‘AN AFRICAN CITY’ : They Left The West and Went Back Home

Coming Soon, this Fall, is a web series that caught my interest. Why? First of, the beauty and power of the visuals that dropped in my news-feed  led to my curiosity which was nicely fed :-).( I can’t over-emphasize the power of visual branding).

“A picture is worth a thousand words” refers to the notion that a complex idea can be conveyed with just a single still image. The expression “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.” appears in a 1911 newspaper article quoting newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane discussing journalism and publicity – Source Wiki

The ladies, so elegantly presented, oozing of African aesthetics and glam are the characters from the series. ‘An African City’ is about five beautiful, successful African females who return to their home continent and confide about love and life in ‘An African City’!

Written by Nicole Amarteifio (Creator, Writer, Co-Director & Executive Producer)

Director for Season 1 is Dickson Dzakpasu.

Directed by Clara Benice

Executive Producer – Millie Monyo

Starring : Nana Mensah, MaameYaa Boafo, Esosa Edosomwan, Edwina Adama Lebbie, Miriam Chemmos

Meet The Cast (all info from the FB Page)

Character: Nana Yaa, a Ghanaian, was raised in New York state, just outside New York City. She returned to Ghana after earning her first degree at Georgetown, followed by her graduate degree in journalism from Columbia University.
Actress: MaameYaa Boafo is a New York based actress. She received her MFA in Acting from Rutgers University and has since worked with The American Globe Theatre as Ophelia in Hamlet, George Street Playhouse’s Company member and Project Y Theatre to name a few. Now crossing over to Film and TV, she has been in commercials airing in the States as well as Angola and just wrapped up a Sci-Fi film before shooting “An African City”. MaameYaa will next be seen in a few of Akosua Adoma Owusu’s films.
Dress: Chemphe Bea
Photo credit: BOB PIXEL PHOTOGRAPHY
Location: The African Regent
—

Character: Sade, a Ghanaian-Nigerian raised in Texas, works as a marketing manager for a prominent Nigerian Bank based in Accra. She is a graduate of Harvard Business School and spent most of her young professional life between New York and Boston.
Actress: Nana Mensah is a Ghanaian-American New York-based actress. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and in her burgeoning career has played onstage with the likes of Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Kline, LaChanze, Mandy Patinkin, Anthony Mackie and Jonathan Groff.
TV/Film/Web: The Walker (starring Carrie Mulligan, Gabourey Sidibe, and Rightor Doyle), The Madam (pilot for cable TV written by comedienne Rachel Axelrod), Gracie (Academy Award-winner Davis Guggenheim, dir.). Selected Theater Credits Include: The Bacchae featuring Anthony Mackie and Jonathan Groff (NYSF/Joanne Akalaitis, dir.), Mother Courage and Her Children starring Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline (NYSF/George C. Wolfe, dir.), Inked Baby starring Tony Award winner LaChanze (Playwrights Horizons/Kate Whoriskey, dir.), The Tempest starring Mandy Patinkin (CSC/Brian Kulick, dir.), A Question of Impeachment featuring Alec Baldwin, Denis O’Hare and Annabella Sciorra (Culture Project). Training: The Actors Center, Public Theater Shakespeare Lab.

Character: Zainab, a Ghanaian born in Sierra Leone, grew up in Atlanta. Her entrepreneurial spirit brought her back to Ghana and she has a constant eye for business opportunities. Her primary business is exporting Shea Butter from Ghana to Europe and the United States.
Actress: Maame Adjei is currently a budding television producer, with productions that focus on Ghana’s tourism industry. She is also a member of the production team for the annual Miss Universe Ghana Pageant. With small roles in Speak as well as Coz ov Moni, Maame makes her major acting debut in ‘An African City.’ Maame has a B.A from Temple University and a masters from St. Josephs University both in Philadelphia, PA.
Wardrobe: Christie Brown
Photo credit: BOB PIXEL PHOTOGRAPHY
Location: The African Regent

Character: Ngozi, a Nigerian and the youngest of the five ladies, was raised in Maryland. After earning her graduate degree in international affairs, she was offered a job at a development agency in Accra. Ngozi is the religious one of the group.
Actress: Esosa E is an award winning Actress, Writer, “Directress” named a “Young African Visionary” by Obaseema Magazine and included in Applause Africa’s list of “30 Most Intriguing Africans in NY.” As an actress some recent projects include the television pilots “An African City,” and “Brooklyn Shakara,” along with roles in independent films such as “A Lover’s Call,” “Mother of George, ” “Mysterious Prison,” and Nollywood film “Unguarded.” Her work as an actress has appeared on VOX Africa, BET, BET-J, and MTV and screened in numerous festivals and art circles worldwide including: Sundance Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, International Film Festival Rotterdam, Milano Festival, the MOMA, and the Whitney Biennial. As a filmmaker she has written and directed several short films to date including “50 Bucks in Argentina,” which was an official selection in the 2011 Cannes Film Short Corner, MTV-U Film of the Week, and also won Best Short at the Nigerian Entertainment Film. Festival. In 2012, her short film “March On” won Best Documentary in the Vote it Forward Film Festival. Her most recent film “#Vengeance Is Mine” is available to watch online on demand via Dobox.tv, and on mobile devices via the Afrinolly app. Currently she is fundraising for her first feature film, “One Night in Brooklyn.” For more information visit: http://www.esosae.com
Dress: Christie Brown
Photo credit: BOB PIXEL PHOTOGRAPHY
— in Accra, Ghana.

Character: Makena was born in Kenya, but spent most of her life in London. She is from a biracial family, with a Ghanaian mother and a British father. In England, she graduated from Oxford Law and went on to have a successful career at a corporate law firm. However, after a divorce, she decided to return to the continent jobless.
Actress: Multi-talented artist Marie Humbert cultivated a love for the arts at an early age. Presently, Marie plays the role of Vivian in ADAM’S APPLES. She was also one of the ten finalists in ‘The Spirited Actor: Africa’s Next Hollywood Star’, with celebrity acting coach Tracy Moore. Marie began her acting career in theatre, captivating roles in SALLINGER by Bernard Marie Koltès and BITTER SAUCE by Eric Bogosian. Marie is bilingual (French/English) and enjoys modern ballet. Marie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia.
Dress: Christie Brown
Photo credit: BOB PIXEL PHOTOGRAPHY
Location: The African Regent

Watch the Trailer

I am so looking forward to this. To stay updated, follow the series on Twitter at https://twitter.com/anafricancity and like on Facebook. To learn more visit : http://www.anafricancity.tv/

Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing..

xoxo

Tosinger

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Monday Motivation of Inspiring Persons

Hi Friends,

Been a minute but I’m here 🙂 . A little bit of  #Blogger’sBlock (?) but all’s falling back into place now.  Thought to share with you some pretty cool trailblazers of possibilities, for their talents, in their different spheres of influence who have most recently been very inspiring …

Amara Enyia

Amara Enyia is a 30-year-old Nigerian-American Chicagoan municipal consultant and community organizer and she is planning to run against  Mayor Rahm Emanuel in the February 2015 mayoral race. Read why she is running here and more about her here

AMARA ENYIA is running for mayor of Chicago because she believes in transparency in government, integrity in leadership, and equity in policy. For more info, like her FB page here

Lupita N’Yongo

Lupita continues to wow us with her wins (talent), fashion style and personality… Lupita Amondi Nyong’o (born 1 March 1983) is a Kenyan actress, film director, and music video director. She made her American film debut in Steve McQueen‘s 12 Years a Slave (2013) as Patsey, for which she received critical acclaim Read more about Lupita here

Lupita accepting her Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture award for 12 Years a Slave at the 45th NAACP Image Awards. (Source – Her FB Page)

Yagazie Emezi

Visual Curator at yagazieemezi.com. She shares one of the passion of this blog i.e  dedicated to the Cultural Preservation of the African Aesthetic. Yagazie is a witty vlogger, visual artist/cartoonist, artsy afro~bohemian who recently relaunched her website to feature fellow upcoming creatives’ work. How cool is that. Gotta love creatives who support one another. Check it out here

Yagazie Ledi Francisca Emezi was born and raised in Aba, Nigeria and moved to the United States in 2005 where her love and yearning for home led to an intensified passion for Africa and the arts.Check out her youtube channel

Dayo Okeniyi (One to watch)

Oladayo A. “Dayo” Okeniyi (born June 14, 1988) is a Nigerian-born actor, popularly known for playing the role of Thresh in The Hunger Games. Raised in Lagos Nigeria, he began acting in theatre at his elementary school. In 2003, Dayo, the youngest of five siblings, moved from Nigeria with his family to the United States. Dayo received a Bachelor’s degree of visual communications design in 2009. After college he decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue acting, his true passion. Feb is the month to watch, his recent projects are Endless Love, Cavemen and House of Cards.

Dayo Okeniyi FB page here

Dayo on Camera

As we all beautifully dream and positively do, inspirational stories such as these shine the light of the possibilities, serves as a push to make us  strive to be a better version of ourselves in our callings ( not in competition with others)…and be an influence in our generation..

Beautifully dreaming, positively doing…

xoxo

Tosinger

PROGENITORS AND PROTEGES – ART SERIES 3

Hello Everyone,

Continuing on the Progenitors and Proteges Art Series (See 1 and 2) Today’s feature is on the Literary Arts and spotlights  the late Professor Chinua Achebe as the Progenitor and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the protege.

pro·gen·i·tor

(prō-jĕn′ĭ-tər) an originator or founder of a future development; precursor . a person or thing that originates something or serves as a model; precursor.

pro·té·gé

ˈprōtəˌZHā,ˌprōtəˈZHā/

noun : a person who is guided and supported by an older and more experienced or influential person.

Chinua Achebe born 16 November 1930 – 21 March 2013 was a Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic. He was best known for his first novel and magnum opus,Things Fall Apart (1958), which is the most widely read book in modern African literature.  Source-Wiki More on Chinua Achebe here.

Hear him speak

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (born 15 September 1977) is a writer from Nigeria.She has been called “the most prominent” of a “procession of critically acclaimed young anglophone authors [that] is succeeding in attracting a new generation of readers to African literature^{. Source – Wiki}

Although they only met three times, Chimamanda clearly extols Chinua Achebe as an inspiration. Interestingly,  on the campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsuka where her parents were staff, the Adichies moved in to the house the Achebes lived in. What a significant coincidence.

On the campus of the University of NigeriaWhat a significant coincidence.A May 2013 Sahara TV Interview with Chiamanda states

Nigerian best-selling author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie said, Professor Chinua Achebe gave her the permission to write. She made the comment in an interview with SaharaTV’s Fungai Maboreke after her book presentation in New York City last Monday.“ Chinua Achebe meant permission to write, if one needed a push to write ones’ own story, Chinua Achebe gave me that push.” Describing his example as significant for creative people, to see others who looked like them doing similar things as them and doing them well. “His presence for me was nurturing and he was important to my work and I think for the generation…he was iconic,” she said in a Sahara TV interview

Here is an interview with Channels TV, where Chiamanda  speaks about Achebe’s influence

Both Progenitor and Protege have served/are serving as authentic African voices telling ‘our own stories’.. and the legacy lives on through her and other young African writers taking their places on the global literary scene..

Beautifully Dreaming.. Positively Doing…

xoxo

Tosinger

A Valentine Playlist and More..

Happy Valentine’s Day All

If you are not particularly bothered about the overrated ceremonial aspect of the card giving, chocolate eating and champagne sipping  candle-lit dinners, at least you will relate to the theme of Love.  Love in all forms that is. Love is all about compassion, giving, kindness to yourself first, and then to others ( see the previous post) . Long and short of it,  love God who created you, love  yourself very, very well first,  so you can love others freely also. The true meaning of Love? See below

and  as customary on seasonal occasions, here is a selection of 7 songs/music for your enjoyment.

This UB40 song  I will be doing a cover of tonight at this event. So if you are in Atlanta. Come on out to Ike’s Cafe and Grill

love
ləv/
noun
an intense feeling of deep affection.
compassion, care, caring, regard, solicitude, concern, friendliness, friendship, kindness, charity, goodwill, sympathy, kindliness, altruism, unselfishness, philanthropy, benevolence, fellow feeling, humanity, infatuated with, besotted with, enamored of, smitten with, consumed with desire for;
captivated by, bewitched by, enthralled by, entranced by, moonstruck by;
a great interest and pleasure in something.
synonyms:    care very much for, feel deep affection for, hold very dear, adore, think the world of, be devoted to, dote on,

Here is an interesting  poem by  Anthony BlackRooney

A CHINESE THEMED VALENTINE by BlackRooney

MI: MY NAME IS “MI” AND YOURS IS “YU”. WHAT’S MINE IS YOURS AND YOURS, MINE

YU: MY DARLING MI, YOU ARE MY WORLD, I LOVE YOU MI, YES YU LOVES MI

MI: THROUGH THE HIGHS AND LOWS AND THICK AND THIN. MY HEART WILL BEAT FOR YU ONLY

YU: I LOVE YOU TOO, MI AND YU TOGETHER IN PERFECT HARMONY

Join me on a Google Hangout at 12pm EST. Video will be available for replay if you miss it. I will be discussing with some other wonderful bloggers on the ‘Metamorphosis of Love’

Join our ‘Metamorphosis of Love’ hangout on Valentine’s Day

The topic to be discussed is the metamorphosis or evolution – if you will – of love or its perception from the African woman’s context. What were you taught about love as a young woman, and how did those concepts change if at all in various stages of life and with different experiences?

https://plus.google.com/u/0/112116802157774028947/posts

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing..

xoxo

Tosinger

Join our ‘Metamorphosis of Love’ hangout on Valentine’s Day

Our next hangout takes place this Friday, 14th February at 17:00 GMT.

The topic to be discussed is the metamorphosis or evolution – if you will – of love or its perception from the African woman’s context. What were you taught about love as a young woman, and how did those concepts change if at all in various stages of life and with different experiences?

Facilitator – Malaka (Ghana/US)

Her fab guests are:
Tosinger (Nigeria/US) Listen to her music via http://www.afrodreaming.com/home.html
Rambling Roomates (Ghana) Read their blog http://loveafrican.wordpress.com/
Tiffany (South Africa/Kenya) Check out the site she curates http://holaafrica.org/tag/holaa/
Ngosa (Zambia)Visit her blog http://mwanabaafrika.blogspot.com/

– See more at: http://adventuresfrom.com/2014/02/11/join-our-metamorphosis-of-love-hangout-on-valentines-day.html#sthash.SnJn1hjx.dpuf

Selflessly Happy Productivity

If you are on any pedestal that is limiting your productivity it’s time to get off it and smell the roses. Come down to the ground level and roll with the butterflies in the field, breathe in some natural fresh air and tumble across the hills.  These simple life tips tells us how we can live and love  selflessly while mainting a productive, successful life.

“It’s not what we do that attracts people, it’s how we think”

It’s really OK to be kind,  happy, warm, down-to-earth, modest,humble, nice to other people  even as a successful person. If you say you are not genetically inclined, (as I heard someone say) or status demands it, it can be learned as a habit.  It is easier this way to attract further productivity. Here are some paraphrased tips on how to treat others compiled originally by M.Jaksch accompanied by relevant music I selected to share with you .

1. Focus on the good in people.

None of us is perfect. We all have traits that make us difficult to live with. It’s easy to focus on what is difficult. Instead, look for what is good and strong. If you do catch yourself focusing on negative aspects, remind yourself that you too have faults.

2. Smile.

When we smile, we become mindful and step out of our preoccupation. No matter how you connect with others, remember to smile. Whether you’re connecting face-to-face, or via Twitter, email, chat, Skype, or phone,  your inner and outer smile will be felt by the person you are connecting with.

3. Let go of grudges.

Do you stew over how others have treated you? It can be difficult to release yourself from negative thoughts about how someone harmed you or made you unhappy. Such negative thoughts are corrosive and will harden your heart. So let them go and focus on the beauty of the present moment instead.

4. Be a positive mirror for others.

Make sure you let the people around you know all the wonderful things you can see in them. There is a lovely poem by Galway Kinnell that talks about this:

… sometimes it is necessary
to reteach a thing its loveliness,
to put a hand on its brow
of the flower
and retell it in words and in touch
it is lovely
until it flowers again from within, of self-blessing.

5. Be helpful.

The key to creating lasting relationships is to think about what you can do for others. Selflessly loving.

6. Be kind.

Kindness is never out of place.

Proverbs 11:17 A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.

7. Be grateful.

And then express your gratitude to God, people, in words and deeds. Everyone loves being valued.

Have a Gratitude Attitude!

Bonus Tips For Productivity

When you are productive, you become Happy! 😀

Beautifully Dreaming, Positively Doing…

xoxo

Tosinger

Progenitors and Proteges: Art Series 2

Hello Friends,

Continuing on the series of African Progenitors and Proteges in the Arts, focusing today on Film as an Art Form.  Series 2 spotlight is on popular actor and internationally-acclaimed movie maker,  Kunle Afolayan the protege; talented son of acclaimed Filmmaker and Director Extraordinaire, the Progenitor – Ade Love (Adeyemi Josiah Afolayan) known for his Yoruba traveling theater in the 60s/70s and subsequently film making. In his lifetime, the foremost filmmaker raised a lot of bars. “Apart from acting, his vocal dexterity was also a plus, in fact he also produced soundtracks of movies. His sons Kunle, Aremu & Gabriel are also  seasoned and award-winning thespians and are keeping the legacy going, and excellently too.” Personally, I remember with fond memories, one of his popular films ‘Taxi Driver’  Shot in 1983, with such a ‘feel good’, old, camera reel that gives that nostalgic grainy ambiance.

Ade Love (Google)

pro·gen·i·tor  

(prō-jĕn′ĭ-tər) an originator or founder of a future development; precursor . a person or thing that originates something or serves as a model; precursor.

pro·té·gé

ˈprōtəˌZHā,ˌprōtəˈZHā/

noun : a person who is guided and supported by an older and more experienced or influential person.

Kunle Afolayan is a Nigerian actor and director. He is the son of the famous theater and film director and producer Ade Love. Of Yoruba descent, Afolayan majored in Economics. Since 2005 he has been active in the Nigerian film industry. He has made several extremely popular titles including: The Figurine: Araromire which was in the Yoruba and English languages and Phone Swap which featured Nse Ikpe Etim and the legendary Chika Okpala. The Figurine won five major awards in the African Film Academy and experienced tremendous success in the Nigerian movie theaters. Kunle Afolayan appeared at the Subversive Film Festival in 2011 where he represented the second largest film industry in the world, the Nigerian film industry, with his colleague Zeb Ejiro.In May 2013, Phone Swap premiered in France at the first edition of NollywoodWeek Paris and won the Public Choice Award. Source- Wiki. For more on Kunle, click here

Listen to the Interview by Iyalode Productions where he talks about the influence of his father and also cites another Yoruba legendary Filmmaker  Tunde Kelani of MainFrame Productions.

His recent work

Trailer for October 1

Exclusive clips from October 1 can be viewed here

Kunle recently stated on his Facebook

“I was going through some of my father’s documents and found this letters which actually proved that a Nigerian Film had Premiered in Cannes film festival and several other international film festivals all over the globe. For the benefit of those who do not know, My father’s production company used to be called FRIENDSHIP MOTION PICTURES LTD before it was changed to ADE-LOVE FILMS LTD.
I hope that someone in our generation will make history repeat itself. We have plenty work to do. Ire”

I daresay Kunle himself as a protege, has begun the process…with the facelift his movies are giving to the Nollywood industry, he is keeping the flag flying…

Beautifully Dreaming.. Positively Doing..

xoxo

Tosinger

Progenitors and Proteges: Art Series 1

New Week, New Day, New Beginnings… to everyone

Times are changing and generations are evolving. So is creativity and innovation. While we pay the much deserved respect to talented legends and forefathers (or mothers) who have paved the way, batons are being passed as they continue to inspire, and this should be acknowledged. As it is, what’s with living, without leaving a legacy.  This comic says it all.

pro·gen·i·tor  

(prō-jĕn′ĭ-tər) an originator or founder of a future development; precursor . a person or thing that originates something or serves as a model; precursor.

pro·té·gé

ˈprōtəˌZHā,ˌprōtəˈZHā/

noun : a person who is guided and supported by an older and more experienced or influential person.

In light of this, I got inspired to start a blog series  featuring visuals and audio (if applicable/available) of some admirable progenitors and proteges in the arts/music industry  in Africa and the diaspora, who are so graciously cheering on the younger talented generation in their similar craft.

Here’s presenting  Mrs. Nike Davies Okundaye, Owner and Curator of the Nike Art Centre in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria intervied on  NdaniTV Platinum Standard. She represents the African woman artist, “many of whose realities are now international, though in essence they are perpetuating the living tradition of African Arts and Culture” Nike Davies-Okundaye aka “‘Nike Davies'” aka “‘Nike Twin Seven Seven'” aka “‘Nike Olaniyi'” is a Nigerian batik and textile designer, considered to be the foremost designer on the western coast of Africa

 – Source Wiki

and here is a recent interview with Peju Alatise who Nike Davies-Okundaye mentioned  in her interview. Peju Alatise born 1975, is a mixed-medium artist and a writer with educational background in architecture. She has practiced as a studio artist for thirteen years.. more on her website http://www.pejualatise.com. See her artist statement below:

Peju Alatise’s Artist’s Statement

I am an alien/sojourner. Sent to this part of the world to work my work. Orun m’eni t’omala agreed with me, master artist to prodigy, that an experience on this planet called earth would be what I needed to find a part of myself.
From where we stood, earth was a magical gem and most wondrously primitive. And that was until…like every good story told must have a perfect antagonist…man. I chose my cloak, and it informed where I would be planted. The most exotic cloak yes! Black, woman and Yoruba. It led me to an understanding that all cloaks are exotic, mine just suits my personality.
I bid farewell to Orun m’eni t’omala, till we meet again we embraced and parted. Now, in an earth world with very many worlds within It’s world, I work my work in a strange land called my home Nigeria, experiencing Her lands and Her peoples. My arrival was in the year 1975, the place I would call home was a young child aspiring to govern itself and remain free from colonial masters. It has been 38 earth years since I got here and this hopeful child underdeveloped into an intellectually immature, self-destructive being that puts shame to shame. Famous for Its corruption-gangrene eating into Its every existing fiber at the most diabolical speed, it remains my greatest challenge, to stay or to leave. I choose to stay because I am not done experiencing who I am not!
As I work my work, I learn the earth name for what I do is called Art and I, an artist. I am introduced to another world called the art world. Like the bigger world the art world mimics, it has its economics, politics, leaders, king makers, producers, consumers, technological influences, plenty sense and plenty nonsense. The most humorous part of this world is the smoke and mirrors conjured by magicians. I stop laughing when the magicians gained illusive powers to decide what Art should be and should not be. As I withdraw my involvement, I am labeled an outsider and made synonymous with ‘difficult’. Soon when the smoke clears we will learn that what is will always be. So to the magicians I salute with my middle finger. This is a greeting habit I have picked up here and must leave behind on my return to mother ship.
The greatest pleasure I find here is discovering other artists who have visited this strange blue planet and many who are still here. I am also influenced by stories of Yoruba ancestors. I have been directed by the works and personalities of giants like David Dale, Bruce Onabrakpeya, Nike Monica Davies and great Susanna Wenger who have left a distinct trail within the Nigerian soil. Lately, Anslem Kieffer, Antony Gormley, Ai Wei Wei, Louise Bourgeois, Motohiko Odani and colossal Do Ho Suh have encouraged me to extend and exert myself the more, for there is still so much to do, many more artists to experience. I am not done living to my fullest potential, I have only dug half a foot into the six feet I am permitted. Now I must dig faster, my cloak is getting older, do not ask me why I’m in a hurry, I have work to do.
Lastly and humbly, if you find my artist’s statement not acceptable with regards to the standard of the art world do excuse me, I am but an alien addicted to the taste of freedom, who knows not better, tired of writing pretentious artist’s statements.

Some of her works

art by peju alatise
photography by yinka akingbade
still on Art21Lagos

Wrapture by Peju Alatise . Photo from her FB Page https://www.facebook.com/peju.alatise

Beautifully Dreaming.. Positively Doing..

xoxo

Tosinger