WanaWana aims to make poems accessible with album, “In Memory Of Forgetting”
Nigerian poet hosts listening party for sophomore poetry album at Rele Gallery

LAGOS, NIGERIA: On Sunday, August 27, Wana Udobang, popularly known as WanaWana, collaborated with Rele Gallery for an intimate listening of her sophomore poetry album, “In Memory of Forgetting”.

During the listening, WanaWana’s audience stayed in a trancelike quietness for over thirty minutes, as track after track interlaced to tell a story of personal struggles, brokenness and triumph. After the listening, Efe Paul Azino, founder of the Lagos Poetry Festival, facilitated a Q and A. In explaining her motivations for the album, WanaWana stated, “I want my work to be accessible … I am continually experimenting with new ways of making my work available to people who would not normally listen to poetry”. As for her creative approach to the album, Udobang explains, “I want connection . . . I don’t want just teach or preach, I want people to connect with the work in a very personal way for themselves”.


WanaWana might just be on her way to achieving her goal as one critic remarked, “… as a critic and [a listener], I couldn’t help but see the album for what it was - honest”. Other critics at the event noted the inventive use of music to guide the listener’s mood through the collection.

“In Memory of Forgetting” is a 10-track album made up of aesthetics including, music, wordplay, intonation and vocal variety. The album features Cat Mayel, renowned poet Titilope, as well as music by Femi Leye, Echo and Lanre ‘Sabre’ Oladimeji. The collection is an unapologetic introspective into the sharp, sometimes dark, corners of Udobang’s life, and a piercing mirror for the listener to see the same in theirs. At its heart, it is a seminal work by an artist who wants her listener to remember to turn the page and never go back.



The album is digitally available worldwide on iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon and Deezer. Lagos residents can pick up a CD copy at Terra Kulture and Rele Gallery. It is also available at the Salamander Café in Abuja.

Download the album here: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/wanawana.



About Wana Udobang: Wana Udobang, popularly known as WanaWana, is a journalist, poet and filmmaker whose work probes women’s rights, social justice, personal narratives, culture and the arts. As a performance poet she has graced the stages of festivals across Africa.  Her first spoken word album, ‘Dirty Laundry’, was released in 2013. Her poems have been featured at the British Library’s Word, Symbol and Song exhibition. “In Memory of Forgetting” is her second spoken word poetry album.




WanaWana aims to make poems accessible with album, “In Memory Of Forgetting”
Nigerian poet hosts listening party for sophomore poetry album at Rele Gallery

On Sunday, August 27, Wana Udobang, popularly known as WanaWana, collaborated with Rele Gallery for an intimate listening of her sophomore poetry album, “In Memory of Forgetting”.

During the listening, WanaWana’s audience stayed in a trancelike quietness for over thirty minutes, as track after track interlaced to tell a story of personal struggles, brokenness and triumph. After the listening, Efe Paul Azino, founder of the Lagos Poetry Festival, facilitated a Q and A. In explaining her motivations for the album, WanaWana stated, “I want my work to be accessible … I am continually experimenting with new ways of making my work available to people who would not normally listen to poetry”. As for her creative approach to the album, Udobang explains, “I want connection . . . I don’t want just teach or preach, I want people to connect with the work in a very personal way for themselves”.


Wana Udobang

Wana Udobang and Efe Paul Azino

“In Memory of Forgetting” is a 10-track album made up of aesthetics including, music, wordplay, intonation and vocal variety. The album features Cat Mayel, renowned poet Titilope, as well as music by Femi Leye, Echo and Lanre ‘Sabre’ Oladimeji. The collection is an unapologetic introspective into the sharp, sometimes dark, corners of Udobang’s life, and a piercing mirror for the listener to see the same in theirs. At its heart, it is a seminal work by an artist who wants her listener to remember to turn the page and never go back.





WanaWana might just be on her way to achieving her goal as one critic remarked, “… as a critic and [a listener], I couldn’t help but see the album for what it was - honest”. Other critics at the event noted the inventive use of music to guide the listener’s mood through the collection.

The album is digitally available worldwide on iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon and Deezer. Lagos residents can pick up a CD copy at Terra Kulture and Rele Gallery. It is also available at the Salamander Café in Abuja.





Iquo Basi, Wana, Arit 

Yup, I was there! With Wana and Nneka Ezealor

Enajite Efemuaye



Ndukwe Onuoha, Dami Ajayi

Bantu, Ndukwe Onuoha


Denrele Sonariwo, owner - Rele Gallery, Wana Udobang and Efe Paul Azino



Lade Tawak



About Wana Udobang: Wana Udobang, popularly known as WanaWana, is a journalist, poet and filmmaker whose work probes women’s rights, social justice, personal narratives, culture and the arts. As a performance poet she has graced the stages of festivals across Africa.  Her first spoken word album, ‘Dirty Laundry’, was released in 2013. Her poems have been featured at the British Library’s Word, Symbol and Song exhibition. “In Memory of Forgetting” is her second spoken word poetry album.

I had so much fun!
See y'all in the next one!



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
15th April, 2017

THE ANNUAL CRITIC CHALLENGE 2017
SET TO REWARD MAINSTREAM CRITICISM
IN NIGERIA AND AFRICA

The annual Critic Challenge is a call for critics and critical writers in the culture scenes in Africa. It is organized for the first time by CREETIQ, the foremost review aggregator of African films, music and literature. The spotlight for this maiden edition is focused on critical commentary on works of art in films, music and literature, produced or released between 2016 and 2017 that embodies this year’s theme “rewriting the African narrative”.

The Critic Challenge aims to encourage and reward talented critical writers to awaken a seeming latent and fast declining reviewing culture in the creative industry in Africa. Beyond the economics of art, this sets a standard for the quality of creative and cultural output that is recognized globally and helps consumers of art and other creative works make informed decisions.

The winning entries would be rewarded with monetary prizes of up to N500, 000.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

To enter for The Critic Challenge 2017, participants are required to go to https://creetiq.com/tcc2017 to submit a critique of 2 out of 5 subjects from the film, music or books category of no more than 850 words.

The subjects for review in each category are listed below;

Movies:
·         Omugwo - Kunle Afolayan
·         Ojukokoro - Dare Olaitan
·         Okafor's Law - Omoni Oboli
·         Bariga Sugar - Ifeoma Chukwuogo
·         Lotanna - Toka McBaror

Music:
·         Signature EP – Iyanya
·         For You - Cobhams Asuquo
·         The Last Time I Tried – Daramola
·         Life Is Eazi Vol. 1 - Mr Eazi
·         The First Wave - Ycee


Books:
·         Season of Crimson Blossoms – Abubakar Adam Ibrahim
·         Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun - Sarah Ladipo Manyika
·         A Conspiracy of Ravens - Othuke Ominiabohs
·         And After Many Days - Jowhor Ile
·         Guardians of the Seal - Tunde Leye‎

GUIDELINES

Entries would be judged based on the following criteria;

o   Clarity with regards to understanding the universe of the subjects.
o   Constructive criticism with regards to social political, cultural and economic discourse of the subjects.
o   Originality. Plagiarized entries would be disqualified.
o   Accuracy of language, historical references and facts.
o   Narrative flow.
o   Relevance of thematic expressions.

Submission of entries closes at 12 midnight on May 15th 2017.

PRIZES

The top 3 entries would be rewarded with cash prizes up to N500, 000. Winner would get N300, 000, first and second runners up would win N150, 000 and N50, 000 respectively.


JUDGES

Entries for The Critic Challenge 2017 would be assessed and appraised by 6 renowned critics and industry professionals.

Writer and critic, Oris Aigbokhaevbolo, whose writings on film, music and the literary scenes has appeared in the Guardian UK, The Africa Report, Chimurenga and who has mentored film critics at the Durban International Film Festival in 2015, is one of the judges of The Critic Challenge (TCC) 2017.

Also among the judges is Chiagoziem Onyekwena, who has had a passion for music and tech in the past 10 years. He was the pioneering online editor of TheNET.ng and a former senior writer at the HipHop World Magazine.

Other judges include Dr. Wilfred Okiche, a medic, reader, writer and film critic who has provided editorial assistance to the UK Guardian and whose writings has also appeared on various media nationwide; Salamatu Sule, the secretary, Board of Trustees, Orpheus Literary Foundation and the founder of Fahimta Literary Discourse (FLD); Joey Akan, music editor at Pulse Nigeria is a poet, author, and multi award winning writer and music journalist; and, Isabella Akinseye, founder of Yellow Tamarind Production, an African media company that creates, develops and monetizes contents for television, radio, online and prints.

KEY DATES FOR TCC 2017  
·         Entry deadline: May 15, 2017
·         Evaluation by the competition judges: May 16 – May 30, 2017
·         Shortlisted entries would be announced and published: June 1, 2017
·         Evaluation and voting by users: June 1 – June 12, 2017
·         Announcement of The Critic Challenge 2017 winner: June 15, 2017

The Critic Challenge 2017 is proudly supported by Roving Heights, Bagus Mutendi, Lunaris Reviews, True Nollywood Stories, Nollywood REinvented, Tripican.com, Homeland Reviews, Lola Ogunnupebi, Media Guide and Bookaholics Club.

For further information and participation details, visit https://creetiq.com/tcc2017



Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @creetiqafrica and Facebook @CREETIQ. Use the hashtags #TheCriticChallenge2017 to follow the updates. Visit our website at https://creetiq.com




Happy Friday, guys!
I hope you have a beautiful weekend.

This movie is one I wasn't sure I wanted to watch at first; a colleague recommended I saw it. I still can't believe I'm stuck on it. Apart from an episode of The Good Wife (Season 7 I think) and Guzaarish (which I had seen a few years back), I don't think I've ever been so connected to a movie that centered on Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide before. I also think there isn't enough awareness about Euthanasia.

By the way, what do you think about me reviewing Bollywood movies on the blog?

My own version of a background:
A young, rich and athletic man becomes paralyzed (from the neck down) in a bike accident. It's two years later and he's the same way. The medical verdict was that he won't get better, but had to still go in once in a while for checkups. He decides to go the route of assisted suicide and his parents of course weren't supportive of the decision, so he gives them 6 months to think about it.

His mother hires a care-giver, in the hopes that she (the care-giver), will be cheerful enough (within the 6 months period) to change his mind. He did get a really nice, kind and careful one, even fell in love with her, but she wasn't enough to change his mind.

Source


Review:
This movie makes me question euthanasia so much. On one hand, I understand perfectly that no one could share the pain he's feeling and no one has any right to ask him to keep being that way for the rest of his life, regardless of if his care-giver never complains, or his parents die and leave enough money to continue taking care of him. It's just really sad that someone was saved from death, just enough to be alive to still be close to it and they just give up. He was so paralyzed that, even when his brain was active, he had to be fed and couldn't even move his neck.

On the other hand, I'm thinking that there had to be a reason why he remained a member of the living club. Emilia Clark (Luisa Clarke) was able to show him that there were many other things he could do, regardless of his health or situation. I loved the fact that she genuinely cared for him and was prepared to do anything, but then I ask myself; what if she grows tired doing the same thing at some point?

Rate: 10/10

Recommendations: Love By Chance, The Dressmaker, Barbershop The Next Cut

Assisted Suicide is a really serious issue and right now, I'm seriously confused as to whether it should be combated or supported. First, it is fully a person's choice to decide to end their lives based on what they're going through. Secondly, it is a sin and in my opinion, there has to be a reason why, instead of dying, they were saved. Third and final thing is, it is a really sad and helpless situation for the person's loved one.

What do you think of Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide? I'd really love to hear your comments.

Till my next post, xx


Hi guys!

How are you enjoying the new week?

For those that follow me on Instagram, I had posted a certain picture a few weeks ago that was taken by my best friend. By the way, if you aren't following me on Instagram yet, you should! @lolaogunnupebi. I also mentioned that post that I visited the Lekki Conservation Centre with my friends and had so much fun! Today, I introduce to you,  Ebonite Photography by Mosope Oduwole.



He's an engineer who loves photos  and had been briefly taking photos since 2009. Just last year, he switched professional and I can attest that it's been really beautiful so far.


He's super artistic and loves to bring reactions to life, capture emotions and freeze moments; which is all every photographer wants to do, really.


























He generally does portrait photography, but hopes to diversify into wildlife and wedding photography, so if you're in the Ontario area and need a photographer to cover your weddings, or even need a portrait shoot, he's your guy. If you're anywhere else around the world, he's also available to travel; just make the call and like magic, he'll be there to make your special day magical.

We also visited the Lekki Conservation Centre in January and he was one of our photographers for the day. There's so much to pick from but, see some of the pictures he took below:


We were waiting on our other friends, so we did a mini shoot. I'm so in love with the pictures he took of us.


This is Feyisayo, She's a very old friend (my bunk mate in secondary school), a Pharmacist, an aspiring make-up artist and Mosope's bae. I'm probably going to feature her business on the blog next, what do you think?




I performed a few poems for the friends here :)


Honestly didn't know what this was about. I guess the excitement got to me too much.

Here's a picture of all of us, trying the jump-style. The photographer really captured this well. We also had a baby over - his name is Dante, he's my friend, Boladale's son and he's super cute :)


 An auto-picture of us; L-R: Toyosi, Dipo, Mosope, Another friend, Another friend, Oreofe, Me, Abiola, Angela and Feyisayo. Other friends not in the picture: Lala and Oyin.



Here's a beat picture of Angela, Feyisayo and I. Even my scarf felt the enjoyment. We went on the canopy - which was scary for a few people. We also played the "floor ludo" (If that's what it's called) and it was so much fun because everyone was practically cheating and screaming.

I think I'll be visiting LCC again. To connect with Mosope (Please please please go follow him and his photography journey, there are hidden and amazing memories he surely can bring back to life for you), Please follow him on Instagram and Twitter: @mosope_iv and @mosopeIV respectively. 

P.S: How do you like my new blog look? Loving some of Bloggers' new themes! 

Have you been to the Lekki Conservation Centre? What did you think?
Never been there? Do you think you would like to visit?

Have a fabulous week ahead!

Till Friday, xx



Hi guys!

Hope you had a great weekend?

I was at #BookHubTheEvent on Sunday and was really happy to see some of my favorite poets and my friends again. We discussed Poetry and Social Media and it was quite an enlightening session. I also bought two books: Chimamanda Adichie's "We All Should Be Feminists" and Okey Ndibe's "Arrows of Rain". I started reading the latter yesterday morning and I'm enjoying its direction so far. Did you go for the event? How did you find it?

Usually around this time and especially on some work days, stress could set in. A few people have favorite days of the week, saying it's Monday, but a whole lot of others will disagree. When I'm stressed or bored at work, I do any one of these five things. They're pretty basic and easy to do and depending on the type of person you are, you just might find one of them useful or even strike a balance between two or more options.



1. Doodling

Doodling is my to-go thing to-do when I'm stressed. I have always been quite artistic but, I promise you that doodling doesn't require any artistic experience. When you just keep drawing random lines and shapes on a sheet of paper, it takes you out of your current state. It relaxes you and takes your mind off things that might be stressing you. Remember you aren't doodling for an art exhibition, so it might as well look like a baby's fascination with a pen when you're done; at least the goal has been achieved.



2. Give in to distractions

You will always need distractions for times like stress. This is because, they are exactly the things you don't want, but are very necessary because they take you away from the fire that stress has created in your head. Distractions give you a clean slate. It comes in different variations and can help place your head anywhere else but the task that's stressing you out.



3. Rubix Cube

Try solving a rubix cube; consciously or unconsciously. The unconscious part would do just what the first two points do: take your mind off things and calm you down. The conscious part helps you to see the stressful task differently. You probably have been stressed because you have been limiting yourself to only two methods of problem solving or strategy. The rubix cube is a decision making type of "game" that could open your minds to the many possibilities you hadn't even thought of.



4. Music

This is probably cliche, but even as a writer, music helps me sometimes to do certain things creatively. When I'm stuck on a certain brief and I'm stressing myself too much with not knowing how to execute it well, one of the things I do is turn to music. I sort of feel the beats speak to me and from there, I somehow am able to concentrate on the lyrics I've always listened to, but never paid much attention to. Then I think of the brief again and somehow I'm able to coin something from it.



5. Take a dump

Absolutely the funniest thing because you can't just call excreta whenever you want. I can unapologetically say that this is one of my most effective ways to reduce stress from a task. This might only work for certain people, but I get most of my ideas (when it comes to writing) from the loo/toilet.

I honestly don't know how it happens, but I go in with an empty book and a pen and come out with scribbles. I think the toilet creates another world for you, away from the familiar faces and whatever their facial expression might do to heighten the already high pressure on you. The toilet tells you that you control this space and there are no bosses there. Just you and your task.

These methods might or might not collectively work for one person, but you could also find ways to tweak them to your taste; make it work for you. Look stress in the face and tell it to sit somewhere because you call the shots.

Image source (Apart from poster): Google.

What do you do to reduce stress at work? Which one of these would you try?

Have you read my last post?

Till Friday, xx
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