30 Afrocentric Events Londoners Can Look Forward to in January 2023
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There are quite a few! For those that like things in one place; here is our comprehensive August 2022 guide on various African-themed happenings dominating the M25 district within the upcoming month. Whether it’s Food, Film or Fiction; Debates, Yoga, Conferences or Networking – there is surely something for everyone.
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1) Sun 31.12.22 * I AM ZIM NYE PARTY
Date: Sun 31.12.22 * Time: 22.00pm till late * Location: Ruby Blue - Sports Bar & Nightclub 1 Leicester Place London WC2H 7BP * Hosts: I AM ZIM PR * RSVP: here
HIPHOP - AFROBEATS - BASHMENT - AMAPIANO - R&B - SOCA , REGGAE & MORE
DJ's - YOUR FINEST LONDON DJ's ON A WEEKLY ROTATION FROM BBC1 XTRA, CAPITAL XTRA, KISS FM.
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2) Tues 03.01.23 * Postcards From A Promised Land
Date: Tues 03.01.23 - 28.01.28 * Time: 10.00am - 18.00pm * Location: Gallery 1957 London 1 Hyde Park Gate London SW7 5EW * Hosts: Gallery 1957 * RSVP: here
Titled POSTCARDS FROM A PROMISED LAND, the exhibition surveys the people, architecture, and natural beauty of Sierra Leone, against a wider backdrop of the nation’s history and hopes.
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3) 05.01.23 * Come Back Home
Date: Thurs 05.01.23 * Time: 19:00pm – late * Venue: Boxpark Croydon 99 George Street Croydon CR0 1LD * Host: BoxPark Croydon * RSVP: here
COME BACK HOME will be a clubbing focused event on amapiano and electronic african sounds.
Our targeted audience will be for Amapiano, afro house and house lovers but also people who haven't necessarily had the opportunity to experience this genre yet..
Long term goals for this event would be to host that event between 3 main locations ; London, Paris (France) and Lomé (Togo).
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4) Fri 06.01.23 * LAGOS FRIDAYS
Date: Fri 06.01.23 * Time: 22.30 - late * Location: Tunnel London 37 Jewry Street London EC3N 2ER * Hosts: Xclusive Eventzz * RSVP: here
London's most affluent bachelors meet London's most elite and beautiful single ladies ! Celebrate the week's success whilst building your network every FRIDAY over Food, Cocktails, Music, Shisha and beautiful ladies at our prestigious lounge in the city, Aldgate.
As a private business club, we strive to connect UK's most influential and ambitious business leaders. We provide an environment which encourages the working class from different industries and paths of life to mingle and share ideas, experiences, with the opportunity to connect in a relaxed environment. Come and unwind after a long week !
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5) Sat 07.01.23 * Ethiopian Christmas Genna Celebration
Date: Sat 07.01.23 * Time: 17.00pm - 01.00am * Location: Broadwater Farm Community Centre Freedom Road London N17 6HE * Host: De Whole Ting * RSVP: here
3 of the Best UK Based Roots and Culture Soundsystems gather in One Hall for the first time together to bring you the best of UK Roots and Culture Soundsystem Entertainment in ilebration for Ethiopian Genna Christmas.
The venue is Broadwater Farm Community Hall. A place known to many as a central zone where equal rights were demanded by the local population in the 80s. Hence the appropriately named 'Freedom Road'.
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6) Sun 08.01.23 * The Black Music Social Club
Sun 08.01.23 * Time: 18.00 - 22.30pm * Location: Upstairs at Ritzy Chaplin House Brixton Oval London SW2 1JG * Host: Hey Essay * RSVP: here
No matter your age, gender, background, class etc, we all have one thing in common and that is our love of music.
And nothing has had as much impact & influence on the world as much as Black Music in particular.
Whether it's reggae or HipHop, Disco or Funky House, Afro Beats or Grime, Black music is undoubtedly the most influential sound around.
We want to celebrate & recognise this by hosting an interactive games and quiz night .
If you know the lyrics to Giggs' Talking The Hardest, or how many wigs Lil Kim wore in the 'Crush on You' video or what Craig David was doing on Thursday in '7 days'
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7) 08.01.23 * Ecstatic Dance UK: Sun. Day. Inside
Date: Sun 08.01.23 * Time: 10.00am - 13.00pm * Venue: The Baths 80 Eastway Hackney Wick London E9 5JH * Host: Ecstatic Dance London * RSVP: here
Tribal Dance are London's Sunday morning Ecstatic Dance community!
NOTE: To assist with creating a container that feels safe for all, please arrive in the space for the opening by 10:30am latest. This is an important & valuable part of the practice. We will now be closing the doors to the dance space (for your 1st entry) at 10:55am.
The dance area is non-verbal & without shoes or phones please, you can chat in the cafe/hangout area if you like - Thank you for your understanding
FORMAT
10.00 Warm-up music
10.30 Opening circle
11.00 Ecstatic Dance - DOORS CLOSED 10:55am - PLEASE ARRIVE BY 10:30am LATEST.
12.45 Closing circle
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8) Mon 09.01.23 * Single Black Love Speed Dating (Ages 30-45)
Date: Mon 09.01.23 * Time: 20.00pm - 21.30pm * Location: The Square Pig 30-32 Procter Street London WC1V 6NX * Hosts: Afro Love Match * RSVP: here
At this Single Black Speed Dating event you can expect to meet around 15-20 people in 5-6 minute dates with an interval half way through for refreshments.
AfroLoveMatch Singles Speed Dating kicks off at 8pm prompt and any guests arriving late may not be able to take soplease ensure you arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start time to allow for registration.
When all the guests have arrived the host will explain how the evening will unfold and you will be provided with a scorecard, name badge and pen.
When the event begins women will be seated and men will rotate between tables every 5 minutes. At the end of each date guests mark on their scorecard whether they would like to see that person again.
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9) 11.01.23 * African Drumming Workshop for Adults
Date: Sat 11.01.23 * Time: 11.00am - 12.00pm * Location: CRATE St James Street 35 Saint James Street London E17 7FY * Hosts: Mbilla Arts * Link: here
An African djembe drum workshop led by Gambian drummer Seneke Sillah. Get the chance to learn djembe rhythms from West Africa. ALL LEVELS WELCOME .
Bring your own drum or use one of our drums (please note different ticket prices when you book).
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10) Fri 13.01.23 * Ghanaian Cookery Class with Zeenat | Station Style | LONDON
Date: Fri 13.01.23 * Time: 18:15 – 21:15pm * Venue: Migrateful Cookery School Corporation Row London EC1R 0NE * Hosts: Migrateful Cookery School * RSVP: here
This class will be taught by our wonderful Chef Zeenat from Ghana at the Migrateful Cookery School in Clerkenwell, London.
Migrateful host a one-of-a-kind cookery class experience where refugee and migrant chefs teach personal recipes from their home countries using traditional techniques. It’s a unique opportunity to learn and taste the world’s best, and to feed the foodie in you who loves nothing more than trying new, mouth-watering flavours and incredible-looking dishes!
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11) 14.01.23 * In Conversation with Pacheanne Anderson, Alvin Kofi & Lisa Anderson
Date: Weds 14.01.23 * Time: 18.30pm - 19.30pm * Location: Black Cultural Archives 1 Windrush Square Brixton London SW2 1EF * Host: Black Cultural Archives
Join 3 powerhouses of Britain's artistic landscape for an evening of exploratory discussion on the Transforming Legacies exhibition and Black British Art.
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12) Black Girls Hike - Reigate Proiry Park (14th January)
Sat 14.01.23 * Time: 10.00am start * Location: Priory Park Bell Street Reigate RH2 7RL * Host: Black Girls Hike * RSVP: here
Black Girls Hike! As the name suggests, this is a safe space for Black/Mixed Race cis and trans women and non-binary people of Black African and / or Caribbean descent who are comfortable in a space that centres the experiences of Black women. Join them on this Circular route. 1.5 hour walk including breaks.
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13) 14.01.23 * Performing Indigeneity in a New Land (Applied Theatre)
Date: Sat 14.01.23 * Time: 14.00pm - 17.30pm * Location: National Theatre Upper Ground London SE1 9PX * Host: Decolonising The Archive * Event link: here
Declonising the Archive invites you to participate in learning about Pocomania (a syncretic African spiritual & Christian practice). This event engages Black theatre practitioners, performers, and community learners in an engaging and informative educational experience. The workshop utilizes performance of an indigenous nature to build identity frameworks. Using Una Marson’s Pocomania as a point of departure, we consider and explore alternative approaches to movement, language, and cultural expression.
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14) Sun 15.01.23 * African Culture Wedding Fair
Date: Sun 15.01.23 * Time: 11:00 – 17:00pm * Location: Holiday Inn 500 Saxon Gate West MK9 2HQ * Hosts: Deizi Events & Adexpressions * RVSP: here
The African Culture Wedding Fair. The aim of this event is to bring various suppliers under One roof to showcase their services & products.
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15) Sun 15.01.23 * Black History Tour of British Museum - Morning Tour
Date: Sun 15.01.23 * Time: 10.00am - 13.00pm * Location: British Museum Great Russell Street London WC1B 3DG * Host: Black History Studies * RSVP: here
Organised by Black History Studies; this tour of the British Museum will be held on Sunday 15 January 2023. During this tour, they will take you around the Museum, sharing our detailed knowledge about the artefacts on display.
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16) Sat 14.01.23 * Diaspora Nights (Afrobeats, Afrohouse, + Amapiano)
Date: Sat 14.01.23 * Time: 21.00pm - late * Location: The Glitch Bar 2-4 Paul Street London EC2A 4JH * Host: VIBE LDN * RSVP: here
"All tribes. One vibe"
Join us for an immersive night of music inspired by the diaspora.
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Let the beat and the rhythm of the night move you as you celebrate with your fellow Kings and Queens!
🇺🇬🇨🇩🇰🇪🇸🇴🇪🇹🇬🇭🇳🇬🇺🇬🇨🇩🇰🇪🇸🇴🇪🇹🇬🇭
10 pm -2 am (Last Entry 1 am). Casual dress code.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
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17) 15.01.23 * Ecstatic Dance UK: Sun. Day. Inside
Date: Sun 15.01.23 * Time: 10.00am - 13.00pm * Venue: The Baths 80 Eastway Hackney Wick London E9 5JH * Host: Ecstatic Dance London * RSVP: here
Tribal Dance are London's Sunday morning Ecstatic Dance community!
NOTE: To assist with creating a container that feels safe for all, please arrive in the space for the opening by 10:30am latest. This is an important & valuable part of the practice. We will now be closing the doors to the dance space (for your 1st entry) at 10:55am.
The dance area is non-verbal & without shoes or phones please, you can chat in the cafe/hangout area if you like - Thank you for your understanding
FORMAT
10.00 Warm-up music
10.30 Opening circle
11.00 Ecstatic Dance - DOORS CLOSED 10:55am - PLEASE ARRIVE BY 10:30am LATEST.
12.45 Closing circle
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18) Weds 18.01.23 * SAFFA Friends
Date: Weds 18.01.23 * Time: Saffa Friends * Venue: BrewDog Waterloo 01 The Sidings #Unit G London SE1 7BH * Hosts: SAFFA Friends * RSVP: here
SAFFA Friends is the perfect place for you! They are a social event that brings together South African's who are living in London and looking to make lasting connections from home.
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19) Fri 20.01.23 * Gnawa Blues All Stars + DJ LuDec
Date: Fri, 20.01.23 * Time: 20.00pm * Venue: The Magic Garden 231 Battersea Park Road London SW11 4LG * Host: The Magic Garden * RSVP: here
Ambassador of Gnawa Culture in UK, Simo Lagnawi & Gnawa Blues All Stars have been around the world to perform at a host of festivals including Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Latitude and Boom Town. Playing traditional sacred trance music from Africa Morocco, Gnawa Blues All Stars with continuously push new boundaries, fusing Gnawa with music from countries such as Gambia, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Guinea, Mali, India, Japan, Venezuela and the Caribbean.
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20) Sat 21.01.23 * Night of Courage
Date: 21.03.23 * Time: 18.00pm - 20.30pm * Location: West Norwood Library 1-5 Norwood High Street London SE27 9JX * Host: Simone Olagoke * RSVP: here
This event promises to be an unforgettable night with Pastor Simone as she launches I Am That Woman.
‘The Experience’ is a transformative and educational encounter that will encapsulate.
- Merge - A fun way to connect with like-minded women
- Courage Kenya (FGM - Female Gential Mutilation) - hear about the courage of women in Kenya and see how God is working in the nations. Link to Rachel Horner’s article
- There will also be a time of corporate Worship and the word, looking at courage from a biblical perspective so that the woman of today is posiitioned for greatness.
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21) Sat 21.01.23 * Perspective Tour
Date: Sat 21.01.23 * Time: 14.00pm - 14.30pm * Location: Bethlem Museum of the Mind Bethlem Royal Hospital Monks Orchard Road Beckenham BR3 3BX * Host: Bethelm Museum of the Mind * RSVP: here
About the tour leader: Donata Miller is a museum curator who focuses on highlighting African, Caribbean and Diaspora narratives throughout history. She lives in London.
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22) 22.01.23 * Ecstatic Dance UK: Sun. Day. Inside
Date: Sun 22.01.23 * Time: 10.00am - 13.00pm * Venue: The Baths 80 Eastway Hackney Wick London E9 5JH * Host: Ecstatic Dance London * RSVP: here
Tribal Dance are London's Sunday morning Ecstatic Dance community!
NOTE: To assist with creating a container that feels safe for all, please arrive in the space for the opening by 10:30am latest. This is an important & valuable part of the practice. We will now be closing the doors to the dance space (for your 1st entry) at 10:55am.
The dance area is non-verbal & without shoes or phones please, you can chat in the cafe/hangout area if you like - Thank you for your understanding
FORMAT
10.00 Warm-up music
10.30 Opening circle
11.00 Ecstatic Dance - DOORS CLOSED 10:55am - PLEASE ARRIVE BY 10:30am LATEST.
12.45 Closing circle
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23) Tues 24.01.23 * An evening with Inua Ellams
Date: Tues 24.01.23 * Time: 18.30pm - 22.00pm * Location: RSA House 8 John Adam Street London WC2N 6EZ * Hosts: The RSA * RSVP: here
RSA are delighted to launch an exciting series of ‘An evening with...’ events. Come together with Fellows and friends for insightful perspectives, fascinating conversation and delicious food and drink in the inspiring setting of RSA House. Each event will feature an eminent guest in conversation with Andy Haldane, our CEO, accompanied by a meal designed and prepared by a celebrated chef.
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24) Tues 24.01.23 * Black Women Resistance Leaders: Political and Spiritual
Date: Tues 24.01.23 * Time: 19:00pm – 20:30pm * Location: Prince of Peckham Pub 1 Clayton Road London SE15 5JA * Hosts: Black History Walks * Event link: here
This event is sponsored by the Prince of Peckham pub, a Black owned community resource and represents a free sample of the 2023, twelve week course on African/Caribbean women who fought back against racism/colonialism from 2000 years ago to now.
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25) Thurs 26.01.23 * Diaspora, Innovative and Development Finance
Date: 26.01.23 * Time: 18.00pm - 20.00pm * Location: Shaw Library, Old Building Houghton Street London WC2B 4RR * Host: Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa * Link: here
The potential to use diaspora investments to finance development in Africa has been encouraged by the World Bank, IMF, African Development Bank and diaspora organisations. This public lecture will formally announce the framework and proposed initiatives for the AU legacy project on diaspora investment.
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26) 26.01.22 * African Drumming Workshop
Date: Thurs 26.01.22 * Time: 13.00pm * Venue: Shoreditch Town Hall 380 Old Street London EC1V 9LT * Host: Abass DoDoo * More Info: here *
This is a monthly African drumming workshop that enhances your wellbeing, helps you to find your centre of wellness and mindfulness. Rediscover your own natural rhythm through the ancient art of African drumming.
Abass Dodoo, comes from a Ghanaian tribe of Master African Drummers with a long legacy of using ancient African drumming rhythms to unite individuals, families and communities through communal interactive African drumming circles.
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27) Fri 27.01.23 * Sodi Cookey Live
Date: Fri 27.01.23 * Time: 19.00pm - 23.00pm * Venue: The Camden Club 72-73 Chalk Farm Road London NW1 8AN * Hosts: Wild Guppy Media * RSVP: here
London-born, Sodi Cookey, spent much of his childhood growing up in the creative melting pot of Port Harcourt, Nigeria is a now established UK artist whose music is a fusion of Soul, Jazz and Blues.
Sodi's lyrics echo songsmiths of the past who possessed powerful voices. He takes influence from an eclectic selection of artists including Paul Robeson, Fela, Wilson Pickett, Minnie Riperton, Rex Jim Lawson, E.T Mensa, Aretha Franklin, Rosetta Tharp, Mavis Staples, Jeff Buckley, Steely Dan, Mahalia Jackson and Luciano Pavarotti.
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28) 28.01.23 & 29.01.23 * All Out Worship - Elder Juanita Francis, Pastor William McDowell & MORE
Date: Sat 28.01.23 - 29.01.23 * Time: 08.30 - 21.30pm * Location: Ruach City Church - Kilburn 197-199 Kilburn High Road London NW6 7HY * Hosts: Elder Juanita Francis * Event link: here
Hosted by Elder Juanita Francis, come and join Pastor William McDowell and more for two days of praise and worship workshops for the Creative. Whether a praise and worship leader, musician, artist, dancer or you simply love to spend time worshipping in the presence of God, this two day workshop clinic is for you.
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29) Sat 28.01.23 * Hapè & Sananga Ceremony Fundraiser
Date: Sat 28.01.23 * Time: 15:30pm – 19:00pm * Venue: The Golden Egg 9-15 Shackwell lane London E8 2DA * Hosts: Samaritan * Event Link: here
Samaritans Helping Hands are hosting this night to raise as much money as they can for poor orphaned children in Zimbabwe. For this fundraiser they want to deliver as many xmas hampers to as many children as they can. All money raised will be donated to this cause entirely. So whilst you will be giving to an amazing cause you will be receiving so much from this special event.
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30) Sun 29.01.23 * Amampiano January Brunch
Date: Sun 29.03.22 * Time: 13.00pm - 19.00pm * Location: Zeos, 150 Southampton Row, Holborn WC1B 5AN (Nearest Tube Station :Holborn Central Line- 5 mins walk) * Host: Amapiano Brunch * RSVP: here
Music : Amapiano, AfroHouse & Afrobeats & Brunch by Djs from London 🇬🇧 and South Africa 🇿🇦 on rotation. * Times : 1pm - 7pm * New Afro Fused Menu Available Table and Birthday Bookings Available on request.
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31) 29.01.23 * Ecstatic Dance UK: Sun. Day. Inside
Date: Sun 29.01.23 * Time: 10.00am - 13.00pm * Venue: The Baths 80 Eastway Hackney Wick London E9 5JH * Host: Ecstatic Dance London * RSVP: here
Tribal Dance are London's Sunday morning Ecstatic Dance community!
NOTE: To assist with creating a container that feels safe for all, please arrive in the space for the opening by 10:30am latest. This is an important & valuable part of the practice. We will now be closing the doors to the dance space (for your 1st entry) at 10:55am.
The dance area is non-verbal & without shoes or phones please, you can chat in the cafe/hangout area if you like - Thank you for your understanding
FORMAT
10.00 Warm-up music
10.30 Opening circle
11.00 Ecstatic Dance - DOORS CLOSED 10:55am - PLEASE ARRIVE BY 10:30am LATEST.
12.45 Closing circle