of the continent. It is this sort of erroneous impression which the NFTI corrects. In terms of quality of layout, design and print, the NFTI has an advantage over the NLI. This seeming 'preferential' treatment however may not be as a result of Afolabi Adesanya's being a filmmaker himself? The NFTI is an amazing compendium of information on the film industry as various films and especially adaptation of popular drama and books have been filmed which many people are not aware of. As part of the package, there is a section on films from West African countries which is quite interesting but sadly suffers from the major oversight of country names not being indicated against the films, neither producers HIGHLIGHTS OF afriraQS Patrons: Her Majesty The Queen, President Nelson Mandela, and President Leopold Sedar Senghor Programmes in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Wakefield, York, Exeter, Cardiff and many other UK locations. 2 AUGUST -16 SEPTEMBER SELF EVIDENT Ikon Gallery, John Bright Street, Birmingham Studio Portraiture from Mama Casset, Senegal and Seydou Keita from Mali, PLUS new commissions from UK based Oladele Ajiboye Bamgboye, Ingrid Pollard and Maxine Walker. ADMISSION FREE. Information: 0121 643 0708 2 AND 3 SEPTEMBER INTERNATIONAL SCULPTURE WORKSHOP AND OPEN WEEKEND Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Bretton Hall. Wakefield Twenty sculptors from eleven countries in Africa, the UK and USA will work together in the beautiful surroundings of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park for three weeks in August. This open weekend will provide an opportunity to meet the sculptors and view their work. ADMISSION FREE. Information: 01924 830 302 • Supported by Arts Council of England, The British Council and Visiting Arts. and directors, such that other than a few recognisable names and a bit of guesswork it is impossible to know which countries produced what. In some cases when information is seriously in doubt it would seem that the best thing to do is to leave out such information. For instance in the listing of cinema houses in West Africa, only one cinema house is listed for Ghana while several are listed for Liberia and Ivory Coast giving the false impression that the list is comprehensive and thereby implying Ghana has only one film house. Like the NLI, the NFTI has one article. It examines the issue of involvement of foreign crews and directors in the production of Nigerian films. The article, written by the author himself, regrettably deals sketchily with the resolution of the conflict of opinions 13 SEPTEMBER -10 DECEMBER VITAL: THREE CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN ARTISTS Tate Gallery Liverpool, Albert Dock, Liverpool Farid Belkahia, Cyprien Tokoudagba and Touhami Ennadre are based respectively ,n Marrakech (Morocco), Abomey (Benin) and Pans. This exhibition established connections between these artists who practice in on the issue of involvement of foreign crews especially directors in the production of Nigerian/ African films. Do they bring something additional or do they subtract from the vision of the stories of the films they deal with? Is 'Tarzanisation' impossible or inevitable with a foreign director? These and some other important questions are left unanswered in the article. But he gives interesting information about the history of Nigerian/ foreign collaborations over the years, and the subsequent emergence of practically all-Nigerian crew productions. This adds up to a little pot-pourri of information well written but not with an analytical verdict of the issue being pronounced. It is hoped that in the next edition these shortcomings would be addressed such that the indexes, NLI and NFTI would be elevated to be the benchmark and standard reference points in Nigerian literary and film discourse. GR different cultural contexts and share a common interest in trance. Information: 0151 709 0507 14 SEPTEMBER -14 OCTOBER SIGNS, TRACES AND CALLIGRAPHY Concourse Gallery, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2 This exhibition shows the evolution of calligraphy in the work of several contemporary North African artists. Artists included are Osman Waqialla (Sudan), Ahmed Mustafa (Egypt), Ali Omar Ernes, Rachid Koraichi (Algeria), Nja Mahdaoui. ADMISSION FREE. Information: 0171 588 9023. • Sponsored by Citibank 27 SEPTEMBER - 26 NOVEMBER SEVEN STORIES ABOUT MODERN ART IN AFRICA 63 Whitechapel Art Gallery, Whitechapel High Street, London El This exhibition offers an insider's vision of modern art movements in Africa. The show includes work from seven countries: Sudan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda and Kenya. The section curators include Salah Hassan, Chika Okeke, El Hadji Sy, David Koloane and Wanjiku Nyachae. The show will be accompanied by a full programme of educational activities and public events. ADMISSION FREE. Information: 0171 522 7888. • Sponsored by Standard Bank London Ltd (Part of Standard Bank South Africa Group, supported by the European Development Fund, Visiting Arts and INIVA (the Institute of New International Visual Arts). 28 SEPTEMBER 1995 - 17 MARCH 1996 PLAY AND DISPLAY: MASQUERADES OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA Museum of Mankind, 6 Burlington Gardens, London Wl Nigerian artist Sokari Douglas-Camp is already known in the UK for her kinetic sculptures which search for a balance between tradition and modernity. For this commission she will create 12 original works in sheet metal and wood, based on the masquerades of Southern Nigeria. The exhibition includes modern Kalahari masks and film footage. It is helping to question some of the assumptions made about African art. ADMISSION FREE. Information: 0171 323 8055. 4 OCTOBER 1995 - 21 JANUARY 1996 AFRICA: THE ART OF A CONTINENT Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, London W1 The first exhibition in the world to show the history of the spectacular artistic achievements of the whole continent. With six hundred works on display this is a celebration of the classical arts of Africa from 1,000,000 BC to 1900. Information: 0171 497 9977 * Sponsored by Anglo-American Corporation of South Africa, De Beers and Minorco, British Airways, official airline to africa95 and in association with The Times. 7 OCTOBER - 3 DECEMBER ROTIMI FANI-KAYODE/ALEX HIRST RETROSPECTIVE Impressions Gallery, 29 Castlegate, Castle Walk York Large colour photographs influenced by the Yoruba culture of Nigeria produced collaborati vely by Black photographer Rotimi Fani- Kayode and white photographer/film maker Alex Hirst. ADMISSION FREE. Information: 01904654 724 12 DECEMBER 1995 - 28 JANUARY 1996 Chapter Arts Centre, Market Road, Canton, Cardiff. ADMISSION FREE. Information: 01222 399 666 SATURDAY 13 AUGUST 2.00- 8.00 P.M. AFRICA DAY Gabriel's Wharf, Upper Ground, South Bank London SE1 A day long celebration of street music and culture opening with a Pan-African Procession along the river, led by Talazo, the twentyfive- strong Nigerian drumming group, and including The African Snake Story with members of London's African communities and dancers and masquerades. The africa95 Roadshow offers for chiIdren, games, dance, pottery, storytelling and music plus plenty of African food, crafts and live music until sundown. ADMISSION FREE. Information: 0171 622 7369 • Supported by London Arts Board. 2 SEPTEMBER 7.30 P.M. FUTURE SOUNDS OF AFRICA Symphony Hall, Birmingham A vibrant and optimistic music entree to africa95 with Hugh Masakela, the dazzling female ensemble Zap Mama, the incomparable Afro Blok with special guest appearance of 'the Lion of Cameroon' Manu Dibango. Information: 0171 637 4388 • Supported by the European Development Fund. 22 SEPTEMBER 7.30 P.M. THE AFRICAN PROM The Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Grove, London SW7 This spectacular London gala of africa95 season brings the cream of African together under one roof. Youssou N'Dour, the Senegalese superstar, Cheb Khaled. the undisputed king of Rai, and Salif Keita, Mali's griot king, will invite major international guest artists and dancers. The show will be televised by BBC2 as part of their AFRICAN SUMMER season. Information: 0171 589 8212. • Supported by the European Development Fund. 23 OCTOBER - 2 DECEMBER SISI AGBE AYE - Opening the Gourd of Life Nottingham Playhouse, Wellington Circus, Nottingham NG1 5AF and national tour The premiere of a dance collaboration between Peter Badejo (Nigeria/UK) and Koffi Koko (Benin/Paris). The inspiration for this new dance commission is the round wombshaped gourd, or calabash, which is used symbolically and domestically in African societies. Information (Nottingham): 0115 941 9419, National Tour 0171 637 4388 • Supported by the Arts Council of England 3 - 22 OCTOBER SOLMA The Ghana Dance Ensemble St David's Hall Cardiff, Sadlers' Wells, London A Franco-Ghanaian production devised by F. Nii Yartey, Artistic Director of the Ghana National Dance Company and Jean Francois Duroure. Solnta looks at the trials and tribulations of urbanisation in contemporary Africa. National tour to Birmingham, Manches- 64 ter, Sheffield and Nottingham Information: 0121 523 4153 • Supported by the Arts Council of England, International Initiatives Fund. 3-29 OCTOBER DEATH CATCHES THE HUNTER by Biy i Bandele Thomas Wild Iris Theatre Company, BAC Studio, Lavender Hill, London SW11 A new play by the award-winning Nigerian playwright Biyi Bandele Thomas. The life stories of a faith healer and his two followers interweave in this poetic and evocative piece ofnarrativetheatre.Inatriumphantclimaxto the play, the faith healer calmly prepares to face death by lions. Information: 0171 223 2223 • Supported by London Arts Board, Arts Council of England 4-7 OCTOBER GUMBOOT RAGGA HOP Manyanani Dancers Lillian Baylis Theatre, Alington Way, London EC 1 The Manyanani Dancers from Cape Town have a repertoire of traditional and contemporary South African dance including Pantsula, a form that evolved in the Townships. Working with Adzido and Kokuma (UK)dancecompanies, the Manyanani Dancers will develop a new work Gumboot Ragga Hop, merging four styles, Pantsula/Gumboot/ Hip Hop and Ragga. Information: 0171 713 6000 • Supported by Transnet 7-28 OCTOBER STITSHA Amakhosi Performing Arts of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Nottingham playhouse, Wellington Circus, Nottingham Stitsha is the story of a young Zimbabwean girl, Thuli, who forms her own dance and theatre group in an attempt to break free from conservative thinking within her community. Amakhosi is a young and dynamic music-theatre company, well-known in Europe but making their UK debut for africa95. National tour to Birmingham, Oxford, London. Information: 0171 637 4388/9. • Supported by Oxfam NOVEMBER/DECEMBER BEATIFICATION OF AN AREA BOY by Wole Soyinka West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds and Royal Court Theatre, London The world premiere of this major new work by Nigerian Nobel Prize Winner Wole Soyinka - playwright, poet and novelist. In this highly comic and thought-provoking play, Sanda, disguised as a security officer, runs a team of area-boys, or protection racketeers, from a Lagos street comer. Information: 0171 627 4388/9 • Produced in association with Images of Africa, Copenhagen, NAWAO Cultural Exchange Programme, Zurich and University of Leeds. 2- 22 DECEMBER NO-ONE CAN COVER THE SHADOW by Saidou Moussa Ba. directed by Marco Martinelli. Tricycle Theatre, 269 Kilbum High Road, London NW6 A transformation of a Senegalese proverb by two actors and one musician. Ravenna Teatrocombine West African oral and physical performance with Commedia dell'Arte characters to produce a series of engaging animal tales for anyone from 5 years upwards. 22-23 SEPTEMBER SOUTH AFRICAN WRITING AT THE CROSSROADS Commonwealth Institute, Kensington High Street, London W8 A weekend conference on South Africa writing at this key historical moment in its development This event brings together academics, writers and critics. Speakers include Njabulo Ndebele, Ingrid de Kok, Zoe Wicomb, Dennis Brutus, Andres Walter Oliphant, Mongane Wally Serote, Anne Rutherford and Liz Gunner. Information. 0171 603 4535 29 -30 SEPTEMBER UNDER THE VELD Swansea City of Literature Readings, Interviews and seminars, exploring the work of young writers from South Africa, focusing on the question of language. Guests will include Andres Walter Oliphant, Gcina Mhlope, Denis Hirson, Lesego Rampolokeng, Sindiwe Magona and Breyten Breytenbach. Information: 0171 637 4388 • Sponsored by Ken Follet 23 OCTOBER. 23 - 25 NOVEMBER Institut Francais, 17 Queensbury Place, London SW7 Four tributes to pioneers in French speaking Africa and the diaspora: Andre Chedid (Egypt), Henri Lopes (Congo), Senouvo Agbota Zinsou (Togo), and Leopold Sedar Senghor (Senegal). Information: 0171 589 6211 AUGUST AFRICAN CLASSICS FILM SEASON National Film Theatre (NFT) South Bank, London SE1 A selection of twelve feature films will be screened over five weeks, to represent the best of African cinema. The programme includes films by Ousmane Sembene, Haile Gerima, Noun Bouzid, Dikongue Pipa, Adamu Halilu and Souleymane Cisse. Information 01712551444 x 386/327. 9-10 SEPTEMBER AFRICAN CINEMA & THE HISTORY OF CINEMATIC IDEAS - A CONFERENCE National Film Theatre. South Bank London SE1 Organised by the African & Caribbean Film Unit of the British Film Institute. At this weekend conference, distinguished international panellists will include film makes, writers and theorists from Africa, Europe and America - including Ousmane Sembene 65 (Senegal) and Tahar Cheria (Tunisia). Information: 0171 255 1444 x 386/327. SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER MYSTERY, MELODRAMA AND COMEDY IN AFRICAN CINEMA Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2 A two-week season of cinema that will consist of 20 features rarely seen by European audiences. Some of these films may tour to regional cinemas. African Journals • Okike • Imodoye • Opon If a •Transition African Notes •African Report • Odu: A Journal of West African Studies •Orita: Ibadan Journal of Religious Studies • Idoto: Ibadan Journal Of Creation • Review of English and Literary Studies • Journal of Cultures and Ideas (JCI) •Dialogue in African Philosophy - Monograph Series •Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria •Journal of African Philosophy and Studies • Nka: Journal of Contemporary African Art • Callalo Direct enquiries about current and rare African Journals to: Glendora Review, 168,Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. Nigeria. Tel: (234) 01-2692762. Information: 0171638 8891 • Cinema programme supported by the European Development Fund, the British Film Institute and the Black Film Bulletin. 9 SEPTEMBER-1 OCTOBER MEDIUMS OF CHANGE: THE ARTS OF africa95 Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental and African Studies, London WC1 An international conference bringing together an outstanding range of 26 visual artists, writes, playwrights, film makers, musicians and scholars from Africa and the African diaspora to discuss the role of the artists in contemporary Africa as 'Mediums of Change'. The keynote address will be delivered by Wole Soyinka. Information: 0171 323 6253. • Supported by the Arts Council of England, The British Council, Swedish International Development Authority, British Airways - official airline to africa95. GR 66