DEC #7 On the box: 28 UP

28 UP, UNTIL 2 JAN 2014, ITV PLAYER
https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/7-28-up-south-africa/series-4/episode-1-28-up-south-africa

This is one of the best documentaries I have seen in a while. It charts the environmental changes in South Africa through the eyes of kids, both black and white, in different regions of the country as they develop from the age of 7 to 28. 
Fantastic! 
Catch it if you can!

DEC #6 Back Again: Luisa Omielan!

WHAT WOULD BEYONCE DO? DEC 27, 2013 - JAN 11, 2014 SOHO THEATRE
http://www.sohotheatre.com/whats-on/luisa-omielan-what-would-beyonce-do/

This was my birthday gift from my dear friend V and what a gift it was! It is very funny and very cleverly put together and by the end of it I was a reborn live comedy fan. I even have my 'what would beyonce do?' pin badge to show for it.
Take a girlfriend and catch it if you can!

DEC #5 He, She or It?

ZHE UNTIL DEC 8, 2013 SOHO THEATRE

http://www.sohotheatre.com/whats-on/zhe-noun-undefined/

Lately Zimbabwean artists seem to be on the spotlight (go Zimbabwe!) and these two tell of their migration story, leaving behind their childhood in Harare and suddenly flung into into adolescence in inner London.

DEC #4: Cafe Society Swing

CAFE SOCIETY SWING, DEC 21 - 22, 2013 LEICESTER SQUARE THEATRE
http://leicestersquaretheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873504569/events?TSLVq=796efe29-a4dc-497e-b280-d5e096b7f721&TSLVp=94b9ad09-9094-46c4-995b-1690ea9393bd&TSLVts=1386014393&TSLVc=ticketsolve&TSLVe=leicestersquare&TSLVrt=Safetynet&TSLVh=8afa2f0f26b5b98b93b4960c9df48091

Back to New York and the Swing era of the 1930s, this tells the story of Cafe Society a nightclub that promoted racial equality.
Only two shows, so grab that ticket asap!

DEC #3: Discovering in December

BEN L'ONCLE SOUL + FAADA FREDDY, DEC 4, 2013 LONDON SCALA KINGS CROSS
http://www.serious.org.uk/events/info/ben-loncle-soul1

If like me you like discovering new artistes, this is one awesome school night treat!
Bluesy, jazzy, souly and full of energy, Ben l'oncle Soul is guaranteed to have you on your feet. 

And Faada Freddy! What a surprising voice all the way from Senegal!

DEC #2: This One is for Winners!

SONGLINES MUSIC AWARDS 2013 WINNERS CONCERT, DEC 13, 2013 THE BARBICAN
http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=15025

Angélique Kidjo. Lo'Jo. Dub Colossus. Dub Band.
And Mokoomba, who I cannot wait to see!
I hear they blew the roof of the place at the Rift Valley Festival in Kenya earlier this year and I look forward to hearing more of what they are about!

DEC #1 Dirty Wars

DIRTY WARS, UNTIL 4 DEC, 2013 ICA, THE MALL
http://www.ica.org.uk/whats-on/dirty-wars

This has been screened extensively and maybe it's time I went to see why. Not that I am fan of war films but I do use film to develop some kind of insight of far away places.
This is modern day conflict told through the eyes of a journalist among the Taliban in Afghanistan.

NOV #15 The F-Word: Come Celebrate International Feminist Films!

LONDON FEMINIST FILM FESTIVAL, NOV 24 - 30 2013,  HACKNEY PICTURE HOUSE
http://londonfeministfilmfestival.com/lfff-2013-programme/lfff2013/

My top picks:

The Cut, Nov 24 2013
Kenya/Uganda

Daughters of the Niger Delta, Nov 29 2013
Nigeria

The Spice Girls of India, Nov 24 2013

NOV #14 It's the London Latin American Film Festival!

THE 23RD LONDON LATIN AMERICA FILM FESTIVAL NOV 15 - 24 2013 VARIOUS VENUES

http://www.latinamericanfilmfestival.com/films/

My top picks:

Unseen Columbia, Nov 20/22 2013, Various

This one is a must see!
Winning the 'human rights' film category in Columbia itself, it chronicles several crimes against humanity against the ordinary citizens of Columbia.

Through Their Eyes, Nov 22 2013 Bolivar Hall

Cuba!
This is one destination topping my places to visit list and until then, this documentary offers a unique opportunity to learn more about this mysteriously beautiful place, albeit through other peoples eyes...

NOV #13 Even More Film: 4th Portuguese Film Festival

4TH UK PORTUGUESE FILM FESTIVAL NOV 28 - DEC 8, 2013
http://www.utopiafestival.org.uk/

My top picks:

O Grande Kilapy, Nov 27 2013 Cine Lumiere
Based on a true story and set in the lead up to Angolan independence, this one launches us into the love and money tangles of the political elite.

All is Well (Pour Aqui Tudo Bem), Dec 6, 2013, Cine Lumiere
By now you know I am a big fan of migration stories so this one about two sisters from Angola, I'll have to see! 
As a bonus, it is set in Lisbon, a city that is firmly on my places to visit list!

NOV #12 Celebrating Africa on Film: Film Africa 2013

FILM AFRICA NOV 1 - 12, 2013 VARIOUS VENUES
http://www.filmafrica.org.uk/index.php

It's back! And so much to see, but here are my faves:

Of Good Report
Soo excited I get another chance to see this one!
Mired in controversy and initially banned in the Durban Film Fest, a 'love' story unfolds and the Director will join a Q&A at the end.

Mother of George
I am a big fan of stories of 'immigrant' stories and movies set in Brooklyn and this one explores the forces of home and abroad.

In the Shadow of the Sun
This is my 'must see' pick.
I saw it earlier in the year and was shocked at the plight of albinos living in Tanzania. 
Josephat really is one in a million and he joins the Q&A at the end!
See my review here:
http://dual-citizen.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/movie-mad-m-r-c-h.html#comment-form

NOV #11: The London Jazz Fest Turns 21!

THE LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL NOV 15 - 24, 2013 VARIOUS VENUES
http://www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk/

OMG, where do I start?  Sooooo much going on...

SOME OLD TIME FAVES:
Hugh Masekela & Larry Willis
Nov 15, 2013
Hugh is never away from the London jazz scene for long and you know whatever he does he's gonna be good!

And on the Kora, Ballake Sissoko and Toumani Diabate are present too! 




SOME CURRENT STUFF:
Gerri, Terri and Esperanza Live! 
Nov 17, 2013
Come witness what happens when three powerhouses come together as one!




AND SOMETHING TO DISCOVER TOO:
Spoek Nov 18, 2013
Sooo excited about this one! Not strictly jazz but I'm loving his creativity, dance and style!

Monoswezi, Nov 17, 2013
For starters, I love their name!
And I'm loving the mix of the vocals, traditional instruments and the sax!





And pop into Ray'z Jazz at Foyles Soho for some FREE sessions with festival artists!
http://www.foyles.co.uk/Public/Events/Detail.aspx?eventId=2059

NOV #10 South Sudan: Happy 1st Independence Day!

STATE BUILDERS NOV 21, 2013 RICHMIX, SHOREDITCH
http://www.dochouse.org/film-screening/State-Builders--QandA/351

Yes, it has been over two years since South Sudan was born and this film attempts to chronicle its first year.

NOV #9 Come Rhyme With Me @The Albany

COME RHYME WITH ME NOV 8, 2013 THE ALBANY
http://www.thealbany.org.uk/event_detail/1060/YamYam/Come-Rhyme-With-Me

This time around Dean and Deanna have given this a West African twist!

NOV #8: The Island

THE ISLAND NOV 7 - 30, 2013 THE YOUNG VIC
http://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/the-island

Two cellmates. 
Roben Island. 
True stories.

Three ingredients for what promises to be a smashing play!

NOV #7 For Funk's Sake...

FOR FUNK'S SAKE NOV 23, 2013 THE FORGE CAMDEN
https://www.facebook.com/events/555202424552827/

Muntu Valdo and Gizelle Smith live? 
I am in! Simples!

NOV #6 The African Market

THE AFRICAN MARKET NOV 23, 2013 OLD SPITALFIELDS MARKET
& NOV 24, 2013 RICHMIX
http://openthegate.org.uk/events/event/theafricanmarket-richmix-nov2013/

Fashion. Beauty. Jewellery. Home. Gifts and Food!

NOV #5: Live Music Cocktail Anyone?

LONDON RE-MIXED FESTIVAL NOV 23, 2013 SHOREDITCH
http://londonremixedfestival.com/index.php/full-lineup

This really is a festival in one night!

1 ticket = 4 live music genres, 3 venues and DJs galore...I'm loving the African Underground line-up!

NOV #4 All Aboard! It's the Afro Diaspora Soul Train!

AFRO DISCO NOV 30, 2013 RICHMIX
http://www.richmix.org.uk/whats-on/event/numbi-afro-disco/

Fancy some late night boogie to some choons you thought you left back home?

NOV #3 Home Again

HOME AGAIN FROM NOV 15, 2013 NATIONWIDE
http://www.homeagainfilm.com/#/home/

Ask yourself again, where do you call home again?

NOV #2: The Scottsboro Boys

THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS UNTIL DEC 21, 2013 THE YOUNG VIC
http://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/the-scottsboro-boys

If you don't mind a musical and enjoy Black American history, this you must go and see!

NOV #1 Rokia Traore is back!

ROKIA TRAORE NOV 13, 2013 SOUTHBANK CENTRE
http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/rokia-traor%C3%A9-support-77343?dt=2013-11-13

OCT #12: 42

42 OCT 24, 2013 STRATFORD PICTURE HOUSE
http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Stratford_London/film/42/?utm_source=/cinema/Stratford_London&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=selected

I am a big fan of true stories and this one puts forward ripe racism in baseball just a couple of decades ago.

OCT #11: Gambia v. Central Africa!

STRINGS OF FIRE OCT 26, 2013 PASSING CLOUDS, DALSTON JUNCTION
https://www.facebook.com/events/433736300068557/?fref=ts

Passing Clouds is fast becoming one of my faves! This round its Jally Susso v. the Zong Zing Allstars...

Anybody fancy some soukous, body-shaking and 'killing de mosquito'? Find me there!

OCT #10 What's Your Crowning Glory?

CROWNING GLORY OCT 18 - NOV 9, 2013 STAFFORD EAST THEATRE
http://www.stratfordeast.com/crowning-glory

So somebody has gone and made a play about black women and their hair...

Albeit done in monologue fashion of which I am not the greatest fan,this may just be so bad it good!

Of course, I could be wrong...

OCT #9: Caribbean Theatre Anyone?

EMBASSY SAGA OCT 11 - 12, 2013 BROADWAY THEATRE, CATFORD

http://broadwaytheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873500059/events

To migrate or not to migrate...that is the question...

SMILE ORANGE OCT 26 - 27, 2013 BROADWAY THEATRE, CATFORD

http://broadwaytheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873499768/events

Who knows what to expect...

Dare if you do!

OCT #8 Back in 1962...

NOTHING BUT A MAN, UNTIL NOV 10, 2013 BFI SOUTHBANK

https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=nothing-but-a-man

Perhaps if you are curious like me, you may want to find out why this has been described as a 'landmark' of US cinema, happens (apparently) to be one of Malcolm X's faves and has now been awarded an extended run at the BFI...

OCT #7: Tell Hell I Ain't Coming!

TELL HELL I AIN'T COMING OCT 5-6, 2013 BROADWAY THEATRE, CATFORD

http://broadwaytheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873502023/events

OCT #6: It's a Steel Pan Performance!

SAMUEL DUBOIS OCT 18, 2013 CANADA WATER CULTURAL SPACE
http://canadawaterculturespace.org.uk/events/samuel-dubois

Dare to try something different?

Groove into your Friday night with this amazing vocal instrumental band!

OCT #5: Even More Live Comedy!

AVA VIDAL OCT 11, 2013 CANADA WATER CULTURAL SPACE

http://canadawaterculturespace.org.uk/events/ava-vidal

She is fast becoming a regular on the tele, come see for yourself why!

OCT #4: Comedy at the Albany!

GINA YASHERE, OCT 26, 2013 THE ALBANY DEPTFORD
http://www.thealbany.org.uk/event_detail/1009/Comedy/Gina-Yashere

May just be what the doctor ordered!

Prepare to be rolling off the edge of your seat...
...Avoid a front seat though, otherwise you will become part of the comedy gig!

OCT #3: Jazz, Rap & Hip-Hop!

SOWETO KINCH: THE LEGEND OF MIKE SMITH, OCT 5, 2013 THE ALBANY

http://www.thealbany.org.uk/event_detail/1002/Theatre/Soweto-Kinch:-The-Legend-of-Mike-Smith-

Soweto's out doing his thing again in collaboration with choreographer Jonzi D!

OCT #2: Pizza Express Live!

Great if you want to explore something new in a laid back ambiance!

THE PHEASANTRY

http://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/popList.aspx

Soul Inferno Oct 5, 2013

Imaani Oct 8-9, 2013

JAZZ CLUB SOHO
http://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/jazzList.aspx

Zeetah Oct 8, 2013

Revoice Fest! Oct 12-19, 2013
Featuring Carleen Anderson and Carmen Souza

OCT#1: The BFI Festival Is Here Again!

57th BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL, OCT 9 - 20, 2013 VARIOUS VENUES
http://www.bfi.org.uk/lff

Really excited about this one and have selected a few faves:

Half of a Yellow Sun, Oct 19 - 20, 2013 
Ok, I'll admit I am a poor reader and still racing to finish the book, but all my great friends tell me how great a writer Chimamanda Adichie is and this one I cannot wait to see!
Tickets sold out super fast and I hear there may be another general release or you could just turn up and hope someone with a ticket does not :-)





12 Years a Slave, Oct 18 - 20, 2013
Gooooo Lupita!
Forget that Chitwetel Ejiofor and Brad Pitt are a part of the cast!
This slavery epic stars Kenyan-bred Lupita Nyong'o and I cannot wait to see her doing her thing on an even bigger screen!

Grigris, Oct 15 & 17, 2013
Never have I seen a film set in Chad!
A photographer and a model inter-twinned in the criminal underground of the city should make this one worthwhile!







Gone too far! Oct 18 - 20, 2013
The spotlight is on Peckham again! This should be a rib-tickler!





And several others including:
Of Good Report - South Africa; Sixteen - Congo/London; Mother of George - Nigeria/USA; B for Boy - Nigeria; Siddharth - India