Mighty be our Powers by Leymah Gbowee

We could all learn a great deal from Leymah Gbowee and the ordinary Liberian women like her who protested peacefully for the peace that their finally achieved. More than anything else I think this book, her memoirs, teaches us that you do not have to be out of the ordinary to make extraordinary achievements.

Throughout her account of how she came to be the Peace Activist and the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize recipient we know today, she tells recounts how she stumbled and continues to stumble. She made bad choices, had numerous failings, and was often close to losing hope. Above all else her story is incredibly empowering because through her life story, we see that things are possible. If we organise and work together, even the most powerless in society can stand up to the most powerful. She touches on issues which would seem obvious to the outside world but are so often overlooked by the many humanitarian programmes set up by the United Nations or International NGOs. Whether its disarmament programmes or election monitoring, the need for meaningful collaboration with people on the ground, who are in the communities we all so desperately want to 'save' is invaluable.

Mighty be our Powers should be on the required reading list for every humanitarian actor and election observer going to work in the field. The methods adopted by peace builders like Ms Gbowee are simple yet effective. They achieved more with limited resources than the heavily-funded peacekeeping missions, NGOs who continue to reinvent the same broken wheel or internationally-backed tribunals have been able to do with millions of dollars and years of work.I'm sure there's more to come from this formidable feminist because as she herself tells us in the final chapter, the story is not yet over!

Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman

If it were possible to give this book zero stars, I would. Although the premise behind it is interesting and novel enough- looking at the troubled marginalized youth in London's inner city from their own perspective - the execution was atrocious. I can't recall the last time I skipped through so many pages of a book. 


The idea of the eleven year old as narrator works for the first few pages. Then, as 'yout speak' does, it just starts to grate on you. What I found ironic was that the book received such praise for being 'a realistic portrayal' .....of who or what I thought. While I don't doubt that Kelman did his research, I still believe both he and those writing in praise of the book, give him far more credit than he deserves. 


I felt no more empathy for these troubled inner city kids with nicknames like Killa and X-Fire than I did before reading the book. Kelman also misses the mark with the main character. There are times when Harri says things that are completely out of character for an 11 year old- at times he sounds like the grown man writing the story or like a 5 year old child who's endearing but whose train of thoughts is all over the place. The narrative sounded too often like an adult trying to imitate a child. 


The book's ending and link to certain social issues made it seem far more important and interesting than it was. Some readers said they found the book disturbing but then what? Being disturbed by an issue doesn't propel us to action so rather than show us something we don't already know, Kelman is yet another observer of what David Cameron et al term 'broken Britain' My verdict- Great concept, poor execution.

Can I buy you dinner?

I keep getting approached by random men in the streets with this question and it's not an unusual thing to ask in itself but each time it's said with such gusto that I'm beginning to think there's more to the question than meets the eye.

So walking down the street in Brooklyn, random hispanic guy wearing a vest (yes as in undergarment type vest) stops to ask me for my name and number, the first he gets, the second...ah not so much. As I try being firm but polite and walking away with 'sorry I have to go', it seems like he decides this is the right moment for him to play his trump card so he says 'I'd like to buy you dinner'. Then he waits expectantly as though I'm going to say 'oh well when you put it that way...ofcourse you can have my number'. In my head ofcourse 'I'm thinking I doubt you can feed yourself let alone me'. But once again my mama raised me right so I smile politely, say thank you but no thank you and walk away.

Fast forward a few similar encounters to today as I'm walking down Fifth avenue, I get accosted by a guy wearing an awful awful (no that's not a typo I said it twice because that's how bad it was) check jacket, dark pink shirt and what we Londoners would refer to as 'dodgy' trousers. He offers me his business card which I scan quickly; he's an image consultant - well what do you know? He apologies for stopping me, and clarifies that he doesn't think I need his service but...wait for it....'I'd like to buy you dinner'...this is said ofcourse in a 'wannabe-smooth-debonair-I-mean-what-I-say' way which I suspect is meant to have the effect of me doing cartwheels - and screaming 'dinner? really me?...oh thank you thank you!' Fortunately for him and me, he doesn't wait for my response, no doubt confident that I will be calling that number for that dinner....after all when was the last time a man offered to buy me dinner? ..last week?...oh yes, ofcourse...I forget.

I admit that perhaps I'm harder to please now that I'm older and more jaded or maybe I just missed the memo that went around about women all gagging for men to buy them dinner. I'm hoping the men who read this will take heed - by all means offer to buy a woman dinner but don't say like you just told her you were about to fly her to venice in a private jet. Really dude, its just dinner and how do I know you're not going to suggest some 'all you can eat' hole in the wall anyway?

Fly Virgin - you'll love it

As a young student travelling around the world on borrowed money (think credit cards and student loans) some 15 years ago, I fell in love with Virgin Atlantic. I remember travelling with Virgin to New York in Economy and for once not feeling short-changed by an airline simply because Business Class was out of my reach. I find that most airlines make economy passengers feel like they've drawn the short straw with bad service, terrible food and impatient and highly irritable cabin crew members. Virgin Atlantic was and still is a class apart.
The staff are polite and helpful, the food is delicious and identifiable (no small feat believe me). On a recent flight I had a beef casserole and was dreading being presented with brown slodge with lumpy bits but instead I got chunks of beef and vegetables that I could actually chew. For me the most impressive thing about flying Virgin is the incredible choice you get with their in-flight entertainment. From countless movies to tv shows, documentaries, music playlists for all tastes and genres. There were atleast two Nigerian films on the in-flight programme as well as ofcourse some Bollywood and numerous Hollywood blockbusters.

When I think of Virgin Atlantic, I think of a company that takes customer service seriously; no effort is spared to make you feel special whether you paid $500 for your ticket or $5000. Each time I've  flown with Virgin, I've been adequately fed and watered - with an incredibly wide choice of soft and hard drinks, regular rounds of snacks, filling main meals that look like something you'd make at home or eat in a restaurant, they even serve Gü deserts now and ofcourse while you watch your films, there's the round of delicious icecream. This time they even finished with a sweet treat of lovehearts at the end of the flight as we were landing, which both reminded me of my childhood and why I LOVE flying Virgin. As I left the plane I felt more than happy to part with my spare change for their charity, I like to think of it as a tip for great service.

An eight hour flight on Virgin Atlantic just seems to whizz by which makes me think that if I ever find myself booking a 20 hour flight to some far flung place it will have to be with Virgin, the airline that's definitely got it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbib-A6NpW8&playnext=1&list=PLB3F886FFE1802B04

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars on tour

I saw the Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars perform for the first time last night at The Bell House in Brooklyn and they brought the house down! The audience which was very mixed and included some Sierra Leoneans rocked from the moment they came on stage until their final encore performance. They had us doing their version of the 'electric slide' - to the left - to the left - to the right-to the right-go down- go down-come up-come up. Some of us were a little worried that our lack of fitness may not allow us to come back again but we still obliged as this was not a 'sit and watch' type concert, and the Refugee All Stars were determined to give us our money's worth and leave us wanting more.

The band which was formed by a group of Sierra Leonean musicians when they lived in a refugee camp in Guinea during the conflict, played for over two hours, giving us a taster of their various music styles, from roots reggae to Sierra-Leonean palm-wine music, to soca, to soukous. Although the Bob Marley and Lucky Dube influence is evident, the band is authentically Sierra Leonean and their music although heavily influenced by these great stars does not imitate anyone.
The band members represent four ethnic groups in Sierra Leone, the Mende, Temne, Loko and Krio and they sing in those four languages. They play a range of instruments from the traditional african bongo drum to the shegure (a traditional Sierra Leonean instrument made from a calabash and stringed beads) while at the same time mastering conventional instruments like the acoustic guitar, keyboard and the drums.

Their talent is evident but more so what makes them an enjoyable band to watch live is their energy and their desire to entertain. You could tell that they were enjoying themselves as much as the audience, even more so. Each band member had their turn doing some dance moves reminiscent of a Soul train line. Black Nature, being the youngest was the most impressive with his upside down gyrate - you have to see it to believe it.

The band is finishing their tour of the USA, with perfomances in Massachusetts and Colarodo before heading to Europe. Catch them if you can, you will not be disappointed. Alternatively you can pick up their new album which has received excellent reviews: Rise & Shine

USA tour dates
Sun May 29 The Beachcomber Wellfleet, MA
Sat Jun 04 Red Rocks Amphitheatre - Opening for DISPATCH, Morrison, CO
Sat Jun 11 Johnny D's Somerville, MA
Europe tour dates
Fri Jun 17 Festival Sol Mestizo Albacete, Spain
Sat Jun 18 Festival Mundial Tilburg, Netherlands
Sun Jun 19 Africa OyŽ Festival Liverpool, United Kingdom
Wed Jun 22 World Refugee Day Celebrations Hull, United Kingdom
Fri Jun 24 La Nuit Africaines Ottignies, Belgium

The Book of Negroes or Someone knows my name

Let me say upfront that the Book of Negroes, by Lawrence Hill, is the winner of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best Book in 2008; and my overall view is that it is an ambitious piece, written in a meticulous way, and with admirable story telling skills and about a subject needs telling. I would recommend it.


It did take me a while to finish though, because my enthusiasm waxed and waned – and here is why:

While apparently historically accurate, as evidenced from the referenced material – which can be checked; in over four “books” it covers life in Africa and the middle passage; slavery in the Carolinas and east coast; life of freed slaves in Nova Scotia and return to Freetown, Sierra Leone. The primary plot device that allows us to move from one space to another is that Aminata Diallo is writing her life story, which she is documenting for the abolitionist movement in the UK.

In trying to cover several aspects of the slave narrative however, the author, Lawrence Hill, perhaps reaches beyond what is plausible in one too many instances. For example, the story of capture and the middle passage provides a rich understanding of the absolute inhumane treatment of Africans; but this is seen ostensibly through the eyes of an eleven year old girl. Some of her observations are altogether too adult, and seem more as a means of putting forward the authors’ and historical views on the slave trade – rather than inhabiting the character of a child whose world has been torn asunder. Similarly, the narration of life on the slave plantation while brutal and nasty uses questionable plot devices that see Aminata rapidly learning English, reading and writing, and moving on to becoming a bookkeeper to allow us to move into the world of the slave owner in the South.

Mr. Hill also inserts a curious scene of homosexual activity during the middle passage – for which there is not further mention over the course of the next 300 pages – the characters pretty much disappear. One can only assume that it is designed to make the oft made point by activists that such practice is not an import to Africa, but existed prior to the advent of Europeans or others. A better treatment of the subject would have perhaps been more useful than the random incident.

In marrying fiction with historical facts, the book tended towards a self conscious and in some places, contrived, narrative designed to educate on the issues of slavery; the abolitionist movement; African homeopathy and a broad range of other topics that is at once engrossing, but at the same time seemingly too much to rest on the story of one woman’s life. While I enjoyed The Book of Negroes (otherwise published as Someone Knows My Name), I was at times irritated by the authors need to include so much.

Lastly, the plot seems one written in a way that could easily translate into a television mini-series – very much reminiscent of Roots and others of that genre. While this is not a negative, it does present some characters that appear one dimensional, who burst on to the scene and then disappear in a very facile manner.

So in the end, I felt more as though I had taken a whirlwind journey by an able curator through the history of slavery; rather than read an intimate narrative of one woman's singular journey through what was a collective experience. Someone Knows My Name: A Novel

The memory of love

It took me a while to get into this book I must admit. I was excited when I got it and particularly loved the image on the cover and having read Ancestor's Stones, I couldn't wait to read what followed. The fact that the novel is set in Freetown, Sierra Leone was also a plus for me as a Sierra Leonean. However as I read through the early chapters, I found it hard to become engrossed in the novel. At times it read like an academic text, packed with imagery and detail which in attempting to set the context often times loses the reader because it's so convoluted. There is no doubt this novel is well-researched and clearly deserving of gracing the numerous award shortlists, however speaking as a reader who loves a good story, sometimes I think less is more.

As someone who is from the country the book is set in, I found the setting and characters interesting though not always believable. There are certain cultural subtleties that Ms. Forna misses in her depiction of Sierra Leoneans, given that it is a work of fiction, I appreciate that there has to be some leeway, nonetheless I think that most Sierra Leoneans reading this book will question a few of her literary choices. For instance, the dynamics of different ethnic groups; one can make the assumption that the main character Elias Cole is a Krio who marries a non-Krio, perhaps a Temne and has a daughter whose name sounds Fulani. Though not impossible, it's highly unlikely that a Krio man would give his daughter a name that reflects neither his nor his wife's ethnicity. Also the fact that Elias Cole has no 'people' - throughout the novel I couldn't help but question where are his people, in a society where the norm is for people to live with their extended family, here is a man whose only relation is with his house help. These are perhaps subtleties that only someone from the country will appreciate and while they do not carry a great deal of weight, the novel loses a little bit of its credibility as a depiction of a real country in a real time period.

I admit it may be overly simplistic to say so but I've never understood the choice of authors to make their protagonist an anti-hero, I can't help but think why waste your first person narrative on someone who the reader is not going to like. The main character, Elias Cole in The Memory of Love is thoroughly unlikeable, he does not seem to have a single redeeming quality. Even his love/lust for his friend's wife evokes no sympathy from us as he's seen as sneaky, deceitful, almost preying on her. His relationship with his daughter which could be a way of making Elias more human, flawed but with some positive character traits, is tainted by an unforgiveable act which he has committed in her childhood and for which she refuses to forgive him. I get the impression that the author is both judge and jury in the novel - according to an interview she gives promoting the book, the character of Elias came about as she questioned how it is that some people not only survive adversity but seem to thrive from it. As a result the reader is asked to judge Elias as she judges him or people like him. Yet for those who have been through adversities, in particular war, I'm certain their stories are far from straightforward - I suspect there is an element of a desire to survive in all of us which can make us act in a less than honourable manner.

The story of war, and its aftermath is dealt with in a way I think that doesn't make it 'yet another account of an African country's brutal past'. The question of post-war trauma is cleverly addressed and raises questions that are rarely raised in particular about how post-conflict countries address the mental health issue. However I don't agree with the 'neat analysis' of Sierra Leoneans as being unwilling to talk about their experiences, certainly in the case of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee and the Special Court for Sierra Leone; unlike many other post-conflict societies, victims were willing to open up and talk about their experiences, however gruesome. By stark contrast to Rwandans dealing with the aftermath of the genocide, Sierra Leoneans were quite open and expressive and talked freely about the war except perhaps where cultural taboos prevented them from doing so.

I think The Memory of Love is well-written, Aminatta Forna is a meticulous storyteller and the novel is enjoyable and informative.
The Memory of Love

Let Freedom Reign

The first time I saw Chrisette Michele and heard her beautiful voice was on an episode of the sitcom Girlfriends in 2008. I remember thinking at the time what a beautiful voice and woman, her voice is so uique and she sings like someone who is much older than her years....the singer only turned 28 last December.

Her debut album 'I am' was released in 2007 and the second Epiphany in 2009 whose title track is so stunning, it's like an eye-opener in itself. When I first heard it, I remember thinking now if only I was armed with this single when I was young, I'm sure there would have been fewer heartaches. It seems that whatever Chrisette Michele is singing, she does it with such powerful feeling that every word of it means something and resonates with her audience.

Let Freedom Reign was released in the UK at the end of January and although I've had my copy since then, I couldn't tear myself away from it long enough to write a review....until now..nearly a month later. Like the other albums, this is a gem. I wouldn't say she's evolved or matured because this woman seems to have been born with musical wisdom. Her voice is raspy, jazzy, she writes songs that embrace emotional and personal strength. No weeping over a lost love for Ms Michele, thank you very much.

My favourite track is 'I'm a star' closely followed by 'Goodbye Game'. For me it has the effect Epiphany had when I first heard it and watched the video...it just hits a nerve and makes me want to belt out the words whether in the comfort of my car or my bedroom...preferably when I'm alone. Lines like 'rain starts pouring and it wont stop....let my self drown no I will not, smile on my pretty mug, I get right back on my horse and I giddy-up' are just priceless.

For those of us who are lovers of real soul and jazz music of the 50s, 60s even 70s....it feels like there are finally artists to celebrate - who are true musicians. Chrisette not only sings beautifully, she also writes music and plays the piano. She is the cutest breath of fresh air and I for one can't wait to see her live in concert. Until then I will content myself with listening to Let Freedom Reign on repeat....well maybe I'll mix it up with Epiphany and I am as well.


Let Freedom Reign

Why I hate Valentine's day

I hate Valentine’s day. I really do. But please don’t blame me or assume it's because I’m unloved or bitter. I am none of these things and if you don’t want to take my word for it, feel free to ask my gorgeous husband.


I just hate the fact that this day….whose origin no one seems to know or care about, is rammed down our throats every year. Some of us are still recovering from the Xmas splurge, and already we’re being told to pay twice as much as we normally would for red roses, and to spend money on oversized tacky cards written by people who didn't quite make it as writers. And all this leads up to the next commercial splurge that is Easter…or is it Mother’s day.

The concept of celebrating love is noble enough but I think what I hate about Valentine’s day is the mass-brainwash that seems to take over all of us…men, women, black, white, Christian, Jewish, Muslim. At least at Christmas there’s some comfort in knowing that we can escape the turkey by visiting our Muslim friends or even pretend to be Jewish when a busybody asks why we haven’t bought any presents for our children. Yet with V-day, there's no escape and everyone seems to be so comfortable putting on this display of ‘commercialised’ romance. How it annoys me!

I think when I was a teenager, I was excited by the prospect of getting a card which was probably from the class nerd but which I pretended came from the school’s most popular boy. I took the phrase ‘Ignorance is bliss’ to a whole new level. Since then I’ve matured and become a lot more cynical.

Yes I believe in romance but it annoys me to think I have to put it on for one day. Fortunately my husband feels the same way but there’s still the pressure from friends and family and society in general. Already I’ve been asked by a colleague if I got flowers this morning. I'm inclined to email my husband at work and say don’t you dare buy me flowers today and can we please leave the cards out this year, but I know he’ll also have to give an account of what he bought his wife. And then my family will come round at the weekend and wonder why there are no red cards on display. Urgghhhhh! I hate being bullied, coerced into this stupid day. Why can’t I be an Anti-Valentiner in peace? Honestly I am happy and in love but I just don’t see why Hallmark or Thornton’s should get my money today. I’ll be happy to oblige on other days….just not today…..and certainly not because they say so!

Does anyone know of a religion that forbids its followers to observe Valentine’s Day? If so please send details my way….I feel a conversion underway.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

This book should come with a warning along the lines of 'This is a self-help book' or 'Not for the non-spiritual'. I read it for a book club and out of the 14 members, only 3 of us enjoyed the book and or rated it above a three out of five. I suspect the likes of Oprah and Madonna, both massive fans of the book may regard the unimpressed simply as unenlightened.
The book-clubbers however who were not keen on the book cited a number of concerns; a primary one was that the story was too simple, another was that the message that we are all masters of our destiny was drummed home a little too much...so much so it felt like being browbeaten with the same message over and over again. The most damning of all comments was that Paulo Coelho is a charlatan....yes a charlatan...a fake, someone who pretends to have certain expertise or knowledge, a synonym would be a quack.
Not only do I think that is an unfair assessment, I think it smears the author as it assigns an ulterior motive to Coelho when he wrote this book. Having read his interview, it's apparent that the author had no idea that this book would be translated into English, let alone become as popular as it has - The Alchemist has been translated into 63 different languages and has sold more than 65 million copies. When the book was first published by a small Brazilian publishing company, it had a print run of just 900 books, after which they decided not to reprint it - they must be kicking themselves right now.
The fact that so many people worldwide have hailed Coelho as a genius, a visionary or an intellectual has nothing to do with the man himself - nor does he determine people's reactions to the book. There are quotes from fans on his blog who describe themselves as his 'disciple' and others who claim to have learnt to follow their dreams after reading this book. I think this simple truth applies to any author who writes for the love of writing or the love of storytelling and is plucked from obscurity to super stardom. No matter how confident they are of their writing ability, it is impossible for them to predict how their work will be received; when J K Rowling sat in an Edinburgh cafe writing Harry Potter - there was no way she could have predicted the huge phenomenon it would become. I don't think Coelho thinks of himself as a visionary and certainly his early works were borne out of his own experiences and his personal evolution - obviously those experiences and beliefs resonated with enough people making this book such a success.

I also think that in order to get something from this book, you have to be in a certain frame of mind. I never read self-help books which is essentially what this book is; I wouldn't describe it as a novel. The story that runs through in my opinion merely acts as a conduit for the teachings or 'wisdom' if you will.

Some critics contend that the story is far too simplistic but The Alchemist is less about the shepherd boy who travels to Egypt to find his treasure and more about the countless themes that recur including the pursuit of happiness, spiritual enlightenment, the meaning or purpose of dreams and Fate. This book makes for a great study text for young people because there is so much to explore within it - for instance the relationship between material wealth and spirituality or the part that organised religion plays in our lives or our pursuit for a singular Truth.

As with every book, more so every self-help book, the messages in The Alchemist will not resonate with everyone, it may be simply down to timing in that person's life or their personality or life experiences. I would recommend reading about The Alchemist before reading The Alchemist and if you find yourself in the right frame of mind or in search of inspiration or simply want to read a piece of work that will constantly ask questions and make you think about life and what you want/get from it, then do pick up a copy. Otherwise I hear there's a new book on the Harry Potter saga coming out soon.
The Alchemist

Asa – Beautiful Imperfection

What an incredible voice and album! I discovered Asa thanks to a Facebook friend and I am truly grateful. I’m in awe of her voice and style and wouldn’t dare try to draw a comparison which reviewers are always so keen to do. She is not the ‘new’ or the ‘next’ anyone, she is simply Asa (pronounced Asha).

Both this album with its stunning cover and the first self-entitled one put this Nigerian French-born artist firmly on the musical map. Apparently she’s well-known and loved in Europe which makes me inclined to think the ‘mainland’ Europeans have better taste than we Brits. She grew up in Nigeria and returned to France where she developed her artistry in Paris playing with artists like the Nubians and Manu Dibango.

She is as versatile as her cultural influences – singing in Yoruba and English mixing genres from soul to jazz which makes it impossible for us to put her in any ‘box’.

Some of the songs like ‘Be my man’, ‘Broda Olé’ and ‘Dreamer girl’ are upbeat and reminiscent of ‘old school’ funk. The conscious ‘Questions’ reminds us that this is an artist who cites Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley and Fela Kuti among her influences; and who has a message to share with her audience that goes beyond cool beats and melodies.

‘The way I feel’ and ‘Preacher man’ are both beautiful and come across as deeply personal tracks. My personal favourite is ‘Baby gone’ which is so beautiful yet so melancholic, the combination of her husky voice and stunning musical arrangement transports you to a beautiful love story, whether real or imaginary.

Beautiful Imperfection is a brilliant album, I’ve yet to hear the imperfections but perhaps I’m just blinded by the incredible talents of Asa.
http://www.asa-official.com/
Beautiful Imperfection

The next three days - a film by Paul Haggis

The premise of the movie is relatively simple. Russell Crowe plays a husband who is driven to the edge when his wife is convicted of murder. The film is directed by Paul Haggis (of Crash fame) and it does not disappoint. The movie’s strength rests squarely on the shoulders of a very strong cast rather than a reliance on special effects or gimmicks as is the case with so many films today.


As his wife’s mental state steadily deteriorates in prison, Russell Crowe’s character sets about fighting the case through all the legal channels culminating in a disheartening appeal to the Supreme Court. With all legal options exhausted, he derives a plan to break her out of prison. Whilst this may seem farfetched, so strong is Russell Crowe’s performance that rather than having to suspend belief, you are utterly convinced by his extraordinary gradual transformation from law abiding “everyman” to a shrewd manipulator and killer.

One of the story’s main strengths is that we are never really sure of the innocence or otherwise of his wife. Elizabeth Banks plays the part with just enough edge and gravitas to keep you guessing. This feature juxtaposed against her husband’s blind belief in her innocence is what creates truly edge of your seat tension. As her husband descends into near insanity, you keep asking yourself whether his enormous sacrifice is all for nothing.

It is also well worth mentioning the supporting cast here. An opening scene in which Russell Crowe and his wife are out for dinner with his brother and brother’s wife, provides a priceless snippet into female dynamics and competitiveness. The brother’s wife played by Moran Atias showcases a fantastic tirade on female dynamics in the workplace. Liam Neeson also features in a brilliant cameo as a truly jaded character who has previously escaped from prison and who provides Russell Crowe’s character with guidelines on how to go about it successfully. Also worthy of note are the parents of Russell Crowe’s character (in particular his father, played by Brian Dennehy) who look after his son. You get the impression they also doubt the innocence of his wife and resent the sacrifices that their son has made as a result of her conviction.

The supporting cast is rounded off by a brilliant ensemble playing the law enforcement officials who are involved in the case. Despite their relatively short screen time their characters are sufficiently well developed that you can empathise with their task and you find yourself rooting for them to catch the fugitives, again, contrary to what you would ordinarily expect yourself to feel.

All credit though must go to Paul Haggis - when he finally reveals what actually transpired it almost does not matter – you have been served up the ultimate love story.

Finally, a movie well worth the £14.50 ticket price!
The Next Three Days

The HKB Finn Ensemble

Seeing the HKB Finn Ensemble reminded me of the power of a live band;  it was phenomenal to hear their mix of different sounds from afro-beat to jazz to roots reggae to afro-cuban and the energy that they elicited from the audience.
To put it simply, spoken word artist HKB Finn writes beautiful music, from the words to the beat to the way he combines his artistic ability with the talents of his band. The sounds were exquisite and moved us to dance, clap and ofcourse sing along. Dealing with contemporary issues and always providing an inspirational messages; to say HKB Finn has a way with words may be stating the obvious but for me that and his ear for smooth yet catchy beats is what makes what he does so unique.
I am someone who is usually sceptical about going to see artists whose work I don't know, nothing quite moves me like being able to sing along to my favourite tune. Yet even though this was my first encounter with the artist and his band, from the moment they stepped on to the stage till the end of their set, some 90 minutes later, I was enthralled. I sang along to tunes like the hilarious Blacktowne Benediction (about South London's Old Kent and its large concentration of churches) and Shake it Up which encourages us to shed all the 'issues' that we face in our daily lives and just party.

The combination of HKB Finn's spoken word artistry and the incredible vocals of lead singer Tracey Campbell on the track 'Dreams of You' which includes lines like 'I never knew peace like this, until it came in an ecstatic kiss' made us want more of this phenomenal band. And what made it even more special was that they gave us what we wanted, after a set that lasted an hour and a half with no costume change, no diva antics, just pure brilliant live music, we still had an encore performance. The HKB Finn Ensemble engaged their audience from start to finish, and the passion which each band member displayed was rewarded by the crowd's enthusiasm.

It was an incredible night of pure entertainment, old-fashioned in that there were no gimmicks, yet modern because of the fusion of sounds and talents. Even if you are not a spoken word fan, the brilliant music written by the talented Andrew Ward will get you.

If you get a chance to see The HKB Finn Ensemble, please do so, if not the album Natural Eloquence will serve as a constant reminder of why you need to see these guys perform. In a word....Fabulous!

Dates for London:
February 26: Rich Mix, 35-37 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
March 13 (Solo set) Ronnie Scotts, 47 Frith Street, London W1D 4HT
Natural Eloquence

Intelligence = Assembling flat pack furniture

Nothing quite tests your IQ like deciphering the instructions that come with flat pack furniture and successfully assembling the item. This is even more apparent when the items come from the Swedish giant, Ikea. It generally includes illustrations of funny looking but fearless cartoon men and series of pictures which all look identical but apparently tell you what to do and what not to do.
The whole Ikea experience is one that you approach with some trepidation to be fair; starting with the decision to enter the gigantic warehouse-style stores especially as it is a given that you will end up with a trolley full of relatively inexpensive things you had no idea you needed when you entered the store over two hours earlier. There is also the anxiety that comes with looking for the items you want in their flat pack form after seeing them nicely assembled on display and ensuring that you have each component needed. This is followed by the fear of pulling a muscle or breaking some part of your not so supple body as you struggle to place the heavy boxes on your cart and wheel them to the cash till.
Like me, you may also fall into the category of the 'brave and stupid' who decide to transform their ordinary car into a delivery van in order to avoid the £25 or £35 delivery charge. Under any other circumstance, the thought of logging an item that obstructs your rear view in your car or causes you to break into so much sweat as you try to secure it in the car, would not even cross your mind. Yet this seems like a relatively effortless exercise after the obstruction course you've already been through in the store.
The experience culminates in the assembly which is to be approached after either some Dutch courage or some form of mental preparation where you convince yourself that yes you can turn these 96 planks of wood and 173 screws and bolts into a bunk bed. I realise that men may scoff at this advice but I believe in reading and re-reading the instructions, checking all the components are there before approaching the exercise in small easily digestible actions, taking the items you need for each section and completing that section before approaching the remaining bits.

I may have underestimated what a challenge I was facing but 4 hours, and some mastery of using the allen key later, I achieved my goal.....a beautiful bunk bed that I would have been quite happy to enter into a competition as proof of my intelligence. It was a tough job but I think I proved my worth and was left feeling if I could achieve this, there was little else I couldn't do. Bring on the advanced Sudoku and the Times crossword puzzle.

For colored girls

First of all let me say this film is not going to be everyone's cup of tea...in fact it may only appeal to a select few who are happy to look beyond excruciatingly painful experiences to see the beauty and strength of the central characters. It may also help to read a synopsis of the play because if it’s a 'feel good' movie experience you're looking for....this ain't it. What it is is a reflection of the worst of our realities and an insight into how a group of nine women cope when faced with adversity.

It's tempting to dismiss this film as another 'Precious'....a depressing film that portrays a very grim African-American reality, where the men are rapists, cheats, liars, misogynists, where there is little evidence of hope. This would be an obvious message to take away, given that of the five male characters; only one of them was positive and likeable. The film though is not about the men; none of their characters are developed enough for us to really understand or want to empathise with them. Instead it is a film, as the play was, about the women, the colored girls who represent colours of the rainbow in Ntozake Shange's 1975 experimental play. It is about their weaknesses and passions, the mistakes they make in their lives, the emotional scars that they carry. The men are simply a backdrop, needed only to elucidate the women's stories.

The performances by Loretta Devine, Janet Jackson, Anika Noni Rose, Phylicia Rashad were extremely powerful; newcomer Tessa Thomson held her own and delivered her poems compellingly. Kimberly Elise is an incredible actress; you get the sense that she has lived a life full of so many trials that when called upon to convey the emotions of a deeply troubled character, she delivers with absolute precision.

Tyler Perry did absolute justice to Shange's play; the poems are delivered beautifully by some very talented actresses who clearly thrived from this challenging yet brilliantly executed project. The film brings the play to life and provides storylines and character development which Perry clearly understood would be useful especially for those who may find the poetry difficult to grasp. I expected over-acting, farce, a lack of realism as the critics had suggested but instead I got beauty, depth, poetry, love, laughter, pain, sorrow and I think above all strength.
If it's a feel good movie that requires little thought you want then try 'Meet the Parents 3'; if however you want to be challenged, driven to extreme feelings of anger and frustration, even despair but then brought back to a point of hope and admiration then this is where you need to be.
For colored girls who have considered suicide, when the rainbow is enuf : a choreopoem

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's wives by Lola Shoneyin

I loved this laugh out loud novel which was tinged with moments of sadness and lots of frustration. I think you have to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy it nonetheless. The first time I picked it up, I wasn't quite there, not quite ready to snigger at the flamboyantly depicted characters in this debut novel. A week and a rather serious novel later, I wanted something light-hearted and decided to delve into The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's wives.
Lola Shoneyin is a Nigerian writer based in Abuja where she teaches, writes and raises her four children. She has an amazing talent for not only writing i.e. finding the right words to express herself but also for capturing the subtleties of Nigerian culture. I read page after page and was incredibly impressed by her ability to describe the smallest of details and most delicate of cultural nuances, to put it down on paper so seemingly effortlessly.
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's wives is told from the perspective of the four wives, all very different who came to be married to Baba Segi (father of Segi), who for all his bafoonery and lack of decorum is a man with a good heart. The protagonist who is an outsider and who causes the Alao household to be turned upside down is the University graduate and fourth wife - Bolanle. Despite the fact that the novel centres around her, I think of all the characters we meet, her's is the least developed. The decision which she makes to marry an uneducated polygamist is not convincingly explained even by the end of the novel when the story unfolds and we encounter the deception, betrayal and disappointment.
The other wives, Iya Segi, Iya Tope and Iya Femi, who are given their names according to their eldest child  (iya meaning mother) are all brilliantly portrayed as is Baba Segi and his self-serving driver Taju. The background of modern day Ibandan is also captured perfectly. The reader observes the social dynamics, the way different sections of society interact with and view each other. Lola Shoneyin's novel exposes tensions between employer and employee, wife and co-wives, landlord and tenant, mother and child and ofcourse husband and wife. In each interaction there are elements that we recognise either from personal experience or from observing those around us.

At first glance, the story may seem foreign, the concept of polygamy is not one that those of us living in the Western world are familiar with, but this just provides a background for so many human emotions that we can all relate to in one form or another. Above all this is a novel that will make you laugh, gasp, shake your head with incredulity and recommend. Lola Shoneyin has the gift of language and something that is perhaps a more difficult art to perfect - comedy. A funny and thought-provoking read.
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives

Good Hair

Sometimes you watch something that compels you to keep on watching.....it’s often a strange You Tube video like the one of the little person miming to Rihanna's Only Girl - I'm not sure if car crash TV is the right expression but essentially you find yourself mesmerised, glued to the images even though every fibre in your body tells you there is something so wrong going on and that your time would be better spent reading a book or rewriting that CV.

Chris Rock's documentary 'Good Hair' however, compels you in a more positive way; it should be a must for every black person and for every person who has a child with afro hair. The comedian's depiction of the black hair industry as documented in this film left me at a loss for words. I get the hair thing of course; I grew up with a clear idea of what was considered 'good hair' and 'bad hair'. Like most little girls, regardless of colour, I dreamt of having long flowing hair à la Rapunzel. I also had my hair relaxed in my teens as a special treat after pestering my mum for years on end. Therefore I get the issues relating to black hair; however I had no concept of the complexities of the black hair industry. For instance, I know about weaves but never imagined for a second that women spent that much money on them or that they came from hindu temples in India. Chris Rock opened my eyes to a world that I was relieved to note, I no longer inhabit.

He interviewed a lot of black celebrities from Rev. Al Sharpton and his permed hair to Maya Angelou who confessed to relaxing her hair for the first time at the age of 70. It was quite refreshing to see Stars like Nia Long, Salt n Pepa and Meagan Good being honest about their weaves and opening up about the all important but rather delicate subject of black women and their hair. In a superficial world where the thin, long haired, beautiful Hollywood Stars all like to pretend that they look as good as they do with little or no effort, it was nice to see Raven Symone demonstrate that she was wearing a weave (which she loves) by giving it a playful tug. Likewise it was brave of Nia Long to admit that getting her hair wet whether in a pool or the shower was a no-no.

I doubt Good Hair will change people's habits but it may make them think a little bit more about what they do especially where children are concerned. Although I largely believe that the hairstyles people choose do not necessarily reflect who they are, I do think knowing the composition of what you put on your two year child's head should play some part in your quest for her to have manageable hair.

Whilst hair can be fun and playful and about changing your appearance, it can also have some pretty serious health consequences. Good Hair is an eye opener of a documentary that had me strangely captivated.
Good Hair

Fela! the Musical – It's all about the exclamation marks!!!!

Energetic! Superb! Phenomenal! I could go on using laudable words and exclamation marks to describe this brilliantly directed and choreographed musical about a Nigerian musical icon.


I heard about Fela! earlier this year, even though the musical started off Broadway in 2008 and made its debut on Broadway with the backing of entertainment heavyweights Jay Z, Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith in November 2009. A year later it has come to London and everyone seems to want a piece of Fela!

The show started with Rolan Bell as Fela, the small in stature, giant of a man engaging the audience and asking us all to say ‘Yeah Yeah!’ It was clear from the beginning that this was not going to be a ‘sit in your seat and observe passively’ kind of show. At one point the audience was asked to stand up and follow Fela and his beautiful and incredibly agile dancers as they did the ‘clock’ dance which involved the Queens (his female dancers who he later ‘married’ simultaneously) showing us how to use our behinds much to our's and his amusement.

Most of the scenes take place at the Shrine, Fela’s club where there is everything in abundance, music, dancing, weed or ibo smoking and beautiful women. The Director, Bill T Jones does a superb job of giving us a glimpse into the life of a man who became notoriously political, denouncing the corruption not only of Nigerian politicians, including military leaders Generals Obsanjo and Buhari but also of the international community, companies like Shell that plundered the wealth of the Nigerian people and propped up oppressive regimes. The influence of his mother who died tragically of injuries sustained at the hands of Obasanjo’s soldiers who raided Fela’s compound is evident throughout this powerful musical.

Rolan Bell who is currently understudy to Sahr Nguajah (who I believe in ‘on loan’ from the Broadway Production) was a pleasant surprise, having appeared in Eastenders as the perhaps forgettable love interest of the character Chelsea, Theo, he was at his best as Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. What an incredible British talent! He played the saxophone convincingly, sang amazingly well in between rather long and complex delivery of his lines which were sometimes in Pidgin-English. He was able to improvise effortlessly with the audience taking his cue from the braver theatre-goers who did everything from confess to having spent time in jail to request a drag from his spliff (weed). He even did a good job on the Yoruba and Pidgin pronunciation, apparently even better than Ngaujah according to a Nigerian friend who ‘ought’ to know. If I had a criticism it would be length of the scene ‘Dance of the Orisas’ and the fact they chose a Soprano for the part of Fela’s mum. It didn’t sit well in my humble opinion with the rest of the very Afrobeat tunes but of course that did not take away from the fact that Melanie Marshall who played Funmilayo Kuti is an incredible talent.

It was extremely refreshing to see so much British and International talent, although a good portion of the cast were British, there was also representation from Cape-Verde, Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Kenya, the USA, Jamaica and of course Nigeria. The dancers were AMAZING in a word! They moved so effortlessly with incredible precision. My favourite choreography was to the track ‘Zombie’ – it blew me away completely and had the entire theatre giving them a standing ovation. My favourite musical interpretation was definitely ‘Kere Kay’ – overall the show was Superb and without a doubt a Must See!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjxMQqGlB94

Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín

I started reading this book and felt like I could carry on until the last page and even then I would have wanted more. The writing is superb, simply put it’s beautiful. No need for head scratching or reaching for dictionary just a plain yet meaningful use of the English language. Tóibín superbly conveys the main character, Eilis Lacey’s sentiments and the reader is able to experience everything she does, from the close family ties that she leaves behind in Ireland, to the newness of her experiences in Brooklyn, to the colourful characters she meets and their hopes and aspirations and perhaps the most poignant of all, the beautiful depiction of her feelings of loneliness and powerlessness at being so far from home.
Brooklyn gripped me from the start and I devoured every page of it. I was so drawn into the book that I found my heart beating faster as we reached a critical point in Eilis’ life where she’s faced with a difficult decision. At this point I had already formed my allegiances and I became irritated and even angry at her actions but I guess that is a testament to Tóibín’s talent.

To say the book is an easy read would be missing the point even if it is that….it is also so much more. Simply put, Brooklyn is a beautiful book that will make you want to go on an adventure, discover new things but most of all cherish home and family, these elements that we sometimes underestimate yet that often hold the key to our happiness.

Brooklyn: A Novel

Happy Birthday to me...la la la la la la.

Birthdays are special, regardless of how old you are. The day you, the wonderful human being that you are today should be celebrated!
I've always been big on birthdays, I plan and inform friends and family so that there are no excuses for forgetting to wish me a happy birthday or not attending whatever event I organise. Call me shameless but why keep schtum if it's going to mean having to spend the most important day of the year angry with everyone for having either forgotten your birthday or made plans that clash with your big night out!

Besides what's the big idea of not wanting to celebrate because you're getting older, as though sitting at home and sulking will stop time. Whether you like it or not, you will turn 30 and then 40 and so on, so why not cram as much fun and living into those years as possible so that you don't end up regretting them?

My recipe for a good birthday includes atleast 3 days of activities, one with the family, one with friends and one with just yourself. If there's someone special in your life this could extend to 4 days or you could simply allocate a night for your better half. You should spend some of the time being thankful for your life, what you've achieved and those who love you but also reflecting on what you want to do with the future that lies ahead of you.
When it comes to presents - don't ask for vouchers or money, let people who know you choose something that's personal. I always enjoy getting presents that I would not ordinarily choose for myself but nonetheless reflect me and my personality. There are times that loved ones will miss the mark and get you something that you may not like but I still think its important to look at each gift for what it is - an expression of someone's appreciation of You. So what if the earrings are a bit bigger than you would like, keep them in your jewellery box and you may end up wearing them when the 80s make a second comeback.

Celebrating your birthday is like taking part in life - sometimes we seem to sit on the fence, refusing to subscribe to this festival or that trend, but what are we really gaining? So what if you're above Valentine's day - how often does someone offer you a bunch of flowers throughout the year? And yes Christmas has become commercialised and turkey isn't the nicest of meats - but when was the last time you and your entire family spent the day together? In a similar vein birthdays are about participating - take part in the celebration of you. If you're not happy with your age, just don't tell anyone but let your hair down, eat good food and pamper yourself, simply because it's a day that is all about You!