Happy Birthday, Ghana!
Celebrate Ghana's 50th year of independence this weekend at venues across London and catch live acts Wutah and Praye from Ghana.
On 6 March 2007 Ghana will celebrate her 50th year of independence. There are lots of Ghana-themed events and parties held this week and throughout the year such is the significance of this date: Ghana was the first Black African country to gain independence and this was also instrumental in helping other African countries become independent. In London Ghanaians represent one of the largest and oldest West African communities, so let’s check out two of the events taking place this Saturday, 10 March 2007 , in the capital: the Ghana Black Stars Network’s Ghana 57-07 at Porchester Hall (with an after party Prohibition) and the Golden Jubilee Anniversary Independence Celebration Dance at Stratford Rex .
Ghana Black Stars Network’s Ghana 57-07 at Porchester Hall & Prohibition, London, 10 March 2007
Ghana 57-07 (endorsed by the Ghana High Commission) is an evening of food, entertainment and recognition, hosted by BBC Radio 1/1Xtra's Ras Kwame and singer/songwriter NaNa . The main part of the event takes place at Porchester Hall , Porchester Road, Bayswater, London W2 5HS (www.porchesterhall.co.uk / 020 7792 2823, nearest tubes Royal Oak, Bayswater and Queensway). Doors open at 4pm and the audience can check out an exhibition of the works and wares of Ghanaian artists and relevant businesses. At 7pm dinner will be served and the main entertainment will commence. There will be musical performances will be by UK soul legend Omar (performing a track from one of his album entitled 'Ghana Emotion'), the Mitchell Bros (performing an exclusive track which will serve as a preview to the 'Ghana All Stars' album released later this year), and Praye (a popular Hip Life act from Ghana who will perform their massive hits 'Shordy' and 'Run Run Somethings').
Other attractions will be the Boy Blue Dance Troop , a fashion show, the Recognition awards and keynote speeches from Henry Bonsu and others. All profits will be donated to the Danny Whyte & Ivan Burford trust (www.dwib.org ). The DWIB was formed with the aim to increase awareness of leukaemia in Africa and to create access to effective diagnostic and treatment resources. Most of all, it aims to set up Sub-Saharan Africa's first Bone Marrow register at the Korle Bu teaching hospital in Ghana.
The show will end at midnight and then guests can head to the after party (10pm-3am) which will take place Prohibition , 1 Bishopsgate, London with DJs Alordia , excelENTS (Ment2Excel) , Itchy & Lush , Rawheed Ent playing the best in Hip-Life, High-Life, Soul, Reggae and more.
Tickets are £60 (for the main event plus the after party) or £10 (for the after party only). For more info and tickets please call 07904 132 180 or 07950 125 002 or log on to www.ghanablackstarsnetwork.com .
Golden Jubilee Anniversary Independence Celebration Dance at Stratford Rex Music Arena, London, 10 March 2007
Rich Promotions and Akwaaba will be hosting a massive event set to take place at Stratford Rex Music Arena , 361-375 High Street Stratford E15 on Saturday, 10 March 2007, from 9pm – 6am.
There will be PAs by British-born Ghanaian artist and MOBO award winner Lethal B , performing tracks from his new album set for release later this year, as well as MOBO award winner Sway and The Fire Camp . Also, from Ghana, performing will be Wutah (‘Big Dreams’, one of their hits, has become one of the biggest reggae hits out of Ghana, making them one of the hottest groups from Africa), Praye , KK Fosu and Akatakyie .
DJs on the night will be Jiggs , Masterstepz , Radical D , Exhale Sound , French Kiss , DJ Face , Cold as Ice , Alordia & Skoobi and many more.
Also taking place on the night will be the first ever Face of Ghana competition, where six ladies and six gentlemen will be called from the crowd and one will become Face of Ghana. Other attractions include best kente outfit competition, Sleek Hair show and a Cultural Dance Troupe. The dress code is traditional or smart (no jeans, hoodies, caps or trainers).
Tickets cost £15 or £25 (VIP) in advance and more on the door. For further information or to book a ticket call 07944 364 992 or log onto www.richpromotions.co.uk .