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May 27, 2009

FIRST ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF CREATIVITY

Posted by villagerainbows under Celebration of Creativity
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It is official – Rainbow Round the African Sun has been officially launched!!! And there is a big bonus to the event –the “Celebration of Creativity”, hosted by the African Rainbow Resort (www.africanrainbowresort.com) on May 23 and 24. It is the first of many to come, providing a venue for young artists and performers to display their talent during the weekend launch party.

The Rooftop of the Rainbow was filled to capacity with an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. The Saturday evening program began fittingly enough with Ankasa, one of the poems from Rainbow Round the Sun, delivered first in English and then translated into Twi by Nyansa Boakwa. He and his friend, Kweku Atu Kumi accompanied the reading with compositions played on the atentenbene (the traditional flute). Jazz officianado, Bill Courtney gave his rendition of the theme for the evening and throughout the weekend introduced the line-up of performers that followed. Lovely Orkore and her dancers showed us why they are asked back repeatedly to perform in Accra at places like the Golden Tulip. Artist Sir Black delivered a piece from his growing repertoire of “spoken words”. Nii Lartey, also from Accra, evoked many smiles as he demonstrated his verbal skills in his “I will not bore you”. Hip life was also in the house when Jah Wi took the microphone, bringing his messages of wisdom.

Sunday’s program included all of the previous evening’s performers, along with the youngsters from the Royal Cultural Troupe from Dixcove. Several of the poems from Rainbow Round the African Sun were read, and our chairman for the event, Nana Adomako, Abusiapanin from Kokofu Asaman officially declared the book launched. The party continued into the small hours.

The success of events such as this relies heavily on the coverage that is provided by the media. Big thanks go to Daniel and the GTV crew of the Morning Show, who came from Accra to record the event. Skyy Power TV from Takoradi were also present – thanks to Sista Pama and Bless. Also from Accra we were fortunate to have Nyansa Boakwa from HOT Fm. Last, but certainly not least, from Canada, film maker and documentary journalist, Heiko Decosas, ensured that the event will be seen in that country.

The “Celebration of Creativity” was the first in a series of such events which the African Rainbow will host in order to provide a venue that will encourage the creative arts. Stay tuned – there is more coming up!!

 

April 15, 2009

FINDING MY VOICE

Posted by villagerainbows under Writing
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essay-to-say2

It has been a slow process, but I am getting closer to “finding my voice”. Last year, as a participant in the first International Writers Workshop to be held in Ghana (see www.theinternationalworkshops.com), our workshop leader, Shane Book, encouraged us by reminding us that we have a lifetime of material to write about – it is only a matter of sitting down and writing. Shane’s encouragement and the experience gained during the workshop have been very valuable in the process of recognizing myself as a “writer”.

Now with the publishing of Rainbow Round the African Sun, and with the recognition which has accompanied it, I am feeling that my voice has gained some legitimacy. The recognition affirms to me that I do have some ideas and experiences that are worthwhile writing about, and that I do have some skill in expressing them.

My little chapbook Rainbow Round the African Sun has been an important motivator. I have already begun to gather and write works for a more substantial future volume. I am approaching this project with new confidence and a sense of anticipation in meeting this new challenge. My life has been blessed in many ways, and this is just one more blessing.