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How sad that the Cameroonian legend Manu Dibango is one of the victims of this terrible virus. Enjoy this performance of his iconic number Soul Makossa

There are two great exhibitions at Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (mima)
OTOBONG NKANGA – “From Where I Stand”, open now, till 28 June. Otobongm Nkanga (pictured) is a Nigerian-born artist whose practice spans tapestry, drawing, photography, installation, video and performance. The exhibition explores the politics of land and its relationship to the body, histories of land acquisition and ownership, and the transformation of minerals and materials.
BLACK ARTS AND MODERNISM (23-29 March) – new narratives within MIMA’S collection via a collaboration with research group Black Artists & Modernism – presenting contributions by artists of African, Asian and Middle East and North Africa Region descent in the UK in the 20th and 21st centuries. The display is structured around questions that are key for any collection, explored through the perspective of the artwork: Where am I? Why am I here? Who am I? What am I doing? What’s next? Sonia Boyce’s important work She Ain’t Holdin’ Them Up, She’s Holdin’ On: Some English Rose (1986) has become a cornerstone of the collection (pictured).

For more, see – http://mima.art/

Come along to Newcastle Library on 22 June and hear the Windrush Story – with music and poetry. Organised by the North East of England African Community Association. A free event, 13.00 to 15.00. Book here – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-windrush-story-tickets-62918733626

Five pages of news, reviews and event listings/previews

Waka Waka February 2019

Our second performance of “The Story of Reggae in Britain” on May 25th was a sell-out success in the Music Room at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall ! Our first venture outside the North East !

Curious Monkey Theatre Company, Newcastle upon Tyne and Newcastle Arts Development Organisation, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa have been collaborating for two years on the “Two Newcastles” project, and last week presented a work on Tyneside that they have created together called ” This World Here…Nomhlaba Le”
It’s a journey to a new world full of song and discovery. When faced with a new culture, visiting a new place, what do you bring with you? What do you leave behind? Original music intertwined with traditional South African and Geordie songs, verbatim testimony and storytelling about their lives, homes and experiences in two different Newcastles by the performers, exploring community and belonging, celebrating diversity and uncovering our unconscious biases. Asking…where is home?
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi2MZXpBSNQ/

Created and performed by:
Sanele Mzimela, Phelelani Mzimela, Velaphi Mthimkulu, Samu Khumalo, Sam Bell, Alice Blundell and Stan Hodgson
Directed by Amy Golding
Produced by Sphiwe Xulu and Jen Dewar
Assistant Director Jonluke McKie
This World Here…Nomhlaba Le was commissioned as a flagship cultural project of Newcastles of the World supported by International Newcastle. Funded by Arts Council England Grants for the Arts, Waka Waka Africa North East, Newcastle Municipality KZN, The Department for Arts and Culture (South Africa) The Tyne and Wear Community Foundation (UK)

Waka Waka What’s On + News Spring 2018

Waka News Early 2018

Here’s our latest listings of African-Caribbean cultural events in the region

African-Caribbean What’s On November 17