“These beautiful pillows are made from vintage kente cloth from the Asante and Ewe people of Ghana.” www.indigoarts.com
Just add these beautiful Kente cushions to your sofa, bed or favourite armchair –and transform your home. Bold and so on trend –Kente, I believe is going to be the print ‘du jour’ this year –and these comfy cushions will make your interiors pop. I’m just waiting for someone to re-upholster my tired favourite armchair in Kente Cloth... –and I’m left wondering ...is there anybody back home selling beautiful –quality furniture made with vintage Kente Cloth? The Kente Cloth Pillows are available from $44.00 –from The Indigo Arts Gallery at: www.indigoarts.com
I stumbled across Hollywood's rising star, Kwesi Boakye’s information via www.ghanalinx.com and I’m so happy, because he is the future….enjoy x
Title: Kwesi & Hope:Tyler Perry’s New Hollywood Rising Stars [Dated: September 21, 2009 by G.O] Tyler Perry is the master at discovering new talent and inaugurates two young rising African stars 10-year old Kwesi Boakye and Hope Olaide Wilson, to his latest number one film “I Can Do Bad All By Myself.” The film hit theaters on Friday, September 11th. The red carpet was rolled out for the screening, held several days prior in the heart of Chelsea, Manhattan. The premier generated a media frenzy as we all waited in line to get the best shot, sound bite or a quick interview from the all star cast: Taraji Henson, Gladys Knight, Mary J. Blige and Tyler Perry. In all of Tyler’s movies there is always a message of hope and faith. He also believes strongly that, “Somebody has to give the underdog a chance. As you will see in this movie there is a lot of new and great talent.” Kwesi Boakye, a Los Angeles native with Ghanaian heritage lights up the screen with his cute face and witty charm playing “Manny,” a troubled kid. Hope Olaide Wilson London born with Nigerian roots, gives a phenomenal dramatic performance as she plays “Jennifer,” Manny’s teenage older sister. Tyler’s new protégé and protégée are receiving outstanding reviews. Tyler Perry is not the only one bragging about his new faces to the Hollywood screen, for Taraji Henson describes Kwesi’s performance in an interview as impressive and amazed at his ability to cry on cue. Kwesi modestly describes his crying techniques as just being easy, “I just think about something sad like how my dog got hit by a car and then I cry.” For many adult actors, memorizing lines can be a challenge, but for Kwesi his photographic memory allows him to learn a script of any length with ease. “I am unsure of what the longest script I have had to memorize is, but it was definitely double digits, one hundred percent.” He described working on set with so many celebrities generated a little nervousness initially but overall “Tyler Perry is cool, a lot of fun and he is like a big kid.” At such a young age he has a lengthy resume that includes a list of television appearances on multiple episodes of “Days of Our Lives,” “Day Break,” and “Boston Legal.” His talents are not limited to being on-camera. He has contributed his voice to countless animated series and is most noted for his performance on the Award Winning animated feature, Happy Feet. One may assume with such a busy schedule that he is home schooled. Surprisingly enough this confident, humorous and wise beyond his years kid is about to enter the 5th grade with a straight “A” average. “My favorite subject is Math because it is challenging and I like challenges, then I eventually get it.” When he is not auditioning he enjoys playing basketball and reiterates, “I have been playing since I was three.” These two rising stars are not your typical Hollywood child actors; they come from families of humble beginnings that instill values and a belief system that all things are possible through hard work, preparation and dedication. Like Kwesi, his co-star Hope excelled in school and upon her entering into the American high school system she skipped three grades and graduated from high school at the age of 15. Overall, when you are on set or in the classroom there is always an opportunity to learn something new. Kwesi’s greatest lesson from working with Tyler Perry was, “I learned how to ad lib.” This naturally poised and articulate 10-year old concluded our interview with one key advice for aspiring young actors “Always keep your head up and never keep your head down.” [Credit: www.ghanalinx.com]
I have been meaning to put up my Christ Birthday 2009 photos forever. My baby [Alexander ‘Jojo’], his father and me –had a really great time [just the three of us. After years of finding it very, very difficult to be in the same room [myself and my baby’s father] –we were finally able [by God’s grace] to accept errrm....stuff and let go of all the disappointments. Alexander had the time of his life..... As always; Christ Birthday started with Alexander and me putting the Christmas tree and ‘our’ kind’ of decorations -up. I’m not a tinselly person but I do love baubles -so I put lots of clear glass vases filled with bauble [of ever colour] all around the flat. Then I shopped like a woman possessed –in the snow [I hasten to add].. Father Christmas’s sledge made it annual appearance [right outside our window] –the day before my Alexander’s nativity play...At Alexander’s nativity play [the following day] -the older children [year two] had the main roles –so Alexander’s class [year one] took the minor roles and he was one of nine donkeys in the nativity –bless him, -and he done us proud.....[I think all the children have to play a role in school nativities –now, by law [hehehehe], –in my days there was only one donkey ...and if you didn’t have a role to play -you just sat down. My Alexander’s nativity had chickens, cows, a turkey and ‘all sorts’ bless them...
For our Christ Birthday dinner, I cooked Lamb, duck and the usual turkey....and my apple crumble went down –well. I forgot the crackers and I didn’t die...[two years ago this would have killed me]. We used the large white ‘Banana Republic’ plates and my very special white porcelain ‘Limoges’ bowls for our pudding. I brought out our ‘Rudolph glasses’ and light candles and put flowers all around the house [mainly my favourite pink roses, orange gerberas and Lilies]... Towards the end of the meal I made some herbal tea [I put it into my ancient bone China ‘Sandon’ Wedgwood teapot and used my latest favourite –hand painted vintage cup and saucer] –lovely . Alexander and his father then demanded hot chocolate. After some light conversation; more laughter and the opening of presents, –uncle Kwame came to pick up the father and son duo –and took them -to his and auntie Stephanie’s new house in Watford...And me? Well I put my feet up and chilled out [Amen]...then did some blogging [just what the doctor ordered].....And how was your Christmas?...............xxx
"Pray for the people of Haiti please..........I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse. The over two million people in Port-au-Prince tonight face catastrophe alone. We must act now........President Obama has already said that the US stands ready to assist the Haitian people. The US military is the only group trained and prepared to offer that assistance immediately. They must do so as soon as possible. The international community must also rise to the occasion and help the Haitian people in every way possible." Wyclef Jean
**Ghana Rising is sending out Love and Prayers to our brothers and sisters in Haiti…….The following are people(s) and bodies who are helping –please send your donations to:
The World... You can donate from anywhere in the world via Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti Foundation website at: www.yele.org
In the UK… “It is a tragedy beyond imagination and there is a deep sense of loss felt by the whole of the British and Irish people about the tragedy that individual families in Haiti are experiencing at the moment. We send our message of sympathy and support to the people of Haiti at this most difficult of times......Where men, women and children are suffering under the heaviest of burdens, that place must, for that moment, become the centre of our world’s attention, the world’s compassion and the world’s humanitarian help.” Prime Minister Gordon Brown
The DEC [Disasters Emergency Committee ] Haiti Earthquake Appeal is the safest website in the UK and can be accessed via: www.dec.org.uk
In NYC To make a financial contribution please send a tax-deductible donation to: IFCO/Haiti Relief 418 West 145th Street New York NY 10031
EVENING DROP-OFF HOURS ARE MON. & WED. 6:30-8:30 P.M. HAITIAN WOMEN FOR HAITIAN REFUGEES 335 Maple Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY (this is not a mailing address) (718) 735-4660 (718) 735-4660 Please use rear entrance on Lincoln Road between Nostrand and New York Avenue. Enter through St. Francis Church parking lot [Credit: NYC details from -www.thehaitianblogger.blogspot.com]
I’ve just finished watching this week's ‘Lost Kingdoms of Africa’ by Dr Gus Casely-Hayford [featuring the ancient Kingdom of Ethiopia] -and he’s the best, –engaging and passionate [with none of that patronizing verve that most art historian Possess]. Part of the most influential black family in the UK, -like the rest of Casely-Hayford clan –he is at the top-of-his-game. **Don’t forget to watch Dr Gus next Tuesday –it’s about the lost Kingdom of Great Zimbabwe. Please visit the BBC website for more information. www.bbc.co.uk
“Hemma creates fresh, elegant collections using authentic hand-woven Kente, a textile rich in African royal tradition. Kente began to flourish in West Africa in the 17th century and still remains prominent representing social prestige, luxury, and cultural sophistication. Each garment is uniquely handmade from intricately hand-woven kente imported from Ghana. By incorporating the same techniques used to dress Ghanaian nobility for centuries, Hemma allows each client to exude royalty.” www.thehemmacollection.com
In a world full of fashion labels –it take a truly exquisite, high-end label to stand out –and the Hemma fashion label does just that. Beautifully handmade with the best quality hand-woven Kente, the Hemma label is all we sybarites dream about. A Luxurious [all their Kente pieces are scrumptiously lined with silk], elegant, show stopping label, –the Hemma 2010 Collection is 'to-live-for'. I’m crazy about the blue Chanel-esque ‘Asante Jacket’ [$550.00] and the black stretch wool ‘Sena Dress’ -with Kente detail [$500.00]. Hemma has just launched The Hemma Foundation –and will be donating a percentage of all sales directly to the ‘La Yahoushua Middle School’ in Ghana. For more information about Hemma please visit: www.thehemmacollection.com
I love, love Anna Reynolds’ style, music and verve. An eclectic dresser, –the minute you buy the purple leggings and bombastic t-shirt combo -she wore last week, she’s already moved onto her 80’s faded denim skirt, Miami Vice jacket and one of her uber coveted ANNA-ALPHA-BETIC t-shirts. Bold colours, one-off dresses, African inspired pieces mixed with Euro-trashy leggings and hot minis - Anna Reynolds is Hot and unafraid. A fan of, Jeremy Scott, Christian Joy, Zakee Shariff, -her sister's label PRICCI and of course her very own -ANNA-ALHA-BETIC collection, Anna -like her latest Album, ‘Android Girl’ is out of this world. www.anna-reynolds.com
