IGIHE

Category: Entertainment

  • Former Spice Girl Named New ‘Talent’ Judge

    {{Former Spice Girl Melanie Brown is joining the judges’ panel of “America’s Got Talent.”}}

    Brown, also known as Scary Spice during her time with the 1990s pop group, will take her seat alongside Howie Mandel and Howard Stern when the variety competition show returns for its eighth season this summer on NBC.

    Brown was previously a contestant on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” In 2010, she starred with her family in a reality series for The Style Network.

    She recently completed a two-season run as judge on the Australian edition of “The X Factor” and for one season was co-host of the Australian “Dancing With the Stars.”

    NBC

  • Nigerian Movie Debuts in US

    {{A Nollywood movie titled “Dr Bello” will be making history as the first Nigerian movie to debut in the US theatres on February 22, its producer, Mr Tony Abulu, has said. Abulu said in Abuja on Monday that the movie would be}}

    released in the US theatres from February 22 to 27.

    He said the movie, worth N150 million, would explore the foreign exchange potentials that abound in the US film industry.

    The development, according to Abulu, will also create a platform for other Nigerian movies to sell in the US market.

    “This is the second largest theatre chain in America with over 5 000 screens and this portends great opportunity for Nigeria, because apart from ‘Dr Bello’ other movies can come through this same agreement.

    “The only catch is that they have to be very well produced and they have to be targeted to an American audience, not all the Nigerian movies can do it; there will be a select group of Nigerian movies that can come through that channel.

    “But I think, as time goes on, we can begin to see the millions of dollars of foreign exchange revenue that we have been hoping for from a place like the US.”

    Abulu praised the performance of the Nigerian film industry in projecting the image of the country overseas, adding that the quality of movies currently produced in the country were encouraging.

    “The kind of movies we are making now are the quality of movies that I believe can have the capabilities to disclaim in the US theatres, but one of the prerequisite is that Americans would normally like to see one or two of their own actors in the movies.

    “So we have very good film makers in Nigeria and I can account for at least about 25 of them that I think have the capacity and capability to make such films.”

    The producer said that the production of the film was supported by federal government’s US$200 million intervention fund, adding that an endowment fund was still needed to boost activities of the entertainment industry.

    According to him, the AMC agreed to expand the film to a wider release if there was a strong performance during the critical make-or-break first week of its release.

    Abulu, who is also the writer and director of “Dr Bello’’, said that the release of the move in US would strengthen the Nigerian film industry.

    He said that it would provide better opportunities for professionals in the industry as well as enable films get more elaborate in terms of their scope.

    “Once the revenue begins to increase of the films, everybody benefits.
    “The industry gets stronger because there is more funding in the industry, producers now can spend more money in making movies.

    “Instead of making movies at an average of N5 million, now you are making movies at an average of N40 million.

    “That means locations are paid for, actors and the entire crew are paid more for their work and they can bring in a lot more actors in the movies and the movies can get more elaborate in terms of their scope.

    “So by extension, a lot of people will benefit just by distributing the Nollywood movies in the US market.”

    “The cure for cancer has been found in the sky mountains of Africa and an American oncologist will risk everything to find it.” —Nigeriafilms.

  • Jay-Z to perform at Wireless Olympic Park UK

    {{Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z are the first artists confirmed to headline concerts at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.}}

    The stars will top the bill on separate nights of the Wireless festival on 12 and 13 July.

    They are the first acts announced by promoters Live Nation since they revealed plans to move into the venue.

    Organisers said Jay-Z’s appearance would be his only European date in 2013.

  • Mandela Granddaughters in Reality TV Show

    {{Nelson Mandela’s granddaughters are set to star in a reality television programme called Being Mandela.}}

    Swati Dlamini and Zaziwe Dlamini-Manaway say they have the former South African president’s blessing.

    The 13-episode series, already filmed, follows the two women as they try to promote the family’s legacy while juggling motherhood in Johannesburg.

    In interviews this week, they said their 94-year-old grandfather was doing well following his recent health scare.

    They said he is “happy and healthy”, and produced a photograph taken at the start of the month in which Mr Mandela holds his youngest great-grandchild – Zaziwe’s one-year-old son – on his lap.

    The Nobel Peace Prize-winning leader of the fight against white minority rule spent almost three weeks in hospital in December undergoing treatment for a lung infection and gallstones.

    BBC

  • Mi Casa set stage in Nairobi this weekend

    {{Blankets and Wine will have a little bit of everything this weekend as SA band Mi Casa will be mucking about on stage, joined by the pristine Suzanne Owiyo, alternative Naomi Wachira and the chill out Barbara Guantai.}}

    With so much talent, highlighting one single artist was a tough job for organisers.

    First on stage will be Wachira, who is Kenyan-born but fresh from Seattle in the US. Lucky for us Blackman’s Nairobi Sessions caught up with her on that black and white sofa, to give the city a taste of what to expect.

    Owiyo, who was recently signed on by South African based publishing company, Sheer Publishing, has been dubbed as the Tracy Chapman of Africa.

    But the star players will be the odd get up of DJ/Producer Dr Duda, singer/composer J’Something and Trumpeter T-Mo.

    The group were invited to perform at US President Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony last month and in the same month curtain raised for US rapper Drake’s concert in Johannesburg.

    Their popularity is riding on their self-titled debut album from which the hit songs ‘These Streets’ and ‘Heavenly Sent’ are most outstanding. Here’s a listen…

    Due to a tight schedule, Mi Casa will arrive in Nairobi on the morning of the performance which will be at the Carnivore Grounds this time round, as organisers battle issues like traffic and accessibility.

    “It will be the same as in Mamba Village. You can come with your own food and drinks, which can also be purchased from the Carnivore.”

    Advance tickets are Sh1,500, Sh2,000 at the gate and Sh500 for children between the ages of 5-12.

    CapitalFM

  • ‘Lincoln’ Leads Race for British Academy Awards

    {{Historical biopic “Lincoln” leads the race for the British Academy Film Awards, with 10 nominations including best picture at the U.K. equivalent of the Oscars.}}

    Epic musical “Les Miserables” and boy-meets-tiger saga “Life of Pi” received nine nominations each on Wednesday. James Bond adventure “Skyfall” got eight — rare awards recognition for an action movie — and Iran hostage thriller “Argo” took seven.

    “Lincoln” focuses on the last months in the life of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, as he struggled to end the Civil War and pass a constitutional amendment banning slavery.

    Britain’s Daniel Day-Lewis is nominated for leading actor for his uncanny embodiment of the iconic president, and there are supporting nominations for Sally Field as his wife Mary Todd Lincoln and Tommy Lee Jones as abolitionist firebrand Thaddeus Stevens. But the film’s director, Steven Spielberg, failed to get a nod.

    The best picture nominees are “Lincoln,” ”Les Miserables,” ”Life of Pi,” ”Argo” and Osama bin Laden thriller “Zero Dark Thirty.”

    “Les Miserables” is also a contender in the separate category of best British film, alongside “Anna Karenina,” ”The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” ”Seven Psychopaths” and “Skyfall.”

    Ben Affleck is nominated both as director of “Argo” and as its leading actor. The other male acting contenders are Day-Lewis, Bradley Cooper for “Silver Linings Playbook,” Hugh Jackman for “Les Miserables” and Joaquin Phoenix for “The Master.”

    “Skyfall” star Daniel Craig was snubbed, but the film received supporting acting nominations for Judi Dench’s spy chief and Javier Bardem’s scene-stealing baddie.

    The best-actress shortlist includes 85-year-old “Amour” star Emmanuelle Riva — who was nominated for the same prize 52 years ago for “Hiroshima, Mon Amour” — Helen Mirren for “Hitchcock,” Jennifer Lawrence for “Silver Linings Playbook,” Jessica Chastain for “Zero Dark Thirty” and Marion Cotillard for “Rust and Bone.”

    The heavyweight best-director list includes Affleck, Michael Haneke for Cannes Film Festival prize-winner “Amour,” Quentin Tarantino for “Django Unchained,” Ang Lee for “Life of Pi” and Kathryn Bigelow for “Zero Dark Thirty.”

    Poignant old-age portrait “Amour” is up for best foreign-language film, along with Norway’s “Headhunters,” Denmark’s “The Hunt” and French films “Rust and Bone” and “Untouchable.”

    In recent years, the British awards, known as BAFTAs, have helped underdog films including “Slumdog Millionaire,” ”The King’s Speech” and “The Artist” gain momentum for Oscars success.

    The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on Feb. 10, two weeks before the Hollywood awards.

    {wirestory}

  • ‘Rock’n’roll of Africa’ Documentary Screening in Kigali

    {WHO IS HIGHLIFE is the fascinating documentary about the Rock’n’roll of Africa.

    This film tells the story of how Burger Highlife, the fusion of traditional Ghanaian music with disco and funk, was created by Ghanaian musicians.

    This unique musical style was celebrated in 2007 at a fulminant live concert in Accra commemorating Ghana’s independence.

    All the great singers and musicians appeared on stage… and perform in this great film.}

  • Kenyan Musician Nominated for US Award

    {{Kenyan Afro-funk musician KG Omulo has been nominated for the 2013 NAACP Image Award.}}

    Omulo was nominated under the World Music category, for his album ‘Ayah Ye! Moving Train’.

    This is not the first time that the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People has paid heed to Kenyan talent, with actor Oliver Litondo and singer Sila Mutungi being recognised over the years. Mutungi took the award in 2010.

    Omulo has been nominated alongside musicians K’Naan, Estelle and Brother B; singers with more global muscle due to their experience.

    The US-based Kenyan released the album in question in January this year and has gone on tour in the states to promote it.

    KG learnt about the nomination last week and without making reference to it, wrote on his Facebook page: “I would like to be thankful for all my amazing friends, family and community! For the role you play everyday in my life journey.

    I am just as proud of you all for the amazing contributions and hope you bring to others around you!”

    The awards ceremony, which has had its fare share of controversy, is now in its 43rd year. Winners will be announced early next year.

  • Kofi Olomide to Perform in Tanzania Tonight

    Two weeks after JB Mpiana performed in Dar es Salaam, Congolese musician Koffi Olomide will tomorrow perform at the Leaders Club.

    The musician and his Quatier Latin Band will perform at a show that has been dubbed as the Tusker Carnivore before moving to Lake Zone city of Mwanza the next day.

    Speaking to the beat sources that preferred anonymity but close to organisers said the musician had arrived in the country last evening with his full band.

    “Koffi is in the country and we should by all means expect a great show especially with the fact that he has not performed here in such a long while which makes it mouthwatering,” said the source.

    Alongside the Congolese musician, other local bands that are set to curtain raise on the day are African Stars aka Twanga Pepeta, Star Light Band, and Diamond Sound where as FM Academia will feature at his performance in Mwanza.

  • P-Square to Perform in Kigali this Month

    {{The Nigerian singing duo, P –square, will continue their African tour in Rwandan capital Kigali this month. }}

    After confirmation of their Kampala concert later this month, the duo is set to perform in Kigali on 14th December during celebrations to mark 25years of RPF party to be held at Amahoro Stadium.

    This will not be the first time for the twins to have a concert in Rwanda. In 2009, they performed for the first time in Rwanda.

    Peter and Paul Okoye are known internationally and have performed in over six countries in Africa over the past six months.