The wonderful KataKata on Brixton Hill is celebrating a relaunch this bank holiday weekend with a new menu and live African music.
A duo of Nickens Nkoso and Otis Lumumba from the Congolese rumba outfit Kasai Masai enchanted listeners early yesterday evening and will be back on Sunday (26 August), following kora player Koroleko Moussa Dembele from Burkina Fasso who is due to play tonight.
International DJs including Offbeat Steppa, Troy On The Set, and Snuff are also appearing.
The new menu says farewell to the gallettes that so many enjoyed and embraces the vogue for vegetable-heavy “alkaline” food, but includes salmon for flesh eaters in one of its two very tasty “magic bowls” (£12.50 or £13.50 for salmon).
Sides include the West African staple jollof (£6), chickpea stew and more salad and vegetable dishs (all £5).
Cocktails are £8.50 and include mojito, rum punch, and variations. There is wine at £6 a glass and alkaline water at £2 a bottle.
KataKata (translation: Never Give Up) also has updated some interior featuresm but its its wonderful décor is unchanged, as is its huge back garden and yard fronting Brixton Hill.
And it is still a centre for all sorts of community ventures. One of the latest will be the KataKata Freedom Festival from 2 to 11pm on Saturday 14 September.
The venue has partnered with the National Autistic Society, Deaf Viewpoint, and True Research to present “an accessible festival for everyone”.
It will aim to be inclusive for the disabled community, including young people with physical or learning disabilities, people who are neurodivergent or autistic, and people with mental health conditions.
“This community intersects with those who are from minoritised ethnic backgrounds; genderqueer and transgender people; workingclass people – migrants including refugees, asylum seekers and those with English as a second language; lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer people. In short, everyone is welcome!” say the organisers.
From 2 to 5pm it the festival will host a relaxed session catered for those who want to avoid any sensory overload, with creative workshops, a clothes swap (bring your fits), video games and dance classes – all catered towards people with accessibility needs.
Workshops and talks between 5 and 7pm will be followed by live performances – from Del Sax, Blonde Prens, and Serina – a silent disco and DJs until late.
