The representative for the influential singer, Gwendolyn Quinn, confirmed the news that she passed away at her home in Detroit.
Franklin, who was suffering from pancreatic cancer, was recently reported to be “gravely ill”.
An influential cultural figure, often described as “the voice of black America”, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005, and performed at Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009.
The singer, who performed in a gospel choir in childhood and later graduated to master other genres such as pop and soul music, rose to worldwide prominence in the 1960s.
Several celebrities took to social media networks to pay tribute to the late queen of soul.
Elton John wrote a lengthy thread on Twitter, reminiscing working with Franklin, where he called her death “a blow for everybody who loves real music”.
“Her voice was unique, her piano playing underrated – she was one of my favourite pianists… She sang and played magnificently, and we all wept. We were witnessing the greatest soul artist of all time.
Streisand shared a photo from 2012 when she performed with Franklin at a tribute celebration for their friend, Marvin Hamlisch.
Franklin was more than just a titanic vocalist who could effortlessly move through pop, jazz, R&B, gospel and disco. Known to her fans simply as “Aretha,” Franklin was an inordinately complex pop star — “Our Lady of Mysterious Sorrows,” wrote Wexler in his memoir.
This nascent project trading under Outdoor Movie is led by a team of two enterprising ladies; Kobusingye Bonitah and Mwiza Gasangwa Denise. The very first Outdoor Movie screening took place at Caiman Restaurant in May 2018 with a huge turn up of about 300 people where scrumptious dishes were as well served.
Speaking to IGIHE, Kobusingye said that the two women conceived the idea at a time they were longing for a spark in the routine. She further added that they seized the opportunity because they wished to contribute to the Rwandan entertainment menu by diversifying the events.
“We want to take entertainment to a new level with a diversity of all-time classic films enjoyed under the stars in a unique setting. We will have vendors selling snacks, soft drinks and alcohol at the movie showing venues. We really do want the public to enjoy their time”, Kobusingye gushed
Burgers, chip twisters, cold drinks, popcorn, candy floss and other snacks will be for sale. The movie which is yet to be announced by the organizers, will start at 6Pm and end at 8:30pm.
“This project also aims at educating and inspiring through the art of films. There will be screenings each last Saturday of each month and we hope to receive all your support!” She added
Pack your picnic blanket and chairs and take along a cooler box with drinks and snacks and head to Caiman Restaurant for the screening of a family friendly classic. No glass or forks are allowed at the venue, although wine bottles are permitted.
For more direct information contact the numbers on the poster and follow this interesting initiative on their social media platforms @OutdoorMovie_kgl
Made-In-Rwanda’s best and brightest gathered at Onomo Hotel to receive awards in an event organized by East African Youth Development Agency in a bid to recognize individuals, companies and institutions that have contributed to the country’s economic growth by creating and promoting Rwanda’s domestic products, both locally and internationally.
The awards were given out in ten competitive categories, with five special recognition awards for Lifestyle, Fashion, and Innovation.
During the selection, 60% of votes were from the net while the remaining 40% were to be given by a special panel of judges. Another category was the people’s Choice, which involved a person who was voted most from the public.
Notable public figures from entertainment and media were found at the event. Yannick Mukunzi, a player from Rayon Sports was awarded as ‘Best Fashionable Male Celebrity, Songbird Knowless Butera was awarded as ‘Best Fashionable Female Celebrity’ while DJ Pius was awarded for making the ‘Fashionable music video of the year’.
Kamanzi Uwizera Gloria who spoke in the name of the organizers said that the event was organized in a way of encouraging the young & creative minds of Rwanda, and use the event as an opportunity to promote Rwanda’s products, both locally and internationally.
“The Made-in-Rwanda awards will be an annual event, as a way of expressing gratitude towards those who promote ‘Made-In-Rwanda’ products.” Kamanzi Uwizera Gloria said
{{2018 Made-in-Rwanda Awards winners
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Best Fashionable Female Celebrity: Knowless Butera
Ni Nyampinga Sakwe, a hugely popular radio Soap Opera follows the lives of its seven young characters with the challenges and friendships they face along the way. The song Iyo Wishimye – meaning ‘When We Are Happy’ – marks the end of season 2 and it is a celebration of friendship and creativity.
The drama was the first initiative by Ni Nyampinga brand – set up by Girl Effect Rwanda – to allow the topic of platonic friendships to be explored through the story lines.
Emma Roscoe, Country Director of Girl Effect Rwanda, voiced her enthusiasm for the way the audience had warmed up to the radio drama.
“We’ve been so pleased to hear back from our audience how much they enjoyed series 2. As the young characters continue to explore the challenges and opportunities of being teenagers we are pleased to know our audience are relating to their storylines and both enjoying and learning from their lives.”
At the end of series 1, the five girls in the cast came together to form a band and released a song. However, by the end of series 2, the boys have also become part of the band too – Iyo Wishimye is a powerful celebration of the positivity of young people coming together.
“We know from the release of our first single, Uri Njye how popular the music element of Ni Nyampinga Sakwe is.” Emma Roscoe continued, “Our audience has been asking us for another song and we are really happy to be sharing Iyo Wishimye with them. Music is such a powerful way of connecting with our audience and helping us to build on the key messages both in the drama and also in our other Ni Nyampinga platforms like the magazine, website, talk radio shows and clubs.”
Ni Nyampingai Nyampinga is Girl Effect’s flagship brand—a creative non-profit that uses media and mobile technology to empower girls, in Rwanda. Made by girls, for girls Ni Nyampinga wants to create a world in which girls are educated, healthy, safe and economically empowered. We believe that when girls do well, everyone benefits. Together with girls across Rwanda, we want all girls to feel empowered to make decisions about their own lives and act on them.
The keenly awaited 27-year-old award winning singer will be performing in the ‘Live and Unplugged’ event that will take place on Saturday, on 26th May 2018 in Kigali Cultural Village.
Now in its fourth year, The Live and Unplugged show, organized by AfroGroov, will be the ultimate place to be, while hosting the unique continental star.
IGIHE had a chat with the woman of the moment, where she acknowledged her excitement for the coming show and her performance in Rwanda.
Her performance in Kigali is part of her East African tour, which took her to Kampala in Uganda and Nairobi in Kenya earlier this month, and as she said “What better place to end my performance than Rwanda”.
The Afro-soul singer has been in the music industry for quite some time, having worked with legend artistes such as the late Hugh Masekela and Oliver Mtukudzi, building a great reputation not only in South Africa but all over the continent.
Upon working with late South African jazz trumpeter, Hugh Masekela, Berita says “I really enjoyed working with Hugh Masekela, and I still miss him. I remember he used to say to me and a lot of people that he never wants to get to a point where we say, ‘We used to be Africans’ and he said that if you don’t explore your culture and heritage, you’ll get to that position. By being on this tour, I’m carrying on what he taught me about my culture and myself.”
The Afro soul singer gave some insightful remarks on her opinion on Rwanda, saying the country was set to become the next anchor of Africa
“Rwanda, you’re in such a special position and I feel like something is brewing here. In the next few years, I’m sure you’re going to be the next anchor of Africa. They should call you Rwakanda.” She gushed
Berita Khumalo has won several accolades such as the 12th Metro Award for Best African album, 2013 Metro Awards-Best African Pop Album, while she was also nominated for Best Afro Soul Artist at the 8th annual Zimbabwe Achievers Awards in South Africa.
The party took place yesterday at the Club Rafiki in Nyamirambo. It was a chance for the former homeless children Sherrie saved from the streets and disabled children to enjoy sumptuous and unlimited food, drinks, toys, and simply have fun.
The silver dancer made sure the children were all smiling broadly as she danced for them, played with them and advised them like a big sister would.
Sherrie Silver said that she believed in a great future for the children. She said she was a living proof that growing up in difficult conditions did not affect one’s future. Through her passion for dance, Sherrie Silver grew up to be a very popular artist where she came to work with several world-renowned stars, like Childish Gambino.
“I grew up in very difficult conditions, we didn’t have much, I didn’t have a father since he died before I was born, but look where I am now. I’m a good example that anyone’s life can change for the better.” she said
“Street-children mean a lot to me. Most of the time, I want everything to be perfect, from great dancers to great children, but this time I wanted the less privileged, those who can’t make it to school, those who have little, so to show everyone that anything is possible. Just wait for it, these children will grow up to be exceptional people.”
During the celebrations, Sherrie Silver was accompanied by her mother whom she lives with in England.
Sherrie Silver’s work in “This is America” was greatly enhanced by her work with children.
In an Interview with Glamour, Silver spoke of the importance of engaging in political discourse through creativity. Of the decision to have the kids happily continue dancing in the midst of the violence of the song ‘This is America’, she said, “For me, I was just trying to show that the kids are the light in all the darkness around them. So that was done in a very subtle way of having these happy, amazing children dancing and enjoying their lives and not paying attention to everything going on around them.”
Sherrie Silver, the choreographer for Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” video, is originally from Huye District, Rwanda and has performed in around 30 countries.
As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos. A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to unleash – you guessed it – Infinity War.
The Epic and highly anticipated Marvel Cinematic Universe’s latest entry, “Avengers: Infinity War,” that had its world premiere in Los Angeles last night, will be premiered in Kigali like the rest of the world, on April 27th, in Century Cinemas.
Here’s what you should keep in mind for this Jaw-dropping and Epic blockbuster;
{{It’s all about Infinity Stones, and the villainous guy who wants them.
}}
Since his introduction at the end of The Avengers, the bad guy A.K.A Thanos, has been the major lurking threat to almost every character in the MCU. The through line to his recurring appearances has been his quest to find six legendary Infinity Stones, which he plans to put into a shiny Infinity Gauntlet. The result is unlimited power and the opportunity to unleash – you guessed it – Infinity War. We’ve already seen five of the stones in previous films; it’s safe to assume that the final one will be revealed in this new film.
{{Spider-Man isn’t technically an Avenger … yet.
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In the final moments of Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter Parker was offered a chance to join the Avengers by his mentor Tony Stark, who even built him a nifty new Iron Spider suit. He turned it down. Of course, that kind of refusal won’t keep him from web-slinging in Infinity War, but it might be worth remembering that he’s still something of an outsider. (For that matter, Ant-Man is also something of a free agent, in terms of his official Avengers status … which could factor into the film as well.)
{{Bruce Banner runs the risk of being the Hulk forever.
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One of the subplots in Thor: Ragnarok was the disturbance of the balance between the peaceful human Bruce Banner and his rage-filled alter ego, the Hulk. It appears that Banner’s time spent as the big green guy is getting longer all the time – and could even become permanent.
{{Iron Man and Captain America still aren’t getting along.
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The two alpha males of the MCU have had a playfully adversarial relationship from their first scene together, but they really don’t like each other now. The drama started in Captain America: Civil War when the red, white and blue hero refused to be overseen by the UN and chose to protect his brainwashed pal Bucky instead of siding with Iron Man. When the smoke cleared, Cap and his allies – Ant-Man, Hawkeye, Falcon and Scarlet Witch – became fugitives and presumably went underground with the assistance of Black Panther. Black Widow was caught in the middle, but eventually sided with Cap (detailed in a tie-in comic book that’s apparently canon). Most importantly, Mr. Rogers also left a phone with Iron Man to use if his old friend ever needs him again. Spoiler: It will probably ring in Infinity War.
{{Thor’s hammer went boom.
}}
One of the most iconic weapons of the MCU, Thor’s hammer Mjolnir, was destroyed by Hela in Thor: Ragnarok. Ye olde God of Thunder learned he was still powerful without the superweapon, of course, but Infinity War will apparently see the big guy looking for a replacement somewhere other than a hardware store.
{{Shuri brought Bucky back just in time.
}}
Civil War ended with Captain America’s best bud Bucky being placed into a cryogenic state in the hope that his Manchurian Candidate-esque brainwashing could be reversed by the super-scientists of Wakanda one day. Then the post-credits tag for Black Panther revealed that Shuri had completed that process – so Cap’s sidekick is now back to normal and ready for action. Bucky will likely join the Black Panther crew, now an international force after T’Challa revealed the existence of Wakanda to the world at the end of his blockbuster movie. Which is great: The Avengers are going to need all the help they can get.
Avengers: Infinity War will be screened in Century Cinemas Kigali, which recently premiered superhero film Black Panther in 3D. Tickets will be booked under Rwf7000 only.
For more information, you may visit Century Cinemas Kigali’s HeadQuarters or their website [www.centurycinemas.rw->www.centurycinemas.rw].
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii,” his publicist Diana Baron said in a statement. “He was found dead in Muscat, Oman this Friday afternoon local time, April 20th. The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy in this difficult time. No further statements will be given.”
Bergling started out releasing music on Laidback Luke Forum in the late ’00s, where DJs and producers would post music and seek feedback from budding peers. In 2011, he broke through to an international audience with the progressive house track “Levels,” which hit No. 1 in his native Sweden and on the U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs chart — and earned him a Grammy nod. His 2012 David Guetta collab “Sunshine” earned him a Grammy nomination as well, and that same year, he became the first electronic artist to headline New York City’s storied Radio City Music Hall.
Avicii’s health issues were known to the public for several years prior to his death. He suffered from acute pancreatitis, in part due to excessive drinking. In 2014, he canceled numerous shows in order to recover after having his gallbladder and appendix removed.
Eventually, he decided to retire from touring entirely in an emotional letter penned in March 2016.
The Battle of the Bands, organised by Kigali Marriott Hotel in partnership with Mutzig and ABG, saw the Best Beat Band, Micho Band and Neptunez Band perform from 5pm till late. The partygoers took great pleasure in the performances of the best danceable and soul-satisfying songs by local and foreign artists.
Best Beat Band opened the party with songs like “Strength of a Woman” by Shaggy which fit well with women’s month.
Micho Band, widely known for helping artists in Primus Guma Guma Superstar contest, followed with a great selection of songs that sparked an upbeat atmosphere. The songs included “Grenade” by Bruno Mars; “I Want to Know What Love Is”, by Foreigner; “Iron Lion Zion” by Bob Marley and “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake. The band was also saluted and joined by revellers in local danceable songs like “Nyaruguru” by Massamba Intore.
Neptunez Band, widely known for performing at Kigali Jazz Junction shows, took the stage around 9:40pm and played Jazz and Blues tunes amazingly. They also pleased the Battle attendees with songs like “Side to Side” by Ariana Grande ft Nicki Minaj; “One Love” by Bob Marley; “Joromi” by Simi; “Face to Face” by Charly & Nina; “Nyota Yako” by TID; and paid tribute to late Ugandan star Radio Mowzey with “Nakudata” by Goodlyfe Ft Omulangira Ssunna. They also performed local traditional song “Genda Rwanda Uri Nziza” by Orchestre Impala.
All three bands delighted and entertained, making it difficult to decide who should take first place. However, after each band’s one-hour non-stop performance, Neptunez Band became the clear favourite amongst the competitors and won the evening.
Kigali Marriott Hotel began operations in Kigali in 2016 and has since hosted a number of entertainment shows in addition to its state-of-the art hotel services and corporate social responsibility activities that include participating in monthly community work locally known as ‘Umuganda’, supporting the disadvantaged with health insurance premiums and visiting patients in hospitals.
The Amasunzu—grown, cut, and built into a series of crescents—was once a sign of marriageability, worn by men and woman as a suitor signal of sorts.
Rather than a full-on stylized buzz cut, hairstylist Vernon François wove Nyong’o’s lengths into a triad of braided segments that wrapped around her crown, a gold thread meandering through the striking design—a nod to her gilded Atelier Versace gown. The moment was further modernized with her lit-from-within complexion and swipes of blue eye shadow, a set of graphic earrings echoing the hair’s labyrinthine feel.
And though the vibe was undeniably elegant, by mid-show, the actress had already ignited yet another trend: great skin and hairstyle for evening wear.
