CHALE WOTE 2014: FASHION AND ART SPREAD

Photography by MANTSE ARYEEQUAYE | KOFI ANTI AND KOBE SUBRAMANIAM

CHALE WOTE 2014 opened with an exhilarating flash of sights, sounds and energetic inventions by Ghanaian and international artists in James Town. Over 200 artists transformed old British Accra into a live museum with a long trace of multi-disciplinary art. Over two days, the streets of James Town were filled with fashion and art. Local and international designers were there to showcase and sell their amazing designs to the world.

Gye Nyame!

Some of the ornaments that sold at CHALE WOTE.

CHALE WOTE 2014: COME TO THE CENTER OF THE WORLD

Photography by MANTSE ARYEEQUAYE 

As we make ready for endless crowds to “Come to the Center of the World” on August 23 & 24, we give you more images of the artists who will jamming with us at the CHALE WOTE Street Art Festival 2014.

Strolling Goats in Accra with Chale Wote 2014, DJ Steloo

Selorm Jay + Yoyo Tinz are bringing Gbobalor Hiphop to Chale Wote 2014

THE FOURTH CHAPTER: CHALE WOTE 2014

Strolling Goats in Accra with Chale Wote 2014.

Chale Wote 2014 will open with a heady rush of sights, sounds and vibrant creations by Ghanaian and international artists in James Town. This weekend over 200 artists will transform old Accra into a live museum with a long trail of multi-disciplinary art. Festival producers, ACCRA [dot] ALT, are collaborating with REDD Kat Pictures, Foundation for Contemporary Art Ghana, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, NO LIMIT Charity and Attukwei Art Foundation for this year’s festival.

This is the fourth edition of the festival since it started in 2011. Last year was a major success and the collective effort of many young people—ranging from artists, musicians and writers to designers, students and activists. The two-day festival will feature graffiti murals, film screenings, theater, installations, live music performances, a fashion circus, extreme sport, dance, spoken word and art workshops.

CHALE WOTE 2014: Q+A INFORMATION SHEET

 The Fourth Annual CHALE WOTE Street Art Festival

James Town | High Street

Saturday, August 23^rd + Sunday, August 24^th | 10am – 9pm

Q+A Information Sheet

 

1. Which part of James Town will the festival be held?

The two-day festival will take place along a 10-minute walking route on High Street between the Ga Mashie Development Agency [three buildings to the right of the Light House] down to the old Kings Way building [next to Ussher Fort].

THE TAKERS #CHALEWOTE2014

Photography by MANTSE ARYEEQUAYE

Here are more photos from the Strolling Goats in Accra with CHALE WOTE 2014. We are less than a week away from the Chale Wote Street Art 2014,and the artists + volunteers are ready to make the festival happen on August 23 & 24 in James Town.

Strolling Goats in Accra, Chale Wote 2014 artists + volunteers touring festival routes.

Accra’s most fashionable House Music DJ, Steloolive .

THE ARTISTS BEHIND THE SCENES: CHALE WOTE 2014

Photography by MANTSE ARYEEQUAYE

As we ready ourselves for the CHALE WOTE Street festival 2014, we’d like you to familiarize yourselves with the works of some of the artists who are coming to the festival.

The Strolling Goats in Accra, DJ Steloo, Nii Aryittey, Abrokwah & Din.

DJ Steloo will be rocking the turntables at the Accra House Music DJ booth. Abrokwah A.K.A “Bike Lord” is getting ready to serve some Kpakpo Shito Bicycle stunts at Chale Wote 2014. Nii Aryertey and Din are part of the amazing Chale Wote 2014 production team.

Selorm Jay looking forward to the rebirth of GH Hiphop with Yoyo Tinz at Chale Wote 2014

Yoyo Tinz: Gbobalor

opposite Mantse Agbonaa

Gbobalor evokes the reincarnation of newborns in Ga. In the same way, Yoyo Tinz presents the evolution of hip hop culture in Ghana. This event will take hip hop lovers, spectators, community members, artists and art lovers on a journey into how broad and diverse Ghanaian hip hop culture truly is. On the bill: interactive freestyles, rap battles, dance, graffiti, beatmaking and much more.

LOOK WHO’S COMING TO CHALE WOTE 2014

Photography by MANTSE ARYEEQUAYE

Here are more pictures of the Strolling Goats with CHALE WOTE 2014. This edition features some of the amazing artists who are coming to the CHALE WOTE Street Art Festival in James Town on August 23 & 24.

 

Emelia Pinamang Asiedu & Elisabeth Efua Sutherland of Accra Theatre Workshop in James Town.

DREAMSCAPE explores the act of living as violence, following a young woman as she traverses a dream world, battling her mental fears.The piece asks the question, do we have the courage to take a hold of our destiny and translate dreams into waking? Does the strength we find in our daily death have any relevance in the land of the living?

Abena will be in charge of “The Ideal Woman Vision Boards”

The Ideal Woman Vision Boards

Brazil Lane [just behind Otoblohum]

Obaasema Magazine comes to CHALE WOTE with a focus on unearthing images of inspiration, integrity and action for women. Four vision boards on display will create a launchpad to discuss how images matter and what these representations mean to African women.

CHALE WOTE 2014: THE OFFICIAL POSTER

This August artists from across the continent and the world are meeting in Accra for this year’s Chale Wote Street Art Festival. Over 200 of the city’s artist will be creating collaborative projects between the 19th to the 24th. Come to the center of the world.

Icon From An African City: MaameYaa Boafo

New York based Ghanaian actress MaameYaa Boafo was in Accra a couple of months ago during the shooting of the web series, An African City. Mantse Aryeequaye took MaameYaa on a walk through the back roads of Dzorwulu, a suburb of Accra, for some photos capturing that “fly Ghana girl back home” vibe. Nana Osei Kwadwo chatted with her later on about An African City.

MaameYaa finds home in Accra!

The first time I saw MaameYaa Boafo in Nicole Amarteifio’s An African City, I thought she was beautiful, fierce and versatile. She stars as one of five women characters, in the webisode, that returns to live in Accra after years of studying and working abroad. Debuting less than a couple months ago, the series has quickly gained a popular online following with major media shout-outs hailing via Ebony Magazine, BBC News, BET and NPR.

With comparisons being made to Sex in the City, the webisode is growing its audience by the day and captivating folks with African fashion, fly natural hairstyles and “awkward African girl” situations as the women support one another in acclimating to life in Ghana again.

Taking a Royal walk on the highway.

MaameYaa has lived most of her life traveling around the globe but currently calls New York City home. She’s now working on a new project with renowned African American novelist and playwright, Walter Mosley, as well as a few new films.

Curious to know more about MaameYaa, I caught up with her recently to chat about acting, what it means to be Ghanaian, and her role in An African City.

RECALLING INDIE FUSE 2013: DAY 1

Story by BILLIE MCTERNAN | Photography by SELORM JAY

For those that are unfamiliar with IND!E FUSE, you should know that it is the country’s largest concert of independent artists that falls slap-bang in the middle of Ghana’s December party season.

Mensa of FOKN BOIS with the crowd.

When I came to Ghana in December 2012 it had been four years since I’d last visited the country. Up until that time I had been under the guardianship of family, shuttling from one family house to another, missing out on the vibrancy the city had to offer. I was looking forward to discovering an alternative experience.