, Lambeth, London, SW2 1JG
- Nearest station: Brixton
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Traces of the Trade: Representing Slavery and Abolitionism
- Exhibitions & Shows
- 24 November 2007
- The Victoria and Albert Museum
- London
Gallery Tour: Discover why the Christian-inspired imagery of the black man in a pose of supplication was so common with those who opposed the slave trade, and why such imagery undermined the efforts of black Africans who too were actively resisting slavery.
- Time: 3.00pm - 4.30pm
- Admission: free
- Information: (0)20 7942 2000
- Address: Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL
- Nearest station: South Kensington
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Heatwave 2007: Vieux Farka Toure & ZEEP
- Music
- 25 November 2007
- The Arches
- Glasgow
Returning now in its third successive year, Heatwave offers another outstanding line-up for 2007. Two artsists who push boundaries adn challenge stereotyples of musical genre to create their won unique sound.
This year Heatwave is proud to be presenting the debut UK tour of Vieux Farka Toure , one of the hottest talents on teh contemporary music scene. Son of the late maestro and two-time Grammy Award-winner Ali Farka Toure, his music heralds a new generation of Malian desert blues.
Imagine Led Zeppelin, the Meters, Joni Mitchell and The Beatles jamming in Brazil with Tropicalistas such as Gilberto Gil & Os Mutantes and you've got ZEEP - the new band from Nina Miranda & Chris Franck.
After solo sets both artists will come together on stange uniting continents, styles, influences and attitude.
- Time: 7.00pm
- Tickets: £12.50
- Box Office: 0870 240 7528
- Address: 253 Argyle Street, Glasgow G2 8DL
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela
- Music
- 25 November 2007
- Helix
- Dublin
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's chorus of pwoerful harmonies emote the struggles and passion of South Africa. The warmth and charisma of founder and composer Joseph Shabalala, a man who has survied apartheid with his spirit whole, shines through Mambazo's music - their captivating Zulu harmonies are a proud, strong homage to the jubilancem power and beauty of indigenous music.
Their music explores issues of racism, fair trade and politics among others. After they employed their music to celebrate the end of the aparteid era, Nelson Mandela publicly called Ladysmith "South Africa's cultural ambassadors", following his release from prison. The group sings acapella isicathamiya and mbube muisc - loud, powerful choruses contrast with softer, almost whispering chants where voices blend harmoniously, combined with tightly-choreographed dance moves that keep the singers on their toes.
- Time: 8.00pm
- Tickets: €25/ €35 plus booking fee
- Box Office: 01 700 7000
- Address: DCU, Collins Avenue, Dublin 9, Ireland
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Out of Africa
- Music
- 25 November 2007
- Bernie Grant Arts Centre
- London
All you African music lovers, come and join us for a special end of year party.
We’re inviting you to take to the decks and share with us your favourite African tunes. Come down with your CDs, MP3 player or ipod and we'll play your favourite Kuti beats (Fela, Femi or Seun) or is it Youssou, JJC, Daara J, Wunmi or Lady Blacksmith. All this alongside live afrocentric bands and visuals by DJ Pax Nindi “The World’s First Dub VJ”
- Time: 4.00pm- 7.00pm
- Admission: Free
- Information: 020 8365 5450
- Address: Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham Green, London N15 4RX
- Nearest station: Seven Sisters
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Brent Black Music History Exhibition
- Festivals & Special Events
- 26-30 November 2007
- Willesden Green Library Centre
- London
A photographic exhibition of the photos of artists, music industry players, and buildings with a black music history, as captured by Patrick Friday and Kwaku for the Brent Black Music History Project (BBMHP) DVD and booklet. The year-long exhibition will be kept fresh with changes in photos, plus small events based around the exhibition.
- Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
- Admission: free
- Information: 020 8450 5987
- Address: 95 High Road, London NW10 2SF
- Nearest station: Willesden Green
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Blacks In Wax
- Film
- 29-30 November 2007
- 198 Gallery
- London
In Baltimore City in 1979 Elmer and Joanne Martin, two African-American academics and social activists had to make a decision. Should they spend the $12,000 they had saved on the down payment for their first house or on four wax figures of great African Americans?
Mary McCloud Bethune, Frederick Douglass, Nat Turner and Sojourner Truth were made, the house had to wait, and the Great Blacks in Wax museum moved from a dream to a beginning. Over the next 28 years the Martins built one of the most confrontational, unusual, and aesthetically different museums in the world. The Great Blacks in Wax, now based in a complex of buildings in Baltimore, is like nothing else. It challenges black and white assumptions relating to the history of slavery, the memory of slavery and the development of a black Diasporic consciousness in North America.
Marcus Wood’s ‘Great Blacks in Wax’ documents why this unique institution was made the way it was, and shows how the people who made it were prepared to come head on at the unspeakable aspects of the memory of slavery. The emphasis on the effort of the African Diaspora, in the United States, to take control of the memory of slavery comes as a timely reminder, in 2007, of how the British establishment has failed in its attempts to remember the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Film screening followed by a Q&A session with Marcus Wood. Limited seats available, booking required. Please contact 198
- Time: 8.30pm
- Admission: free
- Information: 0207 978 8309
- Address: 198 Railton Road, London SE24 OJT
- Nearest station: Brixton
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Africa Alive! fundraising Party featuring Kitoto Band
- Festivals & Special Events
- 30 November 2007
- Hammersmith Town Hall
- London
Tukolene Youth Development Centre and KIOTA (registered UK charity no. 1101316) will be holding a fundraising Fashion show with a unique African twist. ‘Africa Alive!’ is a chance to celebrate 21st Century Africa in all its forms. Feel the rhythm of African drumming. Taste a sumptuous East African meal.Experience the pure joy of African dance. See stunning African fashion on the catwalk. Listen to distinct live African sounds.
The Africa Alive! event will showcase a vibrant mix of African fabrics and styles on the catwalk hosted by rising star, Mirembe Campbell. Other highlights will include The Kitoto Band (featuring Freddy Macha), mixing traditional ngoma beats with Tanzanian sounds and words, Francis Angol, a contemporary African Dancer, and a fantastic acrobatic and drum troupe.
Tukolene Youth Development Centre is a non-governmental organisation providing educational and vocational training for young people in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Katie Martin and Phoebe Bryant fell in love with Tukolene in 2002, whilst teaching English as volunteers with Gap Activity Projects. Five years on, with Katie’s events experience and several more volunteer projects in India, France and Kenya between them, both Katie and Phoebe have decided to put their knowledge and skills to good use by raising funds for Tukolene Youth Development Centre’s expansion project.
Kiota will also benefit from the evening and Africa Alive is being run with the support of the charity’s trustees. Like Friends of Tukolene, Kiota was established by Pippa Brown and Erica Hicks following their GAP year in Africa and supports the work of Tanzanian grassroots NGO KIWOHEDE (Kiota Women’s Health and Development Organisation). KIWOHEDE works across Tanzania to secure positive futures for teenaged girls who are victims of trafficking, or who are involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in, hazardous domestic work and/or commercial sex work. “Kiota” is the Swahili word for nest, representing the safe haven that the centres provide. Kiota and KIWOHEDE work together on specific projects to help give these young people a chance for a better future.
- Time: 7.00pm - 12.00am
- Tickets: £50 dinner &show/ £10 after 9.30pm
- Information: 07851 082051
- Address: King’s road and Nigel Playfair, London W6
- Nearest station: Ravenscourt Park
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