Help Revive Accra's Rex Cinema

This post was originally going to be titled "Two Ghanaian Projects You Should Support on Kickstarter" or something more interesting around those lines. It was going to be a call to support DUST Africa's and then Akosua Adomaa Owusu's projects they have put up on kickstarter. The title had to change because I found out while writing this that the former's funding had been cancelled due to an inability to reach their goal at the end of the set target of 15 days. Rather sad if you ask me. I love what they do at DUST and even had a subscription to the free magazine. I do hope they find a way to achieve their goals soon though.

What you have to do right now is to support the move to Save The Rex. The 'why you should support Akosua Adoma's project' has been very well laid out by her on her kickstater page here. She's looking to raise $8000 revive The Rex Cinema.

But why do I think you should support her if you can? Because I was at the premiere of her film Kwaku Ananse at the Alliance Francais in Accra. Not only was the film beautiful but the event she put together was awesome. What more could one ask for when Agya Koo Nimo and his band performs at a film premiere as such? I could go on and on about how awesome the day was. I actually sat through the drizzle with my date ;) 

Simple and short, Akosua is going to do a damn good job if she meets the target.(and it's not like I even know her personally)

The other reason? Because the arts industry in Accra and Ghana needs places like Rex Cinema to function for it to go a step further. Have you ever thought of how boring Accra can get sometimes?(especially when you have to make a choice for a hangout or just an outing?) There are very few interesting things to do. With places like Rex Cinema functioning, there will be a wider variety of events to choose from and opportunities for young artists to show their work.

Lest I forget. If this revival of the Rex doesn't happen it stands the chance been sold soon and been converted into a warehouse or some other business. You wouldn't want that? Would you?

Let's cut the chase chale. Damn The Man, Save The Rex, if you can.


UPDATE!!!
OKAY! This morning, @DUSTAfrica replied my tweet.

@ofoli_kwei Nope! Not cancelled, new campaign => http://t.co/fJaG6gsmwf Please share:-)
— DUSTmagazine (@DUSTAfrica) October 18, 2013

So it looks like we could go back to the old heading now. As to why you should support DUST, it is also very well laid on their kickstarter page. Another reason is the cool behind people behind it and because like they put like to put it;
"There is no one place online where you can find reliable and current information written by the region's opinion leaders about current affairs, nor is there any place where pop culture gurus can go to find out what is bubbling in Africa's cultural pot."

Photos: Jamestown Lighthouse

During Chale Wote 2013, I took several shots of the Jamestown lighthouse.Here are a few. The Jamestown Lighthouse was built by the British at James Fort in 1871 and stands at 93 ft (28 m) tall with a visibility of 16 nautical miles (30 km). You just can't miss it if you drive through Jamestown on the Accra High Street.

Agya Koo Nimo is a Legend

The National Theatre of Ghana is 20 years old. As part of activities to celebrate, the theatre in collaboration with Roverman Productions and Openemma Productions have planned events to celebrate various legends in the arts in Ghana. Agya Koo Nimo was the first to be celebrated and his event took place this past weekend(Saturday and Sunday). I was at the Sunday event with a friend.

I don't know much about music but it was quite clear to me that what happened on Sunday night was some sort of musical magic. Agya Koo Nimo with his Adadam Agofomma played along the National Symphony Orchestra, the Ghana Police Band and the Tema Youth Choir. That's a fuse of palm-wine high-life, orchestral, regimental and choral music; which according to the host has never been done before. I was quite pleased to be there.

Since the very first time I watched Agya Koo Nimo and his Adadam Agofomma perform at the premiering of Akosua Adoma's Kweku Ananse short film, I've been in love. I've heard his music for years, but fell in love because of  his story telling skills and wisdom. He introduces every song he performs with an often serious life lesson filled and yet humorous story. I'm still struggling with my self to figure out which of his stories is my favorite; whether it is the one about the 1962 bad winter in London or about the 90 year old granddad planting a coconut farm or the one about Socrates and his quarrelsome wife. The ensemble performed ten songs as scheduled but did a few encores for the intrigued audience. Here's the list of songs performed on the night.
Akokɔ bɔn
Owusu Semamma
Naa Densua
Osammarima (Fiera mmone kɔ)
Aburokyire Abrabɔ 
Yare yɛ ya
Otuo Akyeampong
Akora Dua Kobe
Okomfo Anokye

I left the National Theatre with a greater appreciation and respect for Agya Koo Nimo, his band and the National Symphony Orchestra. Ghana needs to pay more attention to the arts chale.