Archive for February 2011
Winners at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards – Oscar
The 83rd Academy awards, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored the best films of 2010 in various categories. Below is a list of winners announced at the ceremony.
1. Best Picture: “The King’s Speech.”
2. Actor: Colin Firth, “The King’s Speech.”
3. Actress: Natalie Portman, “Black Swan.”
4. Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, “The Fighter.”
5. Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo, “The Fighter.”
6. Directing: Tom Hooper, “The King’s Speech.”
7. Foreign Language Film: “In a Better World,” Denmark.
8. Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin, “The Social Network.”
9. Original Screenplay: David Seidler, “The King’s Speech.”
10. Animated Feature Film: “Toy Story 3.”
11. Art Direction: “Alice in Wonderland.”
12. Cinematography: “Inception.”
13. Sound Mixing: “Inception.”
14. Sound Editing: “Inception.”
15. Original Score: “The Social Network,” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
16. Original Song: “We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3,” Randy Newman.
17. Costume Design: “Alice in Wonderland.”
18. Documentary Feature: “Inside Job.”
19. Documentary (short subject): “Strangers No More.”
20. Film Editing: “The Social Network.”
21. Makeup: “The Wolfman.”
22. Animated Short Film: “The Lost Thing.”
23. Live Action Short Film: “God of Love.”
24. Visual Effects: “Inception.”
The first Academy Awards ceremony took place out of the public eye during an Academy banquet at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Two hundred and seventy people attended the May 16, 1929 dinner in the hotel’s Blossom Room; guest tickets cost $5. It was a long affair filled with speeches, but Academy President Douglas Fairbanks made quick work of handing out the statuettes.
photo by Agency Reports
Celebration of Life: Judith Okoh (nee Aburime) 1955-2011
ALLEN, TX – The attributes poured in positively like an orchestrated symphony. The common denominator expressed by the speakers at the celebration of life surely reiterated the fact that Judith Isedua Okoh was a great giver and helper despite her own circumstances.
Family members and close friends arrived from Nigeria and other distant locations to witness and participate at the funeral of a dear sister, mother and helper. Mrs. Judith Isedua Okoh (nee Aburime) was born in Benin City on August 14th, 1955. She spent her childhood years in Benin, Ekpoma and Ibillo where she attended the Anglican Girls Grammar school. She later obtained Diploma’s in Business Administration from Auchi Polytechnic and Marketing and Accounting from Kwara State Polytechnic.
She worked with the NYSC in Nigeria as an Accountant for some years and later established her businesses namely; Jak Fashion and Design, Jak Trading Company and Jak Motors. Her passing to eternal glory on the 4th of February 2011 brought much sorrow to those who knew and loved her for her great deeds. She is survived by her mother; Agnes Aburime and Children; Okemute Okoh, Onajite Okoh, Ejiroghene Okoh, Zeze Imasekha and Wene Okoh.
by Tosan Aduayi for Trendy Africa USA
Naima Adedapo makes American Idol top 24
Los Angeles – Randy Jackson never fails to comment about the fact that the 2011 edition of American Idol is the most challenging yet. Such was the reaction when Naima Adedapo featured at the Milwaukee auditions. Her story reveals how she had dreams of being a performer on Milwaukee’s Summer Festival stage where she makes a living by embarking on Janitorial works.
Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler have both commented about her powerful, soulful voice. Naima Adedapo studied dance in school, and performs with an African Dance troupe and a Reggae band. As she strutted down the long path of the Los Angeles airplane hanger, it was no surprise that she stole the hearts of the judges and based on her performances; she became the first contestant to qualify for the top 24 list.
She has featured on the show clad in African attires that project rich culture and heritage. No wonder Jennifer Lopez took note of the uniqueness of Naima. The Team at Trendy Africa Media supports Naima and wishes her well.
by Tosan Aduayi for Trendy Africa USA
UPDATE: Nigerian Super Eagles Feature at the Green Soccer Bowl in Dallas
NEWS UPDATE – DUE TO UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES AND ORGANIZATIONAL HICCUPS, THE PROPOSED TOURNAMENT WILL NOT HOLD. UNCONFIRMED SOURCES CLAIM THAT THE USA SOCCER BODY AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THE COTTON BOWL STADIUM WERE NOT AWARE OF SUCH A TOURNAMENT.
AS AT PRESS TIME, ONLY THE NIGERIAN SOCCER TEAM ARRIVED DALLAS. THEY ARE SAID TO HAVE BEEN ORDERED BACK TO NIGERIA BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN SOCCER FEDERATION (NFF); AMINU MAIGAIRI.
A SOCCER FAN WHO RESPONDED TO AN EARLIER POSTED ANNOUNCEMENT HAD CALLED THE TICKETING AGENT TO VERIFY THE COSTS AND THE RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY (TICKETMASTER) WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY SUCH TOURNAMENT. THE FAN WENT ON TO EXPRESS HIS EMBARRASSMENT AND DISAPPOINTMENT AND DESCRIBED THE SITUATION AS UNFORTUNATE.
IT HAS ALSO BEEN VERIFIED THAT THE GREEN SOCCER BOWL TOURNEY IS NOT IN ANYWAY AFFILIATED WITH ANY USA SOCCER BODY. IT’S TIMING JUST COINCIDES WITH THE USA PRESIDENTS DAY CELEBRATIONS.
ADDITIONAL REPORTS:
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed its indignation at the embarrassment caused Nigeria by the postponement of the 2011 United States’ President’s Holiday Celebration Soccer Tournament (a.k.a Green Bowl Soccer Tournament), after the national football team had arrived in the USA for the tournament.
NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari slammed the organiser of the tournament, US-based Nigerian FIFA Licensed Agent, Pius Oleh and instructed the NFF Secretariat to make a detailed report of the fiasco to world football governing body, FIFA.
“This is untenable. How can he tell us that there was a ticketing problem after our team had travelled that long distance to play? How can he tell us that he did not know there was a problem until our national team arrived in America?
“This is totally irresponsible on his part. How come he did not ensure that everything was in place before telling our team to start coming? We are not going to take this lightly.
“We will get all the documents that have to do with the tournament, all the agreements we had with him along the way and send them to FIFA,” said Maigari.
The Nigeria delegation, made up of 20 players and nine officials, and led by Member of the NFF Executive Committee, Barrister Olaleye Adepoju flew 11 hours from Lagos to Atlanta overnight on Wednesday, February 23 and then connected Dallas, Texas believing it would take part in a four-nation US President’s Holiday Celebration Soccer Tournament packaged by America-based Nigerian Pius Oleh, who already had the go-ahead of the United States Football Federation for the event.
However, the delegation was shocked beyond words when Oleh called to inform them that they were having problem with the Ticket Master and that the competition would have to be postponed by two weeks.
Oleh also changed the plan for accommodation, directing the Nigeria team to the Marriott Courtyard instead of the Double Tree, and then failed to show up to meet with the team until the following day.
Head Coach Samson Siasia, who has long been resident in the United States and whose family lives there, made spirited efforts to arrange friendly games so the trip would not be a total waste, but the complications of getting such games approved at short notice and the requirements to secure permission for use of stadium stalled the efforts.
In his own defence of what happened, Oleh said on the telephone that he had everything tidied up until the problem with the Ticket Master cropped up on Thursday evening.
“I am embarrassed myself at what has happened, but the truth is that we had everything keyed and the teams had been informed to start coming, before the Ticket Master developed problem. It was not something that anyone could do anything about at such short notice. It was not something we could have envisaged, having done all that was required to get things right.
“We have the approval of the United States Soccer Federation and letters of commitment from the countries involved. We had invested a lot of resources and energy into making this happen and honestly, I am devastated. But I am more worried about the fact that the Nigeria team had arrived for the tournament.
“I am saddened by this, but there was nothing anyone could have done about it. We can’t allow the tournament to go ahead without tickets. We had not collected any money from anyone for any aspect of the tournament, so you cannot call this a scam.”
The FIFA Licensed Agent insisted that the tournament would still take place in a fortnight’s time.
“Surely, the tournament will take place in two weeks,” said Oleh.
However, Alhaji Maigari, who cancelled his scheduled trip on Friday alongside that of the chairman of the Technical Committee, Christopher Green, insisted the Super Eagles would not be available for the new date.
“Pius Oleh will first have to explain to FIFA this embarrassment. We have no business with him concerning any new date. He should be ready to offset all our expenses and also pay compensation. Let him play his tournament with any teams he wants.
“All the same, we apologise to Nigerians and the Government for this unfortunate incident,” said Maigari.
Maigari on Saturday instructed team officials to harness efforts at getting seats on the Delta Airline flight from Atlanta to Lagos on Sunday, for the team to return home. The Super Eagles had trained on Friday and Saturday at a facility close to their Marriott Courtyard hotel.
SOURCE: Nigeria Soccer News
DALLAS – The Nigerian National soccer team will feature at the 2011 edition of the Green Soccer Bowl tournament. The event is slated for the Cotton Bowl Stadium; Fair Park in Dallas, Texas and would feature other teams from Costa Rica, Panama and Mexico. The Cotton Bowl stadium was the venue of Nigeria’s first ever FIFA world cup Finals match which ended with a 3-0 victory over Bulgaria in June 1994.
The “Green Soccer Bowl” name is derived from the unique tournament championship cup which is designed specifically for the games. The official name of the tournament is United States Presidents Day Celebration Invitational tournament which celebrates the US Presidents day holiday every February.
The new Coach of the Nigerian National team (Super Eagles); Samson Siasia is expected to lead the delegation to the games which has been scheduled to hold on the 26th and 27th of February.
Tickets are available online at ticketmaster.com
Coach Samson Siasia – photo by Trendy Africa
For more info; http://www.greensoccerbowl.com/
FESTAC-USA celebrates African Culture in Houston
Houston, TX – A blend of diverse African culture fused with entertainment from time tested artists characterized the highlights of the first annual festival of African Arts and Culture (FESTAC-USA). The festival which held at the prestigious Stafford center in Houston was a celebration of the African culture in diaspora.
FESTAC-USA is a blend of culture and vision in reaching meaningful development in Africa and is packaged as a nongovernmental organization to generate empowerment towards the enhancement and promotion of interest in Africa in the areas of Education, Health, Agriculture, Economy, Democracy and Arts. In celebrating contributions to medicine and social engineering, FESTAC 2011 listed Health as its focus.
Several dignitaries including African traditional rulers were honored at the event amongst whom were; HRM Oba Babatunde Olaogun Ogunlaja JP. (Kalejaiye II) the Aladeshonyin of Odo-Noforija Kingdom, Epe division, Lagos State as well as the Eze Udi 1 of greater Owerri Community Houston.
Renowned and award winning author and poet, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was also honored as a prize winner for her literary works titled “The thing around your Neck”. The Event featured performances from En Vogue, Donell Jones and culturally yours International.
By Chibuzor Okonta; Executive Editor (Audio Visuals) and Braimah Oyarekhua; Executive Director Trendy Africa USA. Coverage courtesy of Emaginethat Entertainment, Houston.
Sax Master, Mike Aremu thrills Atlanta Audience
Atlanta, GA – The notes from the saxophone hit the spot. Hands raised, silent spiritual tears dripping down the endodermic lining of faces, hands clutched close to hearts, mouths agape, cold chills on the skin and a silent fear for the artist due probably from lung failure as explained later by the master of ceremony all summed up the expressions of the well managed audience whom had gathered to witness master saxophonist Mike Aremu perform live for the first time in Atlanta.
Mike Aremu’s performance reached a fever pitch crescendo when he maintained a continuous high note in excess of 6 minutes during the concert. His soul inspiring rendition kept fans on their feet most of the time just as others were left with spiritual impacts from the combination of talented performers on stage. The show which was put together by Ayo Arama of Arama creations featured other talented performers such as Antonia Lawrence and Kunle Meshida. Both singers generated great excitement just before the main act of the night.
Mike Aremu had arrived the United States to attend the 53rd Grammy Awards in Los Angeles from his UK base. With his God given gift, Mike Aremu has performed and entertained in several countries world wide and has also received several awards respectively. He will stage a grand performance in Nigeria on the 5th of June, 2011 at an event tagged “SAX APPEAL” that is expected to attract thousands of fans.
Documentary by Tosan Aduayi for Trendy Africa USA
NFL HOUSTON TEXAN AMOBI OKOYE SPEAKS ABOUT HIS FOUNDATION
Houston, TX – Houston based NFL star Amobi Okoye recently granted an interview to Los Angeles based TIME TV at the home office of the Amobi Okoye Foundation to take note of day-to-day operations of such a profound organization. In the interview (see attached video) Amobi explains the inspiration and achievements of the Amobi Okoye Foundation.
His educational triumph secured him a scholarship to Harvard at the age of twelve, which he turned down to attend the University of Louisville for the best of both worlds: education and football. With the hopes of becoming a doctor, he seized the opportunity to participate in the NFL at the age of nineteen. Amobi Okoye continues to make strides on and off the field. However, it is his off the field activity that is gaining world-wide recognition.
TIME TV is an independent satellite network based in Los Angeles, CA that provides viewers with a wide array of educational, informative, and entertaining programs. TIME TV embraces cultural diversity with a global market that expands to the following regions: North America, South America, Europe, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East.
Courtesy of White Flame Firm 832.452 7784
AFRICA FASHION WEEK DEBUTS IN LONDON
London, UK – The city of London will host the first ever Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) 2011 on the 5th and 6th of August 2011 at the Gibson Hall, 13 Bishopsgate, London. The event is projected to make history as the biggest platform ever dedicated to African inspired fashion in Europe.
Africa Fashion Week London will showcase UK and non UK based fashion designers. The “Revelation” shows within AFWL will give new and emerging fashion designers are opportunity to showcase to the UK and international press, buyers and stockiest of high street and independent stores.
Africa Fashion Week London will be attended by fashion designers, milliners, fabric manufacturers and printers, jewelers, beauty range manufacturers, leather goods designers and manufacturers, perfumers, photographers, make-up artists, models, media houses, buyers, local and international press and indeed anyone that has any link with fashion, especially with an African interest. The event is open to all members of the public.
Africa Fashion Week London is organized by Ronke Ademiluyi of Rukkies Concept and produced by Mahogany Productions.
Photos courtesy of; Bebe Grafiti, Studio D’Maxsi, Bill Witherspoon, Chianu International
For General Enquiries please contact; ronke@africafashionweeklondon.com.
Omotola walks the Red Carpet at the 53rd Grammy Awards
Los Angeles, CA – Nollywood sexiest star actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde (Omo Sexy) recently became the first Nigeria recording artist & Nollywood actress to officially walk the 53rd Grammy Award Red Carpet.
This was made possible courtesy of her new International Management Company/Manager, Mr. Bishop Adejube of Bishop Entertainment Consult based out of Atlanta, Georgia and Bungalo/Universal Records (the distribution company for OmoSexy’s music).
The ceremony held in Los Angeles at the staples center on February 13th 2011 and was aired live by CBS Television network. The event featured entertainment mega stars such as Katy Perry, Rihanna, Lady GaGa, Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus and Jennifer Hudson.
Omotola Featured on the Cover of Trendy Africa Magazine Issue 5
By Trendy Africa Media Courtesy of Bishop Ent. Consult
Osaigbovo Abbe-Ebieshuwa "Lady B" Celebrates 50th in Boston
BOSTON – Meandering through “snow mountains” on Boston streets was no easy task. The sights of snow covered vehicles and frozen lakes gave an insight to man’s endurance factor. My primary assignment in Boston which was to document in living colors the much anticipated 50th birthday celebration of Lady B was however devoid of natures obstacles.
Temperature readings were estimated at about 35 degrees F with cloudy skies overcast on a day the celebrant had looked forward to for about 30 years. At 50, Lady exudes beauty, strength and compassion. Most of the guests arrived from various cities in the USA including Los Angeles, Dallas and Washington DC while so many other admirers turned out in large numbers to create a capacity crowd. The day had been set by divine providence at a time when the revered snow storms of the east coast region of America had probably fizzled out.
jsafrica 