Esperanza Spalding, Here I Come!

I missed out on her last show recently, I won't doing that again!

Tickets to see her London Summer show a few days after my earthday booked.... woop woop!

UK Poetry Scene: Indigo Williams - The Wrong Truth

I did a simple experiment... you know how you type words in the google search and they then continue to give you examples of what the popular searches are...

I typed in... "Why are Black women"... and left google do the rest...

Hmmmmmm. 

Try it sometime on many other unfinished sentences and you won't believe the crap that comes up lol.

Then it reminded me of this wonderful poet that speaks on this.. I found the video on Writer's Block (a website celebrating UK poets, events and all things creative).

The perfect title and words.

Writer's Block Presents: Spoken Unplugged - 'The Wrong Truth' by Indigo Williams from LoveWritersBlock on Vimeo.

London Festivals: Street Fest!

Festival season is well and truly HERE - YAY! Just 2 weeks ago I took a long good look at my diary and marked up all the events that I need to go to and it was only then that I realised how many festivals there really are!

End of last month saw 2 great ones, where I tried cramming 2 festivals in one bank holiday weekend - Street Fest being the most fun! A space bursting with creativity! If you haven't already done so, check it out and make it part of your future festival plans!

StreetFest Website

The good news is if you missed the recent one, you don't need to wait another year to enjoy it - stay tuned for October 2010 dates/listings on facebook.

StreetFest 2010 from Rohan Blair-Mangat on Vimeo.

Women's Film Festival @ Bird's Eye View

Love Film?
It's not too late to catch this week's London Women's film festival!

If you can't make it, there's some great titles to check out!

Of course, this also ties in nicely with tomorrow's special day ;o)

London Event: Day Of The Goddess

Happy March!





Celebrating A Whole Day Of The Goddess...
See Website For Details!

I'm looking forward to the talks and shows which host some of the ladies that I have been following for years now on their work! Great words...

"Today and every day you should reflect on the beauty that is Woman, you should remember those women that made a mark and those that continue to create marks, templates and finger print traces in this Universe we currently reside in.

Women you must never forget that all begins and ends with You, you are the root and you are also the flower. You have a massive role to play in this life in this Universe fore you gave birth to it.

Women don't turn your back on your natural duties or shun your Goddess role, because when we do we leave the space in which we should occupy and reign in disrepair.

Gracious creators, giver of life, mother, sister, auntie, grandma, nana, niece, daughter, wife, girlfriend are all titles remember above all you are Woman - All begins and ends with you!

I Am One Who reflects the beauty of the universe back to itself.

I am the Beloved. "

Mark your diaries: 21st March 2010.

Ballet Black Returns! 2 July 2009

Upcoming Events: Ballet Black

(more info...)

Ballet Black returns and will be showing at the Hackney Empire

((smile))

London Events: Iyanla Vanzant And Bonnie Greer

As June moves forward, London seems to start buzzing even more with festivals and events... I LOVE this time of year! Here are some upcoming events that promise fun and inspiration!

(Click images to enlarge flyers)

For more events, tune into this website.

Africa Day, 25th May - Celebrating Africa In Spain

After doing a recent blog on life in Madrid, Spain, I received an email from a traveller asking about events that were taking place to celebrate Africa in Spain - great timing too! Here are some upcoming events and positive news:

Africa Day 25th May: Africa Vive - English
(Original Website - Spanish)

Casa Africa - English
(Original Spanish Website - Spanish)


African Film Festival
(22 - 31 May 2009)


I will be posting more African culture/awareness events in Europe soon too!
Stay tuned!

National Vegetarian Week: 18th - 24th May 2009

See a full list of events in London here.

Visit The Vegetarian Society's website for information.

How will you celebrate this week?

Travel Talk: Napptural In Madrid, Spain

As a Spanish napptural, Madrid is the closest city that I can call my home town. It's a place I often return back to and have many memories in. This is my version and insight of Madrid from the past years... the positives and the negatives...

Vegie Ital Life In Madrid
I think this is an exciting time to explore this city as so many new ideas and ways of life are being much more readily accepted than in the past. Over the years, there have been more and more places that are serving and exploring vegetarian/vegan cooking in Madrid. Spanish food is delicious and healthy, but as a vegetarian I still have to admit there are less options on a regular restaurant menu than in other cities, like London - Spanish people love different meats and fish! If you're not a vegetarian, you will LOVE the traditional foods lol. Even when you think you are about to tuck into a vegie dish (which the waiter recommended as a vegie option), don't be surprised to find some traces of meat/fish or non-vegie products for seasoning. This has happened to me on numerous occasions! Salad choices are also served with dairy or fish. However, if you enjoy eating raw and don't mind doing a bit of shopping, there is always a great variety of fresh fruits and vegetables in the local supermarkets that taste GREAT. I always miss the fruits/veg from there, I can't quite find the same taste and freshness here in London. I don't feel this issue is unique to this city- living a vegie lifestyle can be testing anywhere lol!

As a Reiki healer, it was good to see this therapy being integrated in health services and hospitals. Video above is a clip on it (in Spanish). Although I still feel the UK has a more advanced approach to holistic health than many other places in Europe, Spain is rapidly catching on to using holistic health in everyday life. I was taking a trip to El Rastro (arty market) with my cousin and found a stall promoting yoga to the people. So I got chatting to the person who was running it and he was saying how yoga and other forms of holistic health are being explored and rapidly growing now. Numerous new spas and holistic spots are growing around Spain, which I hope to explore soon!

African & Napptural
Spain feels so different today than 10 years ago. Immigration from South America and Africa has changed the political and social landscape and remains a hot topic in the news. Even though Spain has deep African history and influences from Africa in the past, there seems to be new challenges, changes and transitions in the way Spain views different races and cultures now. My friend commented that this reminded her of the situation in the UK during the 50's and 60's... Spain is behind and trying to catch up. I found this article written in 1987 - it is interesting to see how and if things have changed since then. I know at that time, I did have issues with racism and was the only dark face in my neighbourhood. There were times that I wouldn't see a non-European face for weeks back then lol. It feels strange saying that now because things have really changed since then and there are many South American, Arab and Black faces in the crowd today. I am confident that there will be more organisations and legal representations to move this issue up-to-date and in line with the rest of Europe, although I feel other countries like France still have similar issues.

There are also many influences and changes in music that the younger generation are listening to - like reggaeton, Spanish roots reggae, jazz and hip hop... there are a growing number of night spots to go if you enjoy a mix of this music. If you love reggae music, Europe has a growing amount of reggae festivals all over the place with top artists. Recently, I have found traditional music (like flamenco) and hip hop fused together, which was an interesting mix lol.

As a Black face, I feel people tend to assume I am either British or American, probably because I speak English often (it's my first language). I would say that attitudes towards a Black-British or Black-American person may be very different than to a Black-African... I think it again comes back down to the whole immigration situation right now and testing racial attitudes - Unfortunately, many people have asked me if Spanish people are racist due to the regular racist incidents in sport news with Black players and Spanish sports audiences/crowds. I won't lie, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done! At the same time, I won't let ignorance put me off from travelling - I haven't experienced any racism since a long time ago.

On natural hair: I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of afros on the streets. As for having locs (or "pelo Rasta" as its called in Spanish), there are hardly any apart from a few Spanish guys (like my cousin lol). People do openly look and stare at my locs, mainly through curiosity I think as they probably hardly ever see it- especially on a woman. My Spanish family LOVE my locs and can't seem to keep their hands off lol.
I ((heart)) the public transport - Unlike London where I have to re-plan my train journey over the weekend and mornings due to the many closures and power failures, Madrid's metro train system is easy to use, reliable, clean and comfortable. It doesn't cost you an arm and a leg to get from point A to point B like in London - a simple system of buying a 10 pass ticket will allow you to travel on the metro or bus by clocking it in when you get in at any time. You won't burn up in a hot annoyed crowd like the London underground in Summer as there is air conditioning and lots of spaaaaaaaace lol. People are also very helpful and willing to answer questions if you get lost or need advice on where to go.

Over all, it is a city with a charm about it... it still feels very traditional, with winding roads that lets you explore non-tourist spots. I like the fact that it doesn't feel crowded, even in rush hour. I love cafe culture where you can spend hours sitting outside and watching the world go by, with homemade food and wine. In London, you almost always feel rushed to get off your seat in the many commercial chains of coffee shops with "plastic foods" lol. There is a rich culture of enjoying life around family and good friends which I feel balances out everything.

It helps to learn basic Spanish - unless you are in a very touristy place. If you wish to go off and see local places in the city, people don't readily speak English. So, a phrase book or a few lines will make all the difference!

Like many places, this is a time of change in attitudes and reflection towards a different future so I feel excited about it.

For more information on Madrid, visit http://www.esmadrid.com/ - To watch their TV channel, go to Media Hopper (Go to the channels for Spain and you will find EsMadrid in the list). Blogs always offer a great insight into other people's lives and travel, visit the Black Planeteer blog for some interesting travel reads on Spain and more!

Happy MaY! Slow Down London!

HAPPY MAY!
Is it really May ALREADY?!?

Each year is getting faster and faster! Even though I LOVE how technology makes our lives so much more faster and easier, I do also blame it for speeding up time and keeping life a little too hectic at times! City life.

If you haven't already heard, there is a great campaign going on right now in London to get Londoners to SLOW down and enjoy life - with some interesting events and shows to keep you motivated and enjoyable!

Visit the website at: www.slowdownlondon.co.uk
24th Apr - 4th May 2009

So inspired by this, I felt one of my first monthly challenges would be too slow down in my own life! I KNOW I need to take things easy and stop worrying about everything... So, this is my monthly challenge!

All Eyes On Cuba!

Cuba has been on my travel list for some time now and I'm hoping next Summer, I will FINALLY get to see this glorious place for my Self!

Until then, I'm dreaming on it! And right on time, bringing in some great energy for Spring/Summer, there are a couple of Cuban shows in town which I am looking forward to exploring!

I LOVE watching dance shows and these shows promise to be super powerful!

Havana Rumba - more info...

Update: I had THE best time at this show! I often hate going to theatres that feel so big that you're left totally unattached and separated from the mood of the performance. This theatre was JUST the right size to make you really FEEL part of what was going on in front of you, plus a little interactive dance with the audience/dancers at the end was super fun!

Havana Rakatan - more info...

Enjoy!

Yoga In Africa - Retreats Info & Videos

"The word Yoga means union and discipline. It is not a religion, it’s exploring your own spirituality by learning how to control your mind through exercising the body, breath and practicing concentration. Yoga is about learning to be present, living in the present moment—creating a union between mind, body and spirit." (a description that I've taken from a few websites)

As well as being a Self union, I love how yoga is a union of like-minded people... Union in being able to connect, explore, learn and grow with people who are dedicated to living life in awareness. An every day tool to positive conscious networking!

This is a wonder-full video about yoga in Africa - Changing lives!

The International Association of Black Yoga Teachers (IABYT): www.blackyogateachers.com

Upcoming African Yoga Retreat!

If you enjoyed the video and wish to experience a yoga in Africa for your Self, here is some information that you don't want to miss!

In 2009, you can be part of the upcoming Afrikan yoga retreat from January 3rd-14th 2009 in Ghana.

This 10 day retreat is a complete holistic package - including yoga sessions, delicious vegie meals, day trips, drumming, dance - and more!

For more details:

UK contact - Pable Imani +44 0 7904769696 www.afrikanyoga.com nubeinghealth@yahoo.co.uk

USA contact - Deirdre Lovell 1.832.465.8966 www.bodynsoultherapies.com deirdre@bodynsoultravel.net

Natural Family: Slingin' It!

This is a topic of natural family care that I have always been fascinated by... And I recently had to do some research on for a friend.

The bond between mother and child is so beautiful and special ~ Our ancestors did it. A growing number of people are loving it!

Baby carrying is not a new concept in family care - but it seems to be a growing trend that I have been noticing over the last few years! More and more mums and dads are discovering the full benefits of using this method as a practical and easy form of bonding with their children... It's true to say from observation that the child always seem to be peaceful and calm.

Another trend that supports baby carrying is attachment parenting - it promotes healthy bonding, nurturing and growth between parents and children. Read the eight principles of attachment parenting for an insight into what it's about!

Baby wearing offers the parents a wide choice of colours, styles and online shops to choose from - so there are endless possibilities where you can choose what is right for you and your little one. For info on types of baby carrier slings/carrier and tips on how to choose, please read this.

For crafty mums/dads, why not try making your own sew lovely baby sling?!? It's easy to make and you can choose your own material patterns. For sewing instructions, read this.

Holistic Parenting From The Pan - Afrikan Perspective

We LOVE this website that is dedicated to holistic African parenting and provides so much information. It comes along with a book (as shown above) too, which you can buy directly from this website. There are numerous other websites out there...

It's something that the whole family can enjoy!

For a gallery of inspirational pics, click here.

Some links for info/events/videos:

Visit: www.summerslingshow.co.uk for details of this event.

Dance Afreaka! ~ African Dance & Fitness

We first came across this DVD as a friend passed on some info on keeping fit with African dancing...

I have been a little slow in catching up and have yet to attend a class... but no doubt, I'm sure it'll be a fun regular session to keep in my diary. I've heard great things about it!

Europe Love: African-Spanish Connection With Concha Buika

Spain has long been a place of change and arguably over the last 5 years it has become very noticeable with a new dimension to it. After going back to Madrid last Summer (for the first time in almost 10 years... time flies lol! ) to get back to my roots and see the changes, I can honestly can say that I hardly recognised the city I grew up around. I welcome change and feel happy to be part of that beautiful vibrant mix!

Today's energy focus is on a womban named Concha Buika .

This lady is simply divine! If you get a chance to see her, please do.

"Magnificent. Her music is the rare fusion that honours all its sources." - New York Times

Flamenco music has always been around me - I grew up tuning into it (enjoying the classics to the modern). I feel at home with her refreshing energy - I love the strong mix of soul, jazz and raw flamenco that makes her songs so unique... Her-story is an amazing one! I'm hoping this is a chance for many other artists in Spain to break out open and become known - from what is already a growing pool of artists that are fusing the tradional with new.

For London readers, she will be performing "Mi Nina Lola"on Friday 14 March @ Sadler's Wells - part of the flamenco festival 2008.

Event: Introductory Meditation Afternoon

Introductory Meditation Afternoon

You are warmly invited to attend this introductory meditation event for the African Caribbean community, at which we will be teaching two meditation practices to calm the mind and open the heart. Led by Zhana.

On: Saturday 8th March 2008

Time: 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. - PROMPT START

At: The London Buddhist Centre, 51 Roman Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 0HU

Meditation is very beneficial for mental and physical health and wellbeing.

Increasingly, people from all cultures are realising the value of meditation for reducing stress, finding kindness towards oneself and others, and creating calm.

Zhana grew up reading stories about Harriet Tubman. Having escaped from slavery in Maryland in the American South, Tubman returned to the South 19 times to rescue others from slavery.

"As a Buddhist”, Zhana says, “I still find her a major inspiration because she was totally committed to freedom and liberation. And she risked her life over and over again for the sake of others.

“I am doing what I can to ensure that Black people can come along and learn to meditate in a friendly, welcoming environment."

We live increasingly stressful lives. We worry about paying the mortgage, and about our children’s education. We are seeing more and more violence among young people in the inner cities. In the modern world, there is a great need for meditation.

Of course, Harriet Tubman often had to deal with people who were more afraid of freedom than of slavery. Similarly, there are some people who will not even try Buddhist meditation because it’s different from what they are used to.

But anyone can benefit from Buddhist meditation, whether or not you are interested in Buddhism. If you put in the effort, you will get a positive result.

Saturday 8th March 2008 at 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. - PROMPT START
The London Buddhist Centre, 51 Roman Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 0HU

Light refreshments will be served.

You can book via the LBC on (020) 8981 1225 info@lbc.org.uk

For more info, visit:

http://groups.msn.com/BuddhisminBrixton/meditationforblackpeople1.msnw

Blast From The Past: Ancestral Gathering

Every once in a while, I will post up clips of events and sacred spaces from the past to celebrate...

Here is one that I always enjoy watching!

Event @ http://www.myspace.com/ancestralgathering

Event: Ballet Black Returns!

An event to look out for!

9th - 12th of April 2008 at The Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House.

20th April 2008 at the Cambridge Arts Theatre.

Visit the website @ http://www.balletblack.co.uk

2008 begins for me NOW...

A little late, maybe lol?!?

But seriously, January was a time that was still part of 2007 for many reasons so this month has been a time to re-create the New Year...

This blog has been a long time coming...

After moving forward and backwards through some testing times, I felt it was time to bring together a blog that celebrated much more than a personal journey... I wanted to explore London and fall in love with it all over again. In doing so, I wanted to also allow this space to fuse Black cultural London, creativity and the many holistic journeys that are transforming every day.

London is busy-busy. It's time to get lost in all of it.

Watch out for new interviews ("inner-views" as we like to call it!) and insights from all walks of life (UK & Europe) - plus the occasional insight from my Self.

Keep inspiring!

Bless-up ;o)