Friday, 25 November 2011

LAGOS JAZZ SERIES - EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH HUGH MASEKELA


 “This year, LJS promises a Jazz outing that has never been experienced in Nigeria. The reason we decided to go the extra mile to blend Nigerian acts with their international counterparts is to ensure that those willing to attend the show get a taste of what jazz music is all about.” says Oti Bazunu, spokesperson for LJS.


Venues for which the series will feature performances include Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Moorhouse Hotel, the picturesque Lagos Motor Boat Club, Muri Okunola Park and the exclusive German Consulate Garden; a demonstration of jazz’s ability to bring people together regardless of the continental boundaries.

DATE                           TIME                             VENUE

NOV. 25, 2011           7PM                     THE MOORHOUSE (SOFITEL)

NOV. 26, 2011            8PM                    LAGOS MOTOR BOAT CLUB

NOV. 27, 2011            2PM                    MURI OKUNOLA PARK


ARTISTE BIOGRAPHY

Hugh Ramopolo Masekela, at 72, is widely regarded as an icon in the world of jazz. Hugh, influenced by the Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis age of Jazz and Fela’s Afrobeat, has produced enduring bodies of work including “In the Market Place,” “African Secret Society” and “Coal Train (Stimela),” numbers he still performs today.

Hugh continues to maintain a very active tour schedule, spreading his musical message of peace, harmony and unity throughout the world. He can also be heard adding his distinctive voice and flugelhorn to many other world artists' recordings - from some of Bob Marley's earliest recordings to Buena Vista Social Club bassist Cachaito Lopez's 2001 solo record.





Lagos Jazz Series is supported by Promasidor, CBO Capital Partners, Delta Airlines, Four Points Sheraton, the German Consulate, Mercedes Benz, the Guardian and Classic/Beat FM. Follow LJS on Twitter @LagosJazzSeries or join the Facebook Group, www.facebook.com/lagosjazzseries, for more information on tickets and the event schedule.

Wednesday, 23 November 2011

LAGOS JAZZ SERIES 2011



For all you jazz lovers out there, it has been confirmed that the outdoor event will boast of internationally acclaimed Jazz figures; Hugh Masekela, Vladyslav Sendek and Morrie Louden. West African acts include Cobhams Asuquo, Efya, Somi, Tiwa Savage, Sesu and a host of other surprise artists.

The event is scheduled as follows

Thursday 24th November, 7pm @ Four points Hotel
FREE admission

Friday 25th November, 7pm @ The Moorhouse Hotel
Tagged: Jazz by the poolside
N10,000

Saturday 26th November, 7pm @ Lagos Motorboat club
Tagged: Jazz by the water front
N15,000

Sunday 27th November, 2pm @Muri Okunola Park
Tagged: Jazz at the park
N2,500










At the press briefing held yesterday at Sofitel, The Moorhouse Hotel Oti Bazunu, founder of the Lagos jazz series explained that the series came about because he felt that Lagos needed to be redefined in the way 'we' enjoy ourselves.

The festival started last year and is slated to become a yearly event. The festival was described as a culmination of really talented African artists and it proves that jazz transcends all boundaries. It isn't for only a certain kind of people.

Monday, 21 November 2011

IDO Nigeria 9ja urban street dance and salsa show dance competition 2011


The highly anticipated, highly publicized show has come and gone. As all shows go, there are always winners and losers and this show was no different.
Team Quba, last years winners thrilled the crowd with death defying leaps from ... ok, more injury defying leaps from the first floor of the Silverbird galleria to the dance floor beneath, to local makosa and NAIJA boxers, yes, they wore boxers with NAIJA written and displayed them for the crowds approval.







The judges proclaimed the street dance a tie, it was inevitable that there had to be a face off. Furious Energy and Universal dancers pulled at all stops to get the crown, from impossible body twistings to breaking of props on each others heads. It will be a night many wont forget in a hurry.




Furious Energy won!

It is however unfortunate that the same cannot be said about the salsa show dance which was disappointing at best as amateurs competed against each other. According  to some members of audience who left half way into the competition, they should have been warned that it was going to be an introduction to salsa and not a display of talent.








Uche and Da silva emerged winners of this category.

Friday, 18 November 2011

FLUX Entertainment album launch by Erica Ogbor


Flux entertainment, an upcoming record label with three upcoming artists - Locus, D duch, and Asode organised a get together party for their friends and fans at Bar continental in Ikeja Lagos.

About 50 young Nigerians were in attendance, the event which was scheduled to start at 10pm did not commence until about 2:55am. 

According to Tunde Flux, Flux entertainment's Chief Executive Officer the get together was an avenue for the labels's artists meet their fans and  celebrate the new record label.

Tunde Fux said that the labels' goal is to go grass root, scout new artists and make them famous (only time will tell, right guys?)

Temitope a student of Moshoud Abiola Polytechnic  said "I came all the way from school to this place but to be frank I don’t know what’s going on here. I just heard about the launch of the record label and my friends told me that it was fun, so they invited me and am just here to have fun" when asked about her wishes for the upcoming artists this was her response “I don’t know any of them so I actually do not know what to wish them any way more grace to their elbows ’’

The event however ended at about 4:20am as guests retired to their abodes.

Saturday, 12 November 2011

Friday, 11 November 2011

EVERYBODY LOVES ICE PRINCE ALBUM LAUNCH by Priscilla Agbidi - Phillips


The long awaited album launch "everybody loves Ice prince" was launched at the Eko hotel and suites. This event has been 'seriously waited for' with fans streaming in from all over; Lagos, Jos and Abuja were fully represented. 
It was fun! Mrs. Abimbola Emanuella Fashola -  The First Lady of Lagos state graced the occasion. Chocolate city artists also showed support with their presence. 

It was disheartening however that the administration of the event was a disappointment which led to a drop in the crowd. 





The hype of the event however, at least for this reporter was the 'dis' track on the everybody likes Ice price album called ‘somebody lied’!
In the song, Ice prince 'beefs' fast raising singer Ifan. 
A while back, we heard and witnessed the rattle between both artists over the hit single 'oleku' which was claimed to have been first produced by Ifan and  taken over by Ice prince.

Now Ifan, the fast raising singer is looking forward to dropping his new single called ‘hungry –man’ which is produced by Sam klef.
speculation is that this artist is about to serve the dish of vengeance, and as it is said, vengeance is a dish best served cold.
What do you know, not everybody loves Ice Prince.








Saturday, 22 October 2011

Did You Know? by Dr. Okogwu - Nwonye


It’s raining. It’s cold. It gets damp.

“So what?” you may ask?  “It’s raining season!” you say.
Well…did you know that the dust and dirt present in indoor 
spaces provide enough nutrients to support growth of 
microorganisms?

Exposure to microbial contaminants is associated with 
respiratory symptoms, allergies, asthma and immunological 
reactions. Evidence shows that exposure to mold and other 
dampness-related microbial agents increases the risks of rare 
conditions, such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic 
alveolitis, chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic fungal sinusitis.

Excess moisture on indoor materials lead to growth of 
microbes. 
These microbes (mold, fungi and bacteria) emit spores, cells, 
fragments and unstable compounds into indoor air. 
Dampness initiates chemical or biological breakdown of 
household building materials, which also pollutes the air inside. 
Dampness has hence been suggested to be a strong, consistent 
indicator of the likelihood of developing asthma and respiratory 
symptoms (e.g. cough and wheeze).

Dampness could also support growth of bacteria and the 
survival of viruses. It is also an indicator of poor ventilation, 
resulting  in possibly increased levels of an extensive range 
of potentially harmful indoor pollutants.

While mold thrives on all materials, selection of appropriate 
building materials can prevent dirt accumulation, moisture 
penetration and mould growth.

Dust mites and fungi favour damp environments. They have 
been found to play a major role in the development of 
respiratory symptoms.
Believe you me; once you’ve seen a dust mite under the 
microscope…you are NEVER the same. Aghhh! You start 
airing those pillows and blankets and dusting and sweeping…

Thinking of living microscopic bugs in your pillows…….can 
definitely do a number on you. I even have slides with dust 
mites given to me by my Parasitology teacher at London School 
of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. I threaten to show it to my 
non-compliant asthmatic sister when she acts up. Works wonders!

Guidelines formulated essentially say to avoid dampness. I can 
hear my sister laughing. Her comment to this would be “Ha!.. 
during raining season? You must be dreaming! Do you know 
the definition of raining season? Rain! Dampness!”

So….how to avoid the dampness? Try and ventilate the rooms 
as much as possible. If you see any sign of wetness/dampness 
on walls, most likely molds are your unwanted guests. And 
they mean to stay!  See a building expert (no… there is no 
Mold expert but hey in this country… anything goes).

 See your physician if you have had dampness or a mold 
problem for awhile and have respiratory symptoms such 
as coughing, wheezing, sneezing or frequent allergies.





LINKS
Alliance for Healthy Homes
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
United States Environmental Protection Agency