BLACK HISTORY ISSUE 16, October 2010
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MONTH EDITION
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events
gallery
CLUBS
theatre
COMEDY
screen
COMMUNITY
£2.00
The Afro Exhibition
MUSIC
NC O I IT DM s
p to ts nshi 3 ET e P ick pio 2
M Win t Cham O C DJ
SEE
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OCTOBER 2010
WORD FROM
CONTENTS Shontelle
THE EDITOR
Events
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Gallery
10
Theatre
12
Music
18
Community
28
Screen
36
Comedy
40
Clubs
42
Breaktime
44
African Music Awards Errol Photography Arinze Kene Shontelle
Gifted at Primary Africa United Welcome to Lime’s Black History Month issue. We asked our interviewees if Black History Month was still relevant and still important. Everyone said loudly and proudly that it was with different reasons as to why. What do you think? Naturally we’re chocked full of Black History month events listing so hope you’ll be checking some of them out to celebrate the achievements of African-Caribbean’s both here and all over the world. This month Lime gets intimate with those making a difference to the black community from Neil Mayers who is transforming the lives of young people in the education system to Foluke Akinlose, MBE who is a champion of black women in business. But there’s no business without pleasure so we’ve got that covered too with interviews including Arinze Kene, Bilal, Bruno Mars and Shontelle. Come lime with us!
Sophia A Jackson xx
Where to Laugh? RIP DJ TREND
BlaCK hIstOrY ISSUE 16, October 2010
www.comelime.com
MOnth eDItIOn
in association with
Singer Adelaide Hall
events
gallerY
ClUBs
theatre
COMeDY
sCreen
COMMUnItY
the afro exhibition
MUsIC
On ItI DMC et ets to nships MPWin tiCchkampiosee Page 23
£2.00
CO
DJ
Editor
Sophia A Jackson
editor@gotmedialive.co.uk
Bilal
Designer Mialisa Fenty Contributors Michelle Adabra Audrey Brown Cassam Looch Semper Azeez-Harris Tricia Wombell Alicia Adejobi Nicke Adebowale Maliaka Adabra Duke Etienne Natasha Devon Jennifer Rock Advertising and sales Dean Serieux
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editor@gotmedialive.co.uk Lime: a word used in the Caribbean which means socialisng and good times with your friends and family – welcome to Lime Magazine.
LIME MAGAZINE 2010
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events 04 Oct – 23 Oct
Black History Month Hero
BHM: The Across the Street, Around the World festival The Across the Street, Around the World festival has come out of Black History Month and is a three-week long celebration of the cultural diversity and arts on offer in Kensington and Chelsea for both local residents and visitors. This area of West London has a rich filmic, music and artistic heritage and some of the festival highlights include:
EVENTS: Notting Hill Carnival This year we would like to acknowledge the hard work and continuous effort made by the Notting Hill Carnival Association. Notting hill carnival has been an annual event for the past 51 years and we’re sure it’s a summer highlight for many. Good music, food, costumes, endless floats and sunshine (if we’re lucky), however even rain doesn’t dampen the mood of carnival goers!
02/23 Oct, 20 Nov / 11 Dec SupperClub Love Brunch
W10 5QZ Weekend Brunch 11am – 6pm Info: www.supperclub.
Capasso, Tanveer Roowala and Sophie Sweatman. Time: 7.30 – 11pm American Bar and Grill, The O2, Peninsula Square London SE10 0DX Info: sonia@ harmonyfoundation. co.uk / jehosaphat23@ me.com
04 Oct
NBA Europe Live London: Minnesota Timberwolves vs.
As supperclub london fast approaches its first Birthday in November, this unusual dining and alternative entertainment hub has become a talking point across the capital. As well as their more renowned evening service, the current chatter is all about supperclub london’s popular monthly Saturday afternoon Love Brunch. The supperclub Love Brunch is perfect at combining all those facets, whilst offering a more luxuriant and decadent daytime twist. Are evenings old hat, and is midday, the new midnight? Supperclub London, 12 Acklam Road, London, 4 LIME MAGAZINE 2010
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03 Oct
Sunday Roast Live Hosted by model and TV personality Vicky NgariWilson (former Miss Kenya and Miss East Africa), presenter for the London Peace Awards 2010 and is featured in the 2010 Power list as a top 100 young influencer. The night features new and upcoming talent from the comedy and music industry. We also have celebs and industry professionals coming along to chill out and talent scout. Live performances from Lizzie Marie, Reuben Poet, Obenewa and SnR. Comedy from Luke
Los Angeles Lakers The NBA returns to London as the NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers take on the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS™. Witness first hand the excitement of the NBA and the passion and commitment of star players from the Lakers and Timberwolves at The O2. Time: 6:30 p.m. The O2, Peninsula Square, London, SE10 0DX Info: www.theo2.co.uk
Linton Kwesi Johnson Literature: Reggae poet Linton Kwesi Johnson will open the festival on 4 October with a lecture and Q&A and the UK’s top black and Asian writers will speak throughout the festival (including Malika Booker, Anthony Joseph and Bidisha) Visual Arts: the Portobello North Wall will be transformed into a giant shelf of records, representing the seminal songs, artists and music trends that have shaped Notting Hill Film: the UK’s leading black independent filmmakers will debate the influence of film in West London plus the representation of black youth culture in film with screenings and Q&A’s – speaker include Horace Ove and Kolton Lee
events Punch cocktail whilst you join in the fun. Time: 7pm – 10pm Rudy’s Revenge (Downstairs), 168 High Holborn, London WC1V 7AA
10 Oct
Music: Portobello Reloaded – this club night will chart the music which has impacted the borough, from early calypso to broken beat and nu-jazz. Info: www.rbkc.gov.uk/ acrossthestreet
05 – 22 Oct
Afrovibes Festival The biennial Afrovibes Festival visits the UK for the first time this autumn via UK Arts International. Now in its 7th year, Afrovibes was initiated in the Netherlands with the concept of connecting innovative South African artists with participating European countries creating a stimulating cultural
exchange. Each venue will host township cafes which will act as hubs where events, talks and opportunities to meet artists take place, enhancing the authenticity and creative atmosphere of the festival. Info: www.ukarts.com
07 Oct
Rum Punch – first Thursday of every month For a night that’s guaranteed to leave your creative taste buds refreshingly intoxicated and yearning for more. We ensure much entertainment, fun and enlightenment as always. Come down early, grab your prime spot and sip on a mocktail or Rum
Sony Ericsson UK B-Boy Championships 2010: The World Finals World’s most incredible dancers set to bring Brixton to a standstill at the 15th anniversary World Finals of the Sony Ericsson B-Boy Championships. The best dancers from around the globe are set to go head-to-head and battle it out in a bid to win the coveted title of Sony Ericsson World Champions here in the UK this October. After a five-month search, staging seven international eliminations, elite crews from USA, Russia, Brazil, Japan, Korea and two of the best from Europe will come together for one weekend only to take part in the 15th anniversary of the ultimate B-Boy competition. Representing the UK in this year’s battle are the reigning national champions, Soul Mavericks, an eight-strong team hailing from London. The Championships will feature: World B-Boy Crew
Battle; World Solo B-Boy Battle; World Solo Popping Battle and World Locking Pairs Battle. Hosted by Crazy Legs (USA) and Afrika Islam (USA) DJ’s: Renegade (Armory Massive / UK Champs) and Shortee Blitz (Kiss FM / UK Champs) Time: 5-11pm o2 Brixton Academy, 211 Stockwell Road, London SW9 9SL Info: www. bboychampionships.com
13/14 Oct
Asian Business Leaders Summit and Gala Awards Dinner Asia House, the leading pan-Asian organisation in Europe, presents its first Asian Business Leaders Summit in London bringing together high profile speakers and commentators from around the world to explore the theme of “Engaging the Asian Future”. The Summit will be hosted by Sir John Boyd, Chairman of Asia House, and Roddy Gow, Chief Executive of Asia House. During the conference high profile speakers and panellists, including government and business leaders, academics and economists, will provide their first-hand insights across various topics. Info: www. asiahouseconference.org
15 Oct
O2 African Music Awards This year’s O2 African Music Awards (AMAs) is ready to take London by storm with its unique blend of African music and culture. It will be held at Wembley Arena, London and looks set to make major strides towards becoming one of Africa’s premier global events. African Music Awards will donate ten per cent of every ticket sold to LIME MAGAZINE 2010
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events
I HAVE A DREAM
F
oluke Akinlose MBE had a dream, this was to see women of colour in magazines, being celebrated at awards shows and acknowledged by wider audiences. In 1999 she founded the website Precious Online and since then she has gone on to produce the Precious Awards. Lime talks business, Nigeria and black history with this inspiring woman. You came out with Precious Online in the late Nineties when there weren’t many black website out there, what was your motivation for doing this? When I was younger I had a real passion for magazines, I was obsessed with them, but there weren’t any magazines that had women that looked like me in them, there were no images of black or Asian people. So I said when I get older I’ll try and launch something and I did.
Tell us about the Precious Awards? The reason I did the Precious Awards is because I usually get invited to a lot of events for women in business, but there were never any women of colour being celebrated. But I knew that there were a lot of women doing great things so I thought I would start something myself. How has it grown from its conception to what it is today? The first one we did was 6 LIME MAGAZINE 2010
WORDS: Jennifer Rock Foluke Akinlose and Abu Bundu-Kamara done on a shoe-string budget. It grew from passion, determination and my stubbornness to do something worthwhile. We contacted Pearson Publishing and because we are online publishers, we thought it’d be a great synergy there. They were really supportive, in the first three years we held the awards at their HQ on the Strand and they have helped us a lot in terms of growing the brand. You are now partnering with the British Library for the Precious Awards, how did that partnership come about? We’ve been in partnership with them for about seven or eight years, we had a conference a couple of years ago, all about the benefits of networking and the partnership just grew from there. The British Library is a great brand and they are great for supporting entrepreneurs and we’re delighted that we’re working with them again this year. Tell us about the event you are putting together with Jessica Huie Precious You. In 2007 Jessica (founder of Colour Blind Cards) won the Precious Award for
Entrepreneur of the Year and we got together and we talked about when you’re in business it is hard to focus on building the inner you. It’s hard to find something that will prepare you for being an entrepreneur internally and getting the work life balance. We wanted to bring this together in one event which is a little unique. How did you feel about receiving an MBE? The MBE was a total shock, I got a call from the Cabinet Office and I thought it was a joke, I was so shocked and I still am now because it is hard to believe that you’re doing something that you are passionate about and you’re going to be rewarded for it. Where do you find the time to fit in all these project? (Laughs) I don’t really have a break; I haven’t had a holiday in about seven years. I find it hard to switch off, I do work constantly. You are of Nigerian descent and they are celebrating their 50th anniversary of independence, what does this mean to you? It’s a massive country, rich in resources, but there is mass poverty. It is still striving to
reach its potential. In terms of influential Nigerians, for me it has to be Fela. Growing up, his music was part of the soundtrack to my life as my parents played Fela a lot. When I hear his music today it brings back huge, happy memories. To me he is as influential today as he was 30 years ago. THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH QUESITON: What is the importance of Black History Month and is it still relevant today? In terms of Precious, every month is Black History Month. There is still relevance for a lot of people but it’s becoming harder to celebrate because I don’t think it’s been embraced by people who have got the money to help fund things. Info: Precious You takes place on 7 November 2010 and The Precious Awards takes place on 8 November 2010. www.preciousonline. co.uk
events
African Music Awards nominee Fally Ipupa. UNICEF UK. The event will be hosted by Simon Webbe (Blue). Categories include Radio DJ of the Year; Best African Music Promoter, Best Artist West Africa and Best African Gospel Music. Congolese singer Fally Ipupa has been nominated for African Artist of the Year. Lime’s July cover star K’Naan has also been nominated in the same category. Voting closes on 10 October 2010. Time: 6 p.m. for 7 p.m. Info: www. africamusicawards.com
15-17 Oct
The Cheese and Wine Festival
a unique opportunity to taste and buy an array of products from France and Corsica, Holland, Italy, Sardinia and Sicily, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Austria and more. This is a must-attend event for all cheese and wine lovers, and a great opportunity to learn more about this perfect combination. Time: 11am-8pm (6pm Sun) Southbank Centre Square, London SE1 Info: www. cheesewinefestival.com
15-17 Oct
Voices of the Black Diaspora 2010: 4th Annual Literature Festival and Book Fair Dozens of authors and writers, hundreds of readers, thousands of books – all under one roof. Participants include Robin Walker, Neil Mayers, Poppyseed, Nicole Moore, Andrew Muhammed, Toyin Agbetu and many more. Time: 10am-9pm Centreprise, 136 Kingsland High Street, London E8 2NS Info: www. centerprisetrust.org.uk
16-18 Oct
The Cheese and Wine festival, now in its second year, will be dedicated to produce of the world. Alongside some of the best cheeses and wines from England, Scotland, and Ireland, there will also be
Salon International 2010 The biggest hair event in the UK, Salon International will be returning this October, attracting hair professionals from throughout the UK and beyond for inspirational catwalk shows, live demonstrations and top global brands. So, if it’s the industry’s leading names, hottest hair fashions and the latest trends and techniques you want to see, join us at ExCeL London. There are over 200 exhibitors including Creme of Nature, Corioliss, ghd and Paul Mitchell. Excel Centre, Royal Docks, London
Info: www. salonexhibitions.co.uk
16/17 Oct
UK Rumfest 2010 – Rum and Cane Spirit Festival
The UK RumFest is the ultimate rum experience for rum drinkers, rum aficionados and rum lovers that have travelled to the tropics to sample the music, the food, the partying and people associated with drinking rum. Highlights include: • Over 400 rums to sip, savour and buy • Try cocktails mixed by the UK’s best mixologists. • Watch live cocktail demonstrations. • Live musical entertainment including salsa, soca, reggae, zouk and samba. • Rum master classes conducted by industry experts and master blenders. • Be the first to try new rums to the UK market. • A chance to win two Caribbean holidays and visit a real rum distillery. Time: 12-7pm UK Rumfest 2010, Olympia 2, Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UX Info: www.rumfest.co.uk
22 Oct
The Metropolitan Police presents the annual Celebration of Life Concert Headlining this year’s Celebration of Life Concert is the legendary UK reggae group Aswad, Courtney Pine, Lifeforce Band, Guvna B, Kersha Bailey and Vula. Time: 7.30pm Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London SE1 Info: www. southbankcentre.co.uk
29 Oct
SoulBrew Karaoke SoulBrew Karaoke is unlike any other event. Not only have we hand picked the finest selection of soul and disco – from Stevie Wonder to Beyonce – to choose from and a dream team of musicians but this time it’s you up on stage with the backing of this expert live five piece funk band. Last Friday of every month. Time: 8pm-2am Queen of Hoxton, 1-5 Curtain Road London EC2A 3JX Info: www. soulbrewkaraoke.com
29 Oct
BHM: Q&A with T4 Presenter, Jameela Jamil Channel 4 comes to the Ritzy to celebrate Black History Month
17 Oct
Brides of Culture Bridal Show We have moved to a cooler and bigger venue. V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road London E2 9PA Info: info@ bridesofculture.com
Jameela Jamil LIME MAGAZINE 2010
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events T4’s rising star, Jameela Jamil describes life as a presenter on one of the UK’s most popular TV shows and offers invaluable advice for anyone wanting a career in the industry. Panel discussion and Q&A with presenter, Jameela Jamil, Channel 4’s head of T4 and music, Neil McCallum, T4 executive producer, Sebastian Grant, chaired by Channel 4’s diversity and talent manager, Ade Rawcliffe. Time: 6.45pm-8pm Ritzy Picturehouse, Coldharbour Lane, London SW2 1JG Info: www.picturehouses. co.uk/ritzy
30 Oct
BHM: Behind the Scenes with E4’s The Misfits Channel 4 comes to the Ritzy to celebrate Black History Month. The talented cast of Misfits share their experience of working on one of E4’s most popular dramas and offer a sneak preview of the highly anticipated new series. Panel discussion and Q&A with Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Curtis), Antonia Thomas (Alisha), Lauren Socha (Kelly), Iwan Rheon (Simon) Petra Fried, executive producer and Channel 4’s commissioning editor, The Misfits
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drama, Robert WulffCochrane. Time: 6.30pm-7.45pm Ritzy Picturehouse, Coldharbour Lane, London SW2 1JG Info: www.picturehouses. co.uk/ritzy
HEADS UP 07 Nov
Precious You – Inner Fulfilment for business success takes Many of us aspire to material success, however business accolades and financial security do not lead to fulfilment, and indeed when women recognise and begin a journey of reflection and personal development, experience shows that outer success tends to follow suit. Entrepreneur Jessica Huie, founder of JH Public Relations and Colorblind cards, teamed with Foluke Akinlose MBE founder of the acclaimed Precious Awards, to launch this annual event for women in business who recognise the importance of life balance and the benefits of a holistic approach to business life. Attendees to Precious You will be treated to a stellar line up of speakers including; Serial Entrepreneur Deirdre Bounds, founder
of I to I a gap year travel company which she sold for £20million before becoming best selling author of Fulfilled, the story of her own personal revolution which made her business success a reality. Lifecoach to the stars Ali Campbell and best-selling author of Just get on with it – a kind, compelling kick up the ass whose client list includes every one from the A-list to royalty drives home ‘The Power of thought.’ Leading business coach & speaker Rasheed Ogunlaru, author of The Gift of inner success takes us on a tour of 5 cornerstones; clarity, courage, customers, cooperation and compassion. Speaking on ‘Building your business by Heart ‘ Participate in the Founder of Progressive Yoga Thierry Gunta’s ‘Learn to meditate’ workshop PR Mogul Max Clifford on why Public Relations is essential for every business. Time: 12-6pm One Alfred Place, 1 Alfred Place, WC1E 7EB Info: www. thepreciousnetwork.com
08 Nov
The Precious Awards 2010 - Celebrating Your Success Stories Sponsored by The British Library. Precious invites you to join us as we celebrate the achievements of some of the most successful women of colour in business and leadership. Hosted by the Precious business coach, Rasheed Ogunlaru and Colorblind Cards/JHPR founder, Jessica Huie. Great food and drink, lively networking, and of course the Precious goody bag. We really hope you can join us. Time: 6-9.30pm The British Library, Euston Road, London Info: www. preciousawards.com
27 Nov Tedx Euston
Hannah Pool To attend, you have to be invited. There are only 100 seats and availability is limited and seats will be prioritised for those most likely to add value to the TEDx event. Speakers include Hannah Pool, Petina Gappah, Muhtar Bakare, Winnie Ssanyu-Sseruma. We follow the TED format as much as possible and the TED conference is unique. The speakers sit with the attendees, many of whom are also involved in wonderful and uplifting work. There are no keynote speakers; all speakers are equal. There are no panel discussions or Q&A. Instead, there are frequent breaks where people can speak to whomever they choose; and because the entire room is filled with people passionate about Ideas Worth Spreading, many new ideas and idea cross-pollination occurs. The sheer beauty of a day like this is that everyone gathered is there to ensure that the ideas move on to have greater impact in our world. Room 110 Wilkins (Old Refectory room), University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT Info: www.tedxeuston. com
events Review: Anjum Anand’s Clawson’s Paneer Cookery Masterclass
WORDS: Natasha Devon As a selfconfessed Indian cuisine enthusiast, paneer cheese is one of those ingredients that, heretofore, I had relegated to the realms of ‘side dish’ in my mind. I’d never have dreamed of purchasing paneer, outside my local curry house and I’d only ever tasted it mixed with spinach, sat to the left of my lamb madras. I was therefore intrigued as to how celebrity chef Anjum Anand was going to fulfil her promise and transform this simple ingredient into a tasty and satisfying six course lunch. I was surprised to learn that you can actually buy Clawson’s paneer from Morrison’s, Tesco’s and Sainsbury’s. Whilst Anjum is famed for her easy, healthy Indian recipes, she vowed to show us how paneer can be used to make a wide variety of dishes, inspired by flavours from throughout the globe. Paneer, which is one of the few cheeses indigenous to the Indian subcontinent, has the texture of halloumi but
by tastes more like mozzarella. It’s therefore the perfect meat-substitute to use in dishes like curry because it absorbs the flavours that surround it, whilst providing a substantial base. It’s completely vegetarian and high in protein, so makes an interesting alternative to the usual meat replacements. We began with a simple Thai curry, which Anjum showed us how to make using one pot (this is a particular passion of hers, ensuring the usage of one, sole pot, and as a single busy girl in the Capital I’m more than a little bit grateful for this. The paneer was cut into 1 ½ inch cubes and boiled for 20 minutes, prior to adding to a mixture of fried onion, red Thai curry paste, coconut milk, halved cherry tomatoes, mange tout, a handful of noodles, sprinkling of sugar and lime leaves. It’s so simple I’d defy anyone to get it wrong, and the result is a pleasing variety of textures, encased in a delicious, slightly spicy sauce. Anjum’s paneer tikka masala was absolutely divine, and was followed
the more traditional paneer spinach curry and paneer fajitas (just grab your usually fajita dinner kit and use paneer instead of chicken – easy). The highlight, however, was the grilled tandoori paneer skewers – the dish to which, in my opinion, the cheese most readily lent itself. The paneer, cut into larger 3cm squares, was marinated in yogurt, vegetable oil, lemon juice, garam masala, chilli powder, cumin, garlic and ginger paste and then sprinkled liberally with paprika (to give the traditional red colour). It was grilled for 10 to 15 minutes on skewers nestled between large chunks of red pepper and red onion. It was a triumph – light yet satisfying, tasty yet subtle. The paneer tandoori skewers didn’t suffer from the identity crisis which tarnished some of the other dishes. The meat eaters amongst us were generally left thinking that the curries and fajitas, whilst perfectly nice for veggies, left us desperately craving a lovely bit of chicken. The paneer tandoori skewers, on the other hand, were a perfect
starter for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, and never once induced hallucinatory visions of a butchers’ window. We finished with a layered berry and paneer cheesecake, designed to showcase paneer’s versatility as a sweet ingredient. The dish was elegant to the eye but had been, we were assured by Anjum, extremely easy to make, using mixed berries, crème de cassis and digestive biscuits. The texture of the paneer was slightly grainy, but not unpleasant and the cheesecake made for an unusual take on a classic desert. The paneer we sampled was made by Clawson Dairy. For more information go to www.clawson.co.uk. To find out more about Anjum Anand go to www. anjumanand.co.uk LIME MAGAZINE 2010
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GAllery
DO YOU HAVE
AN AFRO ‘I E
rrol began his photography career 10 years ago after finishing his studies at Croydon College and the London College of Communication. He then went on to work at a small magazine before working alongside Rankin and Phil Poynter at Dazed and Confused. This month, Errol debuts his first major exhibition Do You Have an Afro, a collection of photographs of people with unique afros. Lime finds out why he chose to celebrate Black History Month with this show.
The Afro exhibition is a unique piece of art work. What inspired you to create it? A combination of things contributed to the creation of this show. I always had memories of an American group called The Ohio Players who made soul music. They had brilliant album covers with beautiful girls and good looking guys with these huge afros. It looked more like a piece of art rather than an album cover. But they were always in my subconscious and I guess eventually, something just triggered it off.
t’s quite sad that a lot people make judgements about you based on your hair because most of the time they’re stereotypical judgements’
How did you find people to take part? It was surprisingly easy actually. I just put up an ad on Gumtree asking people to send in their pictures and it just snowballed from there. The response I got was crazy, there’s been a huge movement of people going back to their natural hair, people travelling from outside of London to take part. There were even people from America saying that they wished they lived in London so they could get involved. Over a period of six months there were 30,000 hits on the Afro section of my website. I never expected that level of recognition so it was great. When it comes to women, do you prefer natural or relaxed hair? That’s a tricky one because I’m more about the woman than the hair, so I’m not really fussed about that- just
THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH QUESITON: What is the importance of Black History Month and is it still relevant today? Black History Month is always going to be relevant. It’s a good time for people 10 LIME MAGAZINE 2010
to be exposed to things they haven’t seen and to catch-up with things they may have missed during the year. It’s a really important time and Britain has a long history of incorporating different cultures.
as long as she has some hair. Do you think hair is a big part of someone’s personality? What does WORDS: Alicia Adejobi your own hair say about you? I think it does define a person’s character and that’s what makes people special, because you can experiment with it. I’ve got dreadlocks and it was my choice to have them but it’s hard because people judge you by the way your hair is. My ‘locks usually make people think I’ve got something to sell them, which can get quite annoying. It’s quite sad that a lot people make judgements about you based on your hair because most of the time they’re stereotypical judgements. Is there a particular structure to the Afro exhibition? What can we expect? There’s no particular order to the show it’s just about getting the good images up and hopefully giving people an interest in it. I want to inspire people to make comments, pick up a camera or see a new hairstyle and maybe try it. The Afro exhibition is really an expression of the people I took pictures of, reflecting their style and character. Info: The Do You Have an Afro Exhibition takes place from 11 October to 14 November, 2010 at the The Lounge in Brixton. www.errolphotography. com
GALLERY Black History Month Hero GALLERY: JOHN FERGUSON
01-31 Oct
BHM: Black Britannia Photographic Exhibition by John Ferguson Black Britannia features striking photograph portraits by talented photographer John Ferguson, Fleet Streets first black photographer in the 1980’s, of some of the most well known – and less familiar – black men and women who have risen to the top of their chosen fields. Under the title Black Britannia, the full exhibition comprises of 55 portraits of inspirational black Britons who inspired personally the artist in the past or who are currently making great strides in public life. Of the 55 black Britons, some well know names such as Sir Trevor McDonald, Lenny Henry, Naomi Campbell, Paul Ince, Lewis Hamilton, and others from various occupations such as head teachers to supermodels, boxers to lawyers – these are people from all walks
11 Oct – 14 Nov
Errol photography exhibition: Do You Have an Afro?
of life. For Black History Month 2010, John Ferguson has selected his favourites portraits of individuals to show at Open The Gate in Hackney, London. The exhibition aims to highlighting the achievements of these individuals, by promoting a positive image of black Britons and a message to today’s black youth through these high quality aesthetic portraits. Open The Gate, 33-35 Stoke Newington Rd London N16 8BJ Info: www.openthegate. org.uk
01-31 Oct
BHM: Sisters in Spirit Exhibition A landmark exhibition showcasing the work of 11 black female artist celebrating Black History Month in the London Borough of Haringey. The exhibition is curated by Clem Richards. Whether choosing paint, collage, mosaic or textiles a fresh crop of black British artists including the works of Soheila Keyani, Paulette
Dionne Ible, Jennifer Lewis, Carol Ann Edwards and Mary Osinibi are making waves in a field where, for so long, black women were unrepresented. Original Gallery, 1st Floor, Hornsey Library Haringey Park London N8 9JA Info: www. alexandragalleries.com
Robinson, Melanie “Shay” LaRocque, Michaela Lavine Lewin, Lorna Graham, Carol John, Munirah Olton,
After placing an advert on the internet inviting people with afros to come for a photo shoot London based portrait, music and fashion photographer Errol has built a collection of photographs and called it Do You Have an Afro? In regards to what influenced the style of the photographs, Errol says: “I was influenced by an early 80s American soul/funk band called the Ohio Players, they had the most amazing Afros and now iconic album covers. I’ve always been interested in people that do things with passion, dedication and sometimes run against the flow.” The photographs were taken over the period of one year. Over 30 people who responded to the advertisement had photographs of their Afros taken. Lounge Brixton, 55-58 Atlantic Road, London SW2 8PZ Info: www. errolphotography.com
13 Oct – 27 Nov
Nick Walker’s In Gods we Trust
In Gods We Trust sees an exciting new exhibition from iconic artist and graffiti pioneer – Nick Walker – the artist’s first major solo show in 2 years. Having created an international storm through a series of controversial street works (‘Le Corancan’ Paris – March 2010 and ‘Amerikarma’ New York – July 2010) the groundbreaking street artist is now moving from the streets back to the gallery. In Gods We Trust confronts cultural practices and dogmas through a paradoxical exploration of political and religious landscapes. Debuting 12 new works, this shrewd new showcase is set to be Nick Walker’s most powerful collection to date. Art Sensus, 7 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1BB Info: www.artsensus.com
28 Oct
Nigeria 50 To celebrate 50 years of Nigerian independence, view our Nigerian objects in African Worlds after hours. Then join Nzinga for a Bata dance performance and workshop. Bata is a Yoruba dance associated with Sango, God of thunder and lightning. Time: 6.30 – 8pm Horniman Museum, African Worlds/Gallery Square, 100 London Road,London SE23 3PQ Info: www.horniman. ac.uk LIME MAGAZINE 2010
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MUSIC THEATRE In association with
Afridiziak Theatre Review: JA Story Words: Sophia A Jackson Afridiziak rating: HHHH The script writer of the highly-acclaimed Black Heroes in the Hall of Fame, J.D. Douglas is back with J.A. Story, the Musical which he has written, composed and directed. Jamaica is a country rich in beauty, culture and resources but is sometimes in the limelight for all the wrong reason. In J.D.’s musical, this Caribbean island is given a makeover using songs, dance and humour to chart key historical events and yes, there’s more to Jamaica than the late, great Robert Nestor Marley. In this production, Jamaica’s story begins with Christopher Columbus and the impact of Spain, China, India and Britain. Other highlights include the Maroons, the Morant Bay Uprising, William James Gordon (awarded the Victoria Cross), Marcus Garvey, and Ian Fleming (created James Bond). There are also other facts in between and we end on a high with Jamaica’s independence in August, 1962. In the UK, black history is often marginalised into October for black history month with slavery being the topic of choice and not much else. 12 LIME MAGAZINE 2010
Afridiziak Theatre News: for all the latest news, reviews and interviews from the world of African-Caribbean theatre. Join our mailing list: info@afridiziak.com or visit www.afridizak.com. J.A. Story is a much needed historical journey for people like me who want to learn more about Jamaica’s past. But don’t worry it’s not like text book learning. No, J.D. ensures the audience is thoroughly entertained, engaged and enlightened from start to finish. He does this by incorporating smooth choreography married with uplifting lyrics and songs which he combines with the skill of a good story teller who has a sense of pride for his people. In my eyes, this play’s opening song serves as a warm reminder of what Jamaica is all about Sweet Paradise, Jamaica Nice. As someone of Jamaican heritage, I agree. I hope J.A. Story gets to tour all over the world as it’s a joy to watch and a pleasurable learning experience. Published courtesy of Afridiziak Theatre News: www.afridiziak.com/ theatrenews JA story will be at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon on 22 October and Stratford Circus Theatre from 27-30 October. Info: www.jastory.com
Black History Month Hero THEATRE: JAMES EARL JONES James Earl Jones featured in the west end production Cat on Hot Tin Roof in London from November 2009 to April 2010. He gave England a taste of what we had so greatly longed for (since his roles in Coming to America, Star Wars et al) – his unmistakable booming voice, and top acting credentials. This was his second season in the west end, proving age is no barrier.
Until 10 Oct / 26 - 30th Oct
Collective Artistes presents The Meeting By Jeff Stetson, an imagined encounter directed by Chuck Mike. Valentine’s Day, 1965. Days before his brutal assassination, Malcolm X will risk the scorn of his followers to meet the one man whose passion for freedom rivals his own: Martin Luther King, Jr. Featuring Cornell S John (Kidulthood, The Chronicles of Narnia) as Malcolm X and Ray Shell (The Lion King, Five Guys Named Mo) as Martin Luther King Jr. Time: 7.30pm Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Road, London N7 9EF Info: www.pleasance. co.uk/themeeting
Until 01 Oct
The Decypher Collective presents 8Sixteen32 8SIXTEEN32 refers to typical bar lines used in grime: these rhythms permeate the show, which
dramatises a ‘life of grime’ in a series of set pieces [Street, Yard, Club…] capturing the excitement, aspirations, creativity and disillusionment of the scene as its participants each seek to prove their skills and make their name. The show also examines the way that grime is coopted by corporate interests which never quite ‘get’ it… In the show, the ‘N81632’ is a new state-of-the-art phone the crew all crave – Advertised appropriately using a grime soundtrack. The young performers combine impressive musicality with a stage presence, comic timing and a general sense of theatre that wouldn’t disgrace more seasoned performers, so that the show is a lot more than just an extended sequence of rhymes, but nonetheless maintains the grittiness and essentially improvised feel of the scene. The Albany, Douglas Way, London SE8 Info: www.thealbany. org.uk
THEATRE MUSIC Until 09 Oct
Estate Walls Three ghetto youts on de estate wall, whole day pass dey do na’ting at all, Dey fink dey bad cos dey fightin’ ‘n’ brawlin’, but one of dese mornin’, one of dese mornin’, one of dese mornin’...” Set in an inferior London estate, told through rich, witty urban street slanguage, Estate Walls follows the story of Obi, a young writer who dreams of leaving his estate, but with bad boys Myles and Cain for best friends, there are bound to be setbacks. As Myles and Cain plan another heist, Obi decides to opt out but his refusal to take part in their caper, and his growing love for a forbidden girl land him in a whole world of problems. Inner City Theatre presents this gripping, poetic, thriller written by Artistic Director Arinze Kene, as their debut production directed by Ché Walker. Free Post-show Discussions: 05 Oct A chance to put your questions and feedback to the creative team. Estate Walls is a part of Omo London, Oval House Theatre’s Nigeria in British playwriting festival. Time: 7.45pm Oval House Theatre. 52-54 Kennington Oval, London SE11 5SW Info: www.ovalhouse. com
Until 09 Oct
Fuel and Soho Theatre present Inua Ellams’ Untitled Untitled is a magical realist story about twin brothers separated at birth, one of them growing up in Nigeria and the other in London. The timing of the production is especially relevant as Untitled will be staged, at Soho Theatre, over the 50th anniversary of Nigerian independence on 1 October. The narrative
is inspired by the belief, in certain parts of West Africa, that a child grows up to embody its name. Ellams makes skilful use of linguistic style to differentiate between the characters and their cultures and create a beautifully woven narrative. This is a compelling story which explores issues of relationships and friendship, and the question of nature versus nurture, both for the brothers themselves and also the nation as a whole. The play asks some fundamental questions, such as who is culpable for what has happened in Nigeria? And whose responsibility is it to fix the problems? Untitled is a one-man show written and performed by Inua Ellams and co-commissioned by Soho Theatre, Fuel and Contact. Soho has combined forces with producers Fuel to present the show in London. It will also tour nationally. Time: 7.30pm Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London, W1D 3NE Info: www.sohotheatre. com
Until 02 Oct
Clybourne Park In 1959 Russ and Bev are selling their desirable
two-bed at a knock-down price. This enables the first black family to move into the neighbourhood, creating ripples of discontent amongst the cosy white urbanites of Clybourne Park. In 2009, the same property is being bought by Lindsey and Steve whose plans to raze the house and start again is met with a similar response. Are the issues festering beneath the floorboards actually the same fifty years on? The cast includes Lorna Brown, Martin Freeman, Sarah Goldberg, Lucian Msamati, Steffan Rhodri, Sam Spruell and Sophie Thompson. Bruce Norris’ satirical new comedy explores the fault line between race and property. Written in two parts, over two generations in 1959 and 2009, the company will play a different role in each act. Time: 7.30pm Royal Court, Sloane Square London SW1W 8AS
Info: www. royalcourttheatre.com
01/02/09/10 Oct
Oliver Samuels returns to the UK in Puppy Love
The plot revolves around a sultry and precocious 20 year old girl – Karen “Kar Kar” Cross (Natalee Cole), who under the influence of peer pressure, becomes romantically involved with middle age Dick (Oliver Samuels) – her father’s best friend and business partner, Poor Dick tries desperately to repel Karen’s predatory advances, but weakens and gets sucked in by Karen’s
‘There should be dancing in the streets. There has never been anything like this.’ Ben Brantley, New York Times
‘An ecstatic phenomenon.’ Time Out, New York
From 6 November
020 7452 3000 felalondon.com Follow us
TS 10 KE £ C M TI O FR
Book Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones • Music and Lyrics Fela Anikulapo-Kuti • Additional Lyrics Jim Lewis • Additional Music Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean • Conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel • Executive Producers: Shawn ‘Jay-Z’ Carter, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth and Stephen Hendel
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MUSIC THEATRE
INNER CITY LIFE The multitalented Arinze Kene ups his game
I
f ever there was a man who needed to be in two places at the same time, it’s Arinze Kene. He has his time management skills locked down because amidst staging his new play Estate Walls and setting up the Inner City Theatre Company, he has also been shooting EastEnders since July. From October we’ll be able to see him back on our screens both on Albert Square and also as part of Casualty’s celebration of 25 years. Look out for him in what he describes as a ‘juicy episode’. So he’s clearly doing a grand job of balancing his acting and writing passions. For now, we’re all about theatre and Afridiziak Theatre News founder Sophia A Jackson spent a precious hour in the company of this deep, passionate and highly opinionated creative.
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WORDS: Sophia A Jackson Congratulations on your new play Estate Walls which is a part of Omo London, Oval House Theatre’s Nigeria in British playwrighting festival. What inspired you to write it? One of the things that inspired me to write it was because I live in Hackney and behind my road is an estate where my room looks out on to. So I have the pleasure of living on a road but also the feeling of being on an estate. I spent so many summers just going onto the estate with my friends. We’d talk about girls, money, the future and religion – things like that. It was so beautiful the
fact that we could just chill from 12 in the afternoon until 12 midnight. When I started acting I wanted to tell stories as I felt there was a hole or generational gap. I think British theatre documents Britain and I felt as though they weren’t documenting this part and I wanted to tell the story of how we, we being inner city, have complex relationships. And that we love each other and it’s not all hate, hate, hate. I also wanted to tell the story of why the hate is there and how it develops. The whole first scene of this play just shows how much love these guys have for each other. It gets beautiful
at points and it gets nasty at parts but most of the time is spent loving each other. But they are coming from such hardships that they can’t say ‘I love you’. A lot of young people like myself don’t feel as though they can do certain things but we’re part of the pro-am generation. We’re professional amateurs. I wanted to do this for me and other writers so there can be a blueprint after me. Nigeria celebrates its 50th anniversary of independence on October 1. What does that mean to you? It means a lot. I’ve never celebrated Nigeria’s
THEATRE MUSIC route and just before I went to university I thought let me give myself a chance at acting and within the first few months I was doing Torn and I haven’t stopped working since. That’s why I have to reiterate that we are the pro-am generation, we learn from YouTube, from Facebook, from Bebo and MySpace. You really have to embrace these things and move with the times. There’s a rawness to me that I wouldn’t give up for the world. The best actors I have worked with have never been afraid of looking silly. You can’t be afraid of looking stupid.
‘T
here’s a rawness to me that I wouldn’t give up for the world.’
independence before and my parents don’t celebrate it but I’m very Nigerian. I live here but when people ask me where I’m from I’m Nigerian – I’m not British. I came to the UK when I was 4-years-old but I know where I’m coming from. On some levels, if I’m totally honest, I feel as if London, England isn’t for me. England feels a bit like a raft, a boat in the sense that it gets you from one place to another in terms of business or education. It doesn’t seem like land to me but certain countries I go to seem like land. How did the collaboration
with Che Walker come about? I worked with him on Been So Long. Che discovered me at Femi Tay Oguns’ Identity Drama School. Femi’s is an amazing, actor, director, writer, entrepreneur who is doing a lot in the game and responsible for launching the careers of loads of young black actors including myself and Daniel Greene who plays the lead part in Estate Walls so a big shout out to Femi. Che’s a tutor there and discovered me and asked me to do a reading for him for Been So Long. I remember reading it and thinking this is hilarious. I did the reading and then a year later the Young Vic were interested. I was in France at the time. Whilst I was in France I sent Che Estate Walls and he liked it and wanted to direct it. So every time I came back from France I made sure I met up with Che and we’d talk about it. We had a reading and have been developing it since 2008. Where did you train to be an actor? I went to Identity Drama School. I would go there every week on and off for
about a year and a half but at first I wasn’t mad serious. Well I was serious but I wasn’t sure about whether or not I would make it. I guess you could say I trained on the job as well. I was there for a few months and then we did Torn and then I was there another few months and then I did Daddy Cool. It’s really important to train in between jobs. I would say I’ve had a rare career. Where did the desire to be an actor come from? I loved acting from a young age but I’m from Nigeria and my parents are very old school so subconsciously I was making decisions for them. They didn’t tell me to drop drama but I did it to make them happy. So I went down the academia
How will Estate Walls attract more diverse audiences into the theatre? One, the people who are involved in it like myself, being someone who knows a lot of black people in the industry and telling them that this is one not to be missed. Two, it’s a play about black people and celebrating urban youth and young black people. One of the main reasons I started Inner City Theatre is because I want to reengage black audiences with theatre by putting on quality plays. Estate Walls is at the Oval House Theatre until October 9, 2010. Info: www. innercitytheatre.com Published courtesy of Afridiziak Theatre News: www.afridiziak.com/ theatrenews
THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH QUESITON: What is the importance of Black History Month and is it still relevant today? Yes. I think we could give out more black history – we need
some new black history as it seems like the same thing every year. What I like about Estate Walls being part of Black History Month because the play is a documentation of our black history.
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MUSIC THEATRE alluring and disarming charm and her stunningly beautiful and nubile body. Needless to say the situation drives a deep and painful wedge between the two men, and plunges Dick’s thirty year marriage to Denise (Dahlia Harris) into crisis. Astute writing from Patrick Brown keeps the audience one step ahead of the characters, adding to the fun and laughter. 01/02 Oct: Broadway Theatre, Catford (0208 690 0002) 09/10 Oct: Hackney Empire, London (0208 985 2424)
02 Oct
Tropical Island live radio and musical theatre
05-09 Oct
The Day the Waters Came Takes young audiences to New Orleans to New Orleans in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina struck the city and devastated much of it. Writer Lisa Evans is intent on weaving the personal stories of invisible lives into huge dramatic events of the world stage. A long fascination with the American civil rights movement had already focused the writer on events which highlighted the best and the worst of politics and the human spirit under George W. Bush. Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street London SE1 2HZ Info: www. unicorntheatre.com
05-10 Oct
Tropical Island, the westend musical theatre show returns with a special one-off radio showcase from Freedom’s Ark in north London. This is a special fund raising event to support communities. The show is exciting and interactive with a limbo competition, dancers, radio host and you. Yes, you help to make the show by joining in the fun, reading out letters and making requests to friends and families around the world and filmed for TV. If you’re looking for happiness you’ll find it here with Tropical Island the live radio and theatre show. Time: 12pm / 4pm Freedom’s Ark, 117 Bruce Grove, London N17 6UR Info: www.tropicalisland. co.uk
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Afrovibes Festival at The Albany No borders: cutting edge and confronting theatre, dance and visual arts from South Africa. The Albany, Deptford, host Afrovibes for three weeks in October presenting the festival’s renowned roster of raw and uncompromising contemporary South African performance, dance, film, literature and visual arts alongside a fringe programme of British work relating to the festival’s themes. Welcome to Rocksburg: A new play by Paul Grootboom which premiered at 2009’s National Arts Festival, Grahamstown and a gritty, unsentimental view of life in the townships today. Grootboom is one of South Africa’s most important theatre makers. Described as the ‘Township Tarantino’, his critically acclaimed Township Stories toured the UK for 12 weeks in 2006. Rocksburg is a original
South African “action play” in the grand tradition of Hollywood action movies. A Face Like Mine: Another Grahamstown premiere from the Baxter Theatre exploring the fragmented perceptions of black femininity. The piece delves into complex questions about culture and identity observing the subtle relations and tensions between black women and white men. As well, A Face Like Mine touches on black on black prejudices. Renowned producer Lara Foot Newton joined forces with creator Asanda Phewe, University of Cape Town’s Best Theatre-Maker of 2008, to premier A Face Like Mine at the Grahamstown Festival in 2009. Ncamisa! The Women: A one woman play exploring the fallout of being a lesbian in Khayelitsha Township, on the outskirts of Cape Town. Directed by Peter Hayes and performed by Pam Ngwabeni, this play depicts a world of light living and deep passion, casual violence and serious relationships, woven together with soccer and song. Via Volcano – Mzobane:
In association with Breaking Cycles: A new breed of dancers from Kagiso township who add modern
twists to the traditional township dance of pantsula – A dance that fuses breaking, with hip-hop and tap. A co-commission with Dance Umbrella SA, this new piece is choreographed by William Mbambo and Directed/Dramaturged by British hip-hop theatre artist Benji Reid – An exciting collaboration which brings a new dance form to the UK and developes a link with the UK’s hip-hop theatre audiences in the process. The Albany, Douglas Way, London SE8 Info: www.ukarts.com / www.thealbany.org.uk
15 Oct
BHM: Napoleon Maddox: ISWhat?! US jazz and hiphop artist Napoleon Maddox and his group ISWHAT?! perform at artsdepot. Featuring fierce jazz sounds, funky groove and vocal gymnastics, Napoleon Maddox and ISWHAT?! span a range of musical styles, taking in everything from Duke Ellington to Outkast to create a wildly original mix of hip hop and acoustic jazz. Napoleon Maddox is a beatboxer, rapper, singer, songwriter, teacher and broadcaster who has performed worldwide, and worked with musicians and producers including Karsh Kale, Burnt Sugar, Hamid Drake and Roy Nathanson. Cincinnatibased ISWHAT?!, led by Maddox, is one of the most groundbreaking hip-hop groups to emerge from America in recent memory. Time: 8pm artsdepot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, London N12 0GA Info: www.artsdepot. co.uk
THEATRE MUSIC 25 Oct
Salute to the Wailers – The Story of Jamaica’s First Super Group
Celebrating over 40 years of music from Jamaica’s first super group – Salute to the Wailers is a live musical celebration and visual experience that proudly recognises the contribution of all the individual musicians who were responsible for creating the sound that today remains the blueprint of reggae music. Starring Perfect Purple alongside a collection of the UK’s finest young vocal and dancing talent, come along and be reminded why even in the 21st century Bob Marley remains a poetic visionary and hear why the music of The Wailers remains as fresh as the day it was recorded. Get ready for the reggae event of the year, an evening celebrating, singing and dancing to your favourite Bob Marley and The Wailers songs. With full live band, dancers, onstage screen visuals, string section and vocalists that literally immerse themselves in the audience giving a full interactive experience. You will be truly entertained. HMV Hammersmith Apollo, 45 Queen Caroline Street, London, W6 9QH Info: www.hmvtickets. com
27 Oct – 20 Nov
Blue Orange Tiata Fahodzi presents a
radically new, all-female production of Joe Penhall’s award-winning Blue/ Orange, ten years on from the play’s acclaimed premiere. Blue/Orange is a passionate, witty and ultimately devastating exploration of institutional politics, mental health and race. A young woman alternately bewilders and beguiles her medical consultants. Faced with stories of a damaged childhood in thrall to Idi Amin and a precarious urban London upbringing, her doctors and the audience must question where the truth lies and to what extent it would be more dangerous to keep her inside than to set her free. Time: 8pm Arcola Theatre, 27 Arcola Street, London, E8 2 DJ Info: www.arcolatheatre. com
Until 26 Feb 2011
What a Feeling, as well as 14 new songs written specially for the musical. Time: 7.30pm Shaftesbury Theatre,
210 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8DP Info: www. flashdancethemusical. com
From 06 Nov
Fela! FELA! – a provocative and wholly unique hybrid of dance, theatre and music, exploring the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti – will open at the Olivier Theatre on 16 November. Using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), FELA! reveals Kuti’s controversial life as an artist and political activist. Featuring many of
Fela Kuti’s most captivating songs and Bill T Jones’s visionary staging, this original new creation comes via Broadway to the National Theatre. National Theatre, South Bank, London. SE1 9PX Info: www. nationaltheatre.org.uk/ felalondon/
Flashdance the Musical ‘A delectable comedy of inadvertent bad manners.’ Washington Post
Set in Pittsburgh, USA, Flashdance The Musical tells the story of 19-yearold Alex, a welder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night, whose dream is to obtain a place at the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy. This musical is about holding on to your dreams and love against all the odds features an iconic score including Maniac, Manhunt, Gloria, I Love Rock and Roll and the Academy award-winning title track Flashdance –
Cast includes (left to right) Steffan Rhodri (Gavin & Stacey), Martin Freeman (Sherlock Holmes), Sarah Goldberg, Lucian Msamati (No 1. Ladies Detective Agency), Lorna Brown, Sophie Thompson (Eastenders)
020 7565 5000 Tickets from only £10 www.royalcourttheatre.com Sloane Square
Victoria
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MUSIC
TASTE THE OKRA
EXPERIENCE
I
f your tastes are not confined to one stream of the Diaspora, and you can appreciate ancient traditions in the same breath as modern cultural expressions then Okra may be for you. The brainchild of south London DJs Duke Etienne and Suga Kan’n, Okra parties are rapidly gaining favour amongst London’s black bohemia with their blatant disregard for intercultural barriers.
Little more than a year ago, we came up with the idea for the series of events after repeated musical meetings at Afro-inspired parties across the capital. I’d be spinning at loft-parties and Suga Kan’n would always be there. I knew who he was and that he had amazing music that I’d never heard anyone else play. We collaborated a few times and the results were so good, we figured we should take things a step further. Our epic DJ sets, taking in everything from Guadeloupian Reggae to South African House and traditional Senegalese
WORDS: Duke Etienne Mbalax, are causing a stir on London’s afro circuit with the blend of Suga Kan’n’s traditional beats and my more contemporary selection garnering attention with each successive event.
sets are pretty unique. When we got together, we realized that we had stumbled upon something which no-one else in London was offering – and we just ran with it.
I’ve spent a long time on London’s club scene, and through my Caribbean heritage, got into music that used Caribbean rhythms in a more urban way. Suga has been digging out traditionally inspired music from Africa, the Caribbean and South America for the past decade. He’s travelled Africa a lot too so his DJ
It’s not all DJ sets though. Part of Okra’s enduring appeal is the importance it places on live music. So far our stage has played home to Bélé drummers and dancers from Martinique, traditional Afro-Brazilian Maracatu (Brazilian carnival music), North African Gnawa trance music, Jamaican Dub poets, Nigerian soul singers, Haitian Vodoun funk fusionists Adjabel and Kumina drummers direct from the hills of Jamaica. Live performance is important to us and we work hard to programme bands whose music tells a story in terms of its origins. It’s interesting, because although a lot of them are amazing performers, you’ll be hard pressed to see them play elsewhere. I think that’s part of the success of our nights, people know
THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH QUESITON: What is the importance of Black History Month and is it still relevant today? Black history month is both important and relevant. As a symbol of awareness of our cultures, our achievements and as a tool to the gradual healing of our people, it is vital. I think its 18 LIME MAGAZINE 2010
a shame that credit to black achievement must be condensed into one month per year. Whether we view the history of humanity on this earth in its entirety, or simply choose to look at modern history, it is undeniable that black culture has made a massive contribution to the world.
that when they come, they’re going to experience something truly different. A year later and the proof is in the pudding. Okra nights are increasingly well attended and it’s the sisters who are answering the call in droves. I never thought I’d say this, but we need more men at our events. We get good crowds, but they’re almost 80 per cent female. That’s great from my perspective, but the ladies are starting to complain that there aren’t enough men at our functions – brothers, you need to redress the balance. Whether male or female, there’s plenty of opportunity to taste the Okra experience. With a regular slot Upstairs at Brixton’s Ritzy cinema running in tandem with larger one-off events and a constant stream of secret parties for those in the know, there’s little excuse not to make it down to at least one Okra session. Black History Month Info: www. headshighmusic.com
MUSIC Black History Month Sheroe MUSIC: JENNIFER HUDSON Jennifer Hudson-Simon Cowell should never have doubted this ‘Shero’. Her vocals are amazing; she reflects modern day music with an old school sassiness. Jennifer Hudson’s efforts deserve to be recognised. In the past two years she has dealt with the murder of her mother, brother and nephew and become a mother – all in the public eye. Furthermore, Jennifer Hudson has recently lost over four stones in weight and become the ambassador for Weight Watchers. You go girl.
GYPTIAN’S MONSTER HIT HOLD YOU OUT THIS MONTH Jamaican star, Gyptian, is currently the hottest reggae artist on the planet, his latest single ‘Hold You’ has had over 13 million views on YouTube, and been lauded by Rolling Stone, Radio 1, 1Xtra, Kiss, Hip Hop Weekly, The Guardian, and many more. Recently nominated for a MOBO (Best Reggae Artist 2010), he’s been chosen as a headline act for BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Live event, while ‘Hold You’ has been championed on national radio by Zane Lowe, Trevor Nelson, Annie Mac, Mistajam, Nick Grimshaw (Record Of The Week) and Swerve. As a schoolboy, Gyptian (born Windel Beneto Edwards) practised with a Sunday school choir during the day, and sang with his uncle’s Kingston-based soundsystem at night. Growing up, he was influenced by the likes of Peter Tosh, and as a teenager he became fascinated with roots reggae, attracted by the 19 LIME MAGAZINE 2010
scene’s music and the genre’s social and political overtones. Gyptian’s dominated the Jamaican charts and music scene for the past 5 years, picking up awards from the music industry and media alike for his first and second albums (‘My Name Is Gyptian’ and ‘I Can Feel Your Pain’), and it was the latter that saw him crossover into the American mainstream. His third album, ‘Hold You’, and the US success of the title track, have continued this ascent. With Europe and the rest of the world catching on fast, major UK chart success now beckons. The single is release in the UK on October 31, 2010. Info: www.myspace. com/gyptian
EVERY TUESDAY
Roots Brasil the Other Side of Brazilian Music Roots Brasil is a collective of artists, musicians and DJs with the same passion for Brazilian music and culture. They aim to promote and expand the rich variety of Brazilian rhythms throughout London, preserving Brazilian regional characteristics by blending traditional Brazilian music with contemporary sounds. Time: 8pm-1am Barrio Central, 6 Poland Street, Soho, W1F 8PS Info: www.barriocentral. com
01 Oct
Raheem Devaughn American singer/songwriter
Abdul Wadud, he debuted in 2005 with The Love Experience, which sold over a quarter of a million units. Self-described as a r&b hippie neo-soul rock star, his 2008 single Woman earned a nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 2008 Grammy Awards, and his latest record The Love and War MasterPeace cracked the Billboard Top 10. Time: 7pm-11pm Jazz Cafe, 5 Parkway, London NW1 7PG Info: www.jazzcafelive. com
01 Oct
Kelis – The All Hear Tour Kelis’ rebirth as an electropop goddess is turning heads all over the music world. Time: 7pm O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London W12 Info: www. o2shepherdsbushempire. co.uk
02 Oct
Raheem Devaughn is one of the hottest names in neosoul. Son of the jazz cellist
Rich Medina with Spin Doctor and Kyri R2 The Doctor’s Orders are over the moon to be welcoming the phenomenal Rich Medina back to London for this rare DJ set. Without a doubt one of the most highly respected DJ / producers / vocalists of modern times this Philadelphia native knows how to get people dancing.
Kelis
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MUSIC Ten years since his first official release and Bilal is back with creative freedom.
THE SOULFUL ENIGMA’S REVENGE WORDS: Semper Azeez-Harris Ten years on from his debut album First Born Second Bilal is back with his new album Airtight’s Revenge – an experimental foray that you will have probably have to listen to a couple of times before you get it. In some places you can feel yourself getting immersed in Bilal’s deep mindscape regarding politics, relationships and occasionally existential subject matter. Either way, Bilal is back, pushing this new album with an edgy haircut, creative autonomy and plenty of that soulful yet out there style that caused so many people to hail his unique style. I have heard the album and it seems even more experimental than usual. Indeed, this time I was not caught up in a studio and I was in my own kind of zone and I did not have any time restrictions and so that was good. Were the first two albums created under more constraints than your present album? Well I would not say that but 20 LIME MAGAZINE 2010
‘T
hat time was a downer for me at the time and it was discouraging but what happened was that over the internet I got a lot of love and it kind of started me touring again with my band.’
Well yes, Love For Sale (2006) was a deep album that I wanted to be creative in. My label phoned me up and said that they were going to change it and I was really disappointed. But people showed the love for the bootlegged version. This album is my musical revenge to those labels.
certainly virtually every track on this album is produced or indeed had my input in it. First Born Second had a lot of different producers and so there were a lot of different sounds. In this album you talk about a plethora of different topics on a deep level. Well I have always spoken about different types of topics but on this album I am more retrospective.
So Airtight will be the beginning of a steady stream of material from you this time without the massive gap? Yes definitely you know I feel like I have been in the airport on standby?
Robots is a track where you really get deep, explain what that track is about. Well with Robots, I was toying with the concept that the world is governed by a wealthy people. And so running from that I was just looking at the whole rat race we all go through. You might think you are getting
to the top but you are a cog in this vast machine. What about the title Airtight’s Revenge it seems an obscure title. Well back in the day I used to read a lot of Iceberg Slim* and one of the titles for his books was Airtight Willy and so I developed that from there. The “revenge” bit came as a result of my last album which was supposed to come out but was bootlegged. That time was a downer for me at the time and it was discouraging but what happened was that over the internet I got a lot of love and it kind of started me touring again with my band. So every cloud has a silver lining in effect?
So you ready to take flight then? Definitely and I am going to be out touring extensively and just building up that hype. *Iceberg Slim was an American pimp that eventually gave up the game to right a selection of highly successful books. Bilal’s album Airtight Revenge is out now. Info: www.myspace.com/ bilaloliver
MUSIC Having produced tracks for the like of Jill Scott, worked closely with The Roots as well as released his own self produced album and several singles as well as remixes for the likes of King Britt, Platinum Pied Pipers and Nathan Haines Rich has a soul drenched sound that has earned him an adoring army of fans all over the world. Time: 9pm-3am Big Chill House, 257-259 Pentonville Road, London N1 Info: www. thedoctorsorders.com
Dean Atta’s Album Launch Party: Missing Piece
The ultimate baby-making concert is here. Time: 6.30pm HMV Apollo, Hammersmith, London W6
16 Oct
Lyrical Alliance ft. Talib Kweli
03 Oct
Omar headlines UK Soul Jam
UK Soul great Omar will be performing his soul classics all live including There’s Nothing Like This, Music, It’s So, Sing if You Want To and some brand new material. Also live on will be Elisha Laverne, David Mensah, Sharon Rose, Kadija Kamara, Atlanta Smith, Gavin Holligan and those infamous surprise guests. Time: 7pm-1am Jazz Café, 5 Parkway, London NW1 7PG Info: www.jazzcafelive. com
04 Oct
Dean Atta’s Album Launch Party: Missing Piece Hosted by Aissetou with special guests. Following Dean Atta’s highly acclaimed music debut, the stunning five track EP Reason and Rhyme),Atta
now shares the ‘Missing Piece’ of the puzzle. The eagerly anticipated debut album ‘Missing Piece’ is available as a Free Download on Monday 4 October via Atta’s website: www.deanatta.co.uk Time: 6-8pm The Workshop, Roadtrip Bar, 243 Old Street, London EC1V 9EY Info: www.facebook.com/ deanatta
08 Oct
Rootikal With David Rodigan, Ashley Beedle, David Hill and Prince Terralox, plus upstairs in the revival room playing SKA, Rocksteady and early reggae. Caribbean BBQ served in the garden from 8-10pm. Time: 8pm-3am The Mason’s Arms, 665 Harrow Road, London NW10 5NU Info: www.rootikal.net
Steady Crew) and DJ Renegade. With resident DJs Shortee Blitz (Kiss FM / Extended Players), DJ 279 (Choice FM), Spin Doctor (The Doctor’s Orders) and hosted by MC Prankster. The World B-Boy Championships finals at London’s Brixton academy have become the most anticipated international live hip-hop event of the year and The Doctor’s Orders are excited to be hosting the official warm up party. Time: 10pm-4am Plan B, 418 Brixton Road, London SW9 7AY Info: www. thedoctorsorders.com
12 Oct
Joe and Keith Sweat
Ever since emerging alongside Mos Def as a member of Black Star in the late 90s, Talib Kweli is one of the few artists making commercially viable music
08 Oct
On the Real: Official Sony Ericsson UK B-Boy Championships Warm Up Party Special guests: Kon and Amir (Kings of Digging / BBE) and room two hosting the B-Boy Championship’s Skeme Richards (Rock
Joe and Keith Sweat
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Community MUSIC
Bruno Mars the next star?
W
WORDS: Semper Azeez-Harris
ithout even trying Bruno Mars seems to be the epitome of cool as we sit out in the last few weeks of London’s summer sun. He seems like a down to earth and likeable person which is refreshing when you consider that this young Hawaiian has become the singer song writer that everyone is keen to work with. Now dropping his EP it is a tantalising taste of what we have in store when his album drops. So Bruno you were here six months ago, what were you up to? I was working for the Sugababes on their single Get Sexy so that was awesome.
And that terribly irritating question, what do you think of London Town? It’s totally great. You know you do not have to say that. (Laughs) No truthfully it is. I just came from New York and so it has that same vibe where everyone is alive and it makes me feel creative. Let’s chat about your first performance in London at YoYo’s where you get to perform some of the new material off your EP. Yes it is my first performance. You know I was spoilt out in New York because I had a good 22 LIME MAGAZINE 2010
‘P
eople are afraid of saying their music is pop but they shouldn’t, pop does not mean bad.’
following of fans who knew the words to my song so that was great. I know Billionaire was popular but I am not sure what my EP did out here but I am excited. It must be a little nerve racking first performance out here and the expectation. Not at all, I have been performing for years and the great thing is this band is not a hired band. These have been my guys for four years, we are playing our music. Are you more of an old skool performer and musician? If you mean in terms of being on the road and travelling I need to be with my brothers chilling. I think you get that sense when we
are on stage. While it seems you have just appeared you have been around a while. I have been doing this sh*t for a hot minute. I was four years old in Hawaii working five nights a week. I then felt I had done all I could in Hawaii and took the risk and went to the States.
Your new single shows you delving into a slightly different style. Well Nothing on You was a type of hip-hop song, Just the Way you are could be considered a pop ballad. People were not sure that this should be my first single but you know what I just write what I feel and I love this single because it has nothing to do with what I have done before.
Bruno Mars from song writer to singer song writer
Your EP is a real eclectic vibe I take it the album follows suit. Well the album will be a mix of stuff. There is a track with Damien Marley called Liquor Store Blues basically talking about me getting f**ked up outside a liquor store. What was it like in session with him? It was a shame because he was on tour so it has all been through emails and phone calls but hopefully I can feature on his next album. Lastly what makes a good song? Great hooks – as simple as that. Prince’s Purple Rain after the second chorus you are going to be singing that sh*t. People are afraid of saying their music is pop but they shouldn’t, pop does not mean bad. Just The Way You Are and the EP It’s Better If You Don’t Understand are out now. Info: www. brunomars.com
community MUSIC ETS N TICK I W N ETITIO COMP
17 / 18 Oct
DMC WORLD DJ CHAMPIONSHIPS 2010 World Final, Team Battle and Battle For World Supremacy 2010 Rane/Serato present GrandWizzard Theodore (Inventor of the Scratch) + Traktor presents DJ Shiftee 2009 DMC World Champ and Harvard Graduate! + UK v France Beatbox battle! Reeps One v Eklips! + DJ Woody and his AV show Turntables in Technicolor + Yarah Bravo Live Throughout their rich, undeniable heritage, the DMC DJ Championships have been, and still are the authority on the DJ and all of the scratching, mixing and trend setting that has accompanied the disc jockey from humble roots to stadium status. The DMCs annual World DJ Championship competition continually brings together the worlds brightest DJ talents, vetted by a series of gruelling global heats. By doing so, DMC continues to host one of the most entertaining and jaw dropping shows you will ever witness. Last years UK champ DJ Jeppa retook the UK Finalist crown, and Deceptakut scratched his way to victory in the Battle For UK Supremacy. In order to become a DMC World Champion, both of these talented gentlemen
that matters – hard hitting and simultaneously able to educate and entertain, his socially conscious brand of rap counts Jay-Z and Fifty Cent amongst its biggest fans. Time: 7pm Roundhouse, Chalk Farm
will have to face DJs from around the world using techniques such as scratching and cutting to manipulate turntables and vinyl in order to create their own musical arrangements, performing live in front of an enthusiastic audience filled with both the extremely knowledgeable DMC fans and lucky newcomers being initiated to this fantastic contest.26 years of this prestigious competition later, and DMC keeps on spinning. With World Championship winners over the years including the superstar likes of the Scratch Perverts, A-Trak (Kanye Wests DJ), Q Bert, Craze and Mixmaster Mike (Beastie Boys), fame and respect could well accompany the bountiful prizes on offer. The current
Road, London, NW1 8EH Info: www.roundhouse. org.uk
21 Oct
En Vogue American r&b queens En Vogue will be performing their only UK show for one
Battle winner
world champion, DJ Shiftee is not only an incredible DJ, but a Harvard graduate, adding to the rich blend of backgrounds that the DMC champs hail from. 17 Oct: Doors 5.30pm 11.30pm 18th Oct: Doors 7pm 11.30pm Koko, 1a Camden High night only at indigO2. After 18 years away from the scene, the girls known for their brilliant vocals are back. See them perform all their greatest hits including Hold On, Don’t Let Go, Whatever, Whatta Man, Free Your Mind, My Lovin’
Street London NW1 7JE Info: www.dmcworld.com Lime magazine has two pairs of tickets to giveaway. To enter, email competiton@comelime. com by October 13, 2010 with DMC in the subject header. Include your full name and contact number, please.
(You’re Never Gonna Get It), Give It Up, Turn It Loose and Give Him Something He Can Feel. Time: 7pm Indigo2, The O2, London SE10 Info: www.theo2.co.uk/ indigo2
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MUSIC Introducing Shontelle – the newest singing sensation to emerge from Barbados
WORDS: Audrey Brown
S
hontelle, 24, graced out airwaves in summer 2008 with single and top 10 UK hit T-Shirt from her debut album Shontelligence. The singer-songwriter was discovered during the last semester of her law degree by Street Records Corporation, who also discovered Rihanna, after she penned the hit Soca single Roll It for Soca queen Alison Hinds. Lime met with the beautiful, intelligent songstress to talk all things Bajan, touring with Beyoncé and personal gifts from the first black President. When did you realise you had a talent for singing? My Aunt Kim Derrick had a band and my mum sang in the church choir so music and singing was always around me. It was the only thing I really wanted to do. I started taking it seriously when I was 4-years-old. I used to hide in the closet as a child to sing because I was really shy. Then one day my mum came in the room and told me I can hear you, in fact the neighbours can hear you. You might as well just come out the closet and just sing. After that anytime I would always do anything to be on stage, musicals, talent shows whatever, I did it all. Was it easier to get into the music industry being that your fellow Bajan artist Rihanna was already signed to the same production company? Rihanna opened the floodgates almost, for other Bajan artists and definitely for me it was more direct being signed by the same
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NOTHING IS
IMPOSSIBLE production company. You grew up with Rihanna having attended Cadets together in Barbados and you were her Drill Sargent. Was she a good Cadet? Yes she was. She used to be really sharp all the time but Rihanna is a diva now, she’s always fabulous and glamorous. She was always that way and she used to be late all the time because she was in the bathroom making sure her lip gloss was sparkly. What sound can your fans expect from the new album? How different is it from the first album Shontelligence? I got to work with a lot of great producer’s songwriters, artists from Rodney Jerkins, Tony Kanal from No Doubt, Pitbull, Shawn Garrett, the list just goes on. I think the album really differs from Shontelligence because that album was a lot more organic, you could feel that island girl in it. With No Gravity I tried to find a creative way so it’s more radio friendly. Your recent single Impossible is the most successful of your career thus far, how do u feel about that?
ne day my mum came in the room ‘O and told me I can hear you, in fact the neighbours can hear you. You might as well just come out the closet and just sing.’ It has gone platinum in the US now it’s still in the top 10 and we haven’t even released it here yet and it’s the number two video on UK ITunes. I love my UK people they are so supportive. This has pretty much been one of the biggest markets for me so my UK people definitely hold it down for me. You toured with Beyoncé on her European I Am tour. What was she like to work with and how did you find the experience? The tour that changed my life. Beyoncé is obviously a legend but as a female artist you look up to her because she’s just epic. So being able to just see her be epic every night for months just
changed me as a person. This woman is the most disciplined artist I have ever seen. Her level of humility is ridiculous she’s just class pure class she’s so polite and nice to everyone. President Barack Obama used your song Battle Cry in his Presidential compilation album. Do you feel that you somehow aided his victory? I would like to think so; I’d like to think I played a slight role. He’s so cool because he sent me a signed limited edition vinyl copy of the album so I have a signed copy from the first black president. Info: Shontelle Layne’s new album No Gravity is out November 22, 2010.
THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH QUESITON: What does Black History mean to you? Black history and culture has always been important to me I’m passionate about everything
black. Didn’t we invent the iron, the traffic light, like so many things? With people like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King - we’re legends and I’m black and I’m proud!
COMEDY MUSIC
Krystle Warren
21 Oct
Krystle Warren Our favourite Kansas City (Missouri) born folk/soul/ jazz/gospel/rock singer, songwriter, guitarist and hilarious comedienne when the mood takes her, aka the astounding Krystle Warren, will be out and out around the UK in October with her debut solo tour (plus support from Katell Keineg and Muntu Valdo). Time: 8pm Rich Mix Cultural Foundation, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road London E1 6LA Info: Tel: 020 7613 7498
be immersed in the music, dance, cocktails, nibbles and, decoration, of this great country. Get your djembe, get your djun djun, we have Teranga and Beoogo Yinga in to show you how they party Senegalese style. The two bands will take you from traditional West African rhythms, dances and songs, to a fusion of African and European music. Teranga, or ‘to give hospitality’, include members of Afro Celt Sound System, so needless to say, this will be a very special evening. Dugghal waay! Time: 8.30pm-Midnight Upstairs at the Ritzy, Coldharbour Lane, London SW2 1JG Info: www.picturehouses. co.uk/ritzy
23 Oct 22 Oct
BHM: Around the World: Senegal ft. Teranga and Beoogo Yinga It’s Black History Month, so this ATW we’re taking it to Africa, and to Senegal to be precise. Expect to
The Doctor’s Orders Hip-hop Pub Quiz and Juke Box 45’s Take Over The now legendary hip-hop pub quiz is back as The Doctor’s Orders take over the Three Kings Jukebox. Followed by 45’s Only sets from Spin Doctor, Mr Thing and Deke Evergreen. Register in advance as this
is a hugely popular event. Time: 2.30pm Three Kings Pub, Clerkenwell Close, London EC1 0DY Info: www. thedoctorsorders.com
24 Oct
Time: 7pm Indigo2, The O2, London SE10 Info: www.theo2.co.uk/ indigo2
25 Oct Rakim
Dru Hill + Special guest performance by former Blackstreet members Mark Middleton and Eric Williams
Come down and see Sisqo and his group Dru Hill as they will be performing their hits How Deep is your Love and In My Bed, along with some of Sisqo’s hits Thong Song, Unleash the Dragon’ and Incomplete. Blackstreet former members Mark Middleton and Eric Williams will also perform some of the group’s greatest hits including the almighty track No Diggity and Don’t Leave Me.
In the history of the HipHop, few artists have had as great an impact on the art form’s lyrical style as Rakim. Universally referenced as one of the Masters of the Microphone and an influence and inspiration to his peers and followers alike, Rakim first exploded onto the scene with the iconic Eric B. is President in 1986 with long time collaborator Eric B. Time: 7pm Koko, 1a Camden High Street London NW1 7JE Info: www.koko.uk.com LIME MAGAZINE 2010
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Comedy MUSIC 27 Oct
Tinie Tempah + Chiddy Bang Time: 7pm Koko, 1a Camden High Street London NW1 7JE Info: www.koko.uk.com
HEADS UP 02 Nov
Wiley the Exclusive Tour Wiley will be supported by acts such as JME (Boy Better Know), Fugative, RD aka Ruff Diamondz and the rest of the A-List team this autumn. With Bizarre Presents The Elusive Tour Wiley wants to bring to life the whirlwind Life of Wiley in musical form, alongside acts he truly believes in. Wiley wants to show the UK and world media why he is “Godfather of Grime”. Koko, London NW1 Info: www.livenation. co.uk
02 Nov
Mary J Blige with special
guest Lemar The r&b superstar Mary J Blige comes to The O2. Time: 6.30pm The O2, Peninsula Square, London, SE10 0DX Info: www.theo2.co.uk
04 Nov
Tinchy Stryder Tinchy performs a one off gig in aid of Alicia Keys’ charity Keep a Child Alive. All ticket proceeds go in aid of KCA. Time: 7pm O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London W12 Info: www. o2shepherdsbushempire. co.uk
12-24 Nov
London Jazz Festival Created and produced by international live music producers, Serious, the London Jazz Festival is now in its 18th year. Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast,
Tinchy Stryder
Def Jam Rapstar Hits the UK Words: Michelle Adabra Lime Rating: HHHH Lime was in the house for the launch of Def Jam Rapstar at Punk in Soho last month and what a turn out. Industry insiders, artists and game enthusiasts gathered for the launch of one of the most highly anticipated games of the year, we spotted rapper Black Twang, Devlin and singer Nyah. Def Jam Rapstar offers players the ultimate rhyming experience and simultaneously offers aspiring artists a way to build their profile and market themselves online. Bashy, who also features on the game with his street classic Black Boys demonstrated his skills on the mic and performed new single Fantasy as well as some old favourites. Guests were treated to savoury treats such as mini burgers and later delicious cupcakes by the wonderful Cute as a Cupcake.
26 LIME MAGAZINE 2010
impacted youth culture in every country around the world” said Kevin Liles, President and CEO of Def Jam Enterprises. “Hip hop is global, therefore Def Jam Rapstar must also be global.”
With more than 40 of the greatest hip hop songs available at release, from Busta Rhymes Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See to Ruff Ryder’s Anthem by DMX, Def Jam Rapstar allows the player to be the star by rhyming, using your console camera, and uploading your video to the fully integrated Def Jam Rapstar community. “As I continue to travel the globe, I’m always amazed how hip hop has
Having played the game, I can assure you that it is a must-have for every Hip Hop enthusiast and the perfect party starter. The fact that the game boasts classic bangers by several UK artists (Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, Devlin, Tinie Tempah) is also a plus; try So Solid’s 21 Seconds with a group of your mates and you’ll understand exactly what I mean. An absolute must for that Christmas stocking list. Info: www.defjamrapstar.com
THEATRE MUSIC London Jazz Festival: The Creole Choir of Cuba
or new to the scene, the Festival offers something for everyone and has grown into one of London’s landmark music events. Info: www. londonjazzfestival.org.uk
24 Nov
Keith Murray The phenomenal golden era MC’s supports his new album with this exclusive UK show. Plan B, 418 Brixton Road, London SW9 7AY Info: www. thedoctorsorders.com
14/16 Nov
Gorillaz O2 Arena, London, SE10 Info: www.theo2.co.uk
17-20 Nov
London Jazz Festival: The Creole Choir of Cuba Prepare to be blown away: hear the passionate melodies, wild harmonies and richly textured arrangements of these inspiring vocalists and you will know this is
something new from Cuba, the most original vocal sound to come out of the country in a long while. Time: 7.30pm Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, Stratford, London E15 1BN Info: www.creolechoir. com
name a few. Time: 7pm Indigo2, Peninsula Square, London, SE10 0DX Info: www.theo2.co.uk/ indigo2
01 Dec Kano
JLS Time: 6.30pm The O2, Peninsula Square, London, SE10 0DX Info: www.theo2.co.uk
22/23 Dec
19 Nov
YolanDA Brown Black Grape Global presents double MOBO Award Winner, saxophonist YolanDa Brown is widely regarded as the emerging “voice” of mainstream Jazz in the UK. YolanDa Brown has worked with artists ranging from Mercury Music Prize artist Soweto Kinch to MOBO Awards Best Album Singer Terri Walker, Chicago Star Brenda Edwards, Jazz Calypso Legend Russ Henderson MBE, Queen of Lovers Rock Janet Kay and US Soul Legend Alexandra O Neal, BET Award Best Hip Hop Artist Sway, as well as UK Soul Singer Omar to
09/10 Dec and 15-16 Jan 2011
The London Community Gospel Choir Time: 7pm Jazz Cafe, 5 Parkway, London NW1 7PG Info: www.jazzcafelive. com
02-03 Feb 2011 Fast rising star of the UK hip-hop scene, Kano live and intimate. Time: 7pm Heaven, 9 The Arches Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NG Info: www.hmvtickets. com
Usher’s OMG Tour On the highly anticipated OMG Tour, Usher will be performing his biggest hits and tracks at The O2. Tickets are on sale now. The O2, Peninsula Square, London, SE10 0DX Info: www.theo2.co.uk
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THEATRE COMMUNITY Black History Month Hero COMMUNITY: Daniel De-Gale
04-08 Oct
ACLT and National Blood Service: Third Daniel DeGale Blood Donation Week This is the third year the ACLT has had the honour of showcasing this programme of blood drives up and down the country, held in tribute to Daniel. In March 09, we held a one day ‘Daniel De-Gale Blood Donation Day’ on Dan’s birthday. Following its success, this was extended to a Blood Donation Week of drives scheduled to commemorate the 1st anniversary of Daniel’s passing on the 8th October
2008. Heroes wanted! We urgently need your blood. Eight thousdan units of blood are needed every day to meet hospital demand. Will you please step forward NOW to start the change the Black or Mixed Race community needs today. This is a challenge to everyone associated with the work of the ACLT including those from other communities, as ultimately we can all donate blood and save lives. Please refer to the details below for the up and coming dates available. Andrew Calvert, National Marketing Manager at the National Blood Service,
‘£2 fo Coun
We have workedNEW WIN A BRAND closely with the BMW MINI FIRST ACLT for many Hatchback years to raise1.6 3dr worth £11,270 awareness in the black community
of the need for our work t Help support blood and bone Black, marrow Mixed donors. race and A
Daniel de Gale said: “We are honoured to be commemorating Daniel’s life and legacy by hosting the Daniel De-Gale Blood Donation Week.
Throughout the raises £1.90 fo Every £2 ticket +week there will be donation ablood chance to win a BMW Mini clinics happening in Nottingham, Buy draw tickets: £2 eac Leicester, Secure online: Manchester, Liverpool,www.thefsi.org/charityprofile Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol, IlfordGOOD LUCK! Thank you and and London. Draw closes: 6 September 20 Info: www.aclt.org On sale at ACLT office Please purchase tickets respon
www.aclt.org | 020 8240 4
The Great BIG Small Charity Car Draw. The FSI Gambling Commission; no. License number 01 N-302938-001 (non-remote) and promoter of
UK gets ready to celebrate Youth Achievements Friday 1st October sees the announcement of this year’s short-listed nominees for an annual event where young people between the ages of 8 – 25 and of African / Caribbean / Mixed Heritage are recognised for their personal accomplishments. Black Youth Achievements, the London based community interest company, will be hosting their 2nd exciting awards ceremony on Saturday 20th November at the Camden Centre in Kings Cross, London. The short-listed nominees, from various cities over the UK, will gather together on the night along with their friends, family and guests to find out who has won in each category. Last year 12 young people proudly received their trophies in front of their friends, family and guests after being nominated and 28 LIME MAGAZINE 2010
then going through the judging and voting process. The venue was completely sold out, and guests were treated to a delicious dinner and then watched a fantastic show of comedy, singers, drummers, guest speakers and of course the presentations of the awards. This year promises to be just as amazing. Kay Oldroyd, the founder and director of Black Youth Achievements who recently won the Volunteer Award at London Peace Week held at City Hall said ‘It’s been a great year for us since the 2009 awards. So many people heard about last year’s event and have already got their tickets for this year because they don’t want to miss out again! It’s wonderful to hear about all the good things that young people are doing and some of the nominations that come in are so inspiring to read. We’re going to collate the nominee’s stories from 2009 and 2010 and publish
them, as it will definitely help to motivate people of all ages and backgrounds.’ Once again, Pearson Plc will be the headline sponsor and Abu Bundu-Kamara Pearson’s UK Diversity Manager says ‘It was an honour to be there at the 2009 awards and Pearson are proud to support Black Youth Achievements again in 2010.’ The public will be able to vote for who they would like to win by visiting the website www. blackyouthachievements. org. Voting opens on 2nd October and closes on 31st October. Tickets can also be purchased through the
website and start at just £12. There is a competition running via the site and one lucky person can win 2 dinner and award tickets (terms and conditions apply). This is a family event, so everyone is welcome. Black Youth Achievements welcome volunteers to work on the night. If you are over the age of 16 and would like to offer your services please get in touch with the Black Youth Achievements team on 020 8677 8009 / 07908 258 681 or email admin@blackyouth achievements.org.
COMMUNITY THEATRE
FROM FACT TO FICTION T
he Young Chieftain is the first full fiction novel for young adults from multicultural publisher Tamarind Books after many successful years of publishing multi-cultural picture books for children. Here is what author Ken Howard has to say about The Young Chieftain.
The Young Chieftain is a real adventure that can be read on so many levels. However, I have to ask why did you decide that the lead character, the teenager Jamie MacDoran, would be mixed-race? I had heard of a true story of an English boy who suddenly, on the death of his father, became potential heir to the Chieftaincy of a Scottish clan. I thought immediately how interesting it would be if the boy were dual heritage. Even better if the boy was a teenager living in America and therefore knew little about this part of his dad’s family history. Did you seek authenticity checks on the black characters or any other character? Yes, I had valuable help from Diana Webb, a black high school teacher in California. It was important to me that I represented both black and Hispanic American characters truthfully, and Diana read all the early drafts and helped me not only with attitudes and speech patterns but also the arcane technicalities of basketball. In addition both my editors at Tamarind – Verna Wilkins
and Patsy Isles – are black. We had many discussions about how best to deal with the prejudice that is present in the book. On the one hand it exists and must be recognised. On the other, there was no need to reinforce this. Essentially the book is an engaging story about teenage leadership and that’s where the real focus lies. I hope we got the balance right.
Who did you base Jamie upon? I wanted an unlikely hero – someone who has greatness thrust upon them. I know a lot of young people who are going through the trials of adolescence, wanting to amount to something special but without any clear idea of what that might be. There is huge pressure to conform and a fear of being ‘different’ – but of course it’s the individual differences that throw up our leaders. Have you discussed the book with black or mixed-race youngsters? Yes. The ones I’ve discussed it with seem genuinely excited about the concept and are looking forward to publication. Several have told me that they don’t find many characters to identify with in their reading. Most heroes are white, which I find strange considering we live in such a multicultural society. I enjoyed that way that the highland culture of Scotland was made exotic, some
WORDS: Tricia Wombell
would say ‘native’, who are the MacDoran’s? Well, there isn’t an actual MacDoran clan, which is probably just as well since I don’t want be sliced by a claymore. But when I was at Edinburgh University I played guitar and sang with a fellow girl student. We secured a regular TV spot and used to be invited to various clan gatherings as cabaret. We’d perform in castles and great houses where guests wore kilts and highland dress and danced in formation or over swords. I loved the feeling of tradition and a culture handed down over the centuries. Your career has grown from the production of films and TV programmes for young people, what plans do you have for the development of The Young Chieftain? Actually it happened the other way around. I wrote the basic story of The Young Chieftain as a TV movie, and took it to
Granada TV who in turn entered into co-production with Disney. We were well into pre-production when there was a call from Disney saying they had discovered a problem. They couldn’t have a parent dying. I was incredulous, saying ‘What about The Lion King and Bambi? Since the death of Jamie’s father was a pretty important part of the plot this rather torpedoed the project. I vowed then that I would turn it into a novel. Happily we are now in talks with BBC about bringing The Young Chieftain to the screen again. The full version of this interview is at Random House Readers’ Place website and at Black Book News blog www.blackbooknews. com
THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH QUESITON: What does Black History month mean to you and is it still relevant? It’s extremely relevant. All our histories are. But it’s important to celebrate the historical achievements of each race as well as learning lessons from the struggles they have encountered.
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Community COMMUNITY
Mother Country – Stephen Bourne’s new book about black British history Mother Country – Britain’s Black Community on the Home Front 1939-45 by Stephen Bourne unearths a hidden history of Britain and the black community’s contribution to the Second World War. This new book by Stephen Bourne highlights the British war effort made by black Britons. These include the community leaders Dr Harold Moody and Learie Constantine, BBC broadcaster Una Marson, London air raid warden E. I. Ekpenyon, fire watcher Esther Bruce (an adopted aunt to Bourne), singer Adelaide Hall, bandleader Ken Snakehips Johnson and black senior citizens from who have been interviewed by Bourne about their memories of the home front in West Africa and the Caribbean. Mother Country tells the story
of some of the forgotten black Britons whose contribution to the war effort has been overlooked until now. Says playwright and critic Bonnie Greer: “Stephen Bourne brings great natural scholarship and passion to a largely hidden story. He is accessible, accurate, and surprising. You walk away from his work knowing something you didn’t know, that you didn’t even suspect. Mother Country is a home-grown triumph.” Info: www. thehistorypress.co.uk
Lime book review: The Long Song by Andrea Levy Lime rating: HHHH Words: Tricia Wombell It is fantastic that Andrea Levy’s The Long Song has made it on to the Man Booker Prize shortlist. It is such a quietly assured read, I thought that it might be lost in the noise around some of the other books. The subject is not an easy one. The Long Song is set on a Jamaican plantation just before the slaves were given their freedom and continues on through the early years of that freedom. The main character, July, a house servant, is telling her life story to a printer who plans to publish it. Is she telling the truth? Does it matter if the story she is telling shows her in her own good light? Through the telling you get a sense of the harshness, brutality, monotony, isolation and challenges of plantation life. There are moments of humour, love and lust. Levy has said that she wanted Caribbean people to better understand where they were from and
to be proud of it. I don’t think that readers will love the characters in The Long Song in the same way that they have taken Small Island to their hearts, but Levy is the only one charting our story, her story and heritage in quite this beautifully accessible way. I do hope that this book goes all the way in the prize. This year has seen all the books sell more copies than ever before and it would be great to know that even more people would take the chance to read The Long Song. Read Tricia Wombell’s blog Black Book News at www. tricia-blackbooknews.com
BLACK HAIR STORIES WANTED Do you have a hair story to tell? University student Rosa Garman, is writing her dissertation on the politics that surround black and mixed-race women’s hair in Britain specifically looking at the motivations behind hair relaxing. She’s interested in anything you have to say about your hair. If you are interested email your personal hair
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story with your age, ethnicity and occupation to: yourhairstory@hotmail. co.uk You can write anything you like and feel, in anyway you wish, just be honest. These hair stories (unless you state otherwise) shall then be put together and emailed back to you in the form of an independent magazine so we can appreciate both
the common and different experiences that we all go through as black and Mixed-race women with
our hair. All entries will remain anonymous. Deadline date: 1st November 2010.
community COMMUNITY Nigeria. What can I say about the land of my father, Jimmy Gbadebo Adebowale?
WORDS: Nicke Adebowale largest in Africa (after Cairo). According to a recent census it has a population of eight million people increasing by 225,000 a year. This figure was disputed and a study by the Lagos State Government put the figure closer to 15.5 million people.
O
n October 1, 2010 Nigeria celebrates its 50th anniversary of independence. It is the eighth most populous nation on earth and home to 160 million people, most of whom are loudly and proudly Nigerian. Mention Nigeria to most people and unfortunately e-mail scams and corruption are two things that will eventually come to mind. So in this list there will be no mention of 419. Four one nine being the section of the Nigerian penal code that advance fee e-mail scams violate. There is much more to this diverse land so I took to the net to see what I could find.
• Nigeria is a country made up of over 250 different ethnic groups. The largest of these are Fulani/Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo which account for 68 per cent of the population. • Nigeria has two billionaires on the Forbes dollar denominated billionaires list; Femi Otedola and Aliko Dangote. • In 2001 Nigerian Agbani Darego became the first African to be crowned Miss World. • The Portuguese were the
first Europeans to reach the Nigerian coast in 1472. The British eventually establishes the Colony and Protectorate of Nigerian in 1861 and governs by indirect rule. • Like most of colonised Africa Nigeria has a rich and complex history. Ancient civilisations date back thousands of years before Europeans arrived. As early as 9000BC people were living in the south west of Nigeria. • The country is also home to the oldest evidence of metal working in Archaeology dating back to the 4th century BC. • Nigeria is famous for its rich cultural heritage. In 1986 Wole Soyinka became the first African Nobel Laureate in Literature. • Chinua Achebe is perhaps Nigeria’s most famous author. His first novel 1958’s Things Fall Apart is the most widely read book in modern African literature. Last year Newsweek quite rightly ranked the book number 14 on it’s Top 100 books: The Meta-List. • The literary tradition shows no sign of fading; Ben Okri won the 1991 booker prize for The Famished Road. In 2007 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie won the Orange
prize for fiction for her second book Half a Yellow Sun.
• The Super Eagles may not have performed well in South Africa 2010 but they are still ranked 34th in the world (higher than Cameroon, Scotland and Poland) and were Olympic champions in 1996. • Nigeria is listed among the Next Eleven by Goldman Sacs. The Next Eleven is list of countries with the potential to become the world’s largest economy in the 21st Century. Despite this optimism regarding the economy, life expectancy is still a relatively low 51 years for men and women. • In April 2006 Nigeria made history by becoming the first African nation to completely pay off its debt to the Paris Club. The Paris Club bills itself as “an informal group of official creditors”. Nigeria paid back an estimated $30 billion. • Lagos is the largest city in Nigeria and the second
• The United States has the third largest population of Nigerians in the world. Although they reside in almost all of the 50 states Texas is home to the largest number of Nigerian Americans. • No whistle stop tour of all things Nigeria could be complete without mentioning Afrobeat, Fela Kuti and his extraordinary life and legacy. Musical pioneer, human rights campaigner and political activist. His life is and music is the subject of a Tony winning Broadway musical that is due to debut on the London stage this November.
NIGERIA 50 NEWS
To commemorate Nigeria’s golden jubilee of independence awardwinning Nigerian business mogul Alexander Amosu has designed the Amosu Rolex Submariner. There are only 50 Amosu Rolex Submariners in production and each will be labeled 1-50 with number one being reserved as a gift to the President of Nigeria. LIME MAGAZINE 2010
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Community COMMUNITY Every Tuesday
African – Caribbean Martial Arts: Kazimba Group Classes Kazimba Ngoma is the fighting dance of the Nubian warriors. The class includes dance, drum and poetry. Time: 7-9pm Open The Gate, 33-35 Stoke Newington Rd, London N16 8BJ Info: www.theopengate. org.uk
01 Oct
BHM: Walthamstow Library Join us to celebrate the launch of Black History Month with a range of exciting events. There will be dancers, speakers, demonstrations of traditional art forms as well as a live band. Come and enjoy a warm and relaxed evening and get involved too. Time: 7.30-9.30pm Walthamstow Library, High Street, Walthamstow E17 7JN Info: 020 8496 3000
02 Oct
The Natural Lounge Meet Up One of the first ever in the UK, an event to inform, inspire and empower you. Who is this event for? Do you wear your hair natural and want to meet other
naturals, hear tips share style ideas and product information? Are you thinking of wearing your hair naturally and you want more information on how to style and take care of your natural hair? Are you a newbie to the natural world and want to hear other experiences? Then come to The Natural Lounge Meet Up. Time: 12pm-5pm Traffic Bar, Victoria House, 1 Vernon Place London WC1A 2EP Info: www. thenaturallounge.com
02 Oct
Realistically Raw – Five essential recipes for a high raw food lifestyle Is it realistic to maintain a high raw food diet in this day and age? Absolutely! In this class you will learn the five essential recipes you must have to sustain a high raw food lifestyle. These recipes can be enjoyed on their own or in addition to your regular cooked food diet. You will learn how to make: • Tasty non-dairy, veganfriendly milks; • Raw egg-less salad cream and houmous;
• Two variations of a rich kale salad; • Spaghetti bolognaise with no pasta and no meat! • Delicious non-dairy guiltfree ice cream. With some hands-on training and the opportunity to sample all the recipes on the menu, you will leave this class inspired, motivated and empowered with the tools for a realistically raw food lifestyle. Time: 1-4pm English Martyrs Church, 2 Mitcham Lane, London SW16 6NN Info: www.rawloveuk. com
02 Oct
BHM: Jamaican Women’s Network Black History Month Dinner The Jamaican Women’s Network invites you to its Black History Month Dinner. Speaker for the evening, Dr. Shihan de Silva Jayasuriya. Time: 7.10pm-11pm Chef Colin Brown Restaurant, 2 Yabsley Street, Poplar London E14 9RG Info: 0208 690 7946
04 Oct
BHM: Joy Francis – What do
we look like? The portrayal of black communities in the media Experienced journalist, editor, trainer and marketing professional. Former editor of PRIDE magazine and PublicSector, which was a finalist in the Commission for Racial Equality Race in the Media Awards 2000. Also a broadcaster and social commentator co-founder of a training and consultancy service for emerging writers from minority and socially disadvantaged backgrounds. Time: 6-7.30pm Homerton Library, Homerton High Street, London E8 6AS Info: www.wordsofcolour. co.uk
06 Oct
Africa Reading Group at The Travel Shop 06 Oct: The Book of Chameleons by Jose Eduardo Aualusa 03 Nov: The Secret Son Laila Lalami 01 Dec: The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives by Lola Shoneyin 05 Jan 2011: In The Country of Men by Hisham Matar Time: 6.30pm The Travel Bookshop, 13-15 Blenheim Crescent London W11 2EE Info: 020 7992 5260 / post@thetravelbookshop. com
08 Oct
Delicious nondairy guilt-free ice cream
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An Evening with Dawn Butler and Special Guests Discussing strategies for achievement, values and overcoming/The ‘African Voices’ Speed discussion with some of the contributors. There will be free refreshments and networking from 6.15pm to 7pm. Pre-booking is essential. Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm Willesden Green Library Centre, 95 High Road, NW10 2SF Info: btwsc@hotmail.com
COMMUNITY SCREEN
YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK Neil Mayers is a man of many talents. During his 14 years of teaching at a secondary school, his role has varied from being a form tutor, Head of Year 8, Head of Inclusion and Key Stage 4 (GCSE) Mathematics Coordinator. He has even designed a Black History Month Calendar and flash cards to help educate the black community on their roots and culture. Most importantly, he has used his teaching experiences to help parents bring their children’s grades up in his new book Gifted at Primary, Failing by Secondary. Lime learns how Mayers achieved the difficult task of getting his pupils to pass their GCSE’s whilst still in Year 8. Explain what your new book Gifted at Primary, Failing by Secondary is all about. It’s a reflection of the unfortunate experience that many children have following their transition from primary school to secondary. I call it The Secondary Slump. Where certain students’ academic achievement takes a dramatic nose-dive after a year or so of entering secondary education. The book sets out practical and easy to implement strategies for parents to help their children avoid this
difficulties. Why do you think you’re techniques work? Because I’m honest, consistent and I care. Children can suss out teachers in a minute. Once they realise I’m working with their best interests at heart then I have no problems. Fundamentally, children do want to learn and do well and be rewarded for their efforts. If you use that as your “compass”, the rest is gravy.
WORDS: Alicia Adejobi
catastrophe. How did you come up with the methods that have led your students to GCSE success? Experience. All my years in teaching have enabled me to know how to motivate different students to learn, especially those with low motivation. I’ve found that the biggest motivator is success. Once they succeed at a topic that has been designated as ‘difficult’ their confidence grows exponentially. Once you combine their growing confidence with high teacher expectations and the flexibility to allow the students to stretch themselves, you have a recipe for success. What gave you the inspiration to write the book? I wrote the book out of anger and frustration. I was sitting at a parents evening watching all the African parents and children I didn’t teach walk past my desk to speak to the other maths teachers. The African parents I was meeting for the first time said they didn’t understand why their children’s grades were getting worse even though they loved maths. The parents I saw the year before were saying, “Thank you so much for everything
you said last time. It’s like I have a new child on my hands. They are doing so well!” And I got annoyed that all those other African parents wouldn’t benefit from my past experience. How do you deal with the challenges that come with being a secondary school teacher? My only challenges are from more senior teachers or heads of department intentionally making my job unnecessarily difficult. I deal more with the issues of staff colleagues than those of the children. The children do not cause me any
You’ve had a Black History Month calendar and flash cards out for a while now. What figures are featured in them? They have major celebrities in black history from across the world in government and politics, music, literature, music, education and science to name a few. I wanted children to know about the global impact made by people like Muhammad Ali, Carter G Woodson (founder of Black History Month), Akhenaten (first Pharoah to promote belief of one God and preach a doctrine of peace). The Black History Calendars focus more on significant figures in UK black history who many had not heard of: e.g Mavis Best who successfully fought a national campaign against the Police SUS laws, or Robin Walker who authored the monumental book When We Ruled. Info: www. giftedatprimary.com
THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH QUESITON: What is the importance of Black History Month and is it still relevant today? For many people of African descent Black History Month has represented their struggle to decipher the meaning of life. The meaning of one’s
life is to question one’s purpose. One’s purpose cannot be realised until the discovery has been made as to who you are. Black History Month for me represents an opportunity to look at a cultural map and see where I stood on it. LIME MAGAZINE 2010
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SCREEN COMMUNITY 10 Oct
13 /16 /21 Oct
BHM: Inspired! Launching Camden’s Black History Month season is Eddie Nestor with special guests Rudolph Walker OBE and Felix Dexter. Music and poetry from singers from London Community Gospel Choir, Floetic Lara and Crisis. A night for all the family. Time: 6.30pm The Camden Centre, Euston Road London WC1H 9JE Info: 020 7974 5633
BHM: Mother Country - Britain’s Black Community on the Home Front 1939-45 Talks by Stephen Bourne Stephen Bourne’s new book Mother Country – Britain’s Black Community on the Home Front 1939-45 (The History Press) unearths a ‘hidden history’ of Britain and WW2. Stephen’s illustrated talk will highlight some of the forgotten black Britons he has featured in the book, including community leader Dr Harold Moody, Esther Bruce (Stephen’s adopted aunt), and black elders who have been interviewed about the home front in West Africa and the Caribbean. 13 Oct: Brixton Library, 7pm 16 Oct: Imperial War Museum, 2pm 21 Oct: National Portrait Gallery, 1.15pm Info: www.stephenbourne.co.uk
13 Oct
Black International – 2-Day international exporting programme for Black and Asian Creative Businesses This is highly interactive and progressive two day programme that has been designed specifically to provide established Black-led and Asian-led creative businesses with information on how to export their products and services internationally. Day 1 will provide participants with: an overview of working internationally; an insight into the barriers and obstacles; information on how to build lasting relationships with overseas platform organisations and international partners and information on and how to effectively engage with UK based organisations that support the Creative Industries in exporting their products and services. Time: 10am-4pm Rich Mix, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road London E1 6LA Info: marie@hatchevents. com
15 Oct
BHM: Black to the Future – Inspirational Success Stories with special guest Angie Le Mar, Sotonye Diri and David Gustave Tiemo return with a Black History Month Night featuring Inspirational Role Models: Angie Le Mar - The first lady of black comedy, 34 LIME MAGAZINE 2010
Singer Adelaide Hall
award winning Comedienne, Actress, Broadcaster and Playwright. David Gustave – Motivational Speaker billed by the media as Britain’s answer to President Barack Obama. Sotenye Diri Author and Motivational Speaker. An evening with Inspirational Role Models, sharing their stories of how they achieved their goals, the setbacks they faced and overcame, plus the people and historical figures who inspired them along their journey towards their ambitions. Time: 7-9pm Venue: Bishopsgate Institute, Brushfield Street, London EC2M 4HQ Info: www.tiemo.co.uk
15 Oct
Art in the Caribbean book launch Author Stanley Greaves is having a book launch for Art in the Caribbean: An Introduction by Anne Walmsley and Stanley Greaves. RSVP to Anne Walmsley, annewalmsley@ btinternet.com Time: 6.30pm-9pm The October Gallery, 24
Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AL
16 Oct
African Market Every third Saturday of the month with African arts, crafts, jewellery, fashion, traditional fabric, natural skincare, music, books and more. Come and join us for this vibrant and complex cultural mix where local and global African influences fuse to deliver a memorable afternoon including face painting and drumming sessions. Time: 12-6pm Open the Gate, 33-35 Stoke Newington Road, London N16 8BJ Info: www.openthegate. org.uk
16 Oct
F.A.C.T Benefit Showcase: Families Against Crime Together Promoting awareness of the impact of knife crime in the community. The event features radio and TV personalities, artists, comedians, live band and S Child Couture Fashion Show: Asher D, Kat, Ebony Steel Band and many more.
Proceeds from the event will go to Victim Support. Time: 7-11pm Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, London E15 1BN Info: 020 8534 0310
21 Oct
Black International – 2-Day international exporting programme for Black and Asian Creative Businesses Day 2 is a high level panel discussion and networking session, where participants can hear innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to successfully selling their products or services internationally. Time: 6-9pm Rich Mix, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road London E1 6LA Info: marie@hatchevents. com
23 Oct
Lorlett Hudson’s What Next Challenge Programme with Natasha Devon In 12 simple, inspirational steps the What Next Challenge Coaching Programme guides you through the process of finding out where you
COMMUNITY SCREEN bliss and more satisfaction. Whatever you want out of life, this indispensable workshop will help to release the limiting beliefs and behaviours that can stop you feeling connected, comfortable and at ease in all areas of your life. Time: 6-9-30pm Holiday Inn, Bloomsbury, London WC1 Info: info@nbwn.org
28 Oct want to go, right through to reaching your end goal and staying where you want to be. Our guest speaker Natasha Devon will be talking about personal growth and well being at Lorlett Hudson’s monthly programme on inspirational steps to transform your life. Time: 9.30am-1pm Grange Fitzrovia Hotel, 20-28 Bolsover Street, London, W1W 5NB Info: www. onehandcantclap.co.uk
27 Oct
Sistatalk Motivational Monthly Makeover meetings Facilitated by Sonia Brown and a surprise guest coach each month, these meetings will empower you with the necessary self-belief and confidence to move from ‘Cloud Nine’ to a life filled with more joy, more
BHM: Author Talk with Zindika Kamauesi, Valiant Women: Profiles of African Women in struggles, 1500s – 1970s Teacher and playwright with a number of plays produced and toured nationally by the Black Theatre Cooperative. Her work was also performed in collaboration with Adzido Dance Company at Sadler’s Wells and The Royal Festival Hall and her play ‘Lenora’s Dance’ was published in ‘Seven Plays by Black and Asian Women’ (1993). Author of a number of successful books including, ‘When will I See You Again?’ (2005) and ‘A Daughter’s Grace’ (1992). Her most recent book ‘Valiant Women – profiles of African Women in Struggle’ aimed at children and young people celebrates black achievement in an educational, positive and
inspiring way. Time: 4.30pm-6pm Shoreditch Library, 80 Hoxton Street, London N1 Info: www.wordsofcolour. co.uk
29 Oct
BHM: Carroll Thompson – The Queen of Lovers Rock Family song writing workshop Time: 2.30-4pm Woodberry Down Community Library, Robin Redmond Centre, 440 Seven Sisters Road, London N4 2RD Info: www.wordsofcolour. co.uk
HEADS UP 28 Nov
The First Lady Christmas Fair Shopping, performances, live music, workshops to
support those from the creative industries. Kenema & Co alongside Inspirational YOU present The First Lady. This is an alternative festive shopping experience that promotes and supports products, goods and services targeted at women. Time: 11am-5pm Kenema & Co (www. kenemaco.com) design contemporary clothing using African fabrics made in Sierra Leone using the skills of tailors and seamstresses giving them fair pay for their work. They are also embarking on charitable projects in Sierra Leone in conjunction with the Fifty-Fifty Women’s Group (www.fiftyfiftysl.com). At their last event Kenema & Co were able to raise funds to sponsor the education of two girls for a year. Inspirational YOU (www. harmonyfoundation.co.u The Queen of Hoxton, 1-5 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3JX Info: www.kenemaco. com
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SCREEN
LIME’S OCTOBER FILM REVIEWS such style and conviction that the seemingly localised events have universal appeal. It could apply to the trials and tribulations of any folk working the land in modern times, and moreover those who watch tragic events unfold from the comfort of their own homes.
Film review: Peepli [Live] Words: Cassam Looch Lime rating: HHHH Release date: Out now Set in the fictional village of Peepli, this smart yet ultra-satirical take on the media and politics proves that there is more coming out of Indian cinema than just mundane song and dance epics. What’s just as impressive is that it is Bollywood heavyweight Aamir Khan who is behind the whole project, with the trust he has shown in writer/director Anusha Rizvi paying off handsomely.
When two downtrodden brothers face losing their farm to the bank, they chance upon a government scheme which ‘rewards’ families if the main breadwinner dies. One sibling urges the other to do the noble thing and commit suicide for the sake of his wife and kids, but somehow the plan is uncovered by a local journalist. Desperate for his
Film review: Africa United Words: 12-year-old Maliaka Adabra, Lime’s youngest reporter Lime rating: HHHH Release date: 22 October 2010 Africa United is a road trip through the heart of Africa, following three Rwandan children to Kigali to audition for the opening ceremony of the World Cup. The children are Rwandan football prodigy Fabrice, his best friend and ‘manager’ Dudu and Dudu’s little sister Beatrice. In order to get to the opening ceremony they need to get a bus. So they sneak onto a bus - the wrong bus. Instead of arriving in Kigali, they end up in Congo 36 LIME MAGAZINE 2010
where they are lost, without papers, money and a believable story and are thrown into a refugee camp. In the dreary camp they meet the wonderfully named Foreman George who provides them with the
big break he passes the information onto national TV networks who then descend on the rural village smelling a scandal in the making on the eve of some big elections. From a sedate beginning, the story soon explodes into life covering topics of unscrupulous journalists, corrupt official and abject poverty. It’s all done with
thing they need most: money. On their journey they survive wild animals and gun wielding thugs Tulu and Egg, searching for the money that mysterious Foreman George stole from them. Tulu is played by former child solider and rapper Emmanuel Jal, who brings realness to the gangster character. Within their group they boast ingenuity, determination and a bag full of optimism. They defy all dangers in
Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a dour and downbeat film though, it is a vibrant and at times hilarious story which delivers a sucker punch of epic proportions. Excellent stuff. Cast: Omkar Das Manikpuri, Raghuvir Yadav and Malaika Shenoy Cassam Looch is a co-founder of www. movievortex.com – providing real movie fans with real movie content.
order to get Fabrice to the opening ceremony to speak to the organizer and to finally be part of the ‘Team for the Dream.’ Throughout their journey Dudu tells a wonderful story about a group of children who have to make a ball that does not burst and unifies their group in the process. Their travels take them through Rwanda, Congo, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, revealing a side of hidden Africa. Africa United is a story of laughter, hope, joy, generosity, team work, tears and goodbyes. A movie worth seeing. Directed by: Debs GardnerPaterson
SCREEN 01 Oct
BHM: Grime on Film
To celebrate Black History Month, the BFI’s Future Film strand for young Filmmakers and Film Fans plays host to some of the UK’s best Grime artists and video directors. A generation of artists who are not only having and impact on musical tastes but also challenging the way we see the world. This event will feature videos, interviews and appearances by Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, Bashy, Iyare Igiehon, Hope and Audikana, Sorcher and Tinie Tempah. Presented by Susan Okokon in association with Black Londoners: A History published by The History Press. Time: 6.30pm NFT1, BFI Southbank, Belverdere Road, London SE1 8XT Info: www.bfi.org.uk
01 Oct
Legacy at the Raindance Film Festival Black Ops operative Malcolm Gray (Idris Elba, The Wire, BBC’s ‘Luther’) returns home after a
botched mission in Eastern Europe. Holed up in a Brooklyn motel room, he is torn between retribution and personal salvation as he mentally unravels. When the walls close in, his story may be all he can leave behind. Time: 7.30pm Info: www. raindance. co.uk
02 Oct
Keep Making Movies Film Festival Are you willing to break the status quo? If you are an independent filmmaker enter our film challenge and win a Keep Making Movies prize. Time: 6-11pm The Nettlefold Theatre, 1 Norwood High Street, London SE27 8JX Info: www.bosscrowns. com
06 Oct
UK urban film panel debate: The New Blaxploitation When the film Adulthood was released to UK audiences in June 2008, in its opening weekend it grossed more money than several major Hollywood blockbusters including: Sex and The City and Indiana Jones. In the wake of its success a spate of new gritty urban films has drawn new audiences black and white to local cinemas. However, the issue of black representation on screen is never far away. Critics of the recent crop of new black
Black History Month Hero SCREEN: NOEL CLARKE Noel Clarke – how could Lime Magazine possibly choose anyone else? Award-winning Noel Clarke has been flying the British flag high in the film and television industry and the success of Kidulthood, Adulthood and now 4.3.2.1 has seen Clarke become a household name. He has helped change the stereotypical image of today’s ‘urban’ youth. film releases take issue with their aesthetic and social values, demanding more positive images of blacks on screen and TV. Come and join the debate. Plus a selection of clips from best UK urban films, including sneak previews of two unreleased projects. Chair: Henry Bonsu (Colourful Radio) Panellists include: Lawrence Coke (film writer/director)Pikki Deadman Running, Rolling with the Nines), Lindsay Johns (Evening Standard), Charles Thompson(Screen Nation Film & TV Awards), David Shear (Revolver –theatrical producer: Shank, Kidulthood, Gunslinger Productions) Time: 6-8.30pm The Coronet Cinema, Notting Hill Gate, London Info: www.rbkc.gov.uk/ acrossthestreets
06-12 Oct
Nollywood Now Film Festival The first UK festival celebrating Nollywood will be held in south London, giving the capital’s movie lovers a chance to enjoy the low budget delights of the Nigerian film industry, which produces up to 2,000 films a year. Nigeria celebrates 50 years of independence.
Throughout the month (which is also Black History Month), there will be events celebrating Nigerian culture, including three Nollywood festivals in south London: * Nollywood Now! The UK’s first ever festival of Nigerian film * New Nigerian Cinema. A one-day film festival at the BFI Southbank * Nollywood events at the South London Gallery, Peckham FILM PROGRAMME: Wed 6 Nollywood Babylon Thu 7 Osuofia in London Fri 8 White Waters Sat 9 Dangerous Twins Mon 11 Arugba Tue 12 Modupe Temi Time: 7.30pm Deptford Town Hall, New Cross Road London SE14 6AFInfo: www. nollywoodnow.co.uk LIME MAGAZINE 2010
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SCREEN actress Judith Jacobs; the beautiful and dynamic actress Ellen Thomas; relationship coach Hilton ‘Dr Love’ Samuel; Oraclez Gospelfest founder Mikee Koos and Sonia Brown (founder, Sistatalk) debating the myths and realities of women attracting, creating and maintaining intimate relationships with their “ideal life partner, your soul mate, “ in today’s world. Time: 5-8pm Manor Club, 277 Seven Sisters Rd, London, N4 2DE Info: www.sistatalk.co.uk
4.3.2.1
07 Oct
BHM: Noel Clarke Double Bill and Q&A with Adulthood and 4.3.2.1 The films Adulthood and 4.3.2.1 are showing and Noel Clarke will be in attendance giving the audience a chance to speak to him afterwards about both productions. Time: 6.30pm Adulthood; 8.40pm 4.3.2.1 Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Place, WC2 Info: www. princecharlescinema. com
25 Oct
BHM: Ousmane Sembene Retrospective – Black History Month Screening Ousmane Sembene’s
being screened as part of Riverside Studios Black History Month celebrations. Time: 7pm Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, London W6 Info: www. riversidestudios.co.uk
28 Oct
100 Prints seminar: Tax breaks, the budget and UK film industry If you have been working on your business plan for your next feature film, have you really done all that you can do to demonstrate to prospective funders their return on investment (ROI)? Time: 6-9pm 20th Century Fox, 31 -32 Soho Square, London W1 Info: www.100prints. co.uk
30 Oct
films Borrom Sarret, Black Girl and Xala are 38 LIME MAGAZINE 2010
African Odysseys presents Nigeria Day The BFI Monthly African Odyssey screenings of films from the African Diaspora celebrate the 50th anniversary of Nigerian Independence with various screenings. The day starts with a screening of Archive Nigeria which uses rare footage to tell the Untold story of Naji History. This followed at 2pm with a screening of Afolayan Kunlet
award winning thriller The Figurine together with a number of new film shorts. Time: 11am-4pm BFI Southbank, Belverdere Road, London SE1 Info: www.bfi.org.uk
31 Oct
*New* Sistertalk Sundays with Kush Promotions: Soul Mate + Q&A Come and join us for an amazing time watching the award winning, highly controversial relationship movie Soul Mate produced and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Andrea AllenWiley. The notion of “soul mate” has been around a very, very long time. So at last we have a thought provoking movie which cuts through popular nonsense and delves into the hopeful hearts of the female AfricanAmerican community. “Soul Mate” follows a group of accomplished black professional women as they examine their own romantic yearnings and spiritual paths. Wiley paints a complex portrait of an unsettling phenomenon which many women are now experiencing in the UK. This award winning movie is followed by a dynamic Q&A with guest panellists led by top comedian and
HEADS UP 27 Nov
Adinkra Film Nights presents Motherland with Q&A Motherland (Enat Hager) Is a bold, epic documentary through Africa with a distinctive African voice. Fusing history, culture, politics, Motherland sweeps across Africa to tell a new dynamic story of a continent. From the glory and majesty of Africa’s past through its complex and present history. Time: 3-6pm Lexi Cinema,194b Chamberlayne Road London NW10 3JU www.adinkrafilms.com
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
01 – 05 Dec
Africa International Film Festival: Nigeria The First Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), a platform that seeks to give expression to the players in the African film sector by recognising and rewarding excellence in the industry, will hold its maiden edition in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Info: www.africafilmfest. com
SCREEN
LONDON FILM FESTIVAL 2010 PREVIEW T
he 54th London Film Festival in association with American Express takes place this from 13th to 28th October and as ever there is an exciting and varied line-up to Benda Billi look forward to. Last year saw the The First Grader stunning Precious go up against a plethora of bigger films so we’ve taken a look at some of the films of interest this year that you should try and check out. We’ve just waxed lyrical about the fantastic Peepli [Live], so we’re looking forward to that film’s producer stepping in front of the camera again in Dhobi Ghat, which sees Aamir Khan in a Mumbaiset story following four characters looking for love. Sequels don’t usually get much of a look in at festivals, but West is West bucks that trend, working as follow up to the much-lauded East is East. The original had problems though, and the audience reactions weren’t as positive as some of the critics’ reviews so it will be interesting to see how this film fares when shown to both groups.
Another British film which could make waves is Africa United which looks to tap into world cup fever (ok it’s a few months late for that now) and give us an uplifting story set against the backdrop of poverty in Africa. It looks stunning, combining animation and superb cinematography to great effect so hopefully the film can match that. And don’t worry if you’re not a football fan, this looks more like an enjoyable road movie with a hint of soccer. Julian Schnabel might not be the obvious choice for a film about the Palestinian
struggle, but the award-winning director of ‘The Diving Bell and the Butterfly’ is the man behind Miral. Starring Slumdog Millionaire actress Freida Pinto, the film promises to bring to the screen a side of the story we rarely see, all done with a distinctive flare. A film that sold itself wonderfully from a brief clip we saw at the LFF launch was First Grader. Set in Kenya in 2003, we follow the story of a determined 84-year-old man who takes up the government offer of free primary school education, which was intended for children. The only sympathetic voice is that of the head teacher, played by Naomie Harris, this could be a surprise hit. Keep an eye out for the Palm d’Or winning Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, which was an unexpected choice for the top prize at Cannes
A Screaming Man
WORDS: Cassam Looch earlier in the year. It’s a film and story which has proved almost impossible to describe (and I’m certainly not going to try here), but comes highly recommended from those who have seen it. Submarine is the debut feature from The IT Crowd star Richard Ayoade, stepping behind the camera for this coming of age comedy/drama. It looks like it could be funny and the supporting cast of Sally Hawkins and Paddy Considine are always good value. Two more titles of note are the inspirational documentary Benda Bilili and the powerful drama A Screaming Man. The latter looks at the effects of war on one family and the former focuses on the struggles and eventual rise to acclaim of a group of unconventional musicians. The festival opens up with Keira Knightly in Never Let Met Go and closes with Danny Boyles’ latest 127 Hours. Notable films along the way include Black Swan, The King’s Speech and The Kids are Alright. Info: www.bfi.org.uk/lff LIME MAGAZINE 2010
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CLUBS COMEDY Black History Month Hero COMEDY: DAVE CHAPPELLE Dave Chappelle is a true hero of comedy. He has risen to the height of fame in the past decade and his stand up routines never fail to entertain. A combination of sharp wit, controversial references and great timing make Chappelle our comedy hero.
03 Oct
Credit Crunch Comedy After the 100 per cent sold out first event Credit Crunch Comedy is back by popular demand with an even bigger line up of comedians. To keep things fresh we are mixing some of your favourite comedians with fresh talent never seen before at the Broadway Theatre. Not to mention bringing back the legendary character from The Real McCoy Basil (Eddie Nestor) to host the show. Comedians include Richard Blackwood, Leo Muhammad, Felicity Ethnic, Axel the Entertainer, Kane Brown, Kayleigh ‘loudmouth’ Lewis and Tony Hendrix. Time: 7pm Broadway Theatre, Catford, London SE6 Info: www. broadwaytheatre.org.uk
08/09 Oct Gina Yashere
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and hilarious story of an identity crisis in the cultural crossfire of Modern Britain. Time: 8pm Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE Info: www.sohotheatre. com
23 Oct
The best in stand-up with Gina Yashere, Chris McCausland, Sean Collins and Paul Tonkinson. Time: 8pm Comedy Store, 1a Oxendon Street, London SW1Y 4EE Info: www.ginayashere. com
14-16 Oct Andi Osho
Award-winning stand-up comic Andi Osho (Mock the Week, BBC2, Stand Up For The Weel, Channel 4) grew up in an East End Tower Block with Nigerian parents. Now she plots her complicated relationship with race, from her London childhood to the present day, encountering minstrel shows, Lenny Henry, the BNP, political correctness and America’s first black President along the way. Andi takes her critically acclaimed stand-up show on tour this Autumn with Afroblighty, her touching
Humili Asian Comedy Night Back for another spooky edition with Hyde Panesar, Christian Ancliff as the host with sets from Amit Sodha, Katerina Vrana, Darshan Sanghrajka and introducing Kishore Nayar. Time: 7.30pm The Clubhouse, Ruislip HA5 7SB Info: www.humili-asian. com
23-24 Oct
The Good, The Bad and The Cockney – Quincy the Baijan Cockney’s Solo Show From the Geezer who brings you Quincy`s Comedy Lounge, star of Kojo’s MTV BASE Comedy Funhouse, Quincy the Cockney Baijan kicks off his 1st solo show at Stratford Circus. Quincy, is a stand-up comedian, radio presenter, writer, compere and even dabbled in the old acting every no and again. With broadcast credits that include BBC1 Crimewatch (don`t laugh) Thief takers from back in the day ITV, Comedy’s Blue on Comedy Central, plus an abundance of stand up clubs around the UK and sketch shows including the United Colours of Comedy, Big Sister plus his successful Edinburgh Quincy Single Mum. This has taken him around the world to master his trade. His career to date has taken him as far as Saudi Arabia being the first comic to perform in the country as
well as host of live comedy shows as far afield as Dubai and Singapore. Time: 8pm Statford Circus, Theatre Square, London E15 1BX Info: www.stratford-circus. com omedy Central, plus an abundance of stand up clubs around the Uk and sketch shows including The United Colours of Comedy, Big Sister, Plus his succesful Edingburgh show Quincy Single Mum. This has taken him around the world to master his trade. His career to date has taken him as far as Saudi Arabi being the 1st comic to perform in the country, as well as a host of live comedy shows as far afield as Dubai and Singapore. Join Quincy the Cockney Baijan, as he embarks on his one man journey and experience one of the UK’s finest Comics in his 1st solo show, for two nights only, at Stratford Circus, on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th October. Tickets are priced at £12.50 or £15.00 and can be purchased from the Stratford Circus Box Office as follows: Telephone: 0844 357 2625 Monday - Saturday 10:00 to 18:00 Online: http://www. stratford-circus.com
HEADS UP
Comedy Roast: The Roasting of Mohammed George (Guss from EastEnders) Kojo, Slim, Kevin J, Felicity Ethnic, Babatunde, Jason Lewis, Kane Brown, Kayleigh Lewis and Richard Blackwood take to the stage for the ‘roast’ of Mohammed George, aka Eastenders’ Gus. Time: 7pm O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Shepherd’s Bush, London W12 Info: www. o2shepherdsbushempire. co.uk
COMEDY CLUBS S TICKET N I W N ETITIO COMP
Win tickets to Okra featuring HKB FiNN 16 Oct
Okra ft. HKB FiNN curated by DJs Duke Etienne and Suga Kan’n Fresh from shows in Brazil, Okra are excited to welcome HKB FiNN home with his first London show in quite some time. Performing tracks from his new album Natural Eloquence, FiNN’s fusion of hip-hop, jazz, reggae and spoken word with the folkloric rhythms and harmonies he cites as his core influences effortlessly bring the ancient and the contemporary into the same space. DJs Duke Etienne and Suga Kan’n carefully select the soundtrack. Time: 8pm-Midnight Upstairs at the Ritzy, Coldharbour Lane, London SW2 1JG
Every Fri/Sat/ Sun
*New* Amika Nite Club Music type: Funky, American House, House, Funky DJ’s on rotation: DJ Nasher, & special international guests & artists. Amika London Club, 63-65 High Street, Kensington, W8 5ED Time: 10.30pm-2am Info: Call Solse 07827237176 for free guestlist, Ladies free before 11.30 Gents £20
01 Oct
*New* First Friday After Work Party Michael Simon’s First Friday is a new monthly party held after-work for professionals and business people at an upmarket venue boasting three floors of temptation. Come and party hard to the sounds of Mistri, Company Soul Sound, Nigel B from Special Touch and LA CJ playing the best in lovers rock, soca, reggae and bashment. Time: 6pm-2am Clerkenwell House, Hatton Gardens London EC1N 8JJ Info: www. mspfirstfriday.com
and nu jazz. Our guest DJ is Fitzroy ‘Da Buzz Boy’(Soul Survivors) – one of the original Kiss FM DJs. Time: 6.30pm-11.30pm Mau Mau Bar, 265 Portobello Road, London, W11 Info: www. KeepTheFaithEvents.com
30 Oct
Collabo presents The Saturday Nite Boogie
03 Oct Info: www.picturehouses. co.uk/ritzy Lime magazine has a pair of tickets and two albums to giveaway. To enter, email competiton@comelime. com by 14 October 2010 with Okra in the subject header. Remember to include your full name and contact number. Good luck!
Every Friday
Disco Motel Music type: disco and house with DJ’s on rotation: Fat Tony, Tasty Tim, Guy Williams, Rob Alldritt, Mister Shiver, The Men Who Fell From Earth, Matt, Sharp, Strawberry K, Ben Adikition and more. Dex and Roof Terrace, 467-468 Brixton Road, SW9 8HH Time: 9.30pm-5am Info: www.dex-london. com
Solid Silver Sundays Held on the first Sunday of the month. Top quality live entertainment each month featuring The Delroy Murray Band and DJs on rotation playing Soul classics, party reggae, rare grooves, lovers rock and the best of the rest. Time: 4pm-12am The RS Lounge 20 Woodford New Road London E17 3PR Info: info@clubsilverent. co.uk
Bemi (Amplified / Collabo) and special guest DJ, Bunny Bread (Uprock/The Soul Masters) will be spinning boogie, disco, funk, 80s soul, and a touch of rare groove – so you can get your boogie on. Time: 8-11pm Marketplace, 11 Marketplace, London W1W 8AH
27 Oct, 24 Nov, 22 Dec
Keep the Faith presents Bluenotes, Bass and Boogie A new monthly after-work Soul Session with resident KTF DJ Paul Aaaron and guests playing eclectic mix of soul, Neo Soul, rare groove, funk, real r&b, left-field hip hop, soulful dance LIME MAGAZINE 2010
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CLUBS
A TRIBUTE TO GIFFORD ‘TNT’ NOEL – DJ TREND
WORDS: Sophia A Jackson
A
Treading new territories
s soon as the music industry heard the news that Gifford ‘TNT’ Noel also known as DJ Trend had passed away, the tributes on Twitter came flooding in. In droves, fans, music artists and professionals who had the privilege and honour of working with the talented DJ and legendary producer showed their respect and expressed their condolences. 42 LIME MAGAZINE 2010
The successful producer, DJ, remixer, label boss and industry entrepreneur from Stepney, east London, was renowned for his contribution to the UK Drum and Bass scene. Some of his best known tracks are Unique, Two Degrees, Nissi, Rush the DJ and Transmission (which for many is an all time great). He also worked with some of the UK’s biggest names
including Dizzee Rascal, The Streets, and Sugababes. He was tragically found dead in his Tenerife apartment on September 17, 2010 as a result of suspected heart failure. It was his 32nd birthday. On the final of the Sky One talent show Must Be the Music judge Dizzee Rascal paid tribute to his friend DJ Trend by wearing a t-shirt with the words ‘RIP DJ
Trend’. He said to viewers: “I have got to say rest in peace DJ Trend, never forgotten, drum and bass specialist, legend. He’s been one of my inspirations as a youth. Can’t forget this dude.” Lime magazine would like to express our deepest condolences to Gifford Noel’s family at this sad time. At right, are some of the tributes captured on Twitter.
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Wiley: RIP Gifford Noel aka TNT Live Recordings you taught me and Target. Well bless up ya soul brother I can’t believe you’re gone. KojoComedian: Today I lost one of my best friends! Former Comedy Fun House & Rinse Fm DJ. Gifford TNT Noel Aka DJ Trend. Thanks for blessing my life. ShyFX: RIP Gifford TNT Noel aka DJ Trend. Can’t believe you’re gone brother. J2KLive: I lost my original mentor this week. RIP Gifford Noel aka TNT. DJAbrantee: Life is too short. RIP Gifford Noel aka TNT. RollDeepUK: RIP to our good friend Gifford Noel aka Tnt aka DJ Trend! We can’t believe you’re gone! U will be missed bro! StretchLDN: Been an up and down day. RIP Gifford DJ Trend Noel. We’re going to miss you bruv, keep making them beats in heaven. StretchLDN: Can’t believe it’s true. May your soul RIP Gifford TNT Noel aka DJ Trend. Won’t ever forget you brother! ;-( AlexofTwinB: Gifford ‘TNT’ Noel - Rest in Peace mate McSkibadee: RT @rolldeepmanga: Gifford ‘TNT’ Noel - Rest in Peace » just woke up to deez tweets about Trend kmt, I’m pissed. R.I.P. Can’t believe it. KarnageRollDeep: Woow dis is not a good feeling. I hate it. R.I.P. Gifford TNT Noel aka DJ Trend. Gone But Not 4gotten Bruva... RollDeepManga: Gifford ‘TNT’ Noel. Rest in Peace. J2KLive: RIP Gifford Noel aka TNT I can’t believe this!!! « Legendary producer R.I.P DarenDixon: Just heard the saddest news that one of the good guys Gifford ‘TNT’ Noel passed away. Rest in Peace Gifford #Miami Memory Skepta: RIP Gifford TNT Noel. It was a pleasure to have worked with you. Love MannyNorte: Damn. My boy Gifford Noel, known to many as TNT, DJ & producer has passed. A proper stand up gent, PROPER. GuvnaB: RIP Gifford TNT Noel. Was a pleasure knowing you! Rest in perfect peace brother! Deejayexcel: RIP Gifford TNT Noel aka DJ Trend I’m very shocked and saddened right now. A true gentlemen has gone. TerrorDanjah: Woooow, I can’t believe he’s gone, RIP TNT aka Gifford Noel! Always had time for me! Gonna remake ‘Nissi’ in his honour!!! iammartelo: R.I.P. Gifford Noel aka DJ Trend aka TNT.. the man who made 2 Degrees, Transmission, Unique, Nissi (aka Rush The DJ) etc. Out to his family. mrvybesj: Life is way too short.. RIP Gifford Noel. My prayers go out to da family.
THANK
YOU Gifford Noel’s family would like to thank you all for the truly touching messages of condolences and support. We will keep you updated of the funeral details once we have finalised them. We want to include all the people that knew Gifford and wish to join us in celebrating his life. We are working towards repatriating Gifford from Tenerife back to the UK, so please bear with us. Please visit the ‘Gifford Noel Memorial’ Facebook page to be kept up to date. LIME MAGAZINE 2010
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noticeboard BREAKTIME LIME Magazine 2010 Black History Month Word Search
AXUM (famous ancient Ethiopian kingdom) BENIN (known for its wonderful ‘bronzes’) BLACKAMOORS (Bringers of new technology to Europe) DIASPORA (Africa’s has one of the largest!) DJENNE (best known for its Great Mosque) EREDO (possible UNESCO world heritage site?) FULANI (Empire also known as the Sokoto Caliphate) GHANA (one of the first ‘super states’) HAUSA (northern Nigerian confederation) IFE (capital of the ancient Yoruba) IGBOLAND (also known for its art) KANDAKE (queen mother of Kush) KEMET (indigenous name for ancient Egypt) KUSH (long-lived Nile valley civilisation)
MALI (both Djenne and Timbuktu were located there) MANSA (an emperor of ancient Ghana) MAROONS (community of escaped enslaved Africans) MEROE (an ancient city of Kush) NGOLA (a king of ancient Angola) NOK (oldest known Nigerian art) ONI (a Yoruba ruler) PALMARES (a republic founded by Brazil’s ‘maroons’) PHARAOH (a king of Kemet) PUNT (ancient Somalia) SONGHAI (mediaevel west African superstate) SWAHILI (East African trading cities) TIMBUKTU (famed for great learning) ZIMBABWE (accomplished in stone architecture)
Thank you to history writer, publisher and speaker K.N. Chimbiri for providing Lime’s special Black History Month word search. Info: www.golden-destiny.com 44 LIME MAGAZINE 2010
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Rush hour?
Busy day in heaven Three men were standing in line to get into heaven one day. Apparently it had been a pretty busy day, though, so St. Peter had to tell the first one, “Heaven’s getting pretty close to full today, and I’ve been asked to admit only people who have had particularly horrible deaths. So what’s your story?” The first man replies: “Well, for a while I’ve suspected my wife has been cheating on me, so today I came home early to try to catch her red-handed. As I came into my 25th floor apartment, I could tell something was wrong, but all my searching around didn’t reveal where this other guy could have been hiding. Finally, I went out to the balcony, and sure enough, there was this man hanging off the railing, 25 floors above ground! By now I was really mad, so I started beating on him and
kicking him, but wouldn’t you know it, he wouldn’t fall off. So finally I went back into my apartment and got a hammer and starting hammering on his fingers. Of course, he couldn’t stand that for long, so he let go and fell . . . but even after 25 stories, he fell into the bushes, stunned but okay. I couldn’t stand it anymore, so I ran into the kitchen, grabbed the fridge, and threw it over the edge where it landed on him, killing him instantly. But all the stress and anger got to me, and I had a heart attack and died there on the balcony.” “That sounds like a pretty bad day to me,” said Peter, and let the man in. The second man comes up and Peter explains to him about heaven being full, and again asks for his story.
“It’s been a very strange day. You see, I live on the 26th floor of my apartment building, and every morning I do my exercises out on my balcony. Well, this morning I must have slipped or something, because I fell over the edge. But I got lucky, and caught the railing of the balcony on the floor below me. I knew I couldn’t hang on for very long, when suddenly this man burst out onto the balcony. I thought for sure I was saved, when he started beating on me and kicking me. I held on the best I could until he ran into the apartment and grabbed a hammer and started
pounding on my hands. Finally I just let go, but again I got lucky and fell into the bushes below, stunned but all right. Just when I was thinking I was going to be okay, this refrigerator comes falling out of the sky and crushes me instantly, and now I’m here.” Once again, Peter had to concede that that sounded like a pretty horrible death. The third man came to the front of the line, and St. Peter asked for his story. “Picture this,” says the third man, “I’m hiding naked inside a refrigerator . . . ”
LIME MAGAZINE 2010
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noticeboard BREAKTIME Little Johnny wants to get married Little johnny is seven years old and is sitting at the dinner table with his parents. Suddenly he announces,”Me and Janie are going to get married!” “Oh?” Says the mother. “And how old is Janie?” “Five,” replies the boy. “Well,” says the father,”what are you goin to do for money?” “I get fifteen cents a week allowance,” says Johnny, “ and Janie gets ten cents. “We figured if we put it together we would be okay.” “I see,” says the father.”But what are you going to do if you have children?” “Well,” says Johnny,”so far we have been lucky.”
SUDOKU
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Little Mary mourns over her pet fish Little Mary was in the garden filling in a hole when her neighbour peered over the fence. Interested in what the cheeky-faced youngster was up to, he politely asked, “What are you up to there, Mary?” “My goldfish died,” replied Mary tearfully, without looking up, “and I’ve just buried him.” The neighbour was concerned, “That’s an awfully big hole for a goldfish, isn’t it?” Mary patted down the last heap of earth then replied, “That’s because he’s inside your cat.”
Little Johnny on Career Day It was Career day at school. The teacher asked the children in the class to come up in turn and tell the rest of the class what their father does for a living and spell it. The first little girl came up and said: “My Dad is a Baker, b-a-k-e-r, and if he was here right now he would give us all a cookie” “Very good Susie” replied the teacher. The teacher called on Sammy next. “My dad is a Banker, b -a -n -k -e -r, and if he were here right now he would give all of us a quarter!” “Very good!” replied the teacher. Next the teacher called on Peter. Peter stood in front of the class and said “My Dad is an electrician, e-l-c-k-i...I give up!” The teacher noticed little Johnny in the back squirming in his chair saying “pick me! pick me!” So she reluctantly called on him. Little Johnny stood up and said “ My Dad is a Bookie, b- o- o- k- i- e, and if he were here right now he would lay us all 10-to-1 odds that Peter will never spell electrician!”
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