
RAS Gala 2022
120th Anniversary Celebration: Creative Africa
On Wednesday 2nd November 2022, to celebrate its 120th anniversary, the Royal African Society is hosting a
celebration of ‘Creative Africa’. An evening of splendour from 7.00pm and will be held at the Aqua
Shard to honour African entertainment, film, fashion, food & music on the continent, in the UK, and worldwide.
The evening will bring together leading figures from the worlds of film, fashion, literature and music as well as long-standing members and supporters of the Royal African Society, to enjoy the best African cuisine, the latest sounds, & fashion from some of the most influential & globally celebrated fashion designers from Africa including Ozwald Boateng, Alphadi, Shade Thomas-Fahm, Yemi Kosibah & Maison ARTC. Sotheby’s will also hold a live auction of Contemporary African Art & other prizes.
The event will feature special messages from our Royal Patron HRH Prince William, The Prince of
Wales and the Royal African Society’s chairperson, Arunma Oteh, as well as outstanding musical
performances from the Chineke! Orchestra, Shingai and Osibisa and other renowned musical guests.
The evening will support the work done by the Society to promote the stories and experiences of African people, especially through our arts & culture festivals such as Film Africa and Africa Writes and our education programmes, to support African innovation and creativity, and to amplify African voices in the UK and across the world.
Tickets are available on Eventbrite from £175 (excl. fees). There are also a range of sponsorship opportunities available for all supporters.
Entertainment & Programme Highlights

The Chineke! Foundation was created by Chi-chi Nwanoku CBE in 2015 to provide outstanding career opportunities to established and up-and-coming Black and ethnically diverse classical musicians in the UK and Europe. Read more >
Twitter: @Chineke4Change
Instagram: @chinekeorchestra

Shingai Shinowa, the legendary front woman and bassist from the platinum selling band Noisettes welcomes you to a new chapter of her journey with her debut solo album “Too Bold”. Read more >
Twitter: @ShingaiMusic
Instagram: @shingai

Osibisa are a Ghanaian-English Afro rock band, founded in London in 1969 by four West African and three Caribbean musicians.
Twitter: @OsibisaBand
Instagram: @osibisaofficial

Pelumi is an award-winning Nigerian British scientist and storyteller who brings poetry into the day-to-day. She has performed her words at many events and festivals, and has been commissioned for several projects including an augmented reality candle with Spoken Flames collaborating with emerging gospel artist and the consecration of Bishop Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, the first black bishop of Diocese of London.

Sotheby’s will be holding live auctions as part of the Gala.
One of the prizes includes:
- Afternoon & High Tea
- Chef Experiences
- Art & Sculptures
- Day / Evening Experiences

Fashion
The evening will bring together leading figures from the world of fashion – including some of the most influential & globally celebrated designers from Africa including:
Programme
19.00
- Doors open!
- Arrival with drinks and canapes
- Music accompanied by the wonderful Chineke! Orchestra
20.00
- Introductory videos and speeches
- Followed by a fabulous African Fashion Show
21.00
- Live Auction conducted by Sotheby’s
21.30
- Entertainment and music with Shingai and Osibisa
- Dancing and more music with our DJ
01.00
- Gala Ends
#Gala Information
- Wednesday 2nd November 2022
- 7pm - 1am
- Venue: Aqua Shard, The Shard, London SE1 9SG
- Dress Code: Evening wear and Traditional Dress
-
Travel: Nearest Station - London Bridge.
Rail - Thameslink, Southeastern and Southern.
Underground - Jubilee Line and Northern Line.
Buses - 17, 21, 35, 43, 47, 133, 141, 149, 343, 344, 381, 388 and 521.
Taxis are available outside the main rail station on the upper concourse.
Sponsorship / Brand Opportunities
If you would like to sponsor the RAS Gala 2022, we are offering sponsorship packages ranging from Platinum to Corporate for brands and sponsors who wish to partake in. If you would like more information, please have a look at our RAS Gala Sponsorship Brochure 2022.
Below is a summary of some of the benefits included if you would like to sponsor the Gala. Full information on the packages available including prices are featured in detail in the brochure above.

Platinum
- Acknowledgement as our official partners and headline sponsors
- Company logo and live link on the RAS website.
- Complimentary Individual Membership with the RAS
- 2 year RAS Corporate Membership

Gold
- Acknowledgement as our official partners and headline sponsors
- Half page colour feature in our event programme
- Complimentary Individual Membership with the RAS
- 1 year RAS corporate membership

Silver
- Acknowledgement as our official partners and headline sponsors
- Quarter page feature in our event programme
- Complimentary Individual Membership with the RAS
- 1 year RAS corporate membership

Corporate
- Company logo displayed
- Logo in our printed event programme
- Company logo on Royal African Society website
Become a RAS Member
The Royal African Society has a diverse and influential membership network made up of individuals, companies and organisations who take a proactive interest in Africa and value opportunities to connect, share ideas and develop partnerships.
Our membership is open to all – you can join whether you are a company with a business interest in Africa or an individual with a personal or professional connection to the continent. We offer individual, student, friend and corporate membership packages. Please click on the boxes below to learn more about our different membership types and the wide range of benefits we offer.
Join us today to become part of our vibrant network!
Film Africa 2022 will be returning this Autumn from October 28th to November 9th 2022.
Click the image above to get more information on 2022 programme, venues and workshops.
Africa Writes festival is a biennial celebration of contemporary literature brought to you by the RAS & The British Library. Click the image above to get more information on the previous 2022 programme & more!