77th Golden Globe Awards Winners
Actress musician Awkwafina
Awkwafina bacskatge with her Golden Globe for Best Actress, Comedy or Musical
Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of the 2020 Golden Globes.
BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
1917 (DreamWorks Pictures / Reliance Entertainment / New Republic Pictures Neal Street Productions / Mogambo; Universal Pictures)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
RENÉE ZELLWEGER JUDY
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE- DRAMA
JOAQUIN PHOENIX JOKER
BEST MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY
ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD (Columbia Pictures; Sony Pictures Releasing)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY
AWKWAFINA THE FAREWELL
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY
TARON EGERTON ROCKETMAN
BEST MOTION PICTURE – ANIMATED
MISSING LINK (LAIKA /Annapurna Pictures; United Artists Releasing)
BEST MOTION PICTURE – FOREIGN LANGUAGE
PARASITE (SOUTH KOREA) (CJ Entertainment; Barunson E&A; NEON
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN ANY MOTION PICTURE
LAURA DERN MARRIAGE STORY
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN ANY MOTION PICTURE
BRAD PITT ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD
BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE
SAM MENDES 1917
BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE
QUENTIN TARANTINO ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE
HILDUR GUÖNADÓTTIR JOKER
BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE
“I’M GONNA LOVE ME AGAIN” — ROCKETMAN
Music and Lyrics by: Elton John, Bernie Taupin
BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
SUCCESSION – HBO (HBO Entertainment / Project Zeus /Hyperobject Industries / Gary Sanchez Productions)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
OLIVIA COLMAN THE CROWN
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
BRIAN COX SUCCESSION
BEST TELEVISION SERIES – MUSICAL OR COMEDY
FLEABAG PRIME VIDEO ( all3Media International Limited / BBC Three/ Amazon Studios)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – MUSICAL OR COMEDY
PHOEBE WALLER-BRIDGE FLEABAG
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – MUSICAL OR COMEDY
RAMY YOUSSEF RAMY
BEST TELEVISION LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
CHERNOBYL HBO HBO Miniseries / SKY / Sister Pictures /The Mighty Mint / Word Games
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
MICHELLE WILLIAMS FOSSE/VERDON
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
RUSSELL CROWE THE LOUDEST VOICE
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
PATRICIA ARQUETTE THE ACT
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
STELLAN SKARSGÅRD CHERNOBYL
The future of podcasting: Can the business of audio content catch up with the creative revolution?
A visualization of our GeekWire Summit podcast discussion by Guillaume Wiatr of Metahelm.
More than half of the U.S. population over age 12 has now listened to a podcast, according to Edison Research. The medium has fundamentally altered the landscape for audio content, liberating and empowering both listeners and creators. And big acquisitions such as Spotify’s purchase of Gimlet Media signal that the business of podcasting is coming of age, too.
But there remains an economic gulf that some entrepreneurs and investors see as an opportunity. Ad spending on podcasting is around $500 million, by some estimates, but that compares to $17 billion or more for radio.
So where is podcasting heading next? How will speech recognition, smart speakers and other innovations change the landscape for podcasts? Should you start your own show? Could you make any money if you did?
Read more here
Source: geekwire.com
Drumming group delights dozens with a West African drumming demonstration
The One Beat at a Time drumming circle led an informative discussion on West African drumming music at Aiken’s Unitarian Universalist Church Saturday.
The group’s lively demonstration not only taught participants how to play the West African drumming music but also gave them a better understanding on the culture and symbolism surrounding their songs.
Over 30 people learned how to play with traditional African drums, also known as Djembe, and how to harmonize with one another with virtually lyric-less songs.
The rhythms the band demonstrated are from West New Guinea and were passed down from the “masters of Mandinka.” Some songs have introductions that tell stories or symbolize traditional life events.
Drumming, said drumming instructor Julie Evonna, is not something one can really do in a solo setting, but as group.
“Drumming is a connection of us all,” said Evonna. “To create the music, everyone has to be playing harmoniously. They have to be in sync.”
Traditional drumming itself is a “testosterone-driven” activity primarily played by men due to the amount of stamina playing takes, especially when some songs can last up to two hours long.
However, drums are also a great instrument to play for those who have hand or limb issues, said Evonna, who herself has a hand disfigurement.
Read more here
Source: www.aikenstandard.com
Local musicians using music to empower
Local artists team up to create awareness campaign against gender-based violence.
Kwatsaduza – A group of musicians in Kwatsaduza are embarking on a gender-based violence awareness campaign which will see them visiting various secondary schools to give educational and motivational talks on the subject.
Artist-manager Nkosana Mhlandla, who is also part of the organising committee, says:
“The reason for holding this event is to educate children about gender-based violence while also providing entertainment.
“The event will also help the school to fund-raise by having learners wearing casual clothing.”
The tour, which will be on Fridays, will start on February 7 until March 13.
The first school to be visited will be Mamellong Comprehensive School. It will be followed by JE Malepe Secondary School.
“We are targeting high schools because the youth are our future leaders, fathers and mothers and brothers and sisters.
“They have a better understanding of issues, and I believe with that knowledge they will be able to pass it on to the younger generation,” he says.
The line-up will include, among others, comedian MJ, DJs Jandas and Chef Phola and rapper Taded. The guest speaker will be Miss Sundowns 2016, Sharon Rose Khumalo.
Tshepo Mofokeng, who is the organiser of the event, says gender-based violence is a serious social scourge which needs to be addressed.
“This tour will provide a platform for us as the youth of Kwatsaduza to address and discuss gender-based violence issues while educating each other, and sharing helpful tips.
“I think there are a lot of social ills which we are currently being exposed to,” says Mofokeng.
Source: Africa reporter.co.za
Akon Reveals The Top African Musicians He Signed To His Konvict Music Label
Mulitple Award-winning American singer, record producer and entrepreneur, Aliaune Bouga Badara Akon Thiam popularly known around the world for his music stage name as Akon has finally disclosed all top African musicians he signed to his Konvict Music Label
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Akon who is of Senegalese descent said he did not pause his music career as all are thinking he did years ago.
He stated that he traveled to Africa to sign and connect with some few talents across the board.
Akon lists the top African artistes he signed unto his Konvict Music Label
Listing the artistes he worked with, Akon said Wizkid, Davido, and P-Square (now Mr. P and Rudeboy) were some few artistes he signed.
Akon while explaining further said though they are no more on his label, he believes he helped them to achieve a lot of goodies.
No Ghanaian star’s name was among the list.
Source:ghgossip.com
International gigs for NAMA winners
National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) are the pinnacle of Zimbabwean awards for the creative and cultural sector, as not much has been done in various arts genres to come up with sector-specific awards due to funding constraints.
But since 2014, the NAMAs have somewhat lost the prestige they are known for. This is mainly because the awards have failed to bring any meaningful value to artists.
For instance, in South Africa, when one wins at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) or the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) they know more gigs and acting jobs will be coming their way, respectively.
This lack of downstream returns, apart from the certificate and the gong, has made the NAMAs more of a non-event.
A classic example is the 2019 edition of the NAMAs where for the first time in close to five years, both Winky D and Jah Prayzah were not on the winners list.
Yet, most promoters had to ensure that their gigs were headlined by the two throughout the course of that year. They remain the sought-after acts in the country to date.
But, all this might change as there is new management for the NAMAs and the crew is coming in with fresh and interesting ideas.
As per procedure, after every five years the National Arts Council invites applications to get a new manager for the NAMAs and this time the deal went to Jacaranda Culture and Media Corporation (JCMC), taking over from AB Communications.
JCMC are known for birthing the intriguing talent search competition, DreamStar Zimbabwe, as well as recently partnering with Chibuku NeShamwari Dance Festival.
On the aforementioned platforms, winners and runner-ups have managed to tour various provinces in China and to date, some local artists from various genres have been touring China as their agents have been sourcing jobs for them. The same, plus more, is brewing for NAMA winners this year.
“We are working with our counterparts in China to export more of Zimbabwe’s culture as there is a ready market for it out there,” said the executive director for JCMC, Steve Ke Zhao.
“ . . . as is the case in DreamStar and Chibuku NeShamwari, we would want to assist NAMA winners to go and showcase their talent in China. However, as JCMC, we are not confined to China. We are also discussing with our partners in Europe to export local talent there as well.”
Asked about monetary rewards as was the case in 2014, the last glitzy NAMA which saw all winners walking away with a cool US$500 cash prize, Zhao said: “If resources permit, we will definitely want to give cash prizes to all winners on February 29 at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC).”
Source: herald.co.zw
Ben Okri, others on Ngūgī wa Thiong’o’s 82nd birthday
Sunday, 5th January was the birthday of Ngūgī wa Thiong’o, the Kenyan literary giant. He was born on 5 January 1938. Below is a piece published (Nigeria’s Ben Okri contributed too) on him in brittlepaper.com:
The prolific legend has published 34 books in total. His fictional works include seven novels: Weep Not, Child (1964), The River Between (1965), A Grain of Wheat (1967, 1992), Petals of Blood (1977), Caitaani Mutharaba-Ini (Devil on the Cross, 1980), Matigari ma Njiruungi (1986), Mũrogi wa Kagogo (Wizard of the Crow, 2006), and Kenda Muiyuru: Rugano Rwa Gikuyu na Mumbi (2018), published in Gikuyu; and two short story collections: A Meeting in the Dark (1974) and Secret Lives, and Other Stories (1976). He has published four memoirs: Detained: A Writer’s Prison Diary (1981), Dreams in a Time of War: a Childhood Memoir (2010), In the House of the Interpreter: A Memoir (2012), and Birth of a Dream Weaver: A Memoir of a Writer’s Awakening (2016).
In addition, Ngūgī has published thirteen essay collections and nonfictional texts: Homecoming: Essays on African and Caribbean Literature, Culture, and Politics (1972), Writers in Politics: Essays (1981), Education for a National Culture (1981), Barrel of a Pen: Resistance to Repression in Neo-Colonial Kenya (1983), Decolonising the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature (1986), Mother, Sing For Me (1986), Writing against Neo-Colonialism (1986), Moving the Centre: The Struggle for Cultural Freedom (1993), Penpoints, Gunpoints and Dreams: The Performance of Literature and Power in Post-Colonial Africa (1998), Something Torn and New: An African Renaissance (2009), Globalectics: Theory and the Politics of Knowing (2012), In the Name of the Mother: Reflections on Writers and Empire (2013), and Secure the Base (2016).
Ngūgī has also published four plays: The Black Hermit (1963), This Time Tomorrow (1970), The Trial of Dedan Kimathi (1976), and Ngaahika Ndeenda: Ithaako ria ngerekano (I Will Marry When I Want, 1977); and three children’s books: Njamba Nene and the Flying Bus (1986), Njamba Nene and the Cruel Chief (1988), and Njamba Nene’s Pistol (1990).
In honor of Ngūgī’s life and works, here are five snippets from introductions written by five African authors to five of his books that were republished by Penguin Random House as part of their African Writers Series.
Source: thenewsnigeria.com.ng
The Most Inviting City In Africa?
Although there are many factors that have led to Kigali’s solid infrastructure and booming development, one thing stands out as the organising principle: umuganda.
I was sitting on the terrace of La Brioche, a popular bakery-cafe in Kigali’s Gacuriro neighbourhood. It was twilight – the streetlights were coming on, and the first hint of cool wafted through the air after a sweltering autumn day. As I sat with my cappuccino and demi-baguette reading a collection of short stories by celebrated Rwandan writer Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse that I’d just found at Kigali’s best literary bookshop, Ikirezi Books, I noticed my phone was running low. I asked the young man at the next table, whom I’d overheard speaking English earlier (most people do in this trilingual city, but it’s good to check), if he had a charger. He did not. He went back to his MacBook, I to my short story, and then, about a minute later, he turned back to me.
“I’m leaving in a couple of minutes for an opening at a new photo gallery nearby,” he said. “It should be fun. Do you want to come?”
I called a car on Move, the local ride-share app populated exclusively with Volkswagens assembled at a new plant nearby, and we arrived early at the Kigali Center for Photography. Theo, 23, the man from the terrace, seemed to know everyone, and introduced me around. Josephat’s studying film at Kigali Film and Television School. Rodriguez has a show on local radio station 103.6 HOT FM. Niza is the founder of one organisation that teaches under-employed women traditional basket-weaving, and another that gives at-risk youth space and materials to paint. Jacques is the gallery director, and Winny owns Sweet Ibanga, a mixology company that’s working the party. “I know what you like,” she beamed at Theo as she muddled him up a mojito.
Kigali is a city that has had more to come back from than practically any other on the continent, including some like Mogadishu in Somalia and Juba in South Sudan that have yet to pull it together. But over the past 25 years, and specifically over the last decade, Kigali has been transformed – by president Paul Kagame, by new laws and policies, and primarily by the people who live there – into what may be the most inviting city in Africa.
Read more here
Source: BBC.com
