ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT - The African Mirror

Jun

07

2023

Ethiopia’s musicians fled the country after the 1974 revolution – how their culture lives on

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

THE overthrow of Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie in 1974 led to violent conflict that had a particularly heavy impact on musicians. Sing and Sing On: Sentinel Musicians and the Making of the Ethiopian American Diaspora is the first study of the forced migration of musicians out of the Horn of Africa dating from the revolution. The book traces their struggles and what happened to their rich and diverse music traditions when they settled in the US. Ethnomusicologist Kay Kaufman Shelemay talks about her book. Author KAY KAUFMAN SHELEMAY, G. Gordon Watts Professor of Music and Professor of African and African…

Jun

06

2023

By GABRIELLA OPARA, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Taking Nollywood to the next level with Aki and Pawpaw

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

IN 2002, Nigeria's film industry - widely referred to as Nollywood - presented Africa with a comic relief movie called Aki na Ukwa. The film stars Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme as two mischievous brothers (Aki and Pawpaw) who cause chaos at home, in their village, and at school. It is widely considered one of the funniest films to come out of Africa. It has been over twenty years since the much-loved characters first appeared on screen but now they are making a comeback in the form of a mobile phone game. On April 28, 2023, Play Network Studios announced…

May

30

2023

By The African Mirror

BOOMTOWN confirms the freshest lineup for the ‘July’

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

WITH less than 6 weeks to the most anticipated annual horse race event of the year, BOOMTOWN organizers have finalized their lineup for the much-coveted lifestyle experience at the Hollywoodbets Durban July this past week. BOOMTOWN presented by Heineken®, over the past two weeks have announced the 2023 lineup on their social media platforms. This includes the multiple award-winning Afropop music outfit Mafikizolo, platinum-selling artist Prince Kaybee, hip-hop royalty Blxckie, dance duo sensation Murumba Pitch, superstar DJ Fresh, local fav Okmalukoolkat and newcomer singing sensation TenOceans. Also set to dazzle the attendees with fresh tunes are DJ duo No Comply,…

May

30

2023

By The African Mirror

Nigerian architect Demas Nwoko on his award-winning work: ‘Whatever you build, it should suit your culture’

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

DEMAS Nwoko, born in Nigeria in 1935, has been awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale, arguably the world’s most prestigious architecture event. At the Stirling Pavilion in the heart of the Giardini venue, Nwoko generously gave us an interview amid a display of his works. Nwoko’s multidisciplinary practice includes architecture, sculpture, painting, design and writing. This expanded notion of an “architect” has kept his name off the radar of the discipline. Until now. Author PAULO MOREIRA, Researcher, Universidade de Lisboa Nwoko has always blurred boundaries between industry and craftsmanship, between geographies and creative…

May

30

2023

By ATIENO ODERA, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Using radio to save the ocean and create jobs – online station started by two students shows how

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

"JAMBO listeners, Karibuni sana to the Blue Drive show. We know it's been a long day at work, and you can't wait to get home. We are here to ease your stress with good music, good vibes…" Diana Wambui's voice reverberates from the radio as the music slows to a stop in the background. "Kama kawaida here at Blue Drive, we talk about all the opportunities available in the Blue Economy. As young people, it's good to know and explore the many opportunities we can venture into, don't you agree, Shirley?" says Wambui as she hands the baton to her…

May

27

2023

By The African Mirror

Musicians launch drive for more funding for arts in Africa

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

PERFORMERS from Ghana, Ethiopia and Tanzania have helped launch a five-year project to try to secure more funding for arts and culture, aiming to persuade African governments to allocate at least 1% of their budgets. The project, called Connect for Culture Africa (CfCA) has been started by the African Union in collaboration with Selam Ethiopia, a non-governmental organisation that uses film, music and circus performances to address issues such as women's rights. "We want to empower artists. A lot of artists want to participate in these discussions about good governance, human rights but they are scared of the consequences," Lucy…

May

27

2023

By The African Mirror

Beans and violins – orchestra blends classical roots with modern Nigeria

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AT a Lagos cultural centre, a rapt audience listened to baritone John Onosolease perform an operatic song in the Yoruba language about a hapless soldier being admonished for his failure to cook a flavoursome dish of beans. It was the latest show staged by the Vesta Orchestra, founded in 2017 by violinist Rosalyn Aninyei, which has enlivened the classical music scene in Lagos by performing new works by contemporary Nigerian and African composers. "He cooks and there's no pepper, no oil, no salt, no onions. It is bland. What sort of food is this?" sang Onosolease, drawing laughter and cheers…

May

25

2023

By MIKE DAVIDSON

‘Queen of rock ‘n’ roll’ Tina Turner dies at 83

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

TINA Turner, the American-born singer who left a hardscrabble farming community and abusive relationship to become one of the top recording artists of all time, has died at the age of 83. She died peacefully after a long illness in her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, her representative said. Turner began her career in the 1950s during the early years of rock and roll and evolved into an MTV phenomenon. In the video for her chart-topping song "What's Love Got to Do with It," in which she called love a "second-hand emotion," Turner epitomized 1980s style as she strutted…

May

19

2023

By The African Mirror

National anthems: how composers in South Africa and India are reimagining them

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

THE rousing notes of the British national anthem God Save The King rang loudly in London’s Westminster Abbey when King Charles III was crowned – and in official and informal celebrations in many other places, though not always to an enthusiastic reception. The song is still sung in many Commonwealth countries. But its place and the oppressive imperial legacy trailing it are increasingly questioned. Author GWEN ANSELL, Associate of the Gordon Institute for Business Science, University of Pretoria That debate can be extended beyond one song. What baggage does any music acquire when it shifts from being – in South…

May

16

2023

By The African Mirror

Souleymane Cissé is honoured as one of Africa’s boldest and most pioneering film-makers

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

SOULEYMANE Cissé is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest African filmmakers of all time – and the world’s most prestigious film festival, Cannes, agrees. The Mali-born director has been announced as this year’s recipient of the Carrosse d’Or (the Golden Coach) award. David Murphy, a critic and scholar of African cinema and Cissé’s work, told us more about why his films are so important – and particularly his classic Yeelen. Author DAVID MURPHY, Professor of French and Postcolonial Studies, University of Strathclyde Who is Souleymane Cissé? Cissé is a celebrated Malian film director who has been making movies since…