“Preserving Memory as Future”: An Interview with AIDA Muluneh

by Sionne Neely

MARIE-Ange BORDAS: “I was too young” | photo courtesy of Addis Foto Fest 2012

AIDA MULUNEH is definitely a force to be reckoned with. The photographer and filmmaker heads up ADDIS FOTO FEST – a biannual, international photography festival in Addis Ababa that brings a diverse cadre of African photographers together to showcase their work [the third installation is Dec 2014]. In direct response to how Ethiopia has been popularly imagined by western development + media agencies since the 1980s, Aida is building an appreciation for photography among the Ethiopian public by re-working how photography takes shape in the country. The festival develops the capacity of emerging Ethiopian photographers to tell their own compelling stories.

I caught up with my fellow Howard U Film Dept. comrade on a recent trip to Accra. Here we rap about Addis Foto Fest and how emerging Ethiopian photographers are in a unique position to transform the country’s visual future.

Drive AIDA Drive | photo courtesy of Addis Foto Fest 2012

NOMAD FASHION: EXPATRIATE by Kita Nolley

by Sionne R. Neely

KITA NOLLEY [EXPATRIATE]

Up and coming designer Kita Nolley’s new line EXPATRIATE is all about the traveling woman. Popping contrasts, beautifully complex prints, super structured silhouettes and deliciously colorful fabrics – EXPATRIATE is a mix of the heres and nows – simultaneous worlds taking shape together.

Nolley is a nomad in her own right. After ditching her 9 to 5 as a financial analyst in Atlanta, she sojourned all Eat-Pray-Love like around the globe to follow the patterns of her passion stitched in fashion. Nolley’s journey led her to London and work with couture design house Zoe Jordan and farther afield to Nepal, Thailand and Bangladesh, where she designed with a major garment manufacturer for labels such as H&M, Zara and TopShop.

Surprisingly, Nolley began her career only five years ago with a $20 basics class at the Atlanta Sewing Center. Hard work and determination never looked so lovely. She’s been selected as one of Charleston Fashion Week’s Top 20 Emerging Designers of 2013. Nolley will debut her Spring 2013 Collection, CULTURE CLUB there during the week of March 19-23.

I recently had a chance to rap with Mz. Nolley about bold transnational fashion and a woman’s jones for the wide open road.

FEET DON’T FAIL ME NOW – Nolley’s Globetrotting

CHALE WOTE 2013: Open Call for Visual + Performance Art Proposals

CHALE WOTE Chillin x Tei Huagie’s Mannequin Installation

ACCRA [dot] ALT in association with REDD KAT Pictures, Foundation for Contemporary Art Ghana, Dr. Monk and Attukwei Art Foundation have begun preparation for the third annual Chale Wote Street Art Festival 2013 which will be held on Saturday, September 7 – Sunday, September 8th.

The Chale Wote Street Art Festival is an alternative platform that brings art, music, dance and performance out into the streets in James Town Accra. Its aims are to cultivate a wider audience for the arts, break creative boundaries and use art as a viable form to rejuvenate public spaces.

THE WINNEBA MASQUERADE

The Chale Wote Street Art Festival challenges local and international artists and Accra residents to connect by creating and appreciating art together. The festival includes street and sidewalk painting, graffiti murals, large photography displays, interactive art installations, live street performances, extreme sports, experimental community theater, independent African film screenings, a fashion parade, a music block party, recyclable design workshops and much more.

FOTO REWIND: INDIE FUSE 2012 [Day 2]

Take a peek at these cool visuals from the mainstage IND!E FUSE 2012 show at Alliance Francaise.

*Unmarked photos by Mantse Aryeequaye. All other images were captured by OneFotos.

The Ga Greek God’s Azonto

Mutombo da Poet’s Vibe

M3NSA | Simpol Tinz

Lady Jay’s Ha!

Paapa’s Song

REWIND: BLITZ the AMBASSADOR x LES NUBIANS [ACCRA, OCT. 2011]

BLITZ THE AMBASSADOR rocks KAYOBI CLOTHING | ACCRA, OCT. 2011

Nothing like a new year to get you easing on down memory lane. While tripping through our archive this morning, we came across these behind-the-scenes shots of Blitz the Ambassador and Les Nubians rehearsing before that killer live homecoming show at Alliance Française back in October 2011. The concert also marked The Ambassador’s first time performing in Ghana in 10 years.

In retrospect, this was the joint that revealed the pulse of the Accra indie music scene in all it’s raw and vibrant glory. We ain’t been the same since.

Brother Blitz, the folks wanna know – when are we on again?

Photos by our Co-Director – Mantse Aryeequaye – for ACCRA [dot] ALT.

Hélène and Célia Faussart Are Les Nubians

THE MIGHTY HORNS

Hélène

Célia

BEHIND THE SCENES: IND!E FUSE 2012 Sound Check

EBEN’S HIP HOP

Peruse through our garden of IND!E FUSE 2012 images. One month later, folks are still chatting up the two-day December concert – including many a request for IND!E FUSE twice a year?!! Wow Fam.

Check out these behind-the-scenes photos of the artists and crew at sound check before the main stage show at Alliance Française that beautiful Saturday night in December.

All Photos Taken by ACCRA [dot] ALT.

SOUND CHECK 1-2, 1-2

DJ KEV | KOBBY GRAHAM | BADBOY STELOO

CRUSH ME FOR DEH FRONT

M3NSA | KOBBY GRAHAM

TAWIAH’S IN THE BLDG

TAWIAH | WANLOV

IND!E FUSE 2012: DAY 1 [PHOTO SELECTA]

HANDS UP.

If you were at IND!E FUSE 2012 this past weekend, then you know we had an INSANELY good time. Wow! Thanks Accra for coming out last Friday + Saturday and showing your support for independent African music.

We got photos from DAY 1 at The Republic Bar + Grill in Osu. We jam-packed the joint out with 500 people and more spilling onto the street. Our mashup boutique featured the Afro-electric sounds of supa dope DJs – Jason Kleatsh, Kweku Ananse, SanSe and DJ Kev with live performances by Rumor, Looney the TKR, Oga Chux, Steloo, Eli and Fatau Keita.

Our MASTA MC – Mawuli Fudoglo – kept everyone in stitches with his silly swag and funky boogie.

FUDOGLO + DJ KEV WARM IT UP

Like any good block party, the drinks keep pouring and bodies go on shaking. The sound system was a beast so folks couldn’t help but shake a leg. Thanks to the massive mojo of our DJs and live artists – the party kept climbing until 4am in the morning – leaving loads of people in sweaty honeysuckle bliss.

What a blast! Take a journey through our photo selecta of IND!E FUSE 2012: Day 1 right here. All photos taken by ACCRA [dot] ALT.

RED LIGHT SPECIAL

HALF OF A YELLOW SUN

IND!E FUSE 2012 Promo x TAWIAH

Peep @TawiahMusic‘s special IND!E FUSE shout out to you right here!

The 2-day live electro music mashup - IND!E FUSE began last night with massive sounds and late-night dancing at The Republic Bar + Grill. Stay tuned to see exclusive photos from the show. Then jam down with us TONIGHT at Alliance Francaise (7:30 -11pm, 10ghc).

18 amazing live music performers over two days…it’s the best bang for your cedi, chale.

IND!E FUSE 2012 Promo x YAA PONO

YAA PONO at IND!E FUSE, Dec. 2011 [photo by Francis Kokoroko]

Point blank, YAA PONO is a freestyle beast. His compelling storytelling, witty timing and delicious cadence makes this MC someone to check out.

He joins IND!E FUSE again after giving last year’s audience a small taste of what he can do. Yaa Pono’s dropping brand new material on the IND!E FUSE mainstage this Saturday, December 15th, 7:30 – 11:00pm, Alliance Francaise. You definitely want to be there for this!

Check out this small preview and see how the Uptown Energy Crew gets down. Tema, How Be?!

See YAA PONO live at IND!E FUSE 2012 | @TheRealYaaPono

IND!E FUSE 2012 Promo x LADY JAY

LADY JAY WAH [photo by Sefa Nkansa]

We’ve watched LADY JAY – the princess of Pidgen Music – hone her craft into a sweet honeycomb over the past year. With Sewor Okudzeto‘s A.R.T. [African Relaxation Techniques], Lady has been in the kitchen mixing and flipping it live at intimate spots and large-scale joints across Accra and West Africa [this past October she performed at Felabration in Lagos].

All too excited we are to see what she will throw down at IND!E FUSE this year. For a little taste of what you’ll see Saturday, check out Lady Jay letting go in this video:

 

See LADY JAY live at IND!E FUSE 2012 | @LadyJayWah