Lights, Camera, AFRIKA!
July 3, 2009 • By Ebony Reid
From super-strength Kenyan acrobats and an African couture-spotted runway to performances by well-known Afro-hip hop musicians and appearances by African luminaries, FanAfrik served up an extra live production this past weekend in an event flaunting Mother Africa's artistic offspring at Newark Symphony Hall, dubbed simply -- "AFRIKA."
A colorful event directed by Monty Blackmore of DM Productions on July 3, 2009, "AFRIKA" was an event teeming with a variety of creative art forms found throughout the continent.
The evening was hosted by Gollywood/Nollywood actor, Van Vicker, who is well known as "Raj" from the hit African flick "Beyonce."
Vicker moved ladies of various ethnic backgrounds to roaring cheers and applause when he and co-host-singer, Koleurz entered the stage. From the VIP seating to the seats in the rear, ladies screamed, "We love you, Van! We love you!"
While many would argue that Vicker was indeed the highlight of the program, there were equally impressive moments such as dynamic dance performances from the Juxtapower South African
"AFRIKA" Host Van Vicker
Dancers, thought-stirring poetry by Ishmael Osekre and a haute fashion show by designer Donna Byrd from the Don Don Collection and by House of Shadoney which featured gorgeous African couture and Ankara styles.
In a twisted fear of the unknown, audiences were captivated with the out-of-the box and into-the-air acts of the Kenya African Acrobatics.
With attendees at the edge of their seats, these East African acrobats who have appeared on Steve Harvey's "Big Time Show," 30 Seconds To Fame, Harlem Parks, Circus Carnivals, and UniverSoul Circus, performed stunts that seemed virtually impossible for the human body such as the human pyramid, stunt pole climbing and strongman feats.
In producing events such as "AFRIKA," organizers Dzifa Tamakloe and Veronica Amegatse - both native Ghanaians and graduates of Rutgers University in New Jersey - are determined to alter the negative image of Africa that is widely shown on TV networks across the United States.
"I am tired of media portraying Africa as a country full of only starvation and poverty and war, there is so much more richness to it and that's what I want people to see," said Tamakloe. "This production most definitely showed Africa's wealth and then some."
Both positivity and richness of African culture were topped off with a finale performance by musical guest, Nigerian superstar 9ice.
Instantly, the crowd knew what to do when the pulsating beats of African hit single "Gongo Aso" shook the walls of the symphony hall.
Nigerian Music Star 9ice Performs
9ice, winner of the Best African Act for 2008 MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin) in London, performed at Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebration and was recently nominated for nine HHWA's (Hip Hop World) awards for 2009. The audience could hardly control themselves as they were up dancing to banging Afro-hip hop beats.
To find out about more upcoming events from FanAfrik, log onto www.fanafriknj.ning.com