FOR THE LOVE OF AFRICA – Photography + Dance/Film

Hello Friends,
Lovers of the Arts and Africa,

I am spotlighting two artsy fundraiser projects that are telling the African story to  dispel preconceived perception and media projections.

1.  Photography by Andre Washington –  AFRICA TRAVELOGUE

Africa Travelogue‘s mission is to share photographs and travel journals to tell the stories that showcase the intense beauty of Africa – in all its culture rich variety – in order to bring new insight valuable to seeing, understanding, and truly appreciating this magnificent continent.

The aim of this project is to magnify the importance of this kind of work that pertains to seeing Africa in a different light.

Andre Washington, Curator of Africa Travelogue says:

Andre Washington, Africa Travelogue

“Africa Travelogue urgently needs the help and support from friends, followers, and you in order to continue the work and mission of revealing the magnificent beauty of Africa.

I desperately need to raise these funds especially in a time when the entire continent of Africa will now face the lopsided stigma of the Ebola crisis. My work can and will provide an accurate balance in imagery and reporting”.

To learn more about Africa Travelogue and give your support by purchasing a limited edition gallery print or making a donation, here is the link and password to the private fundraiser for a limited edition print sale for Africa Travelogue:

http://www.fundafricatravelogue.weebly.com

Password: SupportAndreAfrica

You can also inbox or friend Andre Washington on Facebook for questions or more info to support.

Thank you so much for your support!

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2. Film and Dance – #TDMP: The Dance Movie Project. Africa’s 1st AFRO BEAT Dance Film.

On October 6, Lexxistalking Production, a film production company based in New York City, announced the launch of an exciting rewards driven Indiegogo campaign for ‘#TDMP: The Dance Movie Project,’ a new drama film set in Lagos, Nigeria that is based on real life events about the richness of Africa’s dance culture, the prevalence of diabetes in Africa and encouragement of African elders to nurture its youth’s natural talents.

Alexander “Lexx” Ore, Creator of #TDMP  says:

“I wanted to create an attention-grabbing story that shows the world what’s going on in Africa, particularly in countries like Nigeria where the prevalence of diabetes is on the rise. I also wanted to create a motion picture that would stimulate dialogue around the dance talents of African youths, particularly in ways that will exceed people’s preconceived notions about Africa . When completed, #TDMP will be the world’s first Afrobeat dance film.” – Alexander “Lexx” Ore

We hope that #TDMP will not only cultivate public awareness of the rich dance arts culture in Africa, but that it will also be the beginnings of a movement to inspire public health change. Additionally, when you support #TDMP’s Indiegogo campaign, you are proclaiming to the world that you believe that the raw talent of African youths should be developed and nurtured.

Watch video:

For more info, to support and stay updated on the project, please visit https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-dance-movie-project/x/390330

Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing

Tosinger

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Writers, Africa, African Diaspora : Submission Opportunity – Havard’s Transition

Sharing this literary submission opportunity with any relevant and interested parties.

This a reblog via Hutchin’s Center

Born in Africa and bred in the diaspora, Transition is a unique forum for the freshest, most compelling, most curious ideas about race. Since its founding in Uganda in 1961, the magazine has kept apace of the rapid transformation of the black world and has remained a leading forum of intellectual debate. Now, in an age that demands ceaseless improvisation, we aim to be both an anchor of deep reflection on black life and a map charting new routes through the globalized world. Transition is a publication of the Hutchins Center at Harvard University, published three times annually by Indiana University Press.  Alejandro de la Fuente is the Editor.

Transition aims to speak to the broader intelligentsia and the educated lay public through jargon-free, readable prose that provides both insight and pleasure.

We accept submissions year-round on a rolling basis.  We generally respond to all submissions within four months.  Due to volume, we are unable to provide updates on the status of submissions unless more than four months have passed.

Transition publishes writing by and about Africa and the African diaspora, with an eye towards a global perspective.  Please familiarize yourself with our Archive and read a recent issue to gain a sense of both the content and style that we seek.

General Submission Guidelines

View Style Guide

• Transition does accept simultaneous submissions.  Please notify us immediately if you need to withdraw a piece because it has been accepted elsewhere.
• Transition does not accept multiple submissions within a four-month period.  Within a season, an author may submit one packet of 5-7 poems, 1 short story, 1 essay, or 1 interview.  Multiple submissions will result in all submissions being rejected.
• Transition now only accepts electronic submissions through Submittable.  Submissions sent by physical mail will be recycled unread.
• Expect to revise.  With the exception of poetry, Transition almost never publishes work in the form it was originally submitted.  Authors of work under consideration may receive editorial feedback and requests to revise prior to final acceptance.
• All submissions should include a brief cover letter that includes a short author bio.
• For all submissions, please include the following information in your cover letter and in the top left corner of the first page of all documents:

Name
Email address
Title of the work
Word count (or page count, for poetry)

• Pages should be numbered and include the author’s name on every page.
• All text submissions must be in .doc, .docx, or .pdf file format.  Images may be submitted in .jpg, .tiff, .gif, or .png.
• Use 12pt. Times New Roman font unless there is a stylistic reason to do otherwise.

Transition pays contributors with one print copy of the issue in which their work appears, and the opportunity to reach a broad, international audience. For more info visit – https://transition.submittable.com. Submit here and all the best….

Beautifully Dreaming…. Positively Doing

Tosinger

Carrying on the legacy of Afro Music – #Felabration with @Afromysterics NYC

In honor of Fela Kuti, his music legacy and in commemoration of his birthday, Felabration! an annual celebration is taking place in various cities all around the world during the month of October. (October 15, 2014 would be Fela Kuti’s 76th birthday). 

“The idea and concept of Felabration as an annual celebration of Fela’s music, life and times, originated from his eldest child Yeni who conceived it in 1998”. …Read more here

The impact of Fela’s Afrobeat music cannot be overemphasized and his musical legacy surely lives on, greatly influencing the works of the today’s crop of Afro artists.

And so I am honored to be a part of Harlem-New York’s Felabration concert as a  special guest of Laolu and The Afromysterics , also featuring the Super Yamba Band, where I’ll be doing some favs and a couple of originals. See you there if you are in NYC!

Click on images for more info:

and

See

I am also featuring at OritseFemi’s concert in NY organized by Vibesland Entertainment.  I have always been drawn to his music, his afro indigenous and passionate sound and style (Mercies of the Lord and Better are some of my favs) and I am glad to open for him. He recently did a spin on Fela’s Double Wahala which is currently a great hit in the Nigerian music industry.

Knitting Factory has a special offer going on that you might want to check out if you are an ardent Afrobeat lover

Culled from Knitting Factory FB page

“Happy Birthday Fela Kuti!!! The Original Black President!

Felabrations are taking place around the world in celebration of his life and legacy.
Knitting Factory Records is offering 15% off the entire Fela Kuti catalog (excluding box sets) for the month of October.
Use code: HAPPYBDAYFELA at checkout)”

 Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing and keeping the flag of Afro music flying….

Tosinger

CULTURAL CONFIDENCE BY @yorubaculture OPENS TONIGHT IN NEW YORK

The Nollywood Diaspora Film Series presents: CULTURAL CONFIDENCE 

The Nollywood Diaspora Film Series is pleased to present its second annual forum, themed Cultural Confidence: Acquiring and negotiating authentic cultural identity in a globalized world. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Nigeria and 54 years of Nigerian independence, NDFS will screen world-class films of New Nollywood and host panel discussions on pertinent issues facing Nigerians at home and abroad. (Buy tickets) Presented in partnership with NYU Africana Studies and the Yoruba Cultural Institute, NDFS Cultural Confidence promises to be even more exciting than last year’s event.

With a line up of incredible minds and talents –actors, producers, writers and other key stakeholders—delving into issues of critical importance at this time in history, Cultural Confidence will build significantly on the conversation begun last year. With a larger and more improved film selection, increased opportunities for networking and increased dialogue, this year’s event will demonstrate and define cultural confidence through film, fashion and music; giving participants the opportunity to assess their individual level of cultural confidence and to receive the means of acquisition. – See more

Watch Promo Video

Official Press Release

New Nollywood Rebrands Nigeria

2^nd Annual Nollywood Forum to Focus on Cultural Confidence at NYU Oct 9-12

NEW YORK, NY – October 3, 2014 – The Nollywood Diaspora Film Series will host its second annual forum at NYU Kimmel Center next weekend, October 9-12. In commemoration of Nigeria’s centennial and 54 years of independence, NDFS will explore the notion of cultural confidence with film screenings and panel discussions featuring notable African filmmakers, actors, producers and designers.

In addition to the US premiere of critically acclaimed October 1 by leading Nollywood filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan–who the New York Times called an “African Scorsese”–special guests Adepero Oduye (Twelve Years a Slave, Pariah), Gbenga Akinnagbe (24, The Wire), Wunmi Olaiya and others will engage NYU filmmakers and the larger community on issues facing Nigerians, using film as basis to explore the role of the Diaspora in social change in Africa.  “Of special interest to us is the role that film can play in elevating the social consciousness of Nigerians and the image of Nigerians across the world,” says Ololade Siyonbola, NDFS founder.

On the theme of Cultural Confidence, Andrew Dosunmu, whose film Mother of George will screen at the mini-festival, said “Knowing oneself…it’s the greatest wealth one can have.”

In addition to Dosunmu’s film, the forum will feature Supreme Price, by award-winning filmmaker and Harvard lecturer Joanna Lipper, which highlights the legacy of Nigeria’s first democratically elected president—MKO Abiola—from the perspectives of his wife, Kudirat, leader of the pro-democracy movement, and daughter, Hafsat Abiola.

Biyi Bandele’s Half of a Yellow Sun and a number of short films will also screen. The forum opens with a reception Thursday October 9, followed with The Supreme Price screening on Friday and Half of a Yellow Sun, Mother of George and October 1 on Saturday with panel discussions to open the day. Cultural workshops take place Sunday October 12.

For more information on the forum, visit http://nollywood.filmseries.co

Tickets: http://culturalconfidence.eventbrite.com

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6cbZTUqRj0

October 1 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R7wJuPv_7o

NDFS Cultural Confidence is sponsored by VLISCO, Holland Textiles, Sonna Textiles, Africa Magic GO!, Yoruba Cultural Institute, NYU Africana Studies.

The Nollywood Diaspora Film Series is a platform created to rebrand Nollywood and bring international attention to New Nollywood, Nigerian cinema of international standards, which teaches about Nigeria’s cultures and peoples with authenticity, texture and beauty.

Media Contact: Ayodele St. Louis
917.426.6716
nollywood@filmseries.co

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Special Guests ADEPERO ODUYE, WUNMI OLAIYA,GBENGA AKINNAGBE, LOZA MALÉOMBHO, KUKUA ODOI, AWAM AMKPA, BUSAYO OLUPONA and KUNLE AFOLAYAN

Saturday Oct 11, 2014

7.30p.m @ NYU Kimmel Center.
60 Washington Square South.
New York

OCTOBER 1, the film everyone in Nigeria is talking about, will have it’s US debut at CULTURAL CONFIDENCE. This HISTORIC film is the epitome of what NDFS (Nollywood Diaspora Film Series) was created for — culturally relevant, world class storytelling.

BUY Tickets in advance here and tickets also available at the door

Q & A with Director Kunle Afolayan all the way from Lagos, Nigeria! Dont Miss out, Spread the word, Come one! Come All!

NDFS brings you a weekend Films, Panels and Networking. For full program of weekend activities from Thursday 9th Oct – Sunday 12th Oct visit: http://filmseries.co

 SPECIAL GUESTS: Adepero Oduye Gbenga Akinnagbe Wunmi Olaiya Joanna Lipper

FILMS: Supreme Price Half of a Yellow Sun More films TBA **A portion of proceeds benefits the Joyful Joy Foundation**

Connect with them on Social Media: #CULTURALCONFIDENCE October 9-12, 2014

Location: NYU Kimmel Center* 60 Washington Square S, New York City, NY 10012

Beautifully Dreaming.. Positively Doing..

Tosinger

The Supreme Price – Trailer

Produced and Directed by Joanna Lipper, ‘The Supreme Price’ is a feature length documentary film that traces the evolution of the Pro-Democracy Movement in Nigeria and efforts to increase the participation of women in leadership roles. Following the annulment of her father’s victory in Nigeria’s Presidential Election and her mother’s assassination by agents of the military dictatorship, Hafsat Abiola faces the challenge of transforming a corrupt culture of governance into a democracy capable of serving Nigeria’s most marginalized population: women.

Hafsat Abiola   

About Joanna Lipper

Joanna Lipper is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer and author of the nationally acclaimed book, Growing Up Fast. As a Lecturer at Harvard University, she teaches Using Film For Social Change. Her work as a documentary filmmaker has been supported by the MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation/Just Films, ITVS, the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund, Chicken & Egg Pictures, Women Make Movies, IFP Spotlighting Documentaries, and Britdoc Foundation. 

In 2013, Gucci commissioned an extended trailer from her film The Supreme Price to launch their Chime For Change Campaign at TED 2013 and globally.

 In 2012, Joanna Lipper won the Gucci Tribeca Spotlighting Women Documentary Award for The Supreme Price. Previous films she has produced and directed include Inside Out: Portraits of Children, Growing Up Fast and Little Fugitive.

 Lipper’s book about teen parenthood, Growing Up Fast, was published by Picador in 2003.

 “Compelling and important…this book adroitly illuminates a social crisis.” (Publisher’s Weekly) Her photographic series, Seaweed Farmers in Zanzibar was featured in Economica: Picturing Power and Potential, a group exhibition presented by the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery and The International Museum of Women in Summer of 2010. This series along with a related multimedia installation was featured in a solo show at Photo De Mer in Vannes, France in 2011. ( Culled from her website http://www.joannalipper.com/)

Watch Trailer

The Supreme Price – Trailer from Joanna Lipper on Vimeo.

The Washington Post Press Review 

“….Some of the best documentaries tell inspiring stories of people overcoming the unthinkable… With an uptick in kidnappings and killings, the situation in Nigeria is looking bleak. How exactly did the country get to such a state? Joanna Lipper’s film looks at the pro-democracy movement in the corrupt African nation but also gives a helpful tutorial on Nigerian politics….” – The Washington Post

DISTRIBUTOR (NORTH AMERICA)

Kristin Fitzpatrick   
Women Make Movies
212-925-0606 x312
kfitzpatrick@WMM.com

SALES AGENT (INTERNATIONAL)

Philippa Kowarsky
Cinephil
+972 3 566 4129
info@cinephil.com.il

For more info visit http://www.joannalipper.com

Beautifully Dreaming.. Positively Doing

Tosinger