Following 2012's sensational first edition, Africa Utopia is back in 2014 to look at what can be learnt and celebrated from Africa and the African Diaspora. Taking place from September 11 – 14, the weekend long festival looks at how African art and ideas can change the world for the better and how Africa can lead the way in thinking about culture, community, technology, fashion, sustainability and ethical wealth creation.

Festival highlights include:

A one off gig from Mulatu Astatke – the father of Ethio-jazz - at the Royal Festival Hall.

World premiere of dance solo work by Qudus Onikeku, with spoken word by Zena Edwards - My Exile is in My Head.

An insight into North Africa break dancing culture – banned during the Ben Ali regime in Tunisia – from Say it through Breakdance, aproject artistically driven by Hakeem Onibudo of Impact Dance.

Talks including those from Edna Adan Ismail, former Somaliland Foreign Minister who set up the first maternity and teaching hospital in Somaliland, Dr. Ola Orekunrin who founded the first ever Nigerian Flying Doctors after a personal tragedy inspired her, Mariemme Janne, technologist and founder of Africa Gathering, and Nimco Ali, anti-FGM campaigner. 

Multi-award winning USA based comedian Gina Yashere returns to her hometown with her new show.

A fashion show of designers who originate or are inspired by the rich cultural heritage of Africa presented in collaboration with Creative Director Ola Shobowale.

Africa 39 – of Hay Festival - will relocate to Southbank Centre for a special one off event and celebrates 39 of the best African south of the Sahara writers under the age of 40.

New work by contemporary artists and designers will be presented across the site, including video, wall works, photography, performance art, and design collaborationsincluding life size craft paper figures by Mary Evans and textile and sound installation by Yemi Awosile.

The L’Orchestre Symphonique Kimbanguiste –an orchestra and choir from the Demographic Republic of Congo – visit London for the first time. Based in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the group is Central Africa’s only symphony orchestra.

Jude Kelly, Artistic Director, Southbank Centre, said, "Africa Utopia highlights the many ways that the continent could lead the way in thinking about culture, community, sustainability and ethical wealth creation. The festival uses all forms of art and culture to showcase the great voices of Africa and their contribution to the world. We are proud to announce our programme of inspiring speakers who will be considering and debating what can be learnt from a continent which has given a boundless contribution to the world around us."

Contemporary Music

They welcome Mulatu Astatke – the father of ethio-jazz to the Royal Festival Hall for the first time.The music that became known as Ethio-jazz is a compelling fusion of traditional styles with funk, jazz and soul. Its creator, Mulatu Astatke trained at Trinity College London and Berklee College of Music in Boston and he has contributed music to the film work of Jim Jarmush, been sampled by the biggest names in hip-hop and played to audiences of thousands at festivals around Europe. Meanwhile, Simply Soweto Encha will celebrate South African oral and dance traditions mixing Zulu, Xhosa and Tswana songs, full of rhythm and harmonies, gospel, soul, jazz, doo-wop and R n’B. Discovered in Johannesburg, they have been touring internationally since 2008. Homage to Magool, a touring concert to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Magool, Somalia’s most popular singer, will bring together some of the UK’s leading contemporary Somali singers to celebrate her legacy. The show features the well known Somali singer Farxiya Fiska, the first Somali artist to have YouTube hits exceeding 1 million.

Classical Music

For the first time, L’Orchestre Symphonique Kimbanguiste (OSK) and choir will visit London. This will be as part of a UK tour and a nationwide partnership, made possible with special support from an Exceptional Award from Arts Council England. OSK, the world’s first all-black symphony orchestra, was founded in December 1994 by the group’s conductor and former airline pilot, Armand Diangienda. Based in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the group is Central Africa’s only symphony orchestra and the city’s population number among the poorest inhabitants on the planet. The orchestra’s members are dedicated, talented musicians who are mostly self-taught and often play on home-made instruments. Their work, which includes performing music from the core classical repertoire such as Beethoven’s Symphony No.9, promotes peace and hope in a country torn apart by war and poverty. Diangienda recently received honorary membership from the Royal Philharmonic Society, which is awarded in recognition of services to music. Previous recipients of the award include Felix Mendelssohn, Igor Stravinsky and, more recently, Sir Mark Elder. The concerts given by the OSK will also feature players from Southbank Centre’s Resident Orchestras.

Join in!

There are some great opportunities to join in and perform with L’Orchestre Symphonique Kimbanguiste at Africa Utopia. Join Southbank Centre’s Voicelab and the choir of orchestra and chorus for a Big Sing to learn a selection of traditional Congolese songs ahead of their Royal Festival Hall concert the following evening. All ages are welcome and to find out more visit www.southbankcentre.co.ukThose with a Grade 4+ in music can also join Southbank Centre’s scratch orchestra to try out some of the pieces The Kimbanguiste Orchestra will perform in their concert. Email [email protected] your name, instrument and ability level to sign up for the project and for more information.

Southbank Centre Ticket Office 0844 847 9910

Africa Utopia TV media partners for 2014 are the Africa Channel. The Africa Channel broadcasts award winning television inspired.