Kalabash Nigeria - this Thursday in London

Awareness through documentary films and music 
Thursday 18th October 

7pm - 2am
@ The Salmon and Compass
58 Penton Street, Angel, N1 9PZ
 
FREE ENTRY

Upstairs 7pm FILM 1: Music Is The Weapon  – Dir
Stephane Tchal-Gadjieff & Jean Jacques Flori. 1982, 53
mins. This documentary gives a rare insight into the
public and private life of composer, Afrobeat pioneer
and human rights activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti
(1938-1997). The interviews cover his resistance to
the Nigerian regime, his controversial polygamous
lifestyle and an exploration of the political context
of his work.

8pm FILM 2: Nigeria's Oil War Foreign Correspondent
2005, 18 mins

The Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force has brazenly
stolen oil straight out of pipelines owned by some of
the world's biggest multinationals. The vast Niger
Delta where they operate holds an estimated three
percent of the world's oil.   This well organized
crime gang has become a key player in the world's most
strategically important industry. Recently the price
of oil rose to a record $50 a barrel when the market
panicked after they threatened to cut-off the flow of
oil.

8.20pm FILM 2: Suffering and Smiling - Dir Dan Ollman,
Nigeria/USA 2006, 65 mins.

Focusing on Fela Kuti and his son Femi, Suffering and
Smiling depicts the impact of their politically
charged music. Following Nigeria's independence in
1960, Fela used his songs to speak out against the
country's corrupt leaders. Since independence the
military and political elite have enriched themselves
by allowing Nigeria's oil and natural resources to be
stripped by multinational corporations with little
benefit to ordinary Nigerians.  Fela gave voice to
Nigeria's disenfranchised underclass and sang of a
free and united Africa.  Since Fela's death, Femi has
continued the legacy.  Equally passionate and
charismatic, he asks why the world's most
resource-rich continent has the poorest people, and
carries a vision of better days ahead for the people
of Nigeria .



9.30pm Q&A & film discussion with Eki from ALISC,
Molara Wood,  Ben Amunwa (Remember Sarowiwa) and Ken
Lewis-Allagoa The African Liberation Support Campaign
Network (ALISC) is a democratic organisation led by
Africans fighting oppression and tyranny in Africa,
and racism in the West. Molara Wood is an independent
Nigerian journalist (www.molarawood.blogspot.com )
Remember Saro-Wiwa uses public art and events to raise
awareness about London's social and ecological impact
on the Niger Delta. (www.remembersarowiwa.com ) Ken
Lewis-Allagoa is a Niger Delta lawyer and activist.

MUSIC Downstairs 10.15pm: Live Performance from INEMO
(Black Mango Music) - "Afro Funky Beats" OUT NOW on
Black Mango Music: Inemo Samiama describes himself as
representing a new generation of African musicians.
From his earliest years Inemo was shaped and
influenced by music. His father taught him to play,
and at the age of 18 he formed the group Jah Stix with
Majek Fashek.   Debut album 'Bushman'
(Mercury/Universal) mixed African melodies with
techno, hip-hop, jungle, dub and ambient sounds.
Following this huge success, Inemo was nominated for
an RFI (Radio France Industry) Music Award as Best
World Music Artist. Inemo has now decided to return to
his roots. After three years of composing, recording
and traveling between London, Paris and Africa, Inemo
is back with a new album, Afro Funky Beats.  With this
album, Inemo demonstrates that his music can reinvent
and enrich itself with new sounds, just like Fela
Kuti, Salif Keita and Angelique Kidjo have done before
him. www.inemo.co.uk



Then SPECIAL GUEST PA from UK Hip Hop legend BLAK
TWANG:

Over a decade has passed since BLAK TWANG'S first ever
foray into the British music scene. His most recent
single is the head pounding, socially driven 'Help Dem
Lord' from his forthcoming album 'Speakin From
Xperience'.  Born to Nigerian parents and growing up
in South London, he is undoubtedly a pioneer of Hip
Hop maintaining an infallible recognition of his roots
in cultivating his own identity .   www.blaktwang.net
// www.myspace.com/blaktwang


11.30pm-12.30: DJ ILKA: German born and raised but
South London based for more than 15 years now, Ilka
started djing in 2005. Her selection includes all
things funky and African such as Coupe Decale, Kwaito,
Afrobeat, Zouglou, Soukous, Naija Pop and more, but
also the occasional Soca, Dancehall and Champeta as
well as other global beats.   As a freelance music
publicist, Ilka works with labels like Out Here
Records (Bassekou Kouyate), Analog Africa, Afrolution
Records and Because Music as well as with artists
directly, targeting specialist, BME (black minority
ethnic) and mainstream media. Ilka is the content
editor of the BBC's African music  site Africa On Your
Street ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/africaonyourstreet) and
she manages UK-based Nigerian hip-hop group JJC & 419
Squad and Lagos- based Reggae artist African China .
http://www.myspace.com/ilkamedia



Downstairs Bar til 2am: Afro-beats and grooves hosted
by Kalabash Movement Resident DJs Supa Scion &
Springfield

Kalabash World is an organisation that seeks to
promote awareness through film and music.   Each event
is designed to encourage recognition of the rich
diversity between African Nations, to celebrate
cultural heritage and explore socio-political
situations.  We aim to give a platform to Musicians
and Independent film makers and encourage a wider
audience to appreciate their works.    Enquiries to
[email protected]

Kalabash South Africa 15th November // Kalabash
Ethiopia 17th Jan

www.kalabashmovement.com                            
                
www.myspace.com/kalabashworld