Victor Sila

Sila and the Afrofunk Experience’s second album was recognized as the top entry in the genre for 2009, a notable achievement and something of a surprise for the San Francisco-based artist and Kenyan native, who released the album independently on his own Visalia label. The album tackled such heavy issues as refugees, female beauty ideals, and global politics, with an original and funky Afropop sound influenced by both Fela Kuti and James Brown.

The Image Award caps a remarkable outpouring of critical acclaim for Sila and the Afrofunk Experience and “Black President“. In addition to the band being named “Best International Act” by San Francisco Weekly, the album was among the Top 5 African releases of 2009, according to IPR’s “Afropop Worldwide.”

Congratulations to the band.  They will be performing on March 20th at the Great American Music Hall at the official Black President Victory Party. Tickets are $14; a portion of proceeds will be donated to Chilean earthquake victims.

“I am elated to work with Jimmy again. He is a very passionate person who is also very interested in seeing the right kind of stories told. We are always on the same page, and I am looking forward to what we are going to put out together,” said Djansi.

‘Sinking Sands’ is a psychological drama about a couple, Jimah (Jean-Louis) and Pabi (Ama K. Abebrese) in a loving marriage which turns into one of violence and abuse when Jimah becomes disfigured in a domestic accident.

“I am fascinated by the character I am to portray. It gives me an opportunity to step outside myself and to somehow understand what it means to have a physical flaw and be judged based on that. I think this is going to be very exciting and worthwhile,” explains Jean-Louis.

“The story is one that deals with some tough issues without sugar coating, and I am delighted to work with Jimmy Jean-Louis. I have always admired his work,” said an excited Abebrese, who is making her acting debut in an international feature.

Jean-Louis has had a successful career as an international model and actor. Early in his career he honed his acting skills in a number of independent films, which led to him landing a supporting role in Jean Claude Van Damme’s “Derailed” which set the stage for subsequent roles with other Hollywood notables. He went on to secure major roles in “Tears of the Sun” (Columbia Pictures, 2003) with Bruce Willis and Monica Belluci, “Hollywood Homicide” (Revolution Studios, 2003) with Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnet, “Monster-in-law” (New Line Cinema, 2005) with Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez and “The Game of Our Lives” (IFC Films 205) with Patrick Stewart, Wes Bentley and Gerard Butler. He played the lead role in “Phat Girlz” ((Fox Searchlight Pictures, 2006), starring opposite Academy Award winner Mo’Nique as her love interest. Currently playing The Haitian on NBC’s “Heroes,” Jean-Louis is also the founder of Hollywood Unites for Haiti, a nonprofit organization dedicated to exposing and educating underprivileged youth of Haiti to the arts and sports, and is concentrating his efforts on Haiti after the devastating earthquakes.

British-Ghanaian TV hostess and actress Ama K. Abebrese was a presenter on BBC2’s youth show “Pass da Mic” and the English File educational series. She is currently a regular TV presenter on OBE TV, hosting and producing on a number of shows including “One Touch” and the entertainment chat show “On the Sofa.”

Casting for other roles is ongoing according to the film’s producer, Nick Manousakis, who projects a late fall release through Neoclassic Films Studios new home entertainment division, NHE.

Want to increase your potential sales in the economic downturn?
Want to go global but not sure where to start?
Have services or products to support international trade efforts?
  
Meet your new business contacts right here in the U.S. this June!

New! International Careers, Women Interested in International Trade and Travel Professional Forums

New for 2010 is the addition of our Africa Trade Fair, designed for firms to market support services and products that are required by businesses seeking success in the international trade arena.  Many of the companies attending will be in need of these services.

REGISTER TODAY!
Only 14 Days left for early bird conference registration for just $299 per person. Discounts apply for government employees (federal, state and local) and individuals traveling from overseas.  Registration will INCREASE to $349/person after March 31st. 

Daily registration is also available for just $149 per person and will increase to $199 after March 31st (conference dinner not included in daily registrations).   

Don’t miss out on meeting your new business connections at the fastest growing Africa-centered SME conference in the U.S.!  For complete conference information or to register, visit www.regonline.com/2010africabusinessconference or call 1+ (757) 484-0906. 

Organized by Racines Heritage Foundation (RHF), Talent-ED aims to raise funds and generate support for the Racines Heritage Scholarship Program, awarding scholarships to orphans and children in poverty-stricken communities in Africa. It is an event for empowerment, compassion and solidarity. 

Talent-ED will be held on Saturday July 10^th, 2010 at the Hilton Hotel in Silver Spring Maryland, from 1:30pm to 4:00pm.

All proceeds from ticket sales and donations will be allocated to RHF scholarship program. RHF will also hold a school supply drive during the event. Guest are encouraged to bring any school supply material to support this initiative which will make a difference in the lives of many children in Africa.

Racines Heritage Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing education, primary health care, and improving the quality of life of communities in Africa in extreme poverty, especially women and vulnerable children.   

For more information click here

The program will feature performances, film clips and speakers who knew and admired the woman often called “the most famous African singer.” Miriam Makeba passed away in 2008. This program honors what would have been her 78th birthday on March 4, and Women’s History Month. Free and open to the public.

Call Eve Ferguson, (202) 707-1982, efer@loc.gov,  for more information. Seating is first come, first seated.

Danny K and Kabelo from TKZee are the brainchild behind this master campaign after reaching their saturation point with the steadily climbing crime statistics and news bulletins detailing violence and bloodshed on daily basis. Using his influence on established South African artists, Danny K recruited the best of South Africa’s music talent to record a cover of the 1980’s group, Tear for Fears’ hit, “Shout“, with the mindset of donating all the proceeds from downloads, and sales of the singles and brand collateral, to charities which support victims, and initiatives which aid in the prevention of crime.

As a South African myself, I love Danny K and Kabelo for this campaign, especially now more  for bringing great people such HHP, Nonhle Thema, Freshly Ground, DJ Fresh, Loyiso, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Lira, Hugh Masekela, Rebecca Malope, Karen Zoid, Heinz Winkler, Jamali, The Soweto Gospel Choir, Kurt Darren, Skwatta Kamp, Proverb, just to name a few.

For more on the campaign and to find out how to lend a helping to this cause, please log on to their website.

Here is the officiall “SHOUT SA” music video: SHOUT SA

The first runner -up is Patrick Kasongo and the second runner -up is Ruan Groenewald. Congratulations guys!

Here is the man himself : Mr SA 2010 Live

The tour will continue on with high-energy performances that will highlight Kelly’s number one hits which includes “My life will suck without you” and “Because of you”, live in Belgium, Germany, UK, Holland, Denmark, New Zealand and Australia.

Here is a clip of Ms Kelly sharing her views about her tour:Kelly Clarkson in SA letting it all out <3

Makafui was encouraged to take up modeling by a professional photographer who believed that she was a natural. Since joining the profession, she has drawn a lot of inspiration from supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks. “These supermodels really inspire me a lot. They know about their business and deliver their assignments to its perfection” she comments.

Makafui has been doing commercial and runway modeling and says she would love to do editorial or print modeling as well. Since her return to Ghana, she has become the face of Goldcoast Clothing. She has also done several runway shows including the Ghana Fashion Weekend, and modeling for Kofi Ansah & La Senza at a Canoe Fashion Fair. She also hosted the launch of the new Schweppes malt organized by Canoe Quarterly Magazine. There is still a lot to expect from Makafui as she has signed a year’s contract to be the face of a new production company as well as their spokesperson. She has also been called for a fashion show in Switzerland for an African project.

The lovely Makafui is also into acting. She made an appearance in the third episode of a popular Dutch TV series called “Voetball Vrouwen” (meaning the footballer’s Wife) she was also a cast in a theater movie called The cellular fever “The Freak”. “ Acting is more challenging than modeling I must say, like you won’t mind posing topless but when you’re asked to do topless when acting, you always find it a bit uncomfortable before you decide to do it’ she describes her experience with acting.

Model Behaviour

What is a routine day like for you?

Well, I mostly get a wake up call. I never forget to read my daily devotional and the rest of the day is left with what my management has for me.

Any training regimen?

Sorry but I’m not really much of an exercise person, naturally slim.

Any special diets?

Nope! I eat everything as long as it’s sweet and delicious.

Have ever had any jobs through Facebook?

Honestly, I do get some people calling my management about me working for them so I must say Facebook kind of helps promote my career a little.

What is the funniest thong someone ever told you on Facebook?

Its amazing but I sometimes get sayings like “Are you part of this world?”, “Be my wife and make me the happiest guy in the world” and “If I had you in my house, I would never buy a TV”. But I think I love to hear them though.

What are the trendiest fashion accessories of the moment for you?

Wow, I would go in for platform heels, Rings & jewelries.

Casual or formal?

I mostly wear casual stuff

Leather or metallic watch?

I’m not much of a watch wearer

Shoes or flip flops?

I did choose shoes [ love to be in heels ]

Shaving or waxing?

Spray and waxing is always the best

Natural hair or extensions?

I love my natural look but I always want to look different so extensions is cool with me

Tattoo of piercing?

I love both tattoos and piercing. I have 6 tattoos and 4 piercings. , well it depends on

African print or Western clothing?

My taste is everywhere so I would go in for both African print and western fabric.

Favourite colour?

I can’t choose, I love colors.

Favourite fragrance/perfume?

Gucci by Gucci and D&G “The one”.

Favorite food?

I would kill for any food with beef, talk about pizza, burger, beef rice and I love fries too.

Favourite Make-up, colour abd texture?

I love Mac but I mostly use Sleek. I love the dark eyes with a perfect eye brow.

Quick Make-up tips:

Firstly, apply a good and suitable foundation on your face and neck, apply a black pencil/eye liner, give your eye brow a perfect shape, apply a waterproof mascara, then a lip gloss and you’re ready to go for the day.

‘Checkmate’ revolves around a young man, Kwame who has made all the right moves in his life; a good job, a beautiful devoted wife, an adorable child, and an impending promotion as a senior customs officer at the airport. But what seems like a typical guys’ hangout on a weekend away from home in the company of his new friend and mentor, Kiki turns out to be a bad move with dire consequences for Kwame. After losing a game of Chess, he succumbs to a bet to seduce the attractive, sexy Caroline.

The consequence of his dirty forgotten weekend later pops up threatening to destroy everything he so dearly loves. But the games only begin when he realizes that Caroline’s demand for his love is nothing compared to the demands of a drug lord who will do anything to get Kwame’s assistance in smuggling drugs out of the country. With his entire life hanging on a thread, Kwame must try to win the game or risk losing everything.

‘Checkmate’ promises to thrill viewers with its suspense-filled plot, clever use of audiovisuals and a gratifying interpretation of characters by an impressive cast of both new and old faces.

It is written and directed by Shirley Frimpong-Manso, starring Nadia Buari, K.S.M, Ekow Blankson, Naa Ashorkor and introducing Senanu Gbedawo.