The Africa Channel is proud to annouce that it will once again be partnering with world-famous arts organisation Southbank Centre for Africa Utopia, the Centre’s landmark celebration of the arts and culture of one of the world’s most dynamic and fast-changing continents in the world. Southbank Centre and The Africa Channel will be building on the success of the last two years of partnership on the festival, which looks at how Africa can lead the way in thinking about society, community, business and technology, fashion, gender, power, politics, sustainability and activism.
The Africa Channel will be attending the weekend of music, dance, literature, fashion and the visual arts filming interviews with artists and other exclusive “behind the scenes” content.
We are also giving viewers a chance to WIN an exclusive VIP PACKAGE to this year’s festival, highlights of which include:
● Living legend of afrobeat Tony Allen with star guests including Toumani and Sidiki Diabaté;
● Senegal’s mighty Orchestra Baobab gives their first London show in three years;
● A one-off gig from one of West Africa’s greatest singers Kassé Mady Diabaté;
● The launch concert of Chineke! – Europe’s first Black and Minority Ethnic classical symphony orchestra, including Elegy in memory of Stephen Lawrence by black British composer Philip Herbert
The festival also includes:
● UK premiere of Star Boy Productions, an original performance about the migrant’s story of survival by acclaimed Belgium-based director Ahil Ratnamohan;
● The first UK solo exhibition of work by South African visual artist Dineo Seshee Bopape;
● Southbank Centre debuts from a younger generation of emerging African musicians including Cameroonian Blick Bassy, currently making waves with his new album Akö, and Kenyan songstress Maia von Lekow;
● A showcase of the influence of Africa on a new generation of UK artists and DJs presented by Wormfood, including psychedelic Gnawa fusion from Electric Jalaba and a club night featuring African Head Charge and Afriquoi – who launch their new album;
● A day celebrating African-inspired fashion, including the return of the People’s Catwalk;
● A full programme of talks and debates across the weekend.
For full listings of all you can see and do at this year’s event visit: www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/festivals-series/africa-utopia
Join the conversation:
@SouthbankCentre
#AfricaUtopia
@AfricaChannelUK
Southbank Centre is the UK’s largest arts centre, occupying a 21-acre site that sits in the midst of London’s most vibrant cultural quarter on the South Bank of the Thames. The site has an extraordinary creative and architectural history stretching back to the 1951 Festival of Britain. Southbank Centre is home to the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and the Hayward Gallery as well as The Saison Poetry Library and the Arts Council Collection. For further information please visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk.
Africa Utopia Partners
The Africa Channel is Africa Utopia’s TV Partner. The Africa Channel broadcasts award-winning television inspired by Africa, available on Sky 209 and Virgin Media 293.
Arik Air is Africa Utopia’s Airline Partner. Arik Air is West Africa’s largest airline. Positioned at the commercial hub airport of one of the world’s leading emerging economies, Arik Air currently serves an ever expanding route network of key cities in Nigeria, Africa, Europe, the US and the UEA.
Dineo Seshee Bopape’s exhibition in the Hayward Gallery Project Space is supported by The African Arts Trust.
