2nd MALTA GUINNESS ‘STREET DANCE’ COMPETITION HITS TOWNS

By Niyi Tabiti

Last Year, www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com covered the first edition of Malta Guinness Street Dance in different states in Nigeria.It was great fun seeing young Nigerians with great potentials coming out to realise their dreams. The second edition is almost here and Malta Guinness brand has already announced they plan to take the contest to great heights this year.

According to Guinness "The excitement and ‘Top of the World’ feelings which characterized the debut of the Malta Guinness ‘Street Dance’ competition, last year, will again be pervading the whole country, this year, as the multi award winning non alcoholic brand, Malta Guinness, from the stable of Nigeria’s foremost beverage company, Guinness Nigeria Plc. Malta Guinness announces the launch of the second edition of the highly successful celebration of Nigerian dance talents.

Malta Guinness street dance is a concept which the brand organized to find the best dancers in Nigeria and give them the opportunity to dance their way to the very top of the world, it’s the search for Nigeria’s newest street dance talent following the runaway success of last year’s competition

As a listening brand, the 2009 edition will be bigger and broader with the brand extending the excitement and color of the second edition, which will be hitting the country in March, with the number of regional activations growing to seven from five last year.

This edition of the Malta Guinness, ‘Street Dance’ competition will start with regional events holding in the following cities namely: Jos, where the event is expected to kick off in March and then Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, Benin, Enugu Owerri, Ibadan and of course Lagos where different dance crews will be contesting for a shot to be the Nigerian ambassadors on the world stage as well as a chance at the over 13 million naira available in cash money through the competition.

We expect a minimum of 80 crews of 6 (male and female) from the seven cities and its environs which will host the Malta Guinness Street Dance Competition, who will battle through the screening stages to get a slot among the 10 regional finalist who will in turn do street dance Naija style at the regional finals for a ticket to be a the national event which is slated for June in Lagos. Nigeria’s street dance champions will then step unto the world stage in Kenya against 8 other countries including, Ghana, Tanzania, Cameroun, Kenya, USA, UK, Asia and France.

Last year, Soul Quest, the highly creative and entertaining dance crew from Kaduna emerged the national winner and represented Nigeria in the Pan African competition, which Nigeria hosted closing in second place at a keenly competitive event, the call was so close that the Naija team got a ticket to be at the world event.

The international event this year is scheduled for Kenya and we call on all Nigerians to step unto the plate and support the emerging Nigeria team as we step out to teach the rest of the world how to dance!!

From 9^th March 2009 dance crews of six people in Jos and all the other host cities can go to the designated recruitment centers where leaflets and demonstration videos will be available to give more information on what is needed to take part.

Our judges this year remain our very own Kaffy, Wale Rubber and Frank who are dance authorities and they will be taking this show on the road from March until the curtain drops.

The challenge is out on the streets for the “most incredible crews out of Naija” to enlist in the search for the champions of dance in Nigeria and key elements of the judging criteria will include, creativity, originality and Relevance to NAIJA. Dance crews that prove they are the smoothest movers and shakers will be selected to represent Nigeria at the International Finals, which is coming to Africa for the very first time in 2009. Dancers will be flown to join counterparts from the United States, Europe and Asia for a vibrant contest where only one crew can take the Malta Guinness Street Dance Internationals title. This competition will truly showcase the best in Nigerian dance talent to the world.

This year’s entrants will enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they seek fame and fortune by dancing to the top of the world. Dance crews will stand a chance to win a chunk of the 13 million naira in cash prizes, get the opportunity to work with Nigeria’s best dance choreographers and professional stylists, take home exclusive merchandise, delicious tasting Malta Guinness and a DVD of their performances on stage.

Malta Guinness will be celebrating the energy and vitality of Nigeria’s dancers with an exciting entertainment showcase bringing 13 weeks of exciting TV programmes to our television sets at prime time showing on NTA network, AIT network, Galaxy amongst others, giving every Nigerian the opportunity to cheer their favorite crew to the top of the ladder. Audience members will also have the chance to show their support for their favorite dance crew as they watch Nigeria’s brightest stars begin their path to stardom.

More so, this year’s edition is beautifully spiced with an exciting national consumer promotion giving consumers millions of more reasons to share goodness as they win FULL crates of Malta Guinness instantly by collecting 5 crowns marked M.G.S.D.A meaning Malta Guinness Street Dance Africa. 8 families get a chance to enjoy the good life at a fully paid weekend trip for four at the prestigious protea hotel Lagos and the big one an all expense VIP trip to Kenya for 4 to see the international finals and also visit the safari. Other consolation prizes include Ipods, home theater systems and LCD TV sets.

Malta Guinness is the Nigeria’s premium soft drink that energizes you to feel your best. With a uniquely great taste and packed with the finest quality natural ingredients, vitamins, iron and nutrients to provide that top of the world goodness, Malta Guinness ensures that you have that ‘Top of the World’ feeling.

For further information on Malta Street Dance Africa go to www.mgstreetdanceafrica.com

PRESS RELEASE:ZAIN SPONSORS AFRICA'S LARGEST CULTURAL FESTIVAL (FESPACO) ...BI-ANNUAL EVENT SEEKS TO ENHANCE AFRICAN CINEMA LOCALLY AND ABROAD

Zain, the leading African and Middle East mobile operator announces its sponsorship of the popular Pan African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) held in Burkina Faso. The bi-annual festival is the biggest regular cultural event on the African continent and it focuses on African film and African filmmakers. First held in 1969, this year is the 40th anniversary of FESPACO and runs from 28 February to 7 March, 2009 beginning with a large opening spectacular in Stade du 4-aout, the national stadium in Ouagadougou.
The festival has evolved into an internationally recognised and respected event not only on the African continent but in the world at large. Specifically for African film industry professionals offering them the chance to establish relationships, exchange ideas, and ultimately promote their work, FESPACO’s overall aim is to “contribute to the expansion and development of African cinema as means of expression, education, and awareness-raising.”

Speaking about the sponsorship, Zain’s Chief Commercial Officer Tito Alaiaid “We are very excited to be part of such a huge initiative. This sponsorship is directly in line with Zain’s commitment of supporting and promoting local arts and culture throughout Africa. We believe in the potential Africa possesses in this area and will continue to do all we can to help support individuals and groups involved.”
Zain is the exclusive sponsor of the festival. Within the sponsorship package Zain will be the exclusive supplier of mobile phone services for the festival as well as branding at the stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies and in a large tent at the cultural centre where the movies will be projected.
Over the years Zain has sponsored many cultural and educational events across the African continent such as the historic international concert celebrating Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday in London, sponsorship of the first MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs), and through a partnership with Ericsson and the Earth Institute they have signed a deal to provide mobile communications and internet connectivity to the Millennium Villages Project which covers up to 400,000 people in 10 sub-Saharan African countries. Additionally, Zain sponsors the popular televised university game show Zain Africa Challenge which reaches an audience of millions across eight countries on the continent.
Also coinciding with the 20th anniversary for the African Film Library of Ouagadougou, this year’s FESPACO has "African cinema: tourism and cultural heritage" as the theme. The official competition is open to feature films, short films and documentaries and is exclusively reserved for African and diaspora films. The diaspora competition is reserved for feature films made by filmmakers from the diaspora. Additionally Zain in partnership with RFI and BBC, is sponsoring a special prize worth two million CFA francs (US$4000) will be given to the winners
This year the festival will pay tribute to Ousmane Sembene, doyen of African filmmakers and pioneer of FESPACO, who passed away on 9 June 2007. He was one of the pioneers of African movie industry and a regular of FESPACO endeavouring to promote FESPACO and to unite filmmakers across the continent for the development of African cinema.

PHOTOS FROM STAR ACTRESS, INI EDO WHITE WEDDING IN HOUSTON,TX,USA ON SATURDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2009

Story: Niyi Tabiti
Photo Credit & acknowledgment: Segun Gele, Angela Igbinadolor Cooper & Elizabeth Erhumwusee

Contrary to news report that Nollywood star actress and her man, Phillip Ehiagwina are still planning to hold their white wedding, authoritative sources hinted gistmaster that the ceremony had indeed taken place in Houston, United States of America last weekend!

The Pre-wedding party and wedding proper took place on 27 and 28 of February 2009 respectively. At present, Ini is still having a swell time with her man in Houston as felicitations continue to pour for the newly married couple.

Sources hinted that few friends of the Nollywood actress such as Oge Okoye an Emem Isong were at the event to support one of their own.

Their traditional carnival like traditional wedding ceremony had earlier taken place in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria (Click here to read Ini Edo is pregnant)
The wedding appears to be the final nail needed to seal their relationship, which went through turbulence over allegations and counter allegations of infidelity between Phillip and his ex-wife, Ruth Okoro.
 click here to see latest stories,colourful pages and events!

URE OKEZIE SAYS SHE NEVER MARRIED SOUL E IN THE FIRST PLACE!+LETTERS FROM READERS

GISTMASTER,

What is going on in the Nigerian entertainment world? I love reading your blog from time to time because it keeps me abreast of what is happening back home. Somehow i am not finding the gist that Soul E and his wife Ure are no longer together, funny at all.Rumour mongers said their romance has packed up.
Please let us know the true state of things.If it is true, then I think the fact that Soul E married a woman that is about 11 years older than him worked against the whole thing.That is the African mentality.I married a woman that is 5 years older and we have been living together for more than 8 years now without having problems.
More power to ur elbow.
K-BIZ

REPLY: Thanks so much. I was chatting with a friend of mine the other day over the same issue and she made a remark that "Soul E don blow Ure money finish e wan run!" Well, it is true that the two of them are no longer an item as they usd to be in parties. Those who like them so much are praying for them to come back. Ure has confirmed the gist that they are no longer together.In today's ThisDay Newspapers, she was quoted by Seun Opara as saying that they never got married in the first instance. She also stated that what they did was only receive blessings from Soul E's father who happens to be a pastor and that both families agreed to the relationship. That means they only co-habited before things decided to fall apart. Ure only said she has apologised to Reverend Chris Okotie in the spirit of reconcilliation.
Their union was widely criticized because Ure was much older and richer than Emmanuel Okose popularly known as Soul E.Well,story of love is like a movie, they might conquer their problems and re-united!Nothing is impossible.

LETTER 2:Dear Reader, if you are the woman that sent me a letter concerning your two friends in Nigeria. I can assist but I don't know how to get back to you since you said the request should not be posted. You can email me and I will get back to you.My email is - niyitabiti@yahoo.com

LETTER 3: Dear Okike , you said you want to have more info about the Making of the Next Supermodel in Nigeria. Well,the casting would now hold at Idea Media office 32 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island,Lagos. The form is N6,000 (Naira). You can also contact Jumoke on- 08062340664

LETTER 4: Opeyemi, thanks for your note and I pray that Baba God will continue to bless anyone that wants the progress of Nigeria. I will publish the full text of your message very soon an i know that others would be encouraged. You made my day!!!

IT MAHEEDA'S TIME TO ROCK

She is bubbling for international recognition.Maheeda, a native of Auchi, Edo State told gistmaster that she is set to become the next big thing in the Nigerian music industry. However,she needs the support she can get from inside and outside the industry to the place of her dream.
Maheeda,who told us she is running things with ID Cabasa and other notable names in the entertainment industry, says she would reveal more on her career later.
Can she do it?Lets watch!!!

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Toni Payne Mineral Powder Foundation comes in a stylish 30 gram jar and retails for N2500 and can be found at http://www.tonipayneng.com.

ALTHOUGH WE HAVE 18 WONDERFUL SHADES, WE ONLY HAVE THE FOLLOWING SHADES AVAILABLE IN NIGERIA: WM, WMD, WLB, WB, WDB, NM, ND, CMD, CD

Happy weekend