LIVERPOOL THE POLITICS OF ART DISPLAY OF PRINTS BY KENYAN ARTIST.

World Museum Liverpool is displaying a selection of prints by Kenyan artist, Peterson Kamwathi, from 26th June 2009.

The series of five woodcut prints, on display in the museum's World Cultures gallery, explore events in Kenya's recent political history.

The prints tackle the issues surrounding proposed changes to Kenya's constitution, which were rejected by the people in a national referendum in 2005. The referendum led to increased distrust of the political process and contributed to the violence that followed the 2007 presidential elections.

Each print centres round the image of a bull, which represents the Kenyan nation. The motifs that cover their bodies refer to the issues and political symbols that have been prevalent in Kenyan society in recen years.

Peterson Waweru Kamwathi

Born in Nairobi in 1980, Kamwathi began practicing at the Kuona Trust and Museum Art Studio. He has exhibited internationally and is considered one of Kenya's best regarded young artists. Kamwathi says about his work: "I view myself as a part of my society and as such I'm accountable to the society.

Being an artist, this society extends beyond my immediate environment to include the world. In my work I strive to address and document issues that affect and impact my country, my continent and now the planet."

World Museum
Liverpool William
Brown Street, Liverpool

Admission FREE. Open 10am-5pm everyday Information 0151 478 4393 Website www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk

Rich Mix is proud to present its continued partnership with jazz and hip hop artist Soweto Kinch. A selection of guest artists and performers, including Femi Temowo and Shabaka Hutchings, take residence in the Rich Mix Bar to create laid back sessions that are fast making Rich Mix the place to be on a Sunday afternoon. Every Sunday. 2 – 5pm Rich Mix Bar - FREE.
www.richmix.org.uk | www.myspace.com/sowetokinch

Royal Naval Museum

The Museum offers several workshops for KS3-4 students on the transatlantic slave trade and abolition including 'The Royal Navy and the suppression of the transatlantic slave trade', a workshop looking at real manuscripts and photographic resources; and 'Slavery through Objects', a hands-on exploration of the slave trade and journey across the Middle Passage. See website for more details or contact the Learning Dept on 02392 727568 or education. bookings@royalnavalmuseum.org | visit website

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The 1st April 2009 marks the launch of ‘Living Ancestors’, a thought provoking display of portraits by London based artist Gabrielle Le Roux, hosted at Museum of London Docklands. Of the 71,000 people living on the Caribbean island of Dominica, there are close to 100 centenarians and many more people in their nineties – the majority of these are women. Gabrielle Le Roux’s ‘Living Ancestors’ display celebrates the remarkable lives of these centenarian women and suggests reasons for their ‘staying power’.

Based on conversations with the people of Dominica, Le Roux suggests that the theory behind the women’s long lives dates back to their history as descendants of the transatlantic slave trade and their strong survivalist spirit. Le Roux’s portraits pay tribute to the women’s optimism and determination, despite their long history of poverty and oppression.

Meeting, talking to and painting the world’s oldest woman and nine other centenarians was a life changing experience for Le Roux and marked the beginning of a new chapter in her work as a feminist activist. Through drawing the portraits from life and understanding each personal story, Le Roux skilfully captures the experiences and essence of these women.

Le Roux summarises by saying; “From the times of slavery to the present day, women’s bold faces stand out through the corridors of Caribbean history in their multiple roles and it is to this that we pay tribute through the ‘Living Ancestors’ display”

The exhibition will include:

Ten pastel portraits on paper which Gabrielle La Roux drew of the women while they told her their life story.
Each portrait is accompanied by a story captured from the interviews, along with a panel of introductory text.
A monitor will host a slideshow of photographs of the women during the time they were painted by the artist.

Living Ancestors; A tribute in portraits and stories to the world’s oldest woman and other Caribbean centenarians opens 1st April and runs until 31st July 2009. It is free to alumni staff and to Museum annual £5.00 ticket holders, admission for children is free.

Art's Own Kind - Afrobeat and the Art of Lemi Ghariokwu Controversial Album Sleeve Exhibition to launch Bass Festival 2009

Exhibition: Mon 8 June – Mon 6 July, Café and Mezzanine | All day | FREE

Launch: Featuring talks and performances by Lemi Ghariokwu, Wunmi, Tony Allen and Dele Sosimi

Tues 9 June | 7.30pm | FREE

Q&A with Lemi Ghariokwu, Tony Allen and Dele Sosimi

Weds 10th June | 12.30 – 2pm | FRE EAn exhibition of the work of one of the world’s most controversial and prolific album sleeve designers, Lemi Ghariokwu, will be launching this year’s BASS Festival 2009.

A self-taught graphic designer and fine artist, Lemi Ghariokwu has designed over two hundred album covers in his thirty-five year career and has worked with some of the world’s most famous musicians. Lemi is best-known for designing nearly thirty album covers for Nigerian Afrobeat star and political activist Fela Kuti. Lemi’s distinctive work paints a picture of Africa through political, comical and erotic references.

The exhibition launches on 10th June at Rich Mix. To celebrate Rich Mix will host a free event which will include a speech by the artist and performances from Wunmi, Tony Allen and Dele Sosimi. On Wednesday 10 June from 12.30 – 2pm Lemi will return to Rich Mix for a Q&A alongside Allen and Sosimi

Friday 3rd July 09 at the CCA Glasgow - 350 Sauchiehall Street. Free Entry. Doors 7.30pm.

hosted by the 'seeds of thought' group and featuring guests. a fun relaxed evening of spoken word, acoustic music, dramatic sketches and open mic for those who want to share in the fun and easy-going spirit of the evening. a diverse range of acts from traditional african 'mbira' music, spoken word electronica, comedy, visual presentations and featuring exciting live poetry and music talent from glasgow and beyond.

Seeds Of Thought Urban Poetry Group

geocities.com/seeds_ofthought | seeds_ofthought.bebo.com

Our aim is to promote the sharing of cultures through poetry art & music

As an adult what do you say when your child asks you:
“Mum, my teacher says that European Slave Traders civilised us! Is this true?”

What would your response be to this question?

All are welcome to attend this fascinating five week short course on ‘Transatlantic Enslavement: What really happened?’

This is a course of 5 lectures that addresses transatlantic enslavement. In the wake of the 2007 celebrations we ask:

• What impact did the Slave Trade have on Africans?
• What impact did it have on the Native Americans?
• What impact did it have on Europeans?
• What was Black history during this period?
• What was Africa like before and after this experience?
• Who was primarily responsible for the Slave Trade?
• Finally, we ask: Who was responsible for ending mass enslavement?

All of the classes are two-hour cutting edge PowerPoint presentations. The course will run for five weeks, one lecture per week starting on Sunday 5th July 2009 from 2.15pm to 4.15pm at PCS Learning Centre, 3rd Floor, 231 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, SW1V 1EH (5 minutes walk from Victoria Station). The course costs £60 per person. Reading lists and handouts are provided.

This course will be repeated on Wednesday evenings starting Wednesday 12th August 2009

‘Transatlantic Enslavement: What really happened?’ is a highly accessible programme that is also rigorous and content-laden. It assumes no prior knowledge of the subject areas, but the adult student is taken through an avalanche of documented information on the rich legacy of great civilisations.

There are many reasons why one may be interested in such a course. Some may wish to study the Black experience in a systematic way. Others may be teachers who need the information to benefit their pupils. Others may be parents who need the information for their children. Some may wish to pursue the subject as a leisure interest.

Whatever the reason, please come along. Places on this course are limited. Places are available on a strictly first come, first served basis and we anticipate that there will be a lot of demand for this course. If you would like to attend this course, please contact us for a booking form at info@blackhistorystudies.com

Sat 11 July | 8.00pm | Bar £10, £8 concs

Mohammed Yahya will be delivering soulful street poetry with hair raising honesty in both Portuguese and English whilst tackling the experiences of being a Black, Mozambican, Portuguese, Muslim male living in England; finding inspiration from African music such as Kizomba, Funana and Marabenta; to Hip Hop.

Born in Mozambique, S.E Africa, Mohammed yahya was forced to leave the country during civil war. Having moved to Portugal, the young Mohammed yahya began to show an interest in music, partly due to his fathers influence as a singer.

http://www.richmix.org.uk/aandc_silentlectures.htm
http:// www.myspace.com/mohammedyahyahttp://www.muslimhiphop.com/index.php?p=Hip-Hop/Mohammed_Yahya

Rich Mix is a dynamic, cross-cultural arts and media centre in the heart of the East End of London. Also at Rich Mix:

Poetic Pilgrimage | Sat 4 July

Poetic Pilgrimage are an exciting up-and-coming female Hip Hop and Spoken Word duo performing with a live band, set to take the world by storm with their fresh sound, intelligent lyrics and courageous characters.

For more details please visit site

Rich Mix | 35 – 47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA

BOX OFFICE 020 7613 7498 | www.richmix.org.uk

Isaac Julien Retrospective Wed 1 and Wed 8 July

Rich Mix is delighted to look at the work of Isaac Julien in July; and to receive him in an In Conversation event on Wed 1 July.

One of Britain’s foremost artists, as equally acclaimed for his fluent and arresting single-screen films as his vibrant and inventive gallery installations. Moving deftly between the worlds of film and art, Julien remains one of the most original voices on the contemporary art scene and has directed a number of independent features including Young Soul Rebels.

Nominated for the Turner Prize, Isaac Julien’s works fuses art and cinema together perfectly.

Derek / Looking For Langston + In Conversation with Isaac Julien

Wed 1 July / 7.30pm / Screen 2 £10 joint ticket for Film and In Conversation

Derek
Dir: Isaac Julien | 2008 | UK | 76mins

Narrated by Tilda Swinton

Derek Jarman was an activist, painter and more importantly film maker. The film features an unseen interview made with Derek a few years before his death. Powerful and poetic, this ground breaking documentary illuminates the work and enduring importance of Jarman.

Looking for Langston

Dir: Isaac Julien | 1989 | UK | 44mins

A lyrical and poetic consideration of the life of revered Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes. Extracts from Hughes’ poetry are interwoven with the work of cultural figures from the 1920s and beyond, including black poets Essex Hemphill and Bruce Nugent, and photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.

In Conversation with Isaac Julien

Following a screening of his films Derek and Looking for Langston, Isaac will talk about his career to date as well as current art and cinematic projects.

Frantz Fanon: Black Skin, White Mask / Territories

Wed 8 July / 7.30pm / Screen 3 £7, £5.50 concs

Frantz Fanon: Black Skin, White Mask

Dir: Isaac Julien | 1996 | UK | 73mins

Cast: Colin Salmon, Halima Daoud

We follow the life and work of the highly influential anti-colonialist writer Frantz Fanon. Born in Martinique, educated in Paris, Fanon spent a large part working as a psychiatrist in Algeria, during its war of independence. Examining Fanon's theories of identity and race, the film traces his involvement in the anti-colonial struggle in Algeria and throughout the world.

Territories

Dir: Isaac Julien | 1984 | UK | 25mins

Territories is an experimental documentary about the Notting Hill Carnival, exploring its history as a symbolic act of resistance. Cutting carnival scenes with archive news reports, this provocative film highlights the importance of safe-guarding one’s self-identity by whatever means available.

FRIDAY 24th AND SATURDAY 25th JULY 2009

BEING HUMAN: A Black Theology exploration of what it means to be a person in a Black skin

The aim of this conference is to explore what it means to be a Black human being. How do we interpret, theologically, the meaning of being born into a Black skin? Black theologians have long wrestled with the meaning of Blackness and what it means to be a Black human being. The continuum of Black theological thought runs from essentialised forms of Black Christian nationalism from the likes of Marcus Garvey and later, Albert Cleage, through anti-essentialist and postmodern critiques emanating from the likes of Victor Anderson and Anthony Pinn. For some, we can only understand our humanity by means of our Blackness, for others, Blackness is a second order category that supplements the more universal attributes for understanding what it means to be human. The latest thinking on this issue, in the context of Black theology, is perhaps to be found in Dwight Hopkins Being Human: Race, Culture and Religion (Minneapolis: Fortress press, 2005). But he is African American – so what is our take on this!

The framework for the conference will be similar to last year, in that we will be featuring 5 papers over the two days. By having only 5 papers, presenters will have ample time (45 minutes) to talk to their work. This will be followed by an equal amount of time for creative and challenging conversation from conference participants.

Arrivals from 12.30pm onwards on Friday 24th July in the foyer of the New Building. The programme starts at 1.45pm. download programme

The Conference concludes with an evening meal at 6pm on Saturday 25th July

If you wish to attend the Black Theology Conference 2009, please see the following pages for information and registration form. For catering purposes, please return your form and payment (£10) by 5pm, Monday 20th July 2009. Registrants after this date will not be guaranteed meals.

COST

The cost is £10 per person irrespective of how many days are attended. This is a heavily subsidised price for the conference. This fee is inclusive of meals but not of accommodation. Please make cheques payable to THE QUEEN’S FOUNDATION and send, with your registration form, to: Carol Troupe, The Queen’s Foundation, Somerset Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. B15 2QH

Registration download registration form

In order for us to have accurate numbers for catering and to cut down on potential food wastage, please be considerate and return your registration forms by 5pm Monday 20th July 2009. Registrants after this date are not guaranteed any meals.

ACCOMMODATION

There is limited accommodation available, so you may need to make your own arrangements. Any accommodation will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis. If you need accommodation, please contact our Domestic Bursar, Rona Earl as soon as possible. Email address is: v.earl@queens.ac.uk . Tel: 0121 452 2618 (please also cc Carol Troupe at c.troupe@queens.ac.uk ). Please note the cut off date for booking accommodation is 3pm, Friday 17th July 2009. Any cheques for accommodation should, again, be payable to THE QUEEN’S FOUNDATION and sent to Rona Earl at the above postal address

Contact for Conference enquiries is: Carol Troupe

Email: c.troupe@queens.ac.uk | Tel: 0121 452 2665

If Carol is not available, contact Anthony Reddie

Email: a.g.reddie@queens.ac.uk | Tel: 0121 452 2660

Music // LONDON PREMIERE / House of the Holy Afro / The SPECTACULAR Musical Clubbing show - early bird tickets now on sale!

World Music / LONDON PREMIERE!

HOUSE OF THE HOLY AFRO by Third World Bunfight Conceived and directed by Brett Bailey

A riotous African nightclub spectacular!

Wed 5 - Sat 8 Aug / 8pm-late Venue 1 £15, £12 concs
Early Bird offer now on sale: buy 2 tickets for £25

Information and video: http://www.richmix.org.uk/aandc_holyafro.htm

A slick, glamorous package of live Afro-beats to electrify your eyes, ears and bodies on the dance floor!

Dancing to ceremonial melodies from rural villages in the heartlands of South Africa; performing soaring gospel with driving house beats, this show takes you on an unforgettable nightclub experience through the rhythms of 21st century Africa.

House of the Holy Afro is an amazing genre-busting performance where raucously live gospel, Afro-pop rhythms, slam-poetry and pulsing house beats fuse into an explosion of uninhibited colour20and an irrepressible celebration of Africa for the dancing audience to become part of!

Performed by seven singer-dancers, House of the Holy Afro weaves together African melodies and rythms and unites three of South Africa’s hottest acts – innovative live performance company Third World Bunfight, hip club poet Odidi Mfenyana acting as event MC, and DJ Dino Moran, a pioneer in afro-fusion music who has headlined such events as Pacha (Ibiza), Ministry of Sound (London) and Tank (Sydney).

“Flash, funky Afro-kitsch; this exuberant show - part clubnight, part musical - is as much fun as you can have in a church hall before midnight.” Metro

“Soweto Gospel Choir on acid” The Scotsman

Box Office 020 7613 7498 \ www.richmix.org.uk

Book Online on www.viewtickets.co.uk http://www.viewtickets.co.uk>

Rich Mix, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA

Press Contact: Claire Nouvel on 020 7613 7496 or claire.nouvel@richmix.org.uk

Rich Mix | 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, LONDON E1 6LA| www.richmix.org.uk

Sunday 27th September 1pm-4.30pm

Imperial War Museum
Lambeth Road SE1
Tube: Lambeth North
Adm: Free first come, first served
www.iwm.org.uk
Visual biographical details of black women from all over the world who have resisted slavery, colonialism and racism . Women do not get the historical credit they deserve. This event will give the audience video and documentary evidence of the who, what and why of 40 female fighters who used pistols, pens or placards. Bring notepad and pen and be on time. Women include: Queen Nzinga, May Jemison, Dora Akunyili, Dame Jocelyn Barrow, Una Marson, Edna Ismail, Lieutentant Sanite Belair, Althea Gibson, Mavis Best, Fawzia Hashim, Dr Beryl Gilroy, Leyla Hussein,Edna Ismail, Benadita Da Silva, Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, Dr Patrica Bath, and many more.

Ghana ( West Afrika ) Black History, Culture & Heritage 10 day study tours;
£699 per person

2009 Dates

April 5th – 14th 2009 (Easter Holiday Period)

July 19th – 28th 2009 (Summer Holiday Period)

August 6th – 15th 2009 (Summer Holiday Period)

Open Tour Dates for Centenary (100 years)

Anniversary Celebrations of the birth of the late great Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah 1909 - 2009

Kwame Nkrumah Centenary Study Tours; £799 PP

Theme;

The Life, Vision, Work & Legacy of Kwame Nkrumah

Septenber 2009

October 2009

November 2009

An exciting opportunity for you if;

• you wish to develop your knowledge & experience of Afrika
• you seek to reconnect & develop your networks within Afrika
• this is your 1st trip home to the Motherland or West Afrika
• you want to explore opportunities & options for Repatriation

Sign up today by form, phone or e-mail!

Spread the word!

Contact MAST to register your interest & request for details of the specific tour of your choice;

email; moyowataifa@yahoo.com

Tel; Sis Njeri + 44 (0) 7757 060 313

Moyo wa Taifa, P.O. Box 27466 , London , SW9 7WS .

Return to the Source;

Stimulating 10 day study tours

Highlights of Culture & Heritage Study Tours

(April, July & August 2009)

• Educational Tour of Accra , Capital city of history & Afrikan politics
• Historical & Cultural Tour of Kumasi , capital city of ancient Ashanti
• Pilgrimage to Cape Coast , Elmina & Assin Manso, memorial sites of the Afrikan Holocaust
• Explore the Serene and Scenic Eastern Region

Highlights of Centenary Study Tours

(September, October & November 2009)

• Study Tour of four regions, Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western and Eastern regions to learn about the life, philosophy, vision, work and legacy of late Kwame Nkrumah, including his hometown and final resting place at the imposing Mausoleum.
• Excursions will visit historic sites, places and institutions including social, educational, technological, political, commercial, cultural and industrial initiatives envisioned, established and developed by the great Osagyefo.

Package includes;

Accommodation (Double and Triple Occupancy)

Daily Breakfast and Dinner

Ground Transportation

Entrance to Tour Sites and Activities

Package does not include;

Airfare

Travel Insurance

Visa Fees

MAST is an educational, cultural & networking program of study tours to learn about, experience & engage with Afrika from an Afrikan perspective. MAST is organised by Moyo wa Taifa, a Pan Afrikan advocacy & solidarity organisation. You can also choose your dates & organise your own group from colleagues, family & friends.

Just ask for details!

Email; moyowataifa@yahoo.com

Tel Sis Njeri; + 44 (0) 7757 060 313

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