tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-159032532011-12-26T07:58:16.021ZThe Writings of a general WordsbodyWordsbodynoreply@blogger.comBlogger2841100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1155521355393153992006-08-13T21:55:00.000+01:002006-08-14T15:34:29.536+01:00

Gentle & Not-so-gentle readers, this blog has now closed and is moving to another home. There will be no new posts and comments have now shut down. Please remember to update any links on your sites... and do come with us to... WordsbodyThe image above is one of a series by Tolu Ogunlesi. The photo essay is titled Let Your Light So Shine.

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1154995640546397342006-08-07T20:59:00.000+01:002006-09-11T10:47:23.616+01:00

PHARAOHWe are not a country of the blindfor you to be so unkindand unleash flawed wisdomof the fabled one-eyed king.We know what you will bring,another season of pestilence.Your promised second comingand uncouth planning,is insult to hurtsfrom excruciating first coming.We are not a country of the blind,tolerance is no longer our virtue,endurance has reached breaking point,hindsight has steeled

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1154994370946975742006-08-07T20:52:00.000+01:002006-08-14T01:37:34.740+01:00

Chimandanda Ngozi Adichie and her long awaited 2nd novel are about to land, folks...The author of Purple Hibiscus and the soon to be released Half of a Yellow Sun - reads with Segun Afolabi, 2005 Caine winner and author of A Life Elsewhere @ the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Date: Saturday 12 August / Time: 2.30pm.Half of a Yellow Sun gets its Book Launch on Wednesday 16th August @ 7-9pm

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1154991551250947042006-08-07T20:46:00.000+01:002006-10-17T21:43:25.576+01:00

********Diana Evans, author of 26a, on the cover of yesterday's LIFE Magazine supplement of The Guardian, Nigeria. She continues her book tour of the country all this week.********My review of 26a...The Unbearable Oneness of BeingBy Molara WoodFor readers with more than a passing acquaintance with Neasden, North West London, and features such as the scenic lake known as the Welsh Harp, Gladstone

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1154990528156442232006-08-07T20:24:00.000+01:002006-08-07T23:44:53.193+01:00

Jasonvision presents The Inheritors- A stage play written and directed by Wole Oguntokun, featuring Joke Silva at the Muson Centre on Sunday the 27th of August 2006 at 3pm and 6pm.The Inheritors- Where there is a will there are relatives-A tale of greed and reckless ambition. First performed at the Muson Centre on Sunday the 29th of December 2003 starring Taiwo Ajai-Lycett.Gate: N2000 apiece/

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1154989781840298162006-08-07T20:14:00.000+01:002006-10-15T14:14:50.036+01:00

D.A.Y - Kole Ade OdutolaDarfur Down - mrp/thepoetrymanHalf of a Yellow Sun - By Chiedu EzeanahSuffer the Little Children - MshairiFacing Kilimanjaro - Tade IpadeolaAmphitheatre - Molara WoodNights - Unoma AzuahA Tale of Two Summits - Niyi OsundareEyewitness - Omolola Ijeoma OgunyemiPharaoh - Emman Usman ShehuGlobetrotter - Amatoritsero EdeUnbelief - Nnorom AzuonyeBag Lady - Molara WoodAnarch of

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1154987861496626112006-08-07T19:52:00.000+01:002006-08-07T23:14:05.140+01:00

Congratulations to the Naija Hip-Hop group, the 419 Squad who, along with their erstwhile collaborator, JJC - have been nominated in 2 categories in this Year's Nigeria Music Awards. They've received nods for Best Group of the Year & UK Urban Artiste of the Year. You can vote for your favourite acts online. So get voting.Here's the 419 Squad performing for the kids at the African Showcase Market

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1154984730460025252006-08-07T19:49:00.000+01:002006-08-07T22:05:30.596+01:00

The Tell-Tale HeartEdgar Allan PoeTrue! – nervous – very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses – not destroyed – not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily – how calmly

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1154983851887816502006-08-07T18:46:00.000+01:002006-08-07T21:50:52.030+01:00

ANA ABUJA SPECIAL AUGUST READINGThe Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Abuja Chapter, announces its special August reading session.The Guest Writer for the event is Bello Musa Dankano, a Federal Civil Servant and author of A Season of Locusts, Petrol Station, My Cousins and I, and The Last Caravan and Other Short Stories.All lovers of the literary arts are invited to this event which takes

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1154298430745509832006-07-30T23:39:00.000+01:002006-10-15T14:10:49.416+01:00

© Amatoritsero Ede *taken from TOK: Writing the New Toronto Helen Walsh ed. (Toronto: Zephyr Press, 2006) *Reproduced with permission.**Image: courtesy of the artist

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1154304313728595942006-07-30T23:08:00.000+01:002006-07-31T01:31:18.776+01:00

Diana omo Evans tours Nigeria Diana omo Evans won last year's inaugural £10,000 Orange Prize for New Writers with her debut novel about a set of twins, 26a.Set in Nigeria & the UK, 26a also won a Betty Trask award & Decibel Award, receiving a nomination for the Guardian First Book Award.Book lovers in Nigeria can catch up with the author on these dates...Saturday 5 August @ Jazzhole, Awolowo

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1154305039295000142006-07-30T22:35:00.000+01:002006-07-31T01:27:03.070+01:00

© Amatoritsero Ede*taken from TOK: Writing the New Toronto Helen Walsh ed. (Toronto: Zephyr Press, 2006)*Reproduced with permission

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1154303039170372612006-07-30T21:54:00.000+01:002006-08-02T22:32:58.060+01:00

I smiled when I received a text message from a poet friend, congratulating me on my first 'cover'. My friend's just proud, I guess, as I share the cover of the 1st Poet's Letter print mag with 11 other poets. The magazine launches @ the London Poetry Festival, Wednesday 23rd of August - RADA, London @ 6.30pm.For more info, please visit the Poet's Letter website.

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1154301076274349742006-07-30T20:59:00.000+01:002006-07-31T00:11:16.396+01:00

Ngugi wa Thiong'o... Wizard of the CrowOne of Africa's greatest writers, exiled from Kenya for 22 years because of his highly political and acclaimed work including the bestselling novel Petals of Blood, Ngugi returns with his first novel in 20 years, Wizard of the Crow. Set in a fictional modern African state, it is a magisterial, acerbic and humorous landmark of post-colonial literature. Ngugi

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1154300136025261842006-07-30T20:50:00.000+01:002006-07-30T23:55:36.126+01:00

Lagos Writers Celebrate Patron's DayThe annual Patron’s Day of Association of Nigerian Authors, Lagos Branch (ANALagos) holds on Saturday, August 12, 2006. The Patron’s Day is a day set aside by creative writers resident in Lagos, under the umbrella of ANA Lagos, for thecelebration of the few big-hearted individuals and organisations that have made meaningful contributions towards the advancement

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1154302162232242572006-07-30T20:48:00.000+01:002006-07-31T00:31:45.303+01:00

© Amatoritsero EdeReproduced with permission

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1154299528238116842006-07-30T20:44:00.000+01:002006-07-30T23:45:28.313+01:00

Press ReleaseAfrica Centre, London, closes for refurbishmentIn line with plans for the redevelopment of the Africa Centre, with effect from the end of July, all routine activity inside the building will cease while a series of site investigations take place and architectural plans are completed. The purpose of the redevelopment process – enabled by a new funding dispensation from Arts Council

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1153745878163784232006-07-24T09:33:00.000+01:002006-07-24T13:57:58.240+01:00

Still on Caine Prize related matters, here's an excerpt from Love Poems, for which Helon Habila became the 1st Nigeria to win the award, back in 2001...But it was Lomba's bowdlerization of Sappho's 'Ode' that brought the superintendent to the cell door: A peer of goddesses she seems to meThe lady who sits over against meFace to face,Listening to the sweet tones of my voice,And the loveliness of

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1153743016431540242006-07-24T09:21:00.000+01:002006-07-24T13:36:09.096+01:00

Darrel Bristow-Bovey - the other South African on the Caine shortlist & the only man - was in the running for his dialogue-driven short story on Johannesburg's criminal underbelly, A Joburg Story.Kenyan writer Muthoni Garland signs an autograph at the South Bank reading. Garland was short-listed for her story, Tracking the Scent of My Mother.Academic & literary translator, Wangui wa Goro (left)

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1153741545674670452006-07-24T09:16:00.000+01:002006-07-24T13:51:46.200+01:00

Left is Mary Watson, winner of the Caine Prize 2006, photographed at the South Bank Centre, London on 11 July.Watson, a South African, won the prize for Jungfrau. The story is taken from her collection of short stories, Moss (Kwela Books). My report on the reading is available online - for a week.*******Others at the reading, Ebun Olatoye of True Love (W. Africa) magazine, poses (right) with

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1153738322008552342006-07-24T09:01:00.000+01:002006-07-24T11:54:04.130+01:00

A recent interview given by the poet, Tanure Ojaide, has got Nigeria's so called 'younger writers' in a proper huff. Ojaide had much to say about his work, and the country's poetic production in the main, but it is what said about the '3rd or 4th generation' of Nigerian writers that is in contention. In short, Ojaide declares that: "There’s still no new generation you can identify in Nigerian

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1153736597125336302006-07-24T08:59:00.000+01:002006-07-24T11:28:46.946+01:00

Peepal Tree Press & Courttia Newland invite you to the launch party to celebrate the publication ofMusic for the Off-Keyon Monday 31 July at Inn on The Green, 3-5 Thorpe Close, Portobello Green, Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5XL Tel: 020 8962 57577.30pm – midnightMusic and spoken word performances, deejay and drinksRSVP: kadija@peepaltreepress.comtel: 0113 2451703 / text 07890 269138“A long-awaited

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1153735949902453242006-07-24T08:54:00.000+01:002006-07-24T11:12:30.106+01:00

Press ReleaseAchebe ColloquiumIn Celebration of Nigerian ExcellenceJuly 14th, 2006After nearly 18 months, the Chinua Achebe Foundation is about to conclude its ambitious Interview project of conversations with Nigeria’s elder statesmen and women. The final interviews will be published shortly and the entire project will be concluded with an elaborate conversation with Professor Chinua Achebe.

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1153735112479128302006-07-24T08:44:00.000+01:002006-07-24T10:58:32.610+01:00

We write to invite you to the 8th edition of the Lagos Book and Art Festival. The Festival is an initiative aimed at helping totransform this country's teeming population into true human capital. It has been a major, fixed activity in the arts and culture calendar of Lagos City. Over 25,000 people participated at the Festivalat the same venue last year.The Committee For Relevant Art (CORA), which

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1153167015034813762006-07-17T16:51:00.000+01:002006-10-15T13:54:14.830+01:00

UnbeliefI remember a dream lostLike a fable castIn a passing wind.I remember a premature victoryCry, now uncried,Since the quintessence we wereOf lifelong companionshipHas made me a liar.Now I take it all backThe many years I lived a foolBoasting to every earThat what we sharedDefied even the gods.© Nnorom AzuonyeUnbelief is taken from The Bridge Selection by Nnorom Azuonye. Read Toni Kan's

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1153165852691545712006-07-17T16:49:00.000+01:002006-08-21T11:48:17.390+01:00

This year's LAPOFEST took place over 2 days earlier this month (7 & 8 July). Keynote speaker, poet & professor of literature, Niyi Osundare, addresses the festival audience.Here, Osundare shares a joke or two with participants. Folu Agoi, Chairman of ANA Lagos, is 2nd from right.Excerpt from Folu Agoi's vote of thanks...On behalf of all members of the literary community inLagos, under the aegis

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1153154320371710192006-07-17T16:34:00.000+01:002006-07-17T17:38:51.983+01:00

Press Release Iroko Productions LLC announces call for entries for the 2nd AnnualOlaudah Equiano Fiction PrizeJuly 10, 2006, Bay Shore, New York: Iroko Productions LLC todayannounces calls for entries for the second annual Olaudah EquianoFiction Prize.The $1000 prize is open to Africans living abroad. It is for anunpublished short story of 3000 to 5000 words that centers on theexperiences of

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1153152541794614422006-07-17T16:30:00.000+01:002006-07-18T10:37:19.806+01:00

Amatoritsero Ede, award winning poet and author of Collected Poems: A Writer’s Pains & Caribbean Blues (Bremen, Germany: Yeti Press, 1998) - is included in a new anthology, TOK: Writing the New Toronto Book 1. TOK features short fiction and poetry set in Toronto, which brings to life the sights and sounds, taste and smell, of the city through the eyes of its culturally diverse writers. Ede is

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1153150866709000532006-07-17T16:11:00.000+01:002006-07-17T17:20:34.553+01:00

African Showcase Friday 21 July from 12 - 6pm;Saturday 22 July from 10am - 6pm @ the Willesden Green Library CentreLondon NW10Over 20 stalls plus, music & dance, food & workshops. Visit the website *** African Writers Evening Friday July 21, 2006; Start Time: 7.30pmThe African Writers' Evening welcomes Hisham Matar (Libya) back after the successful sale of his first manuscript to Penguin (

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1153149720759778942006-07-17T16:06:00.000+01:002006-07-17T16:22:01.140+01:00

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE LIFE & POETRY OF CHRISTOPHER OKIGBO, 1932-67Theme:Postcolonial African Literature and the Ideals of the Open Society/Teaching and Learning from Christopher Okigbo’s PoetryCALL FOR PAPERS It is with great pleasure that we write to invite you to participate in the first international conference on the life and poetry of of Africa’s leading 20th century poet,

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1153148741888592772006-07-17T16:04:00.000+01:002006-07-17T16:05:42.246+01:00

Here's the Hip Hop crew, The 419 Squad providing the entertainment at Fusion, a fashion show featuring the designs of Toyin Ladejobi of TL Couture - in London.

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1153146915793318912006-07-17T15:34:00.000+01:002006-07-17T15:35:15.956+01:00

Association of Nigerian AuthorsANA Oyo State Chaptercordially invites youto its LiterarySUNSHINELiterarySUNSHINE is comprised of readings, performance, interactions, jokes, food & drinks etc.Guest Writer: Tope Fakayode (Novelist & Language Instructor)Host: Hon. Jelili Adeleke ( Member, Oyo State House of Assembly)Venue: Educare Trust Exhibition Centre, Goshen Superstores Building, beside

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1153146424792575942006-07-17T15:18:00.000+01:002006-07-17T15:42:15.496+01:00

Kowry Kreations Mediashell of creativityPresentsPoetry PotterVenue: National Library Hall, Opposite Casino Cinema, AlagomejiYaba, Lagos.Date: Every last Saturday of the month (July 29th, 2006)Time: 4 p.m. prompt. No African time, please.Admission: Free, Free; Free! Guest Artiste: Akeem Lasisi, The winner ANA-Cadbury Poetry Prize 2005.The founder of minus poetry, Wale Ajakaye, will singIjala to

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1152468710125405592006-07-09T18:57:00.000+01:002006-07-10T15:04:44.770+01:00

Commemorating today's World Cup finals in my own little way - these pictures were taken in Cardinal Place, London SW, in the height of England's footie fever. The football tables surfaced every lunchtime and it was sheer fun watching all the 'suits' unwinding during their breaks from office work and having a go at trying to win, their ties flying on the breeze.Check out this lady, she's so into

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1152490481002141852006-07-09T18:03:00.000+01:002006-07-10T15:05:56.470+01:00

As a boy in Nigeria, Ambrose Campbell, who has died aged 86, sang in the church choir and grew up - the son of a minister - under a strict Victorian regime. But after dark he escaped, slipping out to the Lagos waterfront where seamen gathered from along the coast, sharing experiences, drinking palm wine.The above, from the obituary of Ambrose Campbell - Nigeria's oldest musician who died in the

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1152489674937549762006-07-09T17:54:00.000+01:002006-07-10T20:41:19.606+01:00

This year's winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing will be revealed tomorrow, Monday 10 July. It will be a choice between 5 writers (4 of them women) including Nigeria's Sefi Atta.The Caine writers - Atta, Muthoni Garland, Laila Lalami, Mary Watson & Darrel Bristow-Bovey - will be at the South Bank Centre on Tuesday 11 July. Hosted by TV personality Jon Snow, the shortlisted writers will

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1152487758138394432006-07-09T17:40:00.000+01:002006-10-15T13:46:31.530+01:00

And the poem this week - is mine! This below is published in the current edition of Sentinel Poetry Online. I have 3 poems in the issue, including one that a poet friend has described to me as "morbid", and Promised Land.Bag LadyIBag lady with sackfuls of regretRolled in a knapsack, heaved, hauledAs the mollusc bears around its home.She moves as with feelers, unseeingEyes in rituals of avoidance,

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1152484068411712892006-07-09T17:26:00.000+01:002006-08-27T23:08:54.356+01:00

Sky-High Elation at Unoma Azuah’s Reading in AbujaByE. E. Sule As one eats his favourite dinner, downs it with his favourite drink and relaxes satisfactorily, set for a sound sleep, so we took our literary dinner from Unoma Nguemo Azuah’s novel, Sky-High Flames, satisfied that ANA-Abuja had fed us with what we wanted and relaxed into the calm arms of the cold night on Thursday 29th June, 2006,

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1152474220348863352006-07-09T16:30:00.000+01:002006-07-10T18:57:18.856+01:00

Saw this piece of news about Sudanese writer Kola Boof in the Metro - a free newspaper available at tube stations last week. Apparently, Boof has created a character based on her former lover Osama bin Laden - for a US soap opera. You can read a Boof profile in Farafina Magazine issue 4.In an international telephone conversation with a writer friend recently, I mentioned the two books of

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1152469455878080572006-07-09T16:12:00.000+01:002006-07-10T00:02:41.870+01:00

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1152455765006951742006-07-09T14:56:00.000+01:002008-01-07T01:44:12.563Z

My friend Ireti and I went to this serious owambe party in North London on June 17. The location was one of those London spaces that serve as Sports Centre for youths during the day, and ready party venue for Nigerians (and other communities, I'm sure, the rental charges yielding tidy sums for London councils every year) on weekends. There must have been a thousand people - two thousand and more

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1151861134144058572006-07-02T16:05:00.000+01:002006-07-03T10:54:33.966+01:00

.An excerpt from Autumn in Zimbabwe, a short story by Wadzanai Mhute, published in the current issue of Per Contra."What's going on? Do you like Simon?" Musa, Simadi's friend who was also black, asked her."No way!" Simadi said, partly because he was white and in post-independent, still racist Zimbabwe, whites and blacks didn't like each other that way... Each was accepted individually; together

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1151858163468623322006-07-02T15:06:00.000+01:002006-10-15T13:50:56.323+01:00

Chiedu Ezeanah's poem, The Spinner of Dialetics, inspired the original 'Spinning Odialetics' post on this blog. Now comes Odia Ofeimun's poem, Anarch of Hubris...ANARCH OF HUBRIS(for Chiedu Ezeanah)IIf you want to knowthe sex of lagoons, jumpjump into their wombsYou will sufferThe swollen silence of rebirthNever ask me why* * *Never ask whyThe mad poet of beer parloursgoes on the rampageHe drags

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1151850473134798842006-07-02T13:35:00.000+01:002006-07-02T22:39:06.076+01:00

Published this month and available to order on Amazon is a new book of essays, Children of a Retired God, by Rudolf Okonkwo.The publishers, Iroko Productions, describe the book as "an observation of [the] life of black people across the globe." Author Okonkwo uses contemporary stories of Nigeria, Africa and the Black World as published in his prolific newspaper columns to illustrate and consider

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1151845746081651662006-07-02T13:08:00.000+01:002006-07-02T14:34:57.173+01:00

Not to be missed if you're in Lagos on Friday/Saturday 7 & 8 July is the 3rd annual LAPOFEST. Keynote Speaker Niyi Osundare heads an impressive list of participants. The programme starts at 10am on both days at these venues:Day 1 (Friday, July 7): the main Campus of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo;Day 2 (Saturday, July 8, 2006): National Gallery of Art (Aina Onabolu Complex), National

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1151843717658078412006-07-02T12:38:00.000+01:002006-07-02T16:15:24.343+01:00

The first many heard of this, was from a report in The Punch newspaper about Kemi Adeyoola, an 18-year-old Nigerian girl charged with the gruesome murder of an 84-year-old woman. Anne Mendel was stabbed 14 times, in a crime commited when Kemi was only 17 and fresh out of a young offenders' institution.Kemi had a passion for literature and had written whilst in custody an 18-page manual detailing

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1151277804765857362006-06-25T20:58:00.000+01:002006-10-15T13:45:25.456+01:00

By Emman Usman ShehuBaywaterI looked for the bayI searched for the water,surfacing from the tube stationa stop away from Paddingtonthe place of my first initiation,and found a neighbourhoodof cold stareseven for the brokenSally at the edge of the alley.One of their own,at the wrong endof fortune,clinging to her sad smile,clutching the nearly emptyMcDonald’s pack,next to her ragtagin a Marks and

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1151276939548061462006-06-25T20:44:00.000+01:002006-06-26T00:41:41.996+01:00

You talkin' to me? Street sculpture in Dusseldorf, Germany.*Taken 17 April 2006

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1151274602234571402006-06-25T20:31:00.000+01:002006-06-30T07:00:22.756+01:00

In the running with Nigeria's Sefi Atta for this year's Caine Prize are 3 African women writers. One is Kenyan Muthoni Garland who is short-listed for her short story, Tracking the Scent of my Mother.Garland on being shortlisted..."I felt so empowered and inspired by this and it has given me the confidence to continue with my writing. I am now working on my first novel."--Read the interview On

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1151268925682642902006-06-25T20:20:00.000+01:002006-06-25T23:12:05.430+01:00

You are invited to Sentinel Poetry Live!Waterloo Gallery14 Baylis RoadLondon SE1 7AASaturday, July1, 20067PM - 9PMMunayem Mayenin (pictured) - poet-in-residence for Southwark Libraries, editor of Poet's Letter Magazine, and author of Geography of Time, The Son Of Eternity & Command The Moon.Durblabh Singh - painter & writer, Singh has exhibited his paintings worldwide and has published his

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1151264780828875232006-06-25T20:15:00.000+01:002006-06-26T21:01:57.113+01:00

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie recently wrote for the New Yorker on the subject of war - excerpt belowMy mother often shouted at Fide. She was creative with her Igbo insults. “You are a fat millipede, nnukwu esu!” she’d say when he took too long with a task. “Look at him, ike akpi, with the buttocks of a scorpion,” when he forgot yet another thing she’d asked him to do. Or, “May dogs lick your eyes!”

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1151272888696074762006-06-25T20:09:00.000+01:002006-06-26T00:43:23.386+01:00

*Image: Source Unknown

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1151262606052622722006-06-25T20:07:00.000+01:002006-06-25T23:07:31.923+01:00

Oyo ANA Short Story Writing Retreat/Workshop(With support from Spectrum Books, Ibadan)As part of improving writing skills for its members, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Oyo State Chapter, with support from Spectrum Books, Ibadan, will hold Oyo ANA Short Story Writing Retreat/Workshop.Friday June 30 to Sunday July 2, 2006,Venue: African Heritage Research Library Complex, Adeyipo

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1150631598782981022006-06-18T08:00:00.000+01:002006-10-15T13:51:49.186+01:00

After all the ‘lurve’ in the posts below on Idonije and Osofisan, how about we stir things up a bit, and offer you something a little different? Here goes…Chiedu EzeanahThe Spinner of Dialetics“If you want to know the sex of the lagoonJump, jump into it, and you will sufferThe swollen silence of rebirth...”(The Poet Lied - Odia Ofeimun)He spits virulent tirades against everything,Because he must

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1150666194273798412006-06-18T07:37:00.000+01:002006-06-19T10:33:48.606+01:00

The Estate is absorbing theatre. And Ellen is a wonderful character, as written by Agboluaje and as played by Thomas - with plenty of West African panache. When the property deal goes against her, she reveals with a knowing smile that all is not lost. Hardly surprising, she had saved "for a rainy day" during her husband's life. It is the turn of the scheming pastor to marvel: "Nigerians!" The

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1150628456079542592006-06-18T07:02:00.000+01:002006-10-15T13:53:31.933+01:00

Cleansing Song(for Don Mattera & the six musketeers of a memorable German Summer, 1992)I'm travelling with fine and lovely menI go as one travels with dreamspast rivers and castles and waterfallsI'm travelling with such a lovely groupwe share all that we brought to shareour memories of loss and betrayaland we link our hearts and we smilealong great rivers and ancient ruinsI'm travelling with

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1150614465095693212006-06-18T06:13:00.000+01:002006-09-11T12:02:13.106+01:00

Playwright Femi Osofisan (in blue) at the 60th Birthday tribute held in his honour - at the Jazzhole, Lagos, on June 14.Festivities marking Osofisan's birthday have continued since the 14th, with drama, exhibition, lectures, readings and the launch of a new book of essays on his work, edited by Sola Adeyemi. Osofisan hosted a birthday party yesterday in his residence at the University of Ibadan (

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1150621309356563302006-06-18T06:09:00.000+01:002006-06-19T10:30:53.303+01:00

All hands on deck for the cutting of the cake: (L-R) - Writer Promise Okekwe, Biodun Jeyifo, actress Joke Silva, Osofisan's brother, the man himself, Prof Folabi Ajayi & poet Odia Ofeimun.Professor Biodun Jeyifo (left) pays tribute to Femi Osofisan on the occasion of his 60th birthday.Ademola Adetunji said...Ten years ago I played Digbaro in one of Osofisan's plays Twingle Twangle a Twynnig tales

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1150618103618507292006-06-18T06:03:00.000+01:002006-06-18T09:08:23.770+01:00

CORA Takes ‘Stampede’ To Cape Town THE 61st edition of the Art Stampede will hold at the Cape Town Book Fair, in the most beautiful city on thecontinent, in June. The event is scheduled for June 20, from 10am to 11.30 at the Olive Schreiner Room 1.52 at the Cape Town International Conference Centre,where the book fair is taking place. The discussions will be led by Harry Garuba, associate

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1150606066904159462006-06-18T06:00:00.000+01:002006-06-18T05:47:47.016+01:00

Association of Nigerian AuthorsANA Oyo State Chaptercordially invites youto its LiteraryRUSHLiteraryRUSH is comprised of readings, skits, jokes, munching etc.Guest Writer: Akeem Lasisi (Poet & Journalist)Host: Oyida Ige (Founder, The Storyteller)Venue: Educare Trust Exhibition Centre, Goshen Superstores Building, beside Coca-Cola, Sango, Ibadan.Date: Saturday June 24, 2006 Time: 4: 00

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Never mind the date on this photo... I can confirm it was taken at the birthday do for Benson Idonije last week. Here he is being congratulated by his wife; another well-wisher looks on.On Idonije...Steve Ayorinde...I acknowledge all other celebrations this season, but i would like to scream, holler and shout on top of my voice in congratulating uncle Benson Idonije at 70. Without any airs, with

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1150624846820839522006-06-18T05:39:00.000+01:002006-06-19T10:25:37.006+01:00

Benson Idonije, Nigeria's best known music critic and former manager to Fela Anikulapo-Kuti clocked 70 on Tuesday of last week. Here below, Kabir Alabi Garba and others at the Arts Desk of The Guardian, Lagos, make presentations to the veteran, for his services to Nigerian music.Popularly known as 'Uncle Ben', Idonije (in blue) writes extensively for The Guardian on Nigerian music genres -

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She brought down the house with her most famous song, the title of which very few women know, though they know all the words. With plenty of attitude, Salawa Abeni and the women in the house sang the lines: "Won l'asewo ni mi - they say I'm a loose woman" - in what must surely now be regarded as a Yoruba feminist anthem. Second half of the show, and the Waka queen emerged surprisingly unchanged

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1150071387703414682006-06-11T19:29:00.000+01:002006-06-12T01:28:32.830+01:00

Playwright Wole Oguntokun penned Who's Afraid of Wole Soyinka and has directed stage productions of the latter's plays (the last being Camwood on the Leaves) - is definitely not afraid of the Nobel Laureate.Oguntokun was hob-nobbing with Soyinka at the great one's retreat in Abeokuta recently.See the following posts on Oguntokun's blog:The King & ISoyinka's new bookIn WS' PlaceRoughening up the

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1150068378898782072006-06-11T19:00:00.000+01:002006-06-12T12:01:10.016+01:00

When news broke that Zadie Smith had won this year's Orange Prize for her book, On Beauty, I suddenly kicked myself, thinking I should have been there. Can't be everywhere of course. It reminded me however, of this scene above. Zadie Smith's win was almost two years to the day when Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie went up to the podium to pick up her bouquet for making the 2004 Orange shortlist. Her book

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1150066762191878832006-06-11T18:41:00.000+01:002006-06-12T00:28:44.210+01:00

Iweala wins award for Beasts of No NationJune 7, Uzodinma Iweala was announced as The New York Public Library's 2006 Young Lions Fiction Award for his debut novel about a child solider, Beasts of No NationIweala, who beat 4 other finalists to bag the honour, said: "It's great to be in such good company. It's good to know that people are interested in the topic of child soldiers, which is a

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1150062063479653252006-06-11T18:26:00.000+01:002006-06-17T04:56:37.343+01:00

FEMI OSOFISAN@ 60: CELEBRATING A LIFE IN ART AND COMMITMENT Femi Osofisan is a critic, poet, novelist, essayist, lecturer, editor, publisher, culture activist, the most prolific, most performed and the most enthusiastically received playwright in Nigeria. He has written and produced over 40 plays. Numbered among them are Midnight Hotel, Morountodun, Who is Afraid of Solarin?, Birthdays are not

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1150060828362354212006-06-11T18:04:00.000+01:002006-06-11T22:20:28.606+01:00

ANA ABUJA SPECIAL JUNE READING The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Abuja Chapter, announces its special June reading session. The Guest Writer for the event is Ms Unoma Azuah, of Lane College, Jackson,Tennesse, United States of America and author of the novel, Sky-High Flames – adjudged the Urban Spectrum best national novel of the year 2006. Azuah is also the 2005 winner of the

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ANA LAGOS HOLDS POETRY FESTIVALThe 3rd edition of the annual Lagos Poetry Festival (LAPOFEST) holds in July, 2006. This year's edition of the great festival promises to be much more elaborate and more colourful than the previous ones. For one, the Festival, organised by the Lagos State Branch of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA Lagos),in conjunction with Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo,

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President of ANA Abuja, the poet Emman Usman Shehu - welcomes writers & literature lovers to the 1st Cross Border Reading - with music.*More photos 1, 2 & 3 ... all courtesy of ANA Abuja.

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Second day, and there was music... courtesy of Musa Gurmi and his group - being sprayed here on the left by a member of ANA Benue. Some of the participants on the closing night of the Cross-Border Reading.Front row & sitting: Folu Agoi, chairman of ANA Lagos - is 4th from right.*Photos: courtesy of ANA Abuja

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More pictures from the ANA Abuja Cross Border ReadFest. On the right is Ifeoma Chinwuba (author of Merchants of Flesh, Fearless and the forthcomingWaiting for Maria) giving a talk of "The Challenges of Writing" on thesecond day of the event.Austyn Njoku (standing) was one of many members of ANA Lagos who travelled to Abuja specially for the event. Here @ the British Council on opening night, he

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1149459256209162142006-06-04T19:10:00.000+01:002006-06-04T23:14:16.336+01:00

JUNE 10 EXTRA-ORDINARY READING: SPECIAL INVITATION Association of Nigerian Authors, Lagos Branch (ANA Lagos) hereby invites all members and friends of the creative community to the Special June Reading/Meeting of Lagos-based writers, which holds on Saturday, June 10, 2006. Guest Speakers at the Special Reading are: Femi Adesina (Editor [Daily], The Sun newspapers) and Ayo Oyoze Baje (Member,

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1149458441738516922006-06-04T19:06:00.000+01:002006-06-04T23:00:41.836+01:00

E Wa Jo means 'Come and Dance'...The E Wa Jo company brings its African Arts & Culture Festival/fair to major shopping centres in the UK this summer.To find out about how you can participate, sponsorhips or exhibitions during the fair, contact E Wa Jo by email: info@ewajo.com /tel: +44-7712045796

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1149457846102399072006-06-04T19:00:00.000+01:002006-06-12T00:00:45.516+01:00

Inspired by Chekhov but set in contemporary Lagos,Nigeria, Chief (Mrs) Adeyemi is engulfed in burial arrangements for her recently deceased husband, an influential entrepreneur with an extended family scattered across the globe. His children arrive from abroad to hear their father’s Will. As they divide his estate an unnatural turn of events takes place and sparks begin to fly...So goes the promo

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1149455946175543602006-06-04T18:50:00.001+01:002006-06-05T01:13:12.590+01:00

The 1st Abuja Cross Border Reading event took place last weekend 25, 26 & 27 May. Shown above at the event are (L-R) author of the novel Flowers Kissed by the Sun, Guest Writer Dr Umelo Ojinma; Ken Ike of the Abuja Literary Society; and the president of ANA Abuja, Emman Usman Shehu.Here's a cross section of guests and participants at the May 25th Special May Reading. In the foreground (R-L) Ahmed

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1149450775776717442006-06-04T18:50:00.000+01:002006-06-04T20:56:57.060+01:00

Yesterday's paper was full of sweaty footballers, some with striking good looks, some with spotty skin - all overpaid. Not to be outdone, the Weekend Magazine pullout of The Guardian published many many lush images of well oiled and buffed footballers they probably wanted the women to drool at. It became a bit much for me, quite frankly.But they are forgiven, because they provided an antidote

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1149446431280489862006-06-04T18:35:00.000+01:002006-06-04T23:44:07.306+01:00

This photograph on the right, by Alberto Korda, still carries the crease from where I folded my newspaper yesterday. It's just like me to embrace little imperfections like that. But nothing can take away from the unspeakable perfection of this fiercely beautiful, iconic image of the revolutionary, Che Guevara. This, to me, is the greatest photograph ever taken.And yesterday, The Guardian (UK)

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"What about myself?" Salawa Abeni asked the audience as her energetic show neared its end. She called herself "the Tina Turner of Africa", with something of a "Madonna" thrown in too. If you don't know, now you know.Mo Gbohun De, she sang - meaning: "I've brought the voice."

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How refreshing to have a sighting of a Nigerian star on the streets of London, for a change. It doesn't happen to me often. I saw Sola Fosudo on a train platform at Wembley Park Station once. I looked at him and he looked at me in the way famous people do when it dawns on them they've been recognised while trying to be incognito. We looked at each other again, then we both thought better of it

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From The London Eye into the Queen Elizabeth Hall, and it was an evening of dancing, dancing and dancing last night with Queen Salawa Abeni.I'd never seen Abeni in a concert setting before, and she was quite something. She was the closing act in the week-long 4th London African Music Festival, which began on May 19.

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She was the best known, and most important pioneer, in introducing African and Caribbean influence to classical, stage and cinema dancer. It is difficult to write about her accomplishments, without writing a book.- The above is excerpted from a post by Renegade Eye on the new blog, Shhh... in memory of the recently departed Katherine Dunham. Shhh... is an interesting blog with plenty of musical

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1148899959915942362006-05-29T10:25:00.000+01:002006-05-29T11:55:52.106+01:00

“As the 21st century stretches ahead of us and Africans find themselves in various locations, their relationship with the continent and with one another would seem to read, more than ever, the metaphors of a shared vision and new identities offered us through the generous creativity of our orator, story tellers, dramatists and poets,” he said, hinting that perhaps “what remains is to take

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1148897858672217702006-05-29T10:20:00.000+01:002006-05-29T14:38:11.360+01:00

The Overwhelming is a play set during the Rwandan Genocide. It had its world premiere at the National Theatre, London, on May 9.I saw a performance on Friday evening and thought it was staggering. Well, I staggered out at the end. The cast includes Danny Sapani, Jude Akuwudike & Adura Onashile. Those who can see the play, should do so.The play's at the National's Cottesloe until August.*

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Photographed the London Eye (in the post below) on my way to a concert by this lady in red - Salawa Abeni, at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Abeni is the Queen of Waka Music. * Photo taken 28th May.

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London Eye, 7.40pm yesterday evening.

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Poetry That Tests the PatienceBy Molara WoodOpen Sesame by Emman Usman Shehu, Bookcraft (Ibadan), 2005, pp80.This review resists the temptation to tackle the collection titled Open Sesame from the beginning, and does the opposite - starting almost at the end. The poem, ‘Chant of a Flaming Tongue’ does not make an appearance until page 68 of this, the second volume of poetry by Emman Usman

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Open Letter to the Chinese President on His Visit to Nigeria Your Excellency President Hu Jintao, In the wake of your two-day visit to Nigeria, we the undersigned Nigerian writers could not but draw your attention to and deplore some of the practices of the Chinese government. China is emerging as another economic and political superpower whose foreign policy will bear a vast

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1148411402746266142006-05-23T18:15:00.000+01:002006-05-23T20:11:00.266+01:00

Poetry Potter, this coming Saturday May 27ths @ 4pmVenue: National Library HallOpposite Casino CinemaAlagomeji, YabaLagos.* Guest Artiste of the month is Jude Orhorha... also, other performers on the programme.*Poetry Potter takes place every last Saturday of the month* Dress code: Nigerian native dressR.S.V.P: Aderemi Adegbite 08035149337 /Ropo Ewenla 08032311574 / Lekan Balogun 08027727751*****

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See the release below on a film festival ongoing in Accra until Saturday 27 May...REAL LIFE:A PAN-AFRICAN FESTIVAL OF DOCUMENTARY FILMSIN ACCRAObjective"Real Life" (a Twi translation is pending) inaugurates an annual film festival dedicated to documentary films based on the histories, peoples, heroes, cities and locations of African and diasporic African communities. The event will bring together

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1147733650935273602006-05-15T23:15:00.000+01:002006-05-16T00:11:57.940+01:00

The Caine Prize 2006 shortlist was unveiled earlier today and it's 4-1 in favour of the women as Nigerian Sefi Atta is joined by 4 others in the running for this year's award.Sefi Atta makes the shortlist for her short story, The Last Trip - from Chimurenga 8, 2006Darrel Bristow-Bovey (South Africa) is in for A Joburg Story - from African Compass - New Writing from Southern Africa Muthoni Garland

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Oh, to be in EnglandWhen spring is here *Journeying into work, the change to the Victoria Line at Green Park Station would become impossible on some mornings, due to some problem or other on the London Underground. This would necessitate my coming out onto the street and walking through Green Park, past Buckingham Palace and the hundreds of tourists who seem to get there at the crack of dawn.

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In the current edition of Sentinel Poetry Online, poet Afam Akeh remembers his introduction to Christopher Okigbo, the poet who died fighting for Biafra. In I return to Okigbo, Akeh writes about that first, life-changing encounter with Okigbo, then goes on to discuss how the latter has influenced, not just his own poetry, but the generations of African poets that followed. Possible reasons for

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1147560244187161732006-05-13T19:00:00.000+01:002006-05-14T23:04:00.980+01:00

Cover of the current edition of ANA News

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One doesn't bother much with sport on this blog, but heck, it's World Cup year! And one must concede that football at its very best is an art. And they don't come greater than Edson Arentes do Nascimento - that's Pele to you and me. It was thanks to Pele that I didn't throw away the 'Sport' pullout of the UK Guardian today. In a sumptuous two page spread, we learn about how a 17-year-old boy

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Here is the Nigerian edition of Soyinka's new book of memoirs, You Must Set Forth At Dawn.Published by Bookcraft, the book had its presentation yesterday in The Atrium of the Silverbird Galleria, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.Read Ikhide Ikheloa's review of the book here.

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"I’m not going to write utopian literature, because I don’t write science fiction. I write fiction that reflects the reality of my own existence. I can’t write escapist literature. I think it’s left for the writer to listen to the inner voice to give him a story..." - Toni KanRead Toni Kan 's latest interview here.Photo: taken at Sentinel Poetry Live! 1, 1st April 2006

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Sefi Atta, author of Everything Good Will Come, talks about her 'wonderful' childhood in a new interview...We lived off Queen’s Drive minutes away from Five Cowry Creek. We had dogs, geese and chickens running around our backyard and a vegetable patch that used to flood during the raining season. It was one adventure after the other and indoors we had a library of Jane Austen, Huck Finn and other

Wordsbodynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15903253.post-1147550602386264102006-05-13T18:10:00.000+01:002006-05-15T15:03:42.726+01:00

African Writers' Evening on May 19 at the Poetry Cafe will feature Helen Oyeyemi (author of The Icarus Girl).Also on the bill are young poets - Clara Bakosi (Nigeria) & Louis Antwi (Ghana), who have emerged from the annual Lynk Reach schools Slam project coordinated by Jacob Sam-La Rose..The line up in the following months include: Hisham Matar (selected Borders Best books of 2006 - Libya);

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Dear Friends:By a beautiful coincidence three events, involvingfour old Nsukka friend of the 1960’s and 1970’s, will be taking within three days in New York and NewarkMay 31, 2006 Stephen Vincent will be reading his poetry with Susan M. Schultz and Mark Wallace, on Wednesday, May 31, 8 pm, at the St. Marks Poetry Project, 131 East 10th Street (at 2nd Ave), Manhattan,New York.June 1, 2006 Obiora

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