We have carefully selected 28 gifts under £50 and what these gorgeous items have in common is a direct link to Africa by way of their designers or inspiration. Jewellery, bags, mugs, toys, books, DVDs… there is something for everyone!

To top it off, we also give you the chance to take part in our Big Holiday Giveaway and WIN 12 of the items listed!

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD THE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE (it’s free!)

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For those who have not read the book here’s the premise: The Help is told from the perspective of Aibileen Clarke, the help in the home of Elizabeth Leefoot, a 20 something socialite in a small town in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960’s. Aibileen has been the help in various households since she was 14. Realising that she can love and inspire little children gets her through the hard labour of the job – that and her best friend Minny. Aibileen is approached by Skeeter Phelan a 23 year old college graduate who wants to tell the story of the help after her own nanny Constantine is suddenly no longer around on her return from college. Together they put the stories of black maids into a book called The Help that turns the small town upside down.

I wholly expected to dislike this film as sentimental slush, a whitewashed version of a black and often overlooked part of history. That said, this film is not that bad and is in fact very entertaining, comical and moving primarily because of the amazing acting talents of Viola Davies who plays Aibileen Clark and Octavia Spencer who steals every scene as Minny Jackson. There are other good points too, the narration of Aibileen grounds the film and gives it authenticity, the jokes, the tears the camaraderie between Aibileen and Minny is unforced –it’s pure friendship.

What grates on me is the pervasive feeling that this film is simply white wishful thinking through black experiences. The self-referential use of a book called The Help that shows the power of stories within a book called The Help, now in a film called The Help makes me want to help myself to a strong drink at how arrogant and self-assured of success the whole enterprise is. Why shouldn’t Kathryn Stockett feel assured of success? Look at Alexander McCall Smith! The Help is Disney-fied; it is entertaining, but ultimately is a fairytale made to soothe white souls when confronted with the otherness of black realities past, present or future. For example; white men are shown as poor shlubs, pocket books for their wives and only occasionally bossy. Shown against a realistic fear for her life in the eyes of Minny when Medgar Evers has been found dead in a Mississippi ditch, not to mention the KKK and history of slavery that we know all too well – It. Does. Not. Wash. Black men are reduced to the gardener, the preacher, the waiter Henry and Minny’s abusive husband whom we never see. Smaller moments are missing that would bring the white characters into 3D, the main one being that Skeeter is too good: 23 years in Mississippi – it seems beyond belief that there are no times when she gets embarrassed by her closeness to her black nanny, no times when she is shown to let the pressure of racist peers get to her.

There is something off-putting about a film where the black characters are all well drawn whilst the white characters fall into stereotype and caricature: Skeeter is the well-meaning white girl in over her head, Hilly is the racist mean bitch taken down a peg, Elizabeth is the follower, Skeeter’s mother is good but a product of her time …you get the picture. In spite of all its smugness this film knows what time it is; it’s 2011 far too late for black women to still be playing the maid with two lines, but it seems still too early to have equally complex black and white characters sharing a screen without the common stereotypes of either getting in the way in a mainstream film.

The Help wants to believe it is a story where we can all gather round and point to truths that shed light on how amazing it is that people went into the homes of others and cared for them and their children in return for little pay, social stigma and in 1960’s America -racism… I would say The Help falls desperately short of being that and it only helps itself.

Written by Elizabeth Salmon

Pablo Imani

The first time I heard of Afrikan Yoga was more than 3 years go. I came across a short article on yoga guru Pablo Imani and made a mental note of researching the subject. Fast forward to 2011 when I learn that Imani is coming to Europe – from Uganda where he currently resides – to deliver classes. I jumped at the occasion to interview him and learn more about this new discipline.

Catch a Vibe: What inspired you to start Afrikan Yoga?

Pablo Imani: I have lived several lives in one life time. From my youth I was into art and dance, I even played music and was a kit drummer, a band member of a much older group when I was 17 touring local pubs. I played saxophone too. Later I got into photography and that took me completely for 18 years, my music interests morphed into being a DJ. The yoga practice came through various streams. One is I was introduced to it because my brother’s girlfriend is a hatha yoga teacher and saw that I was supple, then the other is through martial arts where the brothers I trained with were carrying injuries and I wanted to solve this problem by studying healing arts, the other is through my own health issues, particularly a bad back.

Can you explain what Afrikan yoga is? From what I understand, it is a bit more dynamic than other types of yoga?

Pablo Imani: Afrikan yoga is really holistic, this is why it appears to be dynamic. There is a little bit more for the rapid mind . It is calming too. In a nutshell Afrikan yoga is African technology and moves beyond the physical into psycho spiritual.

CAV: African-ness is something that seems to be quite important to you since you have made it part of what you do. How do your non-African yoga students approach it and make it their own?

Pablo Imani: I feel that what attracts students to Afrikan yoga is that they do have to dig real deep and find the rhythm, the flow and freedom that makes them claim Afrikan Yoga. In my classes they are instructed to free their hips, they are instructed to release. The approach to the practice allows all people to engage in natures principles. The feedback I often get from non- Africans is ‘I like your use of the elements, we do not find this in other yoga practices’.

CAV: You are coming to Europe to deliver classes and workshops. Is it going to be your first time teaching in Europe since you founded Afrikan yoga?
Pablo Imani: No I have been teaching in London since 2003 and could say I have taught over a thousand people. In 2008 I was teaching in Paris and as a result there are more people engaged in Afrikan Yoga there . I am excited about this tour as now there is interest in Germany, Holland and Switzerland, I have had requests from Portugal too. Afrikan Yoga is gradually growing and the commitment is paying off with more people being aware that Africa has its own healing systems.

 Enjoy an Afrikan Yoga classes every Friday in London. View deal

MO LAUDI – THE SLAVES MEDITATION from Adonis XIII on Vimeo.

A new track by Mo-Laudi, a DJ from south Africa now touring the world with the likes of Roy Ayers, Kid Cudi and Fatboy Slim. More music by M0-Laudi on Bandcamp

Divercity Deals negotiate deals with London businesses looking to get new customers through their doors. The promotions offer a window into another world or – for those with an ethnic background – the opportunity to enjoy their own culture at a reduced price: cookery classes that transport you to Morocco or Nigeria, Zumba sessions that make you sweat to Latin music, restaurants that bring you the flavours of the Caribbean, and much more… Discounts typically exceed 30 per cent, generating significant savings for purchasers. Members subscribe to the website and receive an email alert whenever a deal is published.

“Consumers receive great deals on the best of what London has to offer”, say Divercity Deals founders Alice Gbelia and Maks Makgoba. “They get to enjoy new experiences at reduced prices, while businesses acquire new customers thanks to the promotional help, sales and exposure that Divercity Deals provides”.

Divercity Deals, the social shopping website that offers deals to London’s diverse population is launching soon! Divercity Deals will offer discounts of up to 70% at the hottest local restaurants, spas, events and much more.

Unlike other group websites with generic offers, the deals offered on Divercity Deals cater to the tastes and interests of a multi-cultural audience.

Sign up now and receive an alert when the first deal is on!

“We take our customers’ differences into account when putting together deals. If we offer a discount on a skin treatment, we’ll check that it is safe and effective on all skin types. We might offer a deal at an Afro-Caribbean hair salon and that’s something that you would never see on the bigger deals websites that target a mass audience. We also reach out to minority-owned businesses that otherwise would not profit from the group-buying craze.” say the directors of Divercity Deals.

The first weeks of deals in London will include offers from Afro-Caribbean restaurants, kizomba dance classes and treatments in spa centers.

The website will launch soon. Sign up now and receive an alert when the first deal is on!

Thanks to all of you who read Catch a Vibe and have voted for us. It’s heart-warming to know that our hard work is appreciated. We took a gamble when we chose to write about culture, as opposed to more popular subjects like music and fashion. We do write about music and fashion, but also about film, books, theatre, dance and visual arts, fields in which black people excel but tend to be overlooked. The choice to focus on the UK – with nods to the US and the diaspora – seemed like another challenge. There’s no denying the US influence on popular culture but it is equally important to acknowledge the talent here in the UK and on the African continent.

We are glad that you, our audience appreciate and value our unique mix of arts, culture and entertainment. We promise to keep up the good and improve however we can. Hopefully this award will give us even more exposure, enabling us to bring you more high profile features and interviews.

Last but not least, thanks to the Black Weblog Awards team and congratulations to all the other nominees and winners!

Alice Gbelia
Editor
Catch a Vibe
Best International Blog, BWAs 2010
Top London Lifestyle Blog, Lastminute.com May 2010

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A DVD screener, EPK, plus a non-refundable entry fee of £25 is the requirement for filmmakers, production companies and voluntary organisations wishing to submit a short film, documentary or feature length movie. All cheques should be made payable to ‘Buff Enterprises Ltd’. Please send all materials plus a cover letter to British Urban Film Festival 2010, Buff Enterprises c/o 4front Films, 27 Ithica House, Romford Road, London E15 4LJ. More details can be found at www.britishurbanfilmfestival.co.uk

Organisers of the British Urban Film Festival have already confirmed that the hit stageplay-turned-box office movie Sus will be the opening feature film for its’ annual showpiece later this summer. It marks the second year in succession that actor Clint Dyer has featured at the event having starred in the Channel 4 documentary ‘Rappin at The Royal’ which showed at the 2009 British Urban Film Festival.

For all queries please contact:

Buff Enterprises Ltd
c/o 4front Films, 27 Ithica House, Romford Road
London E15 4LJ
Tel: 08712 885 785
Email: info@buffenterprises.co.uk
Company Profile

Buff Enterprises owns and organises the annual British Urban Film Festival in London. It also runs as a production company which makes reality shows and produces documentaries which profiles independent film in the UK. It also publishes a monthly internet blog which features insider news and gossip on the UK film industry. The festival has been supported previously by national bodies including ITV, the UK Film Council and the NHS and has staged over 50 screenings attended by over 1,000 adults and young people since 2008.

A few hours before he hit the stage to perform and host the live music event Groove Gumbo at The Pigalle Club in London, Eric Roberson gave an impromptu interview to Catch a Vibe. The singer/songwriter had a lot to say about his visit to London, his music and a few of his favourite things.

Eric Roberson will host Tribute to Prince at the Jazz Cafe on May 29th at 7pm

For submission details visit: BET – Lens on Talent

HBE are the eight sons of jazz trumpeter Phil Cohran, joined by a drummer.  They play trumpet, trombone, baritone horn and the very impressive sousaphone –“the one that goes round the player’s body and sits on his shoulder”.

The most striking feature of HBE’s music is that they know exactly how to blend their hip hop and jazz roots into a unique and versatile sound. It is sharp, powerful, exciting and raw.Although the very first opening act was rather forgettable, HBE’s set was preceded by an extraordinary performance from Canadian afrobeat 6-piece band Souljazz Orchestra, which ended in a special feature tribute to Fela Kuti.
HBE started with a super punchy urban track, with ultra-fast no-messin’ rapped vocals, which was followed by 8 tracks from their vast repertoire, each one delivered flawlessly. That is unless the occasional explicit lyrics are considered a flaw.

The excellent Smoov #%&@ from the album The Brothas was absolutely magnificent.  Icing on the cake, these guys really know how to shake it. For their encore they invited members of the public –mainly female– to join them on stage to dance, seemingly possessed, whilst they kept on playing a soca style piece. One can legitimately question the absence from the set of some of the splendid tracks from HBE’s last album The Brothas such as Planet Gibbous or Toussaint.
The band features on the new Gorillaz album Plastic Beach, and may even support them on their forthcoming London show at Camden Roundhouse.
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble is truly phenomenal.
Next UK show:
31 July 2010
Field Day
Victoria Park

Next album release:
April 2010
The Heritage

Writers of all backgrounds and all levels are more than welcome, however the focus of these classes will be connecting Black British writers with a wider creative aesthetic, as well as writing from the African diaspora. Any genre is acceptable, though the classes are primarily focused on dramatic prose.

Classes will take place on the the third Saturday of every month and will begin from the 15th May through to the 17th July. This is a fee paying workshop and so fees for all three workshops must be paid at the first class. Payments accepted in cash only.

For more details or enquiries please contact Courttia at urbanfactor@gmail.com
.

VENUE: 16mm, D’Arblay St, London W1F 8ED. Closest tube Tottenham Court
Road/Oxford Circus

DATES: 15th May, 19th June, 17th July

TIME: 10.30am-1:30pm

FEE: 90/70 Concs (please bring proof of low income).