Talk about an embarrassment of riches at the Southbank Centre this summer!
Like children in a sweetshop we couldn’t get enough – but resist we did, limiting ourselves to the most appetite-whetting Africa-inspired cultural events.
Les Amazones d’Afrique, Fri 14 Jun, 7.30pm (Part of Chaka Khan’s Meltdown) The pan-African feminist supergroup embraces international voices to bring richly melodic and far-ranging music and a message from Africa to the world.
Chaka Khan: A Celebration of 50 Years in Music +Trevor Nelson, Fri 14 Jun, 7.30pm. An unmissable celebration of the iconic singer’s 50 years in music. Khan’s vast vocal range, has earned her ten Grammy wins, a 2023 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and music sales and downloads in excess of 100 million.
With her self-titled solo debut album “Chaka” in 1978, Chaka Khan captivated audiences with her distinctive vocals on “I’m Every Woman.” She later amplified her success with the funk band Rufus, achieving platinum status with the hit single “Ain’t Nobody” in 1983.
Join the celebration as the “Queen of Funk” ignites an unforgettable evening of top hits, honouring one of the most legendary careers in music.
Khan will be joined by Trevor Nelson MBE, the renowned English DJ and presenter who began his career on London’s Kiss FM and hosted the UK’s first national R&B show, “The Rhythm Nation,” on BBC Radio One. A prominent figure in Britain and beyond, Nelson is celebrated for his radio and TV appearances, as well as for bringing R&B, soul, and hip-hop to the mainstream audience.
Emeli Sandé, Sat 15 Jun, 9pm, part of Chaka Khan’s Meltdown. Emeli Sandé, a British singer-songwriter renowned for her emotional and honest performances with a heartfelt pop sensibility, has enjoyed a decade of success in the music industry.
Her debut album, “Our Version of Events,” has sold over 5.4 million copies, becoming the UK’s best-selling album in 2012 and 2013 and achieving eight-time platinum status in the UK and Ireland.
In 2023, Sandé released her second independent album, “How Were We To Know,” through Chrysalis Records, aiming to reveal more about herself through her lyrics.
With three UK number one singles and four BRIT awards, Sandé was honored with an MBE for Services to Music in 2018 and became the University of Sunderland’s chancellor in 2019.
Beyond her musical achievements, Sandé is a sought-after writer and a dedicated advocate for social justice, using her platform to support important causes and infusing her songwriting with strong values.
Tigritudes: A Pan-African Film Cycle, 01 Jun – 31 Jul 2024. The BFI is presenting an eclectic two-month season devoted to pan-African cinema from 1956-2024.
Originally launched in France and subsequently touring Africa, TIGRITUDES is a chronological and subjective anthology of Pan-African cinema. It showcases a diverse and inventive film culture often hindered by limited international distribution.
Throughout June and July, BFI Southbank will present a selection from this extensive anthology, which includes 128 films from 42 countries, curated by Dyana Gaye and Valérie Osouf.
The season highlights works by renowned directors like Julie Dash, Med Hondo, and Souleymane Cissé, as well as lesser-known artists whose films enrich the diverse and powerful cinematic traditions across Africa and its diasporas.
The chosen films explore themes as diverse as the African continent itself, including forbidden love, conflict, liberation, family, resilience, identity, migration, power, forgiveness, tradition, and mysticism.
This two-month season features introductions, Q&As, and discussions, starting with an introduction by Valérie Osouf on 3 June following a program of Early Archive Shorts.
For further information on these events including booking information visit:
https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on
