Big news this month was the launch of Oriki: A Celebration of African Art & Culture at the Black Cultural Archives. A contemporary exhibition, it showcases the work of Royal College of Arts students and graduates, including early work by Chris Ofili. A community-based organisation, BCA is moving towards its vision of creating a new Black Heritage Centre in Raleigh Hall in Brixton. Conversion plans include an exhibition space, interactive educational zones, seminar and training facilities, a research centre and specialist rooms for the BCA’s archive collection. Check out the exhibition details and upcoming workshops below as well as the pick of reminders of event dates coming up after the Bank Holiday.

EVENTS and EXHIBITIONS
Until 23 July
Oriki: A Celebration of Contemporary African Art & Culture
Headlining the BCA’s 2006 heritage programme, Oriki - which is a praise song in the Yoruba dialect - is a dynamic exhibition featuring work by artists and designers working in the cross-culture between Africa and the West. The season also covers a broad range of free workshops.
www.bcaheritage.org.uk/oriki
Black Cultural Archives, 1 Othello Close, Kennington, SE11 (0207) 582 8516
Tube: Kennington
11am-5pm Tues-Sun
Free

Thurs 4 May
Chilli Fried, North
Africa meets London at Chilli Fried in the Bedouin basement bar at Darbucka. Anglo-Algerian band Fantazia will fuse North African traditions with contemporary UK sounds with songs from their acclaimed album ‘Mul Sheshe’ ( World Village). DJ Jamie Renton and DJ Ilka will be playing global beats and roots rhythms.
Darbuka World Music Bar, 182 St. John Street , EC1 (0207) 490 8205
Tube: Angel
8pm
£5/£3 concs.

Until 5 May
Look Both Ways
Issues of memory and reinvention in a post-colonial era. Photography, performance, fashion and video installation from artists Kofi Allen, Godfried Donkor, Mary Evans and Errol Francis.
Stephen Lawrence Gallery, University of Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College, Park Row, SE10 (For further information contact Kelly O’Reilly on 07941 125901)
10am-5pm Mon-Fri
Adm: Free

Sat 6 May
FABRICA: Mystic Tales of fabrics and patterns
Multimedia artist Beyonder provides a 50-minute three-dimensional experience looking at the artefacts on display at the Sainsbury Africa Gallery at the British Museum .
The British Museum, Sainsbury Africa Gallery, Great Russell Street, WC1
(0207) 323 8181
Tube: Holborn, Tottenham Court Road, Russell Square, Goodge St .
1.15pm
Adm: free

Sun 7 May
Out of Africa - Sunday Social
A fusion of fresh African sounds from Angola . Expect to hear Kwaito, Douro, Soukous, Awilo, Hip-Life and Mbalax
www.outofafrica-london.com
Manjaro Bar, 148 Holloway Road , N1 (0207) 609 2082
Tube: Holloway Road and Highbury & Islington
Bus: 43 and 271 (Day & Night buses)
Doors: 7pm - Midnight (last entry 11.30pm )
Adm: £5

9 May-7 Aug
The Overwhelming
A new play by J T Rogers set in Central Africa in early 1994. Grabbing the opportunity to research a book, Jack Exley uproots his family from Illinois to Rwanda, a country on the brink of genocide.
National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 (0207) 452 3000
Tube: Waterloo
7.30pm/matinees 2.30pm
Adm: £10, £18, £28

14 May
K’naan
Somalian/Canadian Hip Hop from K’naan, the well-respected ‘Dusty Foot Philosopher’. His unique voice and lyrical messages are rooted in poetry and his journey from Mogadishu to Toronto .
Cargo, 83 Rivington Street , EC2 (0207) 739 3440
Tube: Old Street/Liverpool Street
6pm-midnight
£10

COURSES and WORKSHOPS
Oriki youth workshops
In partnership with Aduna - www.aduna.org.uk
There will be five Aduna-run workshops for young people during the ORIKI season (April-July). The workshops will take place at the BCA Gallery in Kennington and will be free events. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. For further information about the Aduna workshops contact Sarah Castle on 07800 872 051 or email workshops@bcaheritage.org.uk
Saturday 6 May
Adornment workshop
Children can bring in jewellery, head wraps and clothes from their heritage groups to explore the differing notions of beauty between Africa and the West.
BCA Gallery, 1 Othello Close, Kennington, London SE11 4RE
Time: 2-5pm
Free
Ages: 5 -8 years
Number: 20 participants

Every Thurs
AfriKarib Dance Fusion!
Zouk, Soukous, Compas, Hi Life, Hip Life, Soca, Calypso make up the soundtrack to these Dance-Exercise classes from Nzinga Dance, which will get you fit and help shake off the winter blues. No experience needed, no need to book, just turn up with your enthusiasm!
Unity Club, 37 Peckham High Street , SE15 (0208) 314 5328
Rail: Peckham Rye , buses 12, 36, 37, 77, 171, 343, 345, 436
Time: 7-8.15pm
Adm: £4