Afri-love

Africa- and Diaspora-related events this February

A short but exciting month, here are just a few Africa- and Diaspora-related events in Canada, Kenya, the UK and the US. What's happening where you are this month?

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ALL MONTH

African American History Month
Across the US
Various events

This year's official theme is 'Black Women in American Culture and History' and the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum have put together several collections and exhibitions for the occasion. 

Black History Month Canada
Across the US
Various events 

Festivities and events honouring the legacy of black Canadians, past and present. This year, Black History Month will recognize the bicentennial anniversary of the War of 1812 and the contributions of black soldiers in the fight for Canada. 

Black History Month 2012
United States International University, Nairobi, Kenya
Various events 

This year celebrates the daughters of Africa: "Spearheading the Pan African Dream for Peace". The celebration will feature several panel discussions, photo exhibitions as well as jazz nights.

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WEEKEND OF FRIDAY 3rd FEBRUARY 

J-Dilla Changed My Life
Manchester, Brighton & London, UK

The now annual UK tribute parties for American music producer and hip hop legend, James Dewitt Yancey, take place this weekend. They start off in Manchester (Friday 3rd at Ruby Lounge) and then move to Brighton (Saturday 4th at Stickey Mikes) and London (Sunday 5th at Scala, King's Cross). J-Dilla's mother, Maureen 'Ma Dukes' Yancey will be gracing all three events, along with a fantastic line-up of DJs paying homage.

Heads up: A filmmakers workshop – London, UK, March

Hey folks, I know I've been mighty quiet and this is not the comeback … not just yet. I just wanted to share some news that came my way via film aficionado, Nadia Denton, author of the Black British Filmmaker's Guide:

I am delighted to inform you of the first Legacy Media Institute Filmmaker's (LMI) Workshop, London! 

Tim Reid (sitcom Sister Sister) the award winning and acclaimed African-American Actor, Writer and Director will launch his inaugural LMI Workshop in London in March. 

The Legacy Media Institute (LMI) is based in Virginia, USA. Built on the same model as Robert Redford’s Sundance, the LMI is a support system for diverse, independent film artists with a state-of-the-art facility providing training in filmmaking, business and media production. 

For the past three years, I have been working with Tim Reid and made arrangements for 2 UK based and 1 Nigerian filmmaker to attend the LMI under scholarship. This has been so successful that Tim Reid has decided to extend the workshop to the UK. Tim would like to bring about more interaction amongst filmmakers of African descent globally. 

In conjunction with the British Film Institute (BFI Southbank), Tim will host a two week masterclass (5th – 17th March) for 12 black British Filmmakers covering practical and strategic aspects of filmmaking. Attendees will be coached by a number of experienced facilitators, most of whom will travel from the US to participate.

I hope that you will apply and/or forward this on to other persons who may be interested. 

Kind Regards, 
Nadia

Reporting back from A Tropical Christmas

 

I anticipated, I wished and then I … thoroughly enjoyed!

Last Saturday, I spent a wonderful day at The Drift Bar in London, celebrating creativity and good company at the Asilia and Afri-love Tropical Christmas celebration. 

Along with designs from Adele Dejak (Accessory design brand based in Kenya) and Creativity and Noise (bespoke screen printer), we featured fashion from Chichia London and home furnishings from La Petite Congolaise. 

A Tropical Christmas wishlist

It's been relatively quiet on the blog as I prepare for this Saturday's Tropical Christmas event in London. I'm really looking forward to a day of catching up with friends and collaborators, old and new, in beautiful surroundings. I've had a peep at most of the designs that will be available to purchase on the day and this is my preliminary wishlist …

I saw Adele Dejak's Mariatu necklace in person at her London event last month and I was surprised by how large the beads are in person. It's unique, dramatic and sophisticated! The Yves bag is made from recycled cement bags (there are also options in wax print, kuba cloth and recycled rice bags) and is the perfect thing for packing odds and ends (whether they be art materials, accessories or make-up) for travels near or far.

Chichia London's tunics are made from khanga fabric. Perfect for warmer climates but, paired with a polo neck and some leggings, will bring much-needed colour to winter days.

Creativity and Noise t-shirts are screen printed by hand, with love. The designs above will be available as well as some brand new designs, in different colours, on tees, ladies' vests and canvas totes. I've got my eye on the Afro queen on a tote!

My living room's colour scheme is relatively neutral just so that I can add vibrant accents such as these cushions from La Petite Congolaise. The more the merrier …

I look forward to seeing you this Saturday at The Drift Bar. 12pm - 8pm. All the details you need are here. Message me on Facebook, Twitter or via email (afrilovemail AT gmail DOT com) if you have any questions. Some people have been asking – the event is FREE!

Happy hump day! 

A Tropical Christmas (in London): Saturday 17th December

I haven't celebrated the festive season at home (Kenya) since the year 2000. Instead, I've gathered with similarly displaced friends and enjoyed eclectic celebrations comprising of the best from all our worlds. Pot-luck Christmas dinners where bread sauce and mac n' cheese sit next to bread fruit and mtori; music spanning from across the tropics and; … dancing, always.

Regardless of the cold and sun-starved winter and despite being far from family, these holidays have been fantastic because I've been in such good company. This year, Afri-love and Asilia, the creative agency I co-own, are hosting a Christmas celebration in this same spirit.

A Tropical Christmas

A celebration of creativity and good company, a Tropical Christmas will be a laidback afternoon to: unload some of the holiday stress; get some last minute Christmas shopping done, away from the hustle and; support quality African and African Diaspora design.

You can expect:

• Fashion accessories by Adèle Dejak
• Clothing by Chichia London
• Hand screen-printed T-shirts by Creativity and Noise
• Contemporary home furnishings by La Petite Congolaise
• Art calendards by Asilia
• Renowned for their inventive cocktails, The Drift Bar has designed a cocktail especially for the day – The Afropolitan!

Don't forget to bring some business cards for the "collaboration board" – share your passion and make exciting connections for 2012!

The Details

Date: Saturday 17th December
Time: 12:00 - 8:00pm
Venue: The Drift Bar, Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY

If you're on Facebook, you can RSVP via the event page. There's no need to RSVP though, just come along.

Looking forward to seeing you! 

Africa- and Diaspora-related events this December

The final few weeks of the year are jam-packed with reasons to be merry. Here are just a few Africa- and Diaspora-related events in London (UK), Nairobi (Kenya), New York (US), Paris (France and St. John's (Antigua). If you know of any January events that you'd like to share, please contact me by the 23rd of December. Enjoy the last days of 2011!

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ALL MONTH

Dreams of a Life screenings & director Q&As
Cinemas across the UK
Various times

In 2006 a woman's skeleton was found in a flat above Wood Green Shopping Centre, London. The woman, identified as Joyce Carol Vincent, had been dead for three years. The film, Dreams of a Life is a quest to discover who Joyce Vincent was, and how she came to be so forgotten.

Find out screening details including which ones will be followed by a director Q&A, here.

 

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FRIDAYS

Secousse
Divan Du Monde, Paris, France
Midnight - 6:00am

Every Friday, all night, free. With DJ Serpent Noir, DJ Tron and DJ Mo-Laudi. More info about Secousse here.

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FRIDAY 2 DECEMBER

The Shrine presents Afrikan Boy & Ty
Rich Mix, London, UK
8:00pm

Created and curated by legendary DJ's Rita Ray & Max Reinhardt, The Shrine is a wild and wily night out, a wakeup call filled with music, spoken word, dance and visuals... inspired by Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the late firebrand Genius of Afrobeat and his Afrika Shrine club in Lagos.  

This month, London based Grime MC Afrikan Boy and UK Hip Hop legend Ty will be jointly headlining.In 2007 Nigerian born Afrikan Boy released the track ‘One day I went to Lidl’, which became a worldwide internet smash getting over 7 million hits on YouTube. In June he released a mixtape titled ‘What Took You So Long’ on his website as a free download, which is a prelude to his forthcoming official EP.TY is one of UK Black music’s true innovators and popularisers. He’s been making music and pushing boundaries for the last 12 years. DJ Support will be from Max Reinhardt (BBC Radio 3’s Late Junction) who will be playing his Afrocentric Rebel selection of beats, ryddims, licks and mash ups from all over Africa and far beyond. 

Interpretations of Africa: Football, Art and Design

You have just a few more days to rush over to the Design Museum for Interpretations of Africa: Football Art and Design.

10 African artists from PUMA.Creative's Creative Africa Network were commissioned to design their national football team's kit. Countries represented include Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa and Togo.

Read more about the exercise and the artists' inspiration over on Design Week. I was particularly amused by the apparent fact that initial designs were toned down due to FIFA regulations that "decorative elements are not allowed to dominate playing equipment."

Exhibition ends 30th November.

Images: Senegal shirt (left) and Namibia shirt, via Design Week (see more here).

Debra Debs is Whuman (London album launch this Friday)

This Friday, Cameroonian soul/jazz songstress, Debra Debs, launches her album, "Whuman". 

If you're in London, check out the launch event at the Firefly Bar (18 Old Bailey, EC4M 7EP) from 7:30pm. The event will be followed by an after-party with DJ Edu (BBC Radio 1 & BBC 1Xtra) and DJ Ess_EnSual Songs.

Get a taste of the Debra Debs sound (and a short interview with DJ Edu):

 

More details about the event on Debra's website. Check Debra Debs out on Facebook too.

TGIF! with Wanlov the Kubolor & Vevi the Squirrel

Wanlov the Kubolor performed at the first Asabaako Music Festival event in March and in true unpredictable form, the UK-based artist walked to the event in Ghana! With one day left to support the Asabaako crowdfunding campaign, here's Wanlov's latest creation, Veverita to get you in the partying (and giving) mood …

 

 

Remember to support Asabaako here.

 

Image via Critical Point

A mind-blowing, liberating, music-loving showdown: Asabaako Music Festival (TGIHD*)

The Asabaako Music Festival returns to Busua Beach on the West Coast of Ghana this December. From the 2nd to the 4th, revelers can enjoy a "mind-blowing, liberating, music-loving showdown of African energy, feasting and fun" (Yemisi Mokuolu, Festival co-producer and Director of Hatch Events). Essentially, a massive beach party, the festival will not only entertain but also help to create an independent platform for African musicians and an African showcase for international artists.

"The Asabaako Music Festival, is more than just a festival, it's an inspiring and inclusive music festival that exposes the exciting new sounds of Africa, empowers artists and aims to be a haven for amazing music from around the world." —  Yemisi Mokuolu

Aside from attending, you can get involved with helping to grow the festival by participating in their crowdfunding campaign. Every little bit counts and rewards include everything from a hug and t-shirts to Associate Producer credits and 'red carpet' treatment at the event.

"This isn't another campaign to 'save poor Africa' – at its purest, it's an opportunity to show Africa in a more honest light. In a light that we can value, respect and be part of," Yemisi affirms.