#RoundAboutTown With Henri Yire; “The Love Aftermath.”
Lagos has settled.
Somewhat.
The aftermath of the intense amoral activities of yesterday, Valentine’s Day, has left a few lovebirds drained.
Emotionally and otherwise.
The island was clogged with traffic and with the unrealistic ban of Okadas and Kekes, Uber and Bolt drivers were on a roll. Selectively accepting rides without apology or empathy.
An otherwise N100 naira Keke went for N1,500 when navigated using an Uber.
But that did nothing to deter love enthusiasts as they came out in throves to consume the targeted experiences curated by show promoters.
Valentines day is over but the experiences are not. In fact for some discerning lovers, it is only just beginning.
We have put together a collection of weekend experiences that you can try out.
Here they are:
SATURDAY –
FEBRUARY 15, 2020
ANIME CRUNCH X GAME YARD
What do we love? Video games, anime and food. In conjunction with @legacygrill and @animecrunchng.
We present to you another anime crunch X Game Yard mash up. This is the perfect time to flex your trigger finger skills in front of your loved one. Bring your Anime, Consoles, And Games!
Time: 12:00PM – 6:00PM
Fee: Open to All
Location: Legacy Grill and Shawarma, 7a bose enemenoh, Ikoyi, Lagos
TALK YOUR OWN
African Artists Foundation invites you to our February edition of Talk Your Own themed ‘Memories’. Join us for an evening of Poetry, live music, comedy, rants, confessions and dance.
Time: 5:00PM
Fee: Open to All
Location: African Artists Foundation, 3b Isiolaoyekan street, off Adeleke Adedoyin, off Kofo Abayomi, Victoria Island.
DON’T DROP THE MIC
This Saturday @donotdropthemic the spotlight is on Wazobia legend Ratata @ratatanation as he performs a few crowd favorites and hit singles! Come through to @bogobirihouse and join us in a night of amazing entertainment!! The theme of the night is “Finding Nemo” so expect the DDTM squad to be on hand to create some inspired musicals on the spot based on your suggestions!
Time: 8:00PM
Fee: Open to All
Location: Bogobiri Hotel” 9 Maitama Sule St, Off Raymond Njoku St, (off Awolowo rd), Ikoyi, Lagos
STADIUM HOTEL
Victor Abimbola Olaiya also known as Dr Victor Olaiya, has passed away. He was a Nigerian trumpeter who played in the highlife style. In 1954 Olaiya formed his own band, the Cool Cats, playing popular highlife music. Olaiya shared the stage with the American jazz musician Louis Armstrong. The Cool Cats later traveled to the Congo to perform for United Nations troops. He will be greatly missed. This Saturday, Visit Stadium Hotel, established by Dr Victor Olaiya, for a wonderful night of highlife.
Time: 11:00PM – 5:00AM
Fee: N500
Location: Stadium Hotel, 27/33, Iyun Road, (Close to Hogan Bassy Crescent) Surulere, Lagos
Tip of the Day: It starts to get lively after midnight and continues until early morning
SUNDAY –
FEBRUARY 16, 2020
UNWIND SUNDAY
@AweLagos is having the second edition of Unwind Lagos on February 16th,2020. Let’s meetup for boardgames like Ludo, Chess & Jenga, drinks – beer, cocktails or wine! – food and good conversation! Free shots for Ladies from 3pm to 5pm
TIme: 2:00PM
Fee: Open to All
Location: Legacy Grill and Shawarma, 7a bose enemenoh, Ikoyi, Lagos
MOVIENIC
Let’s Get Outside!!! We’ll have sweet tunes before and after the movie! Bring your blankets, food, drinks, games, and good vibes!
Time: 5:30PM PICNIC 7:00PM MOVIE
Fee: N1000
Location: Nakenohs Boulevard, 40 Alexander Rd, Ikoyi, Lagos
WITH LOVE FROM BOLIVAR
To us, Love is Great vibes, No judgements, Alternative sounds and the waterside!
Time: 6:00PM – LATE
Fee: Open to All
Location: Bolivar, Plot 20, Wole Olateju Crescent, Lekki, Lagos
Have A Hype-filled Weekend!
See you around.
-Henri Yire
Korede Bello Debuts on Accelerate TV’s ‘The Cover’
This music star has been off the radar for a while, only for him to appear out of the blue with a new look and a new song “Sun Mo Mi” that came just in time for Valentine’s Day… We seriously will miss his signature look, the jerry curl.
Mavin Records’ Korede Bello is the latest star on Accelerate TV’s The Cover.
In this interview, Korede Bello reveals why he’s been away, steps he’s taken towards reinventing his sound and also what to expect this 2020.
On his music break
Where have I been? I’ve been around, never left, I’ve been working on my craft, been re-inventing myself, been working on sharpening my skills and figuring out what really matters in this life.
On pressure from fans to release a new song during the hiatus
I did feel a certain type of pressure to give my fans a part of me because I see the genuineness, they keep messaging me every day to ask where I am. And for me, life is about community and what I’ve always tried to do with my music is to bring people together, and because of that, I’ve felt the need to release music for them.
Speaking of music is Korede Bello’s sound different now?
My sound is my essence, my sound is in my meaning and what I mean by that is, it’s not really about the sound, it’s more about what the sound is expressing. My sound expresses joy, hope, and love. I’ve never been the type to be limited, from my first song “African Princess” to “Godwin”, these are different songs; none of those songs sounds alike, in terms of sound. I’m not the type to be put in a box, as long as I feel the need to express myself with a particular type of sound, I will do it.
On future collaborations
I will be doing a lot of collaborations, especially collaborating with new cats, because it feels good to put people on, cause I was put on as well. So I’ll be looking out for talented people to just make beautiful music with.
To get all the scoop from the interview, watch the video below.
Betty Irabor has a Message for Everyone as Genevieve Magazine turns
It’s 17 years since Genevieve Magazine started operations. That’s 17 years of consistency, 17 years of quality, 17 years of doing the work.
Editor in Chief, Betty Irabor, wants everyone to know that 17 years after starting the magazine, it’s not been all easy.
She, too, has felt the bite of impostor syndrome. And because she has witnessed it firsthand, she wants everyone to know, no matter what they may think, they are worthy.
Here’s what she has for us:
To anyone who’s ever thought, “I am a fraud, I don’t deserve it, I am not worthy”, because you think you are an imposter; listen to me, you are not a fraud, you are deserving, you are worthy.
Until recently I didn’t quite understand to what extent this thing called Imposter Syndrome can diminish your worth, rob you of clarity and leave you feeling undeserving of your glory. I couldn’t understand why my accomplishments, since I started Genevieve at the age of 46, meant very little whenever I took stock. I always felt I didn’t deserve to be listed among successful and powerful women who were changing the world and reinventing narratives. I always felt that founding Genevieve was no big deal, and that anyone could start a magazine and impact lives without feeling they had done something extraordinary. I never saw my contributions as major accomplishments and for the same reason I found it difficult to effectively process compliments without thinking: Do I really deserve that? I could not easily accept that I had in any way influenced thoughts, opinions, culture, fashion, lifestyle or shaped conversations. The imposter syndrome would always remind me that I had not merited such praise. However, everyone around me saw what I couldn’t see; people would walk up to me and tell me how Genevieve Magazine changed their lives, career, relationships, or helped them achieve their goals and in most cases I would just nod. I couldn’t accept that I, Betty, through this magazine had provided women shoulders to stand on and that I was worth the accolades. I didn’t see how my contributions gave women a voice or how sharing my challenges helped other people to find their own voice unafraid.
I had this persistent internalised fear of being exposed as a fraud, I would always feel guilty about accepting recognition. Those who are familiar with this feeling of unworthiness, would probably understand what it is like to feel as though you are living a lie, even though all your accomplishments are there to validate you. But in the last couple of years, I have felt less like a fraud, especially since I began to have more clarity about who I am, what my purpose is, what I have achieved and the lives I have impacted. I now know beyond every doubt that I am not an imposter.
This shift in mindset has helped me to be more appreciative of everything without feeling I don’t deserve it or, feeling like I have not earned it. I now see clearly how in seventeen years, Genevieve Magazine has changed lives, influenced opinions, role-modeled the youth, helped people to find purpose, changed narratives, and empowered thousands. I no longer feel it is arrogant to accept that Genevieve has contributed immensely to opening minds about contemporary social issues in Nigeria. Our vision remains to be a complete lifestyle guide to the international African woman of the 21st century. Our mission is to use valuable content as a strategy to inspire and empower a new generation of African women.
And who do we thank for being worthy allies on this journey to reinventing our brand Genevieve? It is YOU, because YOU never stop reminding us how we have impacted you these 17 years. We are able to continue to be more and do more because of your trust and loyalty. Our task continues to be to reinvent “brand Genevieve” in order to meet with global expectations.
Lastly, let me leave you with this, the strength and the beauty of enterprise lies not only in being the First or Foremost, but in the ability to remain consistent in forging ahead against every barrier.
To anyone who thinks, “I am a fraud, I don’t deserve it, I am not worthy”, because you think you are an imposter; listen to me, you are not a fraud, you are deserving, you are worthy.
Lots of love,
Betty.
Love in literary form: Writing Center unveils “Love Stinks” contest winners
UM-Flint’s Writing Center holds an annual “Love Stinks” writing contest.
Love may stink sometimes, but writing about it can be sweet.
UM-Flint’s Marian E. Wright Writing Center held its 6th annual “Love Stinks” writing contest and unveiled the winners on Valentine’s Day.
“Love comes in different forms,” said Writing Center tutor Sarah Keyser-Brown, who developed the contest. “It doesn’t have to be pigeon-holed to what is traditionally described on Valentine’s Day. Over the years, our writers have utilized the universal contest theme and looked at it through different lenses. The works developed and submitted on the concept of ‘love’ have been interesting and creative.”
The winning entries are featured on the Writing Center blog. The contest was open to all students, staff, and faculty. “Dandelion” by Rene Ribant-Amthor was the winning poetry submission. “I Was Culpable” by Carmelle-Arianna Rozanski took home the short story prize.
The Writing Center provides support and space for academic, personal, and creative writing.
This month’s competition is just one example of creative writing contests the center holds year-round to provide a platform for writers and to expand the support network for those looking to express themselves. For example, there is a poetry contest in April and a Halloween short story competition in October. There is also a weekly Writers’ Circle held noon to 1 p.m. on Fridays for students, faculty, staff, and community members.
The Writing Center provides support and space for academic, personal, and creative writing (Photo by UM-Flint)
“The tutors themselves are great at creating this community by coming up with contests and other writing-centered activities to promote fun and interest in all forms of writing, which helps everyone feel more comfortable with their work,” said Vicky Dawson, academic support services coordinator at the center. “It’s a wonderful outlet for our campus community to have creative writing opportunities.”
A psychology student and avid creative writer, Rozanski has taken classes on campus but is currently studying online. The competition provided her another way to connect with the university environment, she said. Her short story delves into the imperfection of love and explores issues of personal responsibility and hope.
“Part of growing, regardless of the discipline you are studying, is being willing to be vulnerable and express yourself,” said Rozanski. “Being able to submit something for these competitions can help one grow as a writer and as a person.”
Text courtesy umflint.edu
