Breakin Convention Tour 2016

LIFE & STYLE

AFRICAN AMBASSADOR Singer Seyi Shay on the worldwide appeal of music from the Motherland

PASSION FOR FASHION

LET’S DANCE! Hip-hop dance festival Breakin’ Convention is back

All the action from designer Clariscia Gill’s pop-up fashion sale

WORLD MUSIC HITS WILTSHIRE WOMAD Festival brings jazz, funk and African music to South West England

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PASSION FOR FASHION: (l-r) Designer Clariscia Gill; guest; Gill’s client Maria Francis; Gill’s former intern turned businesswoman Camille Grant; (front row, seated) Jamaican High Commissioner to the UK Aloun Ndombet-Assamba (left) and actress Dona Croll

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Couture designer Clariscia Gill recently presented her spring 2016 collection at an exclusive pop-up fashion sale, held in Mayfair, London. Ladies’ separates and dresses; dapper men’s waistcoats; and accessories including bowties and cufflinks, were some of the exquisite items on display. The event was attended by personalities including newsreader Charlene White and actress Dona Croll.

BIG CROWD: Hundreds of people attended The African Market

There was African food, fashion and much more, as The African Market brought the culture of the continent into the heart of London’s East End. Held in Old Spitalfields Market, the festival showcased live music, storytelling and arts and crafts, along with street food and fashion, delivering beautiful aspects of African culture to hundreds of attendees.

SWEET SUCCESS: Juice company Cane Garden presented their 100% natural sugar cane beverage BOLD PRINTS: There was plenty of fashion on offer

STRIKE A POSE: Models Alvin Haywood and Thuto Mali rock Clariscia Gill’s designs

CLASSY CUSTOMER: Newsreader Charlene White eyes up one of the items on display FASHIONISTAS: Guests at the launch event

ON SONG: There was live music at the event

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Breakin’ Convention

FROM THE STREETS TO THE STAGE How the annual dance festival Breakin’ Convention has legitimised the presentation of hip-hop in the theatre

BY DAVE BARROS

W

HERE does hip-hop go for its homecoming? The theatre. As an art, the culture has gone from a “hip hop doesn’t have a place in the theatre” reaction to “I would never have gone to the theatre had it not been for hip-hop!”

A protest form since the days of Public Enemy’s Fight The Power, hip-hop has been the anti-establishment movement with a message that needed to be heard. To some, it sounds like an ironic statement that Breakin’ Convention, the UK’s biggest festival of hip-hop, is held annually at Sadler’s Wells, a theatre historically better known for ballet and opera, rather than DJ sets and graffiti installations.

The festival, the only event of its kind, has legitimised the presentation of hip-hop in the theatre – from protesting pieces, socially conscious spoken word and awe-inspiring choreography, presenting to audiences that would never have recognised the relevance of hip-hop culture, propelling the art form to greater heights and enlightening thousands that hip-hop is for everyone, and continues to keep it real.

Peace, love, unity and having fun, the classic hip-hop values, is what the festival maintains.

From picking up a fat marker and having a go at graffiti yourself, attempting to imitate a backing dancers from You Got Served with have-a-go dance sessions, or grabbing a microphone to perform in front of

others, hip-hop’s place in the theatre is a natural fit, particularly when you consider the last big hip-hop concert you went to was probably in a former concert hall.

With bright lights and a thumping sound system, Breakin’ Convention allows you to see the kind of moves you only see on YouTube clips up close and personal, allowing members of the

HIP-HOP ENTHUSIAST: Breakin’ Convention’s Dave Barros

public to meet their dance idols in person and jam with future stars of the dance world.

From Beyonce’s dancers Les Twins and Britain’s Got Talent finalists Flawless, stars of classic films Beat Street and Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo, household names have graced the Breakin’ Convention stage since it began in 2004.

The festival was also the platform that allowed London 2012 choreographer Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy and his collective Boy Blue Entertainment to showcase their earliest work. They, like Flawless, will make their home-

coming to Sadler’s Wells with a new performance for this year’s event.

With so many inspiring artists progressing their careers, the next step is to nurture the future generation – through inspiration. From international acts like Canada’s BBoyizm, who honour the early origins of breaking; the rubber limbed stylistics of USA’s Damon Frost; France’s Bandidas and UK’s Pro-Motion, who continue to push the most intricate technicalities of robotic movements, these acts inspire the next generation of dancers.

Some of the most provoking work that you’ll see at this year’s festival includes a gripping interpretation of racial prejudice from Protocol Dance Company’s Lanre Malaolu, as well as Traplord of the Flyz from UK group SWNSNG, where Boyz N The Hood meets Lord of the Flies in a piece using grime music and krump dancing.

Additionally, a taboo family honour is explored in a gripping piece by Kwame Asafo-Adjei’s collective, Spoken Movement.

Every artist needs a platform.

Hip-hop continues to grab your attention, then speaks its mind and makes you listen. What Breakin’ Convention is doing is providing a world stage to perform on. Keeping the calland-response culture alive while looking to the future, it keeps breaking convention.

Dave Barros is the head of digital communications at Breakin’ Convention. For full programme details of the 2016 festival, which runs from April 30-May 2, visit www.breakinconvention.com

HIGH FLYERS: UK dance troupe Boy Blue Entertainment will perform at this year’s Breakin’ Convention

breakinconvention.com LONDON 30 APR – 2 MAY SADLER’S WELLS SADLERSWELLS.COM DONCASTER 7 MAY CAST CASTINDONCASTER.COM BRISTOL 10 MAY COLSTON HALL COLSTONHALL.ORG WHITLEY BAY 14 MAY PLAYHOUSE WHITLEY BAY PLAYHOUSEWHITLEYBAY.CO.UK NOTTINGHAM 17 & 18 MAY ROYAL CONCERT HALL TRCH.CO.UK BLACKPOOL 21 MAY BLACKPOOL GRAND BLACKPOOLGRAND.CO.UK KING’S LYNN 24 MAY CORN EXCHANGE KINGSLYNNCORNEXCHANGE.CO.UK CANTERBURY 28 & 29 MAY GULBENKIAN THEGULBENKIAN.CO.UK BOURNEMOUTH 1 JUN BOURNEMOUTH PAVILION THEATRE BHLIVETICKETS.CO.UK

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‘BREAKIN’ CONVENTION IS MY MOST EMPOWERING PROJECT’

HIP-HOP HERO: Jonzi D

BY DAVINA HAMILTON

W

ITH his groundbreaking festival due to commence in just a few weeks, it was a surprise to hear Jonzi D answer the phone and admit that he’d just been “laying down, not doing very much.”

Upon asking him how he could be re-

PHOTO BY: Ben Wachenje

Festival founder Jonzi D on the significance of being a black man in a ‘gatekeeper’ position within the arts

laxing when he has so much to plan, he laughed: “This is exactly why I’m laying down now, because once it starts, it just doesn’t stop!”

Still, the founder and artistic director of Breakin’ Convention is, by now, used to the planning and preparation the festival requires. Now in its 13th year, the event has become a staple in the hiphop dance calendar, bringing together acts from all over the world and giving them a platform to showcase their art in

a theatre space.

“I’ve always said, it’s not about bringing hip-hop to the theatre, it’s about bringing the theatre to hip-hop,” Jonzi explains. “I’m really talking about the theatre space and the importance of us being able to occupy that space with our culture. We were really trying to get rid of the arrogance that tends to exist in some of those high art venues and create a place for the people who love hip-hop dance.”

That place is London’s revered dance venue Sadler’s Wells, where lovers of hip-hop dance come together every year to see some of the finest dancers showcase their moves.

Himself a dancer and choreographer, Jonzi admits that he’s felt less need to show off his own skills over the years, instead putting his focus on providing opportunities for other dancers to express their art in front of theatre audiences.

“I love dancing, that will never change,” says the 46-year-old, who is also an associate artist at Sadler’s Wells. “But when it comes to getting

on stage, I haven’t felt like I’ve needed to be performing as much as I used to.

I mean, The Letter [Jonzi’s one-man show, which hit the stage in 2013], was the first piece I’d made for myself in 17 years.

“I enjoy providing the platform for other artists and I enjoy having somewhat of a gatekeeper role with the arts, particularly as a black man, because it’s not often that black people get into those types of roles. So that has been an empowering position for me. And surely, at my age, I can make room for the fresh talent that’s coming out!”

Having curated Breakin’ Convention for over a decade, what keeps Jonzi enthusiastic about the event?

“I think it’s a lot to do with seeing talents that have been developing over the past 10 years now doing really well.

Acts like Boy Blue, BirdGang, ZooNation – all of these companies are now doing things that they weren’t doing when we started Breakin’ Convention and it’s great to see how far they’ve come.

“And seeing the development of hiphop dance theatre not just in the UK,

but around the world, is brilliant.”

Indeed, Jonzi’s brilliance hasn’t been reserved for the UK only. Having worked to change the profile of street dance within the UK over the last two decades, the hip-hop advocate has also taken the festival to America – and there are more dates to come.

“We’ve got another 10 dates in America over the next two years,” Jonzi confirms. “Breakin’ Convention is very much about connecting the local hiphop scene with the local high art theatre, so that involves me going back and forth to each venue, looking for hip-hop in the area and trying to connect the two.”

Reflecting on his proudest achievement to date, Jonzi’s answer is, perhaps, no surprise.

“Breakin’ Convention,” he says proudly. “It’s the most long-lasting project that I’ve done and also the most empowering. I’m also really proud of my team, which is multi-racial, gender balanced – I think it’s a model team that other companies should aspire to have. So yeah, those things make me very proud.”

Jonzi D: Quick fire round 1. What is your favourite breaking scene in a film?

It has to be the battle in Beat Street between Rock Steady Crew and New York City Breakers. At the time, I was about 13 or 14, grabbing as much evidence of hip-hop culture as I could. We were at Mile End Cinema in east London. There were loads of us – it was like an event in itself! And I remember when that battle came on, we all rushed to the front of the cinema.

2. Who are some of your favourite dancers of all time?

Chopper, AKA Peter John, that’s my brother. He’s one of the greatest dancers I’ve ever seen. The Nicholas Brothers (pictured); growing up watching them, I thought they were brilliant.

Gene Kelly – he was that ‘man’s man’ dancer, representing working class men in America and he was great. Also Michael Jackson, James Brown, Carlos Acosta and Ken Swift.

3. You’re in a club – are you the dancer or the observer?

Neither. I’m the guy that will sit and talk to different people all night. I’ll seriously spend the whole night chatting! Sometimes a tune will drop and I’ll dance for like half of it. But then someone will be like, ‘Jonzi, how you doing?’ and then I’ll start chatting again!

EARLY BIRD OFFER: £10 off* top three prices with promo code VAMOSEARLY. Book by 29 Apr.

4. What tune is guaranteed to get you dancing?

There’s one tune that I used to jam to back in the day. It’s Got to Get Your Own by Reuben Wilson. If that tune is played in full, I will dance to the whole tune – even if I’m just moving my shoulders!

*Excluding Fri & Sat shows. Subject to availability. Transaction fee applies.

5. You have to give up hip-hop music or dance – which would it be?

They’re the same thing to me! I can’t separate the two. I cannot conceive a concept in which dance exists without music and music exists without dance! You’re asking me to create some abstract universe – I can’t do it!

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Breakin’ Convention

‘Nina Simone is my biggest inspiration’ French performer Antoinette Gomis on her role model and the difference between street dance in London and Paris

N

INA Simone was much more than a smoky-toned jazz and blues singer. Through her life and music she epitomized the essence of the black American – and especially the black female – experience.

The best way to capture the cultural legacy of someone like Simone is to listen to her music.

Her 1958 single, To Be Young, Gifted and Black, gave the feeling of pride, worth and hope for an equal place in the future,

INSPIRATION: Late jazz singer Nina Simone

despite seeing the horrific images of the violence perpetrated against young blacks involved in the Civil Rights struggles in the South.

French dancer, Antoinette Gomis, explores the inspiration, meaning and personal attachment to Simone’s liberating and timeless messages in her music through her original performance piece, Images.

“Images is a tribute to black women,” the skilled dancer tells Life & Style.

“Through the work of art of Nina Simone, we tried to do a tribute to black women – to all women. We can see in the piece the evolution of the character I am playing. This woman changes throughout the piece. She’s going through different emotional stages.”

The dancer adds: “Nina Simone is a big, strong woman and she’s the biggest inspiration in my career.”

Preparing to perform Images at this year’s Breakin’ Convention, she expresses her joy of being part of the popular, international dance festival.

“Performing at Breakin’ Convention is important to me because it’s such a big festival,” Gomis says. “It’s an international festival in a big, beautiful theatre. And I like the UK audience because they are real. When they don’t like something, you can see it directly, and when it’s good, they express it. I really like that.”

The original performance of Images was first created in 2011 for a video, but Gomis adapted the dance for stage when Breakin’ Convention’s founder Jonzi D approached the dancer to perform at the festival for a third time.

Dancer, choreographer and model, Gomis is a leading dancer in the French street dance scene. She started dancing, when she was six years old and embraced the hip-hop culture as a teenager in her hometown in the suburbs of Paris. Locking was her first major influence, but she discovered other styles as she grew up.

“In France, street dance is very underground. These two fields – commercial and underground dance – are really separated in France but in the UK everything is mixed.”

After studying entertainment and art, she began a career as a dancer winning several street dance competitions and battles including Funkin’ Stylez in Dusseldorf, Nike’s Bring Your Troupe and Soul Session in Sweden.

Chosen by Puma to be part of their Puma The Quest campaign her charisma led her to become key hip-hop performance luminary Salah’s assistant for Cirque du Soleil as a dance captain.

“When I dance, I feel real, I feel authentic. I feel like I’m myself, like I don’t have to lie or hide myself or play a role,” she says.

Photo credit: Belinda Lawley

BY RYKESHA HUDSON

IN FULL FLOW: The dancer in action

}Antoinette Gomis performs Images at Breakin Convention on Sunday May 1 on the main stage

Did you know…?

Five interesting facts about the does late Nina “ She not Simone know 1) Simone was a child prodigy starting at the age of three, playing piano by ear. Classical music was an essential influence in shaping her music. She grew up studying Johann Sebastian Bach, as well as Brahms, Chopin, Schubert, and Beethoven, and described herself as a black classical musician.

2) Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon, the singer chose her stage name because she liked the name Nina – which means “little one” in Spanish and chose Simone out of her admiration for French actress Simone Signoret.

3) During the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, she decided to use her music as a

Her channelbeauty. for social change. She recorded various thinks Civil Rights-themed Brown Baby, She hersongs: brown Four Women, Strange Fruit, and her original body, Mississippi Goddam, which was inspired by the She her and brown Medgarthinks Evans assassination the Alabama church bombing. It was banned in the South. body Has no glory.

4) Simone’s temper routinely terrorised friends Ifandshe could dance family, who were baffl ed by her oftenviolent mood swings. Her diaries revealed a Naked, deeply troubled individual prone to suicidal Under palm trees thoughts. She was finally diagnosed as And herdisorder image and sufferingsee from bipolar in the 80s. realise 5) By the time of her death on April 21 2003, She would know Simone had produced 40 original albums.

Yes, she would know.

www.macbirmingham.co.uk Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH Image (detail): Barbara Walker, The Big Secret (2015) conte on paper - IWM (AUS) 2078.

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BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT

Marlon ‘Swoosh’ Wallen, founder of UK dance troupe Flawless, on returning to the Breakin’ Convention stage and bringing street dance to the masses

BY DAVINA HAMILTON

W

ITH Breakin’ Convention (BC) priding itself on taking hip-hop dance from the streets to the stage, it’s quite fitting that Flawless should perform at the renowned event.

Making their first BC appearance back in 2008, the 10-strong dance act went on to garner mainstream attention when they competed in the hit ITV reality show Britain’s Got Talent in 2009. Led by dancer/ choreographer Marlon ‘Swoosh’ Wallen, the talented troupe showcased their exceptional technical abilities and razorsharp sense of style, eventually making it to the final of the TV talent competition.

Through their success on the show, Flawless became one of the acts that could unquestionably lay claim to aiding the commercial rise of street dance that has taken place in the UK within recent years. Undoubtedly helping to revolutionise the perception of street dance, Flawless went on to appear in the hit movies Street Dance 3D 1 & 2; they headlined for the Royal Family at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert alongside Kylie Minogue; performed for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games; enjoyed sell-out success with their hugely successful Chase The Dream tour; and made history collaborating with the English National Ballet on tour in 2012.

Here, Wallen, who formed Flawless in 2004, reflects on the group’s success and reveals what audiences can expect from their performance at BC 2016.

DANCE DON: Marlon Wallen How do you describe the piece Flawless will perform at this year’s Breakin’ Convention?

As always, we like to bring the wow factor to every stage we grace. The audiences can expect a snippet from our new show The Guardians, which we debuted in Hong Kong in February this year. It has an Oriental theme with a storyline of good overcoming evil. Our performance will be very energetic and filled with jaw-dropping tricks, technical perfection and flare. It’s sure to leave the crowds wanting more.

What is the group’s proudest professional achievement?

That’s a hard one as we have so many. Apart from opening our Flawless Dance School, which was a dream turned into reality by hard work, one of our proudest achievements was selling out our first 60-date tour across the UK.

SLICK MOVES: Flawless in action

What are the highs and lows of the rise in popularity of street dance in mainstream British culture in recent years?

The high is the fact that street dance has received national exposure, meaning that more people and organisations are getting involved with it every day. The low is the fact that uneducated new dancers aren’t always aware of the history of where the dance styles and companies have come from and how they’ve got to where they are today.

Who are some of your personal inspirations from the world of dance?

US group The Electric Booga-

loos; the movies Beat Street and Breakin 1 & 2; and also events the Bboy Championships.

What is the best and worst thing about being a dancer?

The best thing is that fact you can tell your story through dance as your freedom of expression. The worst thing is, if you don’t have a business mind you will find it difficult to sustain a career out of it.

What was the best thing about your Britain’s Got Talent experience?

The best thing about BGT was the impact we made, allowing dancers worldwide to realise you can make a career out of being a street dancer.

What inspired you to become a dancer?

Some of my personal inspirations were people like James Brown, Michael Jackson, Fred Astaire, The Nicholas Brothers and many more.

for life!

Do you get groupies in the world of dance and if so, is there anything particularly strange/memorable that a groupie, or a fan, has done to get your attention?

During our tours, we tend to get fans, who find out where our hotels are. They will hang around for hours until they spot one of us for a photo. But one of the main things that has been memorable is our fans getting tattoos of our name and ‘Chase the Dream’, which they’ll have

What are Flawless’s hopes for the future?

We would like the Flawless brand to enjoy worldwide success, so we can continue to inspire many more, especially the next generation.

Anything else you care to add?

I would say love what you do and do what you love, but don’t forget to keep God in the centre of your life! } Flawless will perform at Breakin’ Convention on April 30. For more information, visit www.breakinconvention.com

OTHER ACTS AT BREAKIN’ CONVENTION 2016 Myself Dance Company (UK)

Kloe Dean’s all-female dance company examines female identity and acceptance with a seamless blend of movement and spoken word in the gripping piece, Red.

Enfants Prodiges (France)

Witness the next generation of France’s leading hip-hop dancers with this supercrew made up of performers from Wanted Posse, Bad-Trip, Serial Stepperz and Pro-Phenomen.

Soweto Skeleton Movers (South Africa)

Straight from the street and on to the stage, South Africa’s pantsula dancers will dazzle you with street performances and astounding tricks.

BBoyzim (Canada)

Bboyizm Dance Company pushes the boundaries of street dance to the edge; to the intersection of rhythm, expression and community.

Protocol Dance Company (UK)

The British collective fuses styles including popping and krump to deliver their show, I Can’t Breathe; an intense exploration of modern day race relations.

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FROM LONDON TO LAGOS British-Nigerian songstress Seyi Shay on the pressure of being a ‘test run’ for the future success of African music

BY ADE ONIBADA

B AFRICAN AMBASSADOR: Seyi Shay Convention

ORN in London, curated in Lagos and now sitting comfortably at Island Records UK, songstress and performer Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua better known by her stage moniker Seyi Shay is on the cusp of a major musical crossover.

Born to Nigerian parents, Shay is among the prestigious cohort of African talents who have caught the attention of major labels to secure a deal opening doors to a whole new audience.

“After releasing my album Seyi or Shay in Africa, there were some songs on the album that Island [Records] took an interest in and so they’re going to repackage and will re-release them for the western market,” explained Shay.

Her long awaited debut album

was released in November last year and received all round positive feedback for its bravery and less formulaic Afrobeat sound that fans of the genre had become accustomed to.

With tracks including an anthem against domestic violence, Pack and Go and the reggae infused hit Murda featuring Patoranking and Shaydee, the final product she says, is a testament to her as an entertainer and an artist.

“I think my fans in Africa received the album really well, considering there are a lot of Western influences on there. I think they were waiting for me to just be myself.”

Riding on the momentum, the singer is intent on keeping the Nigerian elements that define her as an African artist, as she prepares for her assault on the European market. Suffice to say, she has no doubt that African artists have the capacity to cross boundaries, as has been proven by the major signings of herself and fellow Nigerian artist, Davido.

“African music can be marketable and we know this because when we [African artists] go to New York, LA or London, we’re selling out shows,” says Shay. “It’s also no surprise to look into the audience and see fans of all races at the shows.”

International interest in African acts isn’t a new phenomenon, acknowledges Shay, who points to icons such as King Sunny Ade and the late Fela

Kuti as two examples. But she believes the current trend will only continue if the latest wave of acts perform well on a global scale.

“I feel like there’s going to be more interest [in African artists] depending on how well myself and the likes of Davido do – I feel like we’re test runs. There is definitely pressure, but it’s more about whether this opportunity will stunt us or propel us.”

Even with the backing of a major label, the University of East London graduate is committed to being in control of her career – an ethos she says she developed under the management of Mathew Knowles. The father and former manager of international superstar Beyoncé, Knowles also managed the now disbanded girl group From Above, in which Shay was a member.

“I would say he probably influenced about 60 per cent of the way I think and the way I work,” Shay said of Knowles. “The most valuable business principle I learned from him is to always keep something for yourself.”

Well-versed with the music industry, Shay’s credentials span over a decade and include writing credits for the likes of Melanie C of the Spice Girls and UK rapper Chip.

Additionally, Shay starred in the MTV reality series, Breaking From Above, which charted the journey of her former group. The band also auditioned for The X-Factor and it was this experience that

made it clear to Shay that being a solo act was her true calling.

“The group didn’t get past a certain stage of the show and clearly, the energy wasn’t right. If the energy was right, the public and the producers would have felt it or seen something and they didn’t. To me, that was the sign that the group wasn’t working.”

The Tottenham-born singer explains that it was her move to Nigeria in 2011 that proved to be the catalyst for her rejuvenation as a solo act – and going solo has been like a new career beginning for the rising songstress.

“I’m happy that I wasn’t really known back then [when I was in the group] because to me, that was all school – I was being developed. Now, I have the endurance level and the tenacity to go through all of this. It’s like it’s brand new to me.”

Having spent 2015 securing her place as one of Africa’s fiercest female acts, the Pepsi brand ambassador is already thinking about her next musical offering – and it appears she’s keen to lean on her London roots for inspiration.

“I want to do another album by the end of this year; more mature music as opposed to the more commercial pop and dance stuff.

“I’m doing a separate project on the side as well with a few UK acts. I’m doing something with Sneakbo, Tinie [Tempah], and the rest will remain nameless until they’ve done their part!”

Music news: Womad Festival @ Charlton Park

B

AABA Maal, George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic and Sons of Kemet are among the acts that will bring world music to Wiltshire this summer as part of the internationally renowned Womad (World of Music, Arts and Dance) Festival.

The celebrated arts event, which is staged in countries throughout the world, will hit the UK in July, featuring an array of artists from the worlds of jazz, funk, African music and much more.

Senegalese singer and guitarist Baaba Maal will bring his unique style to the festival, while the ever-eccentric George

Clinton and his collective Parliament Funkadelic will deliver their internationally renowned blend of psychedelic funk.

Jazz collective Sons of Kemet represent the UK, along with south London rapper Roots Manuva, famed for his cutting edge lyrics.

In addition, US jazz collective Hot 8 Brass Band will deliver their distinctive New Orleans sound; West African flavours come courtesy of Sahrawi singer Aziza Brahim; and Columbian band Sidestepper will deliver their unique fusion of South American styles and dub

and drum and bass.

For an eclectic mix of music from all over the world, the Womad Festival is not to be missed.

At Charlton Park, Wiltshire SN16 from July 28-31. For more information, visit www.womad.co.uk

GUITAR HERO: Baaba Maal

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APRIL 14 - 20, 2016

WHAT’S ON ?

Compiled by Dionne Grant

SPECIAL

HIGHLIGHTS

The ultimate guide of events taking place this month

Email: Events@gvmedia.co.uk

Arts ✶ ✶ ✶ ALL THE TIME PHIFE

CHARITY FUNDRAISER In honour of the late Phife Dawg of US hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, this event will bring together UK DJs including Marc Mac, Big Teddy Ted, DJ 279, Sarah Love and Shortee Blitz for this one-off charity fundraiser. Phife died last month due to complications relating to diabetes and this event will raise funds for Diabetes UK and The British Heart Foundation.

DATE: April 28 TIME: 8pm-3am LOCATION: POW, 467-469 Brixton Road, London SW9 8HH CONTACT: www.pow-london.com PRICE: £7/£10 on the door

•Comedy•Lectures•Exhibitions•Film•Concerts•Culture•Theatre

THEATRE Salt Performance artist Selina Thompson embarks on an epic voyage on a cargo ship, re-tracing the transatlantic trade triangle from the UK to Ghana and Jamaica to explore what it means to be black.

Using a mix of performance, film footage, captured and archived sound, the play explores grief, forgetting, home and colonialism.

DATE: May 13-14 and May 18-19 TIME: 8pm and 6.30pm (Fridays) LOCATION: Arnolfini, 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA CONTACT: www.mayfestbristol.co.uk PRICE: £12, £8 concessions

Cuttin’ It

✶ ✶ ✶ WOMEN’S FA CUP FINAL

Who will make it to the showpiece of the women’s domestic season?

The top two teams in last season’s FA WSL 1, Chelsea and Man City, will face each other in the semi-finals of the SSE Women’s FA Cup. Meanwhile, 13-time winners Arsenal will take on Sunderland.

DATE: May 14 TIME: TBC LOCATION: Wembley Stadium, London HA9 0WS CONTACT: www.TheFA.com/Tickets or by calling 0844 826 2010 PRICE: Various

✶ ✶ ✶ NATURAL HAIR WEEK

With more than 5,000 attendees to date, Natural Hair Week returns for its fourth year and continues to be the UK’s leading natural hair and beauty event. Hosted by award-winning presenter Claire Clottey and Jimmy Swagger, this year’s event sees the introduction of fashion shows, product making workshops and performances from US artist LaToria as well as the renowned hair and skincare presentations, children’s workshop, debates and hair demonstrations.

DATE: April 30 – May 4 TIME: Various LOCATION: Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and London CONTACT: www.naturalhairweek. com PRICE: From £14.99

✶ ✶ ✶ BLACK GEORGIANS:

THE SHOCK OF THE FAMILIAR The event will reveal the everyday lives of black people during the Georgian period (1714-1830). It will offer a rich array of historical evidence and archival materials that present a surprising, sometimes shocking, and inspiring picture of Georgian Britain.

Date: Until April 9 Time: Tues – Sat, 10am to 6pm Location: Black Cultural Archives, Windrush Square Event Organiser: Black Cultural Archive, curated by S I Martin Contact: www.bcaheritage.org.uk Price: Free

THE VOICE TOP CHOICE Breakin’ Convention 2016 Curated by Jonzi D, the critically acclaimed festival of hip-hop dance returns with performances from UK and international companies and crews. Now in its 13th year, the 2016 line-up features performances from acts including Boy Blue Entertainment, Flawless, Myself UK Dance Company and Soweto Skeleton Movers.

DATE: April 29-May 2 TIME: Friday 8pm; Saturday and Sunday

Fashion Cities Africa

6pm LOCATION: Sadler’s Wells & Lilian Baylis Studio, London EC1R 4TN CONTACT: www.sadlerswells.com PRICE: £5-£24

Norfolk & Norwich Festival

The Taming of the Shrew Martina Laird, Kazeem Tosin Amore and Karlina Grace star in this exhilarating retelling of the Shakespeare comedy where social absurdities are turned on their head. In the innovative production, the main characters switch sex in a world where the women hold the power and the men are ‘advantageously wed’. The production is presented as part of the first Verve Festival – a month-long celebration of cultural diversity.

DATE: April 5-May 1 TIME: 7.30pm LOCATION: Arts Theatre, 6-7 Great Newport Street, London, WC2H7JB CONTACT: www.artstheatrewestend.co.uk PRICE: £25 / £20 Concessions

Jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis, dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson, jazz collective Sun Ra Arkestra and US songstress Lisa Fischer will perform at this year’s Norfolk & Norwich Festival; the flagship arts festival for the East of England.

DATE: May 13-29 TIME: Varies LOCATION: Various venues throughout Norfolk and Norwich CONTACT: www.nnfestival.org.uk PRICE: Varies

Tinie Tempah Tinie Tempah will play his first UK show of the year at O2 Academy Brixton. It will be a rare chance for fans to see him in an intimate setting, following his most recent London show in 2014 DATE: April 16 TIME: 7pm – 11pm LOCATION: O2 Academy Brixton, 211 Stockwell Road London SW9 9SL CONTACT: Box Office 020 7771 3000 PRICE: £37

Ghostface Killah is one of the most recognisable names and voices in hip-hop. A member of the Wu-Tang Clan and known for solo albums including Supreme Clientele and FishScale, he brings his colourful stories and unique delivery to Royal Festival Hall.

DATE: May 14 TIME: 8pm LOCATION: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London. SE1 8XX CONTACT: 0207 921 0676 PRICE: £20 - £30

EXHIBITIONS

MUSIC

Iqra and Muna live in the UK. They’re 15 years old, go to the same school, and were both born in Somalia. These similarities kick-start a friendship, but as their trust grows, fundamental differences emerge and drive a wedge between them. Examining the issue of female genital mutilation, the play explores ritual, shame and bravery through the prism of different cultural perspectives.

Starring Adelayo Adedayo and Tsion Habte.

DATE: May 20-June 11 TIME: Monday-Saturday at 7.45pm; Saturday matinees at 2.45pm LOCATION: Young Vic, 66 The Cut, Waterloo, London, SE1 8LZ CONTACT: www.youngvic.org PRICE: From £10

Ghostface Killah + support Kojey Radical

Womad Festival George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic, Baaba Maal, Aziza Brahim, Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band, and Moh! Kouyaté are among the acts performing at the renowned music festival.

DATE: July 28-31 TIME: Various LOCATION: Charlton Park, Wiltshire SN16 9LL CONTACT: www.womad.co.uk PRICE: Varies

Moh! Kouyaté One of Africa’s hottest young guitar players, the Guinea-born, Paris-based musician will perform three UK dates, following the release of his new album, Loundo (Un Jour). His music combines Mandingo traditions with his own stylish mix of blues, afrobeat, funk and jazz.

DATE: May 19 and 20; July 31 TIME: Various LOCATION: May 19: Rich Mix, London; May 20: Norfolk and Norwich Festival; July 31: Womad Festival, Wiltshire CONTACT: www. richmix.org.uk PRICE: Various

tures, which focus on the reinterpretation of familiar figures from the European classical tradition.

DATE: April 7-May 14 TIME: 12.30pm-5.30pm TuesdaySaturday LOCATION: October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester Street, Bloomsbury London WC1N 3AL CONTACT: www.octobergallery.co.uk PRICE: Free

EVENINGS OUT Awesome You: The Emerging Generation Women On The Crossroads presents an event that aims to celebrate the artistic influence of those who are making a valid contribution to change and making a difference in their fields. The event will feature a pop-up shop, stalls, a cocktail reception, fashion show, motivational speakers and three-course Caribbean buffet dinner.

DATE: May 8 TIME: From 3pm-midnight LOCATION: The Hilton London Tower Bridge, 5 More London Place, Tooley Street, London SE1 2BY CONTACT: www.womenonthecrossroads.moonfruit.com PRICE: £50

GL Live X Fashion Cities Africa is a temporary exhibition, which will explore practices of dress, fashion and styling in four African cities: Casablanca, Lagos, Nairobi and Johannesburg.

DATE: April 2016 - January 2017 TIME: 10am – 5pm LOCATION: Brighton Museum & Art Gallery Royal Pavilion Gardens, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1EE CONTACT: www.brightonmuseums.org.uk/ PRICE: Various

Gospel Link 360 and Kingdom Time Entertainment present a night of gospel music featuring Faithchild, David B and Ms Martha J. DATE: April 16 TIME: 6.30pm LOCATION: The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham, B6 4UU CONTACT: 0121 333 2444 PRICE: £10

Mathieu Ajan

A night not to be missed! On stage will be Shola Ama, Donaeo and hosted by former Choice FM presenter Jigs.

DATE: May 7 TIME: 7pm - late LOCATION: Indigo at The O2 CONTACT: 07877 799 455 PRICE: £20 - £40

Taking the audience on a photographic journey of self-discovery with a display of his works, this exhibition from photographic artist Mathieu Ajan introduces themes of culture, perception and social mobility, giving the audience an intimate opportunity to not only connect with the works but also themselves.

DATE: May 4-June 5 TIME: Varies LOCATION: Mezzanine Gallery, Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA CONTACT: 020 7613 7498 or www.richmix.org.uk PRICE: Free

Sokari Douglas Camp: Primavera Internationally renowned sculptor, Sokari Douglas Camp, creates her works primarily in steel. Primavera brings together major new sculp-

Garage & Funky Anthems Live Showcase

Soca Madhouse ‘Walk out’ to get on ‘unruly’, ‘pelt waist’ and ‘turn up’ at the first #SocaMadhouse! Entertaining you on the night will be Preedy, fresh off his successful 2016 Trinidad & Tobago Carnival season during which he placed second in the coveted International Soca Monarch Competition.

DATE: April 16 TIME: 11pm – 6am LOCATION: Fire London, South Lambeth Road London SW8 1RT CONTACT: Flagz Soca Fete 07931213047 PRICE: £10

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The events listed are not organised or affiliated with The Voice newspaper. GV Media is therefore not liable for event cancellations, changes to ticket prices, overbooking or if the event fails to meet expectations in any way