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WordSlam... explosion of live poetry in Lagos • Tomoloju headlines the explosion (THE GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2011) BY ANOTE AJELUOROU FEATURES It was by every measure a weekend the power of the spoken word took centre-stage and audience that had gathered savoured every bit of it. But by far, the most humbling was when playwright, actor, singer and culture journalist and advocate, Ben Tomoloju, stepped up to the microphone and took the audience into the intricate resources of the rich Yoruba oral literary performances laced by his musical compositions. It all happened at Freedom Park, Lagos Island last Saturday. The theme was: Homage to the Environment Although it had been long he performed in public, Tomoloju left no one in doubt that he is indeed a master of the performance craft. Also pairing affably with another exceptional performer, Yemi Oyewo, Tomoloju showed that he is in a class of his own both in verbal dexterity and musical gift. For the benefit of the m...

On Saturday September 17, the iREPRESENT Documentary Film Forum (iREP) and the Goethe Institut Lagos will formally begin a comprehensive relationship that will see the two organisations collaborating on a number of projects in the area of films. The projects will include a Monthly Film Screening session; Training and Capacity Building programmes; Festivals and others.

As had been stated elsewhere, only the Drama king himself could have pulled off the wild, morbid drama that attended the announcement of his own passing last week. Confusion reigned for nearly the whole week about the true state of affairs concerning the status of the evergreen master of the stage and screen; and not even the various clarifications by members of his family and his younger colleagues with whom he had been working when death called, could douse the terrible mix-up about the true state of his passing. Well, Sam Loco Efe, a grandmaster of the Acting vocation, transited to greater service last Sunday.

The Guardian on Sunday, 24 July 2011 BY ANOTE AJELUOROU .Mr. Fred Agbeyegbe, also fondly called ‘Uncel Fred’ in theatre cirlces, is a powerful voice in the Nigerian theatre. Although trained as a lawyer, his fame in the theatre far exceeds his involvement in the legal profession. Agbeyegbe turned 76 last Friday and had a big celebratory event in his honour yesterday at the National Theatre, where he was given the Grand Living Legend of the NigerianTheatre award, the first of its kind. His play BUDISO also enjoyed a command performance. Early in the week, ANOTE AJELUOROU sought him out on a revelatory journey into his first involvement in the theatre and how he was able to sustain it close to two decades with such impact. Excerpts: What special feeling comes with attaining 76 years, sir? Well, it’s been a long way coming. I thank God for everything; for being born, and for making us to realise that life is about doing it the way God wants it done. I have the good lord to...

(The Guardian on Sunday, 24 July 2011 00:00 Jide Ogungbade Sunday Magazine - Arts ) .Lawyer, poet an playwright, Fred Agbeyegbe was 76 on Friday. The Lagos chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, NANTAP, set up a party in his honour with the staging of one of his plays, BUDISO, which he wrote and produced in 1986 to mark 100 years of the legal profession in Nigeria. The celebration billed for next weekend, ought to have happened last year to commemorate his 75th birthday anniverssary but had to be postponed till this year. In this piece, poet, theatre director and broadcaster, Jide Ogungbade, who directed Agbeyegbe’s plays in the 80s under Ajo Productions Company, examines the essences of Agbeyegbe’s plays.?The essay was originaly written for inclusion in the book of tributes, The Playwright and His Ideology: A Celebration of Fred Agbeyegbe, which will also be launched next week as part of the birthday commemoration. The artistic ideolo...

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Who Is A Culture Minister? By Segun Ojewuyi TRUST me, the premise is simple. Artists are fueled by a burning passion to create art — expressive and qualitative art that conveys the ennobling power of deep thought and penetrating insight, balanced with beauty. Artists — Nigerian artists not excempted — also want to make a dignified living, the kind that respects and provides the sanctity necessary for creativity to flourish. Where there is talent, good training and tenacity of purpose, such a combination of critical artistic and commercial success, should not be hard to find. Often the artist just wants to be able to keep the creative work unhindered, maintain a responsible family life and foster good citizenship. Opulence is not a requirement, but also not anathema. The artistic life is a cause not a curse, it is one of service not servitude, nobility not futility. It is a life that is just as worthy of every breath, every second and minutia of creativity and labour that ...

(By Chief Muraina Oyelami) Seven stars or Seven-Seven, seven seems to be magical. Even in Yoruba believe, seven is a special number. The grand-finale or shall I say the most important day of most of our traditional festivals has always being the seventh day. My colleague, Oseni was firstly to be known as Seven-Stars. He was an entertainer right from his youthful days. I knew him as a dancer and acrobat helping an Osogbo local medicine vendors known as Ore-Meji (two friends that owned the business) in the late part of 1963. In 1964, a Briton scholar Mr Michael Crowder who was a close friend of Ulli Beier was leaving Nigeria for Fourabay College in Sierra Leone and a dinner party was arranged in his honour at Mbari-Mbayo Artists and Writers Club Osogbo. The time came when the guest was to take the floor and dance, suddenly, without knowing that Twins was among the on-lookers. Twins started to dance and every one was ‘captured’ by his show. A show that was so original in ...

By Bridget Onoche-Chiedu, Abuja THE art community in Abuja has described the death of Prince Taiwo Olaniyi Osuntoki, popularly known as Twins Seven-Seven, as another heavy blow on the Osogbo Art School. Those, who spoke to The Guardian, said the 68-year old Osuntoki would be remembered for his doggedness and pessimism towards life’s challenges, which culminated into UNESCO’s recognition as the Artist for Peace in 2005. One of his friends and staff of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orietnation, Mr. Augustine B Ajibola, in his tribute, said that Prince 77 was one of such artists, whose names are indelible in the hearts of those people that have come in contact with them. He further described him as a man of engaging personality and one, whose sense of humour defied the physical challenge he suffered in the early 70s, when he was involved in an auto accident.

‘They Came With Brushes In One Hand And A Bag Of Knowledge In The Other’ ‘They Came With Brushes In One Hand And A Bag Of Knowledge In The Other’ SUNDAY, 19 JUNE 2011 00:00 GABI DUIGU SUNDAY MAGAZINE - ARTS Chief Taiwo Olaniyi (aka Twins 77), the world renowned artist and UNESCO Ambassador for the Arts, who passed on at age 67 on Thursday after weeks of illness at the UCH Ibadan was one of the pioneers of the famous Osogbo Art Movement, having participated in the 1960s workshop that led to the emergence of the movement. In this narration excerpted from the book, Thirty Years of Osogbo Art (Iwalewa Haus, 1991), edited by the man who (with his wife, Georgina) inspired and coordinated the workshop, the German scholar and culture worker, Uli Beier (also late), Olaniyi explains how he came into the world of the art. The interview was based on an interview with Gabi Duigu in Sydney, 1984. THE first time I saw Ulli was towards September 1963. Then I was still working with the ...

The contemporary Nigerian movie culture, Nollywood, experienced a lull in Production and Marketing activities in the last three years. This state of inactivity is largely the result of several factors including: a) the proliferation of movies with sub-standard production quality b) poor marketing and distribution infrastructure c) lack of professionalism in acting and directing d) piracy New trends in the industry, however, suggest fewer productions with improved quality, drastic changes in narrative structure, and a more effective marketing/distribution system. This presentation will examine how the lull in Nollywood has compelled a new direction in production and marketing/distribution approaches. Note: I served as a Research Consultant to the GMRC's initial Nollywood project in 2006. PRESENTATION AT GLOBAL MEDIA RESEARCH CENTRE. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS APRIL 2011

Nollywood... The shape of things to come Efforts to reposition and move the nation’s film industry forward so that it could be attractive to investors and project the country and the African continent to the world better, telling Nigerian stories and for Nollywood to serve as a money-spinning industry after the oil sector may well have started with a recent arts stampede on new trends in the industry IT was the initiative of Committee for Relevant Art (CORA), which held last Sunday, through its quarterly art stampede that brought together filmmakers, actors, marketers, film critics, art journalists and other stakeholders to share information on how to move the industry forward. Hinging its position on the fact that the movie industry is the off-shoot of the nation’s TV drama, which started from the conventional stage plays and the moving theatres of the pre-independence era, CORA in its drive chose as topic: The New Trend in Nollywood — a look at the recent works that are red...

The Committee For Relevant Art, CORA, in collaboration with the iREP Documentary Film Forum invites you to the ART STAMPEDE on the theme NEW TRENDS IN NOLLYWOOD. Scheduled for 3pm on Sunday May 22, 2011 at the Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos, the Stampede is to interrogate the new Nollywood through an interactive public forum involving the producers and directors of what is certainly the new narrative in Nollywood. The forum will assemble producers/directors of such new narratives as Figurine, Through the Glass, Reloaded, Tango With Me, Ije, Inale, Tenant, Bent Arrows, Champion of our Times, Bursting Loose, Holding Hope, Private Storm, Jungle Ride, In America, Anchor Baby, Mirror Boy, Alero's Symphony,Lilies of the Ghetto, The Child, and others. Many of these producers have affirmed the readiness to participate in this all-important discussion designed to examine the current challenges and prospects of the Nollywood industry, and pointing the way to a brighter and even ...

The Committee for Relevant Art, CORA, and Friends of the Arts (FOA) presents the ARTHOUSE FORUM in celebration of YENI ANIKULAPO-KUTI @ 50. Ms Yeni Kuti,choreographer of the Positive Band and Manager of the New African Shrine will be 50 on May 24. The Arthouse is only a prelude to the birthday celebration. Theme: FROM BODY GYRATION TO CHOREOGRAPHIC ART: EVOLUTION OF AFROBEAT & MUSIC BAND DANCE. The objective is to examine how the intervention of Yeni Kuti in Afrobeat Dance changed the dynamics and culture of Music Band dance in the last two decades. Date: Sunday May 22, 2011 Time: 12 noon Venue: Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos.

S a prelude to the 50th birthday of choreographer/dancer, Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti, the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA) in collaboration with Friends of the Arts (FOA), will on Sunday, May 22 stage the Arthouse Forum in celebration of Yeni, choreographer of the Positive Band and manager of the New African Shrine, for her contribution to dance in Nigeria. Holding at the Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos, by 12pm, with the theme, From body gyration to choreographic art: Evolution of afrobeat & music band dance, the objective of the programme is to examine how the intervention of Yeni Kuti in Afrobeat dance changed the dynamics and culture of music band dance in the last two decades. The lead speaker at the forum is Dr Sola Olorunyomi (author of Fela and the Imagined Continent), a lecturer at the University of Ibadan. He will be joined by Benson Idonije, broadcaster, music writer and first manager of Fela’s Koola Lobitos band; Dr Eesuola, lecturer on Political Behaviour, University o...

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Amina Claudine Myers Interviewer: Simon Rentner Simon Rentner: This is Simon Rentner with Afropop Worldwide with George Collinet. I'm here sitting with Amina Claudine Myers, the famous genre-defying pianist, who has played with so many luminaries in the industry. It’s just a pleasure to be here with you and talk about some of your life experiences. Amina Claudine Myers: Thank you. It's a pleasure. My pleasure.

Afropop Worldwide http://www.afropop.org/img/interview/GeorgeLewis/Lewis_chp8_06.jpg Interviewer: Simon Rentner Simon Rentner: I'm here with George E. Lewis, the author of the book A Power Stronger Than Itself: The AACM and American Experimental Music. First of all, why did you name your book A Power Stronger Than Itself?

By Jessica Hundley Femi Kuti makes something more than music. His dozen or so album releases and hugely popular concerts (“one of the more powerful live shows on Earth,” according to the Onion) are imbued with the weight of family legacy and Kuti’s own individual intents. It is "music as message" in a way few acts take on these days –- protest and admonishment and hope all embedded in Afrobeat exuberance. In his own words, Kuti’s songs are his primary “weapon” in a lifelong struggle to bring awareness and resolution to the strife in his home country of Nigeria. The eldest son of the great musician and activist Fela Kuti, Femi began his musical career at age 16 as a member of his father’s band. After Fela’s death in 1997, Kuti continued in his father’s footsteps, embracing outspoken activism, maverick musicianship and a relentless tour schedule. His newest effort, Africa for Africa (released April 12 on Knitting Factory Records), was recorded in the same studio where he ...

Culled from The Cultural Weapon Should artists accept “dirty money”? Mike van Graan A number of things strike one on entering Bamako, the capital of Mali. The first is the majestic Niger River responsible for much of the green in an otherwise dusty, gravelly, semi-desert city. Another is the industriousness of the people in an obviously poor country, as everyone is trying to generate even a meagre income selling mangoes, chickens and home-made furniture, or Chinese-manufactured T-shirts, electricity adapters and slip slops. Then there are some incongruously tall buildings and hotels, a number of the latter bearing the name “Libya Hotels”. One garish building is named after the Libyan dictator, Gaddafi, who has funded this – still empty - structure to house the Malian cabinet. There are two bridges across the Niger with a third being built by the Chinese. As one walks through the market, there are hand-made posters in defence of Gaddafi, and in conversation with some of the loc...

Olusola, Onobrakpeya, Babawale pay tribute to Beier THE GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, 07 APRIL 2011 00:00 BY MICHAEL ORIE AND YEMI OLAKITAN ART - ARTS DAYS after the death of the venerable arts and culture enthusiast, Ulli Beier, tributes and encomium have continued to pour in for the man who opened the Osogbo Art to the world. According to Prof. Tunde Babawale, Director General of Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Beier was passionate about Nigeria arts and culture. While commiserating with the entire art and culture community over the passing on of the culture promoter, Babawale said, “was as a unique personality who made passionate and indelible contributions to the development and popularisation of Yoruba arts and culture.” The DG said Beier provided an enduring platform for interaction between Yoruba indigenous ideas, beliefs and practices and the European cultural space, the legacy of which is the Iwalewa House at the University of Bayreuth, which continue...

Repositioning The Nigeria Prize For Literature: The Stakeholders’ Resolve Repositioning The Nigeria Prize For Literature: The Stakeholders’ Resolve THE GUARDIAN, SUNDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2011 ABOUT 30 workers in the various disciplines of the Literature discipline gathered in a function room of Eko Hotel & Suites, last Monday to review the state and status of the $50,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature with a mission to setting it on a more progressive and widely beneficial path for the creative writng community. the gathering was at the instance of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas company, NLNG, which initiated the prize (as well as its $50,000 Science counterpart) and has been its facilitator over the years. According to Siene Allwell-Brown, General Manager, External Relations, of the gas company, the forum was conve of making it the “best and the biggest for rewarding excellence” as well as one of the best administered prizes in the world. Said the ex-newscaster, “We believe it is...

TWO DAYS TO AJAI-LYCETT CELEBRATION The Committee for Relevant Art, CORA in collaboration with the African Movies Academy Awards, AMAA, present ARTHOUSE FORUM in celebration of the 70th Birthday Anniversary of the veteran actress and stage matriarch, TAIWO AJAI-LYCETT. Theme: STATE OF THE STAGE: CONVERSATION WITH, AND AROUND TAIWO AJAI-LYCETT featuring dialogue between TAIWO AJAI-LYCETT and two Sister Actresses -- TINA MBA and KATE HENSHAW. Also, Q & A between the veteran actress and the audience. Moderator: WOLE OGUNTOKUN (Director, Theatre @ Terra) Date: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13 Time: 2PM Venue: TRIBECA, Adetokunbo Ademola Street (opposite Eko Hotel, VI, Lagos Gate: FREE EniOlorutidakosefarawekosefenutembelekosebinukosena'kaiwosisiwiwolaawo

ARTHOUSE FORUM The Committee for Relevant Art, CORA in collaboration with theAfrican Movies Academy Awards, AMAA, present: in celebration of the 70th Birthday Anniversary of the veteran actress and stage matriarch, TAIWO AJAI-LYCETT . Theme: STATE OF THE STAGE: CONVERSATION WITH, AND AROUND TAIWO AJAI-LYCETT featuring dialogue between TAIWO AJAI-LYCETT and two Sister Actresses -- TINA MBA and KATE HENSHAW. Also, Q & A between the veteran actress and the audience. Moderator: WOLE OGUNTOKUN (Director, Theatre @ Terra) Date: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13 Time: 2PM Venue: TRIBECA, Adetokunbo Ademola Street (opposite Eko Hotel, VI, Lagos Gate: FREE TAIWO AJAI-LYCETT, OON, FELLOW (SONTA) (Sourced from http://taiwoajailycett.co.uk) NATIONAL & PROFESSIONAL HONOURS Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, OON, Fellow (SONTA), was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on 3 February 1941. She was honoured with an OON (Officer of the Order of the Niger) in the 2006 Nigerian National Honours List by President Olusegun Obasanjo, P...

The Committee for Relevant Art, CORA in collaboration with the African Movies Academy Awards, AMAA , present ARTHOUSE FORUM in celebration of the 70th Birthday Anniversary of the veteran actress and stage matriarch, TAIWO AJAI-LYCETT . Theme: STATE OF THE STAGE: CONVERSATION WITH, AND AROUND TAIWO AJAI-LYCETT featuring dialogue between TAIWO AJAI-LYCETT and two Sister Actresses -- TINA MBA and KATE HENSHAW. Also, Q & A between the veteran actress and the audience. Moderator: WOLE OGUNTOKUN (Director, Theatre @ Terra) Date: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13 Time: 2PM Venue: TRIBECA , Adetokunbo Ademola Street (opposite Eko Hotel, VI, Lagos Gate: FREE TAIWO AJAI-LYCETT, OON, FELLOW (SONTA) (Sourced from http://taiwoajailycett.co.uk) NATIONAL & PROFESSIONAL HONOURS Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, OON, Fellow (SONTA), was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on 3 February 1941. She was honoured with an OON (Officer of the Order of the Niger) in the 2006 Nigerian National Honours List by President Olusegun Obasanjo,...