London’s NO.1 Multicultural Listings Guide Over 20,000 Readers
Issue 31 | June 2011 Great New Folding Format!
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Note from the Publisher
MUSIC
Wretch32
GALLERY
Nnenna Okore: Metamorphoses
THEATRE
Queen Pokou
COMEDY
Reginald D Hunter
SPOKEN WORD Jawdance
COMMUNITY
Team Green Bike Week
UNSIGNED & HAPPENING Black the Rapper
Shontelle
Sponsored by Newmont Travel
June is upon us and we are half way through the year. Exciting events and spectacular shows are in full swing and London is alive with great opportunities to socialise, be creative and enjoy its diverse wonders. As you can see Life in Colour has changed and is now available in a great new fold-out format which is handy for you to carry in your purse or pin up on your fridge. You’ll be able to pick up a copy at your local theatre or when you’re having your hair done or buying an African/Caribbean take-away. However, never fear Life in Colour is still jam packed with exciting things to do and places to go. Sponsored by Newmont Travel, this months edition boasts features on the newest Barbadian import and friend to superstar Rhianna –
Shontelle. Queen Poku will be at the Albany theatre and the ever funny Reginald D Hunter hits Hammersmith Apollo. Britain’s newest music sensation Wretch 32 talks about how he got his name and we have a new business directory to add value to your free guide. Next month is even more exciting with Unsigned and Happening continuing to give artist a platform to shine. So don’t forget to pick up your copy or just keep checking us out on-line. Even better, send us your email address so that you will be first to enjoy prizes, tickets and other freebies. Enjoy! JB Rose Publisher
First Barbados Now The World
Theatre
Bajan Artist and best buddy to Superstar Rhianna –Shontelle is the one to Watch!
As she tours in the UK and prepares for the repackaging of her album ‘No Gravity’, I managed to catch up with RnB sensation Shontelle on her music career and her budding relationship with Rhianna. For the minority of the public that may not know who you are, describe yourself in one sentence. Hmmm.... in a sentence, I’m just an island girl from Barbados who loves music and life –I think my number one passion other than music really is making people happy. I love making people smile that’s just who I am. I’m very active too; I used to play a lot of sports. Who would you say are your musical influences? Growing up the music that influenced me was what my parents listened to. They listened to a lot of Motown so Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Al Green and my mum likes
Diana Ross. I really love Whitney Houston – anyone that is Diva – esque. And obviously Michael Jackson, he’s on everyone’s lists (laughs). You and fellow Barbadian musician Rihanna are said to be close friends, will you tell us how your friendship began? We were both in the cadets so that’s how the first connection between us was made. We never had any clue that either one had a singing passion and I remember hearing the ‘Pon de Replay’ song and the artist is from Barbados and its Rhianna. I was thinking ‘who is Rhianna from Barbados’ because you would think if an artist breaks from home you would know them locally first. Then I saw the video and I was, like Robyn Fenty, are you serious?
‘Impossible’ is my biggest single to date. It’s a great feeling because every artist’s worse nightmare is to be a one hit wonder. I must admit did have my doubts because just as we put it out the whole music scene flipped over to dance. I thought my little ballad is going to get buried but thank God it had the opposite effect, I was so happy. What does the future hold for Shontelle? I just recorded some great new singles. Hopefully it will be out near the summer. When I leave London I go back to New York then Nigeria. It will be my first time in Africa... I’m lucky, my calendar is full right through to the summer.
London’s NO.1 Multicultural Listings Guide Over 20,000 Readers
Queen Pokou A new play by Dean Atta Issue 31 | June 2011
“I’m just an island girl from Barbados who loves music and life”
Hailed by critics as a ‘Thrilling’ (Time Out) full of ‘Startling Poetry’ (The Guardian for Waltz # 6), Queen Pokou has been chosen as Time Out’s Critic’s Choice. Is she a Black Madonna, a West African Hero or a Powerful Sovereign willing to do anything to reign? A tale of identity and power ‘Queen Pokou’ is based on the life of Ashanti Princess, Abraha Pokou, and her legendary quest to build a new, stronger nation. This piece of poetic drama uses oral history to tell Pokou’s story.
Great New Folding Format!
The audience explores both personal relationships set against the wider historical themes of the time. Queen Pokou’ is a new play written by Dean Atta (Winner of the London Spirit Award) for StoneCrabs Theatre Company. The story is a traditional tale most recently told as a French African novel written by Veronique Tadjo which won the Grand Prix litterraire d’Afrique Noire in 2005.
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Where did the name Wretch 32 come from? Wretch came from my mum, I was literally like a bad little kid my mum use to say ‘you’re a little wretch’, and it kind of stuck. Everyone was like yeah wretch and I thought it’s kind of cool – 32 is my lucky number. Could you give us a brief insight into how it all began? I started making my CD, which was ‘Learn from my Mixtape’ and I built up a ‘hood’ buzz and my name started spreading out. After that I just kept going and kept going. It was just literally more and more music, no hype, no clashing or none of that stuff, just music. MTV hailed you new for 2011, how do you feel about this, knowing you have been in the rap game for quite some time now?
I totally understand how the game works; I understand that on the underground circuit I maybe an old timer but there’s always a new audience. So even if I had ten number ones and I went to Mars they would still say ‘new comer’. I think it upsets the fans more than me (laughs). Now you have a record deal will your style of music changes to appeal to a more commercial audience? Yeah, like I said I understand how the game works so I know that your singles are your adverts. If we compare the album to a rave you would say our singles are our flyers. My singles are to attract a new audience and keep the audience that I have.
Are you anticipating your released single ‘Anniversary’ to have an even greater success than your previous single ‘Traktor’? It’s weird, with ‘Anniversary’ we’re not even going to do a release on it, I just want to be known as the guy that makes good music. What can your fans expect from your new album ‘Black and White’? This is how I see it, if you’ve listened to me from ‘Teacher’s Training Day’, ‘Learn from my Mixtape’ you know what to expect. If you haven’t, I would say go listen to a track on YouTube. There’s different sides of Wretch. Wretch 32’s new single ‘Unorthodox’ featuring ‘Example’ is out now. By Fiona Frimpong
From the age of four Amplify Dot listened to tunes from her uncle’s Walkman. Before long the schoolgirl was recording her first track --an answering machine rap. From answering machines to sold out venues, A.Dot’s first stage experience at age 14, was when Missy Elliot asked if anybody in the audience could rap. A.Dot climbed on stage. Her bravery and style blew everyone away. Currently working on her label, A.Dot is also working on her debut mixtape featuring Kano, Jessie J, S.A.S, Ice Kid and Lioness.
Lady Leshurr (pronounced Lee Shurr) is a rapper, singer, songwriter, dancer, actress and comedian. From Birmingham, Leshurr has passion for Grime and RnB. Having performed live with Chipmunk, Taio Cruz and Tinchy Stryder; her dreams are coming true as a full-time artist. Leshurr’s talents have allowed her to feature in two award winning movies ‘Sacrilege’ and ‘1 day’. By: Fiona Frimpong
MUSIC
Wretch32
GALLERY
Nnenna Okore: Metamorphoses
THEATRE
Queen Pokou
COMEDY
Reginald D Hunter
SPOKEN WORD Jawdance
COMMUNITY
Team Green Bike Week
UNSIGNED & HAPPENING Black the Rapper
Albany Douglas Way, Deptford SE8 4UG 29 & 30 July 2011 - 7.30pm Box office 0208 692 4446
Lady Leshurr.
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The stage on Basic
Shontelle
Unsigned And Happening
A Dot.
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‘...a powerful 75 minutes of theatre, which couldn’t have more contemporary relevance.’
Did you anticipate ‘Impossible’ to do so well?
‘Little Wretch’ No Longer A Kid
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Black The Rapper. “I’m gonna be on the Young Music Millionaires list!” Black The Ripper aka Samson who’s real name is in fact Dean West, is a respected Hip-Hop and grime MC from North London. He made his name in the Axe FM MC clashes. Black The Ripper has been described to be one of the best MC/artists in the ever changing Grime scene. He released several solo mixtapes including ‘Black is Beautiful’ and has collaborated with Cookie G and Chipmunk’. Black’s style reflects a sense of self determination and creative consciousness using a subversive style to shock and entertain. Black is the rapper to look out for.
Sponsored by Newmont Travel
GALLERY
MUSIC 01 Nnenna Okore: Metamorphoses Artist Nnenna Okore employs ordinary media like magazine and newspaper to highlight consumerism and excessive wastefulness in today’s society. October Gallery (0)20 7242 7367
07 Refuge: Birgit Muller, Mike Moran, Rhonda Klevansky This exhibition commemorates Refugee Week 2011. By Birgit Muller, Mike Moran and Rhonda Klevansky 11am- 7pm Location: Woolfson & Tay LLP Retail 0207 407 9316 info@woolfsonandtay.com 10-26 Totem Body: Birthing a New Consciousness TOTEM BODY is about rediscovering the animal in human nature and ‘creature consciousness.’ 11am-7pm The Crypt Gallery mail@barrycottrell. com / 07866 736987
LIFE IN COLOUR DIRECTORY
13 Alicia Keys ‘Piano & I: A One Night Only Event With Alicia Keys’ will feature Keys and only her piano. 7.30pm Royal Albert Hall 0845 401 5045
16 Sona Jobarteh Sona Jobarteh is the first female West African Kora virtuoso in the UK. 7.30pm £8 Dingwalls 0207 428 5929/info@dingwalls. com 23 Bobby Womack One of the greatest voices in soul music and Gorillaz “STYLO” vocalist makes his jazz cafe. Jazz Cafe. Tickets £25 0843 221 0100
DJ Pete Andrew Specialising in R& B, rare groove, hip hop and soul. Available for all functions and events 07951 952 113
Black Heroes of Our Time 200 page glossy book with over 500 Black achievers and inventors Purchase on-line www.blackheroes. uk.com. 0207 515 6158
Sugarmill Catering Services We cater for functions, weddings, christenings, babrbecues, buisness meetings. Quality service. Caribbean food. 07983 377 868
Transition Creative We print and design menus, flyers, brochers, stationary as well as signage and websites. www.level7media.co.uk. 0207 515 6158 Caribbean Scene Family Restaurant in Stratford Excellent Affodable Caribbean Food 020 8522 8660 Michael Rose’s Paining & Decorating Services No job too big, reasonable prices 07712 121 359
Vocal Coaching Sing for fun? Sing professionally? Want to learn how to improve your singing with a qualified teacher? Call Ms Rose 07930473872
To advertise on this page call Life in Colour Sales on 0207 515 6158
www.bobbywomack. com 28 Origins: Festival of First Nations Festival of First Nations is bringing together indigenous peoples of the UK common wealth. Rich Mix, 35 - 47 020 7613 7498
freeserve.co.uk 0207 261 9876
03 Two Gentlemen’s Production: Hamlet Two actors, two props and the convergence of cultures are all it takes to create a poetic and spiritual re-imagining of the rarely seen First Quarto of Shakespeare’s classic from the award winning Two Gents Productions! 7.30pm £10, £8 student Rich Mix 020 7613 7498 7 June- 2 July 1888 Set against the vibrant, chaotic and colourful backdrop of London, horrific incidents occurred during the hot summer that gripped the East End from Whitechapel to the ‘Bohemia’ of Hoxton. 7.30pm 204 Union Street info@uniontheatre.
03 Little Baby Jesus Lyrical monologues revealing the lives of three inner-city teenagers, capturing the moment they become adults. 7.45pm £14, £7 concession Oval House Theatre 020 7582 0080 15 June Jawdance Jawdance is the show where you find poets on stage; poets in the audience and at the bar; guest poets, putting-itto-the-test poets, 7.30pm Free Rich Mix 020 7613 7498
of five-minute performances from amateur storytellers. Free! 8-10pm. The Brixton Ritzy Oval, Brixton, SW2 1JG 19 Comedy Raost Hilarious monthly comedy staring Kane Brown, Fumbi, Jamie Howard, Axel the Entertainer, Kayleigh Lewis, Richard Blackwood, Harvey (So Solid Fame) Tickets £17-£25. Hackney Empire. 020 8985 2424
7 June- 2 July The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd Enjoy the follies of the irrepressible Cocky and the imperious Sir as they play the comical Game of Life in this satire on the British class system. £18-£20 Finborough Theatre 020 7244 7439 admin@finboroughtheatre.co.uk 18 Bob Marley the Kids Salute You A fictional tale about Marley’s childhood and inspired by his music. This play is about the suffering of children and young people on the street of South America. £5/£8 matinee and evening performancesBernie Grant Arts Centre 020 8365 5450 30 - 02 July A Midsummer’s Night Madness Following 5 star reviews in New York and Edinburgh, our award winning company returns with a hot, fast, hip hop adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Cost £15 Hackney Empire, 0208 985 2424
06-12 London Jewellery Week This week is a celebration of London’s position in the jewellery world. Venues across London will host collection launches, ‘meet the designer’ events, fashion shows, activities for children and more. Various Venues 020 8986 1116 / www.
London’s No.1 Multicultural Listing Guide 250,000 Monthly Readers
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Entertainment L i s t i n g s MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE MUSIC CLUBS THEATRE COMEDY COMMUNITY
WIN TICKETS TO CHUN YI: THE LEGEND OF KUNG FU
ASIAN SCREEN GALLERY EVENTS
A SALUTE TO THE KING OF POP MICHAEL JACKSON
28th June Meera Syal of Goodness Gracious Me has since gone on to receive wide acclaim as a writer, playwright, singer and actress. Director Jude Kelly hosts the event.. 7.45pm Purcell Room Southbank. (0)20 7960 4200
londonjewelleryweek. co.uk 16 International Day of the African Child A day to honour the 1976 Soweto Uprising participants who were shot down while protesting the low quality of education in Africa. Since 1991, this day brings awareness to the need for improvement of the African education system. www.unicef.org 18 Team Green Britain Bike Week
Hackney Empire 291 Mare Street, London E8 1RJ Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, Stratford, London E15 1BX Broadway Theatre, Broadway Theatre, the Broadway, Barking, IG11 7LS
The Albany Douglas Way, Deptford, London SE8 4AG Ritzy Cinema Coldharbour Lane, Brixton London SW2 1JG The Bernie Centre- Town Hall Approach Rd London N15 4RX Brockley Jack Theatre 410 Brockley Road London SE4 2DH
Also available at hairdressers, take-away restaurants and events near you Want to receive a copy of Life in Colour? Call 0207 515 6159 / info@lifeincolour.uk.com Londo
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To advertise in Life in Colour Listings Guide Call T.0207 515 6158 F. 0207 515 6159 Address: 29 Beaufort Court E14 9XL
20th June Spark London The Brixton Ritzy hosts a storytelling open mic night. The theme is ‘Travels’. The night will be composed
01-07 National Volunteering Week This annual celebration recognizes 22 million volunteer each year. Enjoy taster sessions, team challenges, awards ceremonies, and hundreds of other events across the UK Volunteering England, 0207 520 8900 / volunteersweek@volunteering.org.uk /www. volunteering.org.uk
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Black Hist Contributors: Fiona Frimpong, Laura Brothers. Design Eleasha Ajadi, ory Specia l Kezia Davis, Monica Hickey, Renecia Coleman. Publishers JB Rose, Derek Morrison. To advertise in the next issue contact: Life in Colour Listings Guide 29 Beaufort Court E14 9xl. Please e-mail all listings information to E: info@lifeincolour.uk.com / W: www.lifeincolour.uk.com. T.0207 515 6158 F. 0207 515 6159
Please e-mail all listings information to E: lifeincolour@level7media.co.uk W: www.lifeincolour.uk.com. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. The views expressed in this publication are those of the advertisers. Life In Colour can not take responsibility for any incorrect or misleading claims made. ©2011 Life In Colour
COMMUNITY
THEATRE
The best of London’s buisnesses & services Deborahs Floristry Beautiful designs/displays for business, weddings christenings and Special Occaisions 07944 818 025
10 Poetry Snapshots Naomi Woddis – poet, photographer and now photographer of poets.– launches her latest exhibition. Featuring portraits of thirty key players from today’s spoken-word world. 8pm £3 The Albany 020 8692 4446
06 Little Barrie + Guests Nearly four years after their last record, the world’s favourite rock ‘n’ roll-soul-punk-mod-blues band’s new album ‘King Of The Waves’ will be released! £12 Cargo http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/ user/?region=gb_london&query=det ail&event=443875&interface= 07 Equation Musique Winyo, Bélo and Wanlov the Kubolor are on tour with a single stop in the UK! 7.30pm £5 Rich Mix 020 7613 7498
01 Figures & Fictions: Contemporary South African Photography This exhibition presents the photographic culture rethinking of issues of identity in South Africa. Runs till July. £6 10am-5.30pm Victoria and Albert Museum (0)20 7942 2000
SPOKEN WORD
COMEDY This week raises awareness about the benefits of cycling on the environment and a cyclist’s health. Need extra motivation to cycle? Join the Bike2Work ride on June 22 at 7.30am. 0845 680 5005 / hq@ bikeweek.org.uk 18-19 June West End Live West End LIVE showcases the quality and diversity of entertainment in the West End. Free Trafalgar Square westendlive@westminster.gov.uk 020 7641 3297
04-05 Oliver Samuels in Midnight at Puss Creek The inimitable king of comedy is back in a new play described as hilariously scary, Midnight at Puss Creek promises a unique theatre experience. 8pm £23.50 - £25.50 The Broadway Theatre 020 8690 0002
one of the UK Comedy industry’s best-known performers. His work is often brutally honest, frequently controversial but always meticulously measured and thought out. Hammersmith 20 8563 3800
29 The Book of Quincy and Slim in Wonderland “The most inventive black comedy promoters in the country” THE GUARDIAN, are back with two of the best acts in UK black comedy, SLIM, and QUINCY are hosted by comedian turned Teletubbie JOHN SIMMIT. RICH MIX 020 7613 7498
05, 12, 19 & 26 The Sunday Show Join The Sunday Show is one of London’s most popular live entertainment shows, famed for its appearances from some of the best performers from both sides of the Atlantic. Sound 1 0333 240 1010
24-25 Regnald D Hunter Reginald D Hunter has become
20 Jamel Comedy Club This is a French speaking show featuring Shirley Souagnon and Djal. Souagnon is a new-comer on stand-up comedy she joined in 2010 and she is already making big waves!!! 8pm £16 0844 871 7699