Returning to the Southbank Centre for its fifth year running, the popular Africa Utopia comes back with a bang, featuring a line-up of some of the most exciting musicians, artists, performers and thinkers from across Africa and its diaspora, between 15 to 16 July 2017.
This event is not to be missed by anyone who wants to immerse themselves in all things Africa and Africa-inspired. The vibrant weekend, in the heart of London’s cultural quarter on the South Bank of the Thames, will allow visitors to explore Africa’s lead in shaping the way we think about culture, gender, race, sexuality, fashion, activism and society.
The programme promises lively talks and debates, lots of participatory workshops and a host of wide-ranging free events across Southbank Centre’s site, from a Black History Walk along the Thames which explores British Civil Rights, African and Caribbean history and black heroes along the riverside, to Afrikan Yoga on Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden. The Big Sing event is an opportunity to all join in and sing, while The Africa Utopia Block Party with DJ Rita Ray, brings you everything from afrobeat to Congolese jazz, to South African electronica.
Running throughout the weekend, will be the Africa Utopia Marketplace, which will be a bustling arena in the Royal Festival Hall offering the latest in African and African-inspired arts, crafts and workshops and the space under Hungerford Bridge will be transformed into a bustling African inspired street food market with 14 stalls of authentic African cuisine and live music.
Here are some of the many highlights that we are looking forward to:
Food Market / Pop Up Africa presents: The African Food & Drink Takeover 2017
Thursday 13 July – Sunday 16 July, Thursday 5pm, Friday 12pm, Saturday 11am, Sunday 12pm, Hungerford Bridge, Free
Pop Up Africa returns with its popular street-food market. In celebration of Africa and its many cuisines, Queens Walk will be transformed into a bustling street-food market with 14 stalls of authentic food from across the continent, along with pop-up live music.
Find out more here
Fuse ODG
Saturday 15 July, 8.00pm (150mins), Royal Festival Hall, £20-25
Afrobeat multi-platinum superstar and ‘Azonto’ king – British-Ghanaian rapper, Fuse ODG headlines the Africa Utopia festival performing in the Royal Festival Hall.
Find out more here
Disrupting Expectations: A Conversation With Amma Asante
Saturday 15 July, 1pm, Weston Roof Pavilion, Included in the pass
BAFTA award-winning screenwriter and director of the films Belle and A United Kingdom, Ghanaian-British filmmaker Amma Asante speaks about pushing boundaries, capturing hidden black stories and the future of cinema.
Find out more here
Africa Utopia Catwalk Curated By Africa Fashion Week London
Saturday 15 July, 5pm, Level 2 Riverside Terrace, Free
Showcasing some of the very best fashion collections by designers from across the continent and its diaspora, this year’s Africa Utopia Catwalk is curated by Africa Fashion Week London and takes place along the riverside, with the stunning backdrop of the Thames.
Find out more here
Women, Drumbeats and Self Care: A Twerkshop
Sunday 16 July, 3pm, Level 3 Function Room at Royal Festival Hall. Included in the pass
Participants are invited to join Kelechnekoff Fitness founder, Kelechi Okafor, and explore West African dance as release and self-care through this combined twerkshop and discussion. All dance levels and genders welcome.
Find out more here
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