On Studio 53 this week

Ayesha Harruna Attah's Book Launch in Ghana
Anita visited Ayesha HARRUNA ATTAH. At age seventeen, being completely convinced that she would like to become a doctor, Ayesha took a scientific path, majoring in biochemistry, which would lead her to medicine. The turning point in her story came when she decided to try taking a journalism class to meet the English requirement in her studies. That's when she realized she'd been suppressing a part of herself for years. On her return home, she'd hardly finished unpacking than the Per Sesh Writer's Workshop fell into her hands. This nine-month writing fellowship in Senegal, funded by TrustAfrica and the Ford Foundation, is one where young writers receive instruction in drafting and writing a novel. Although reluctant, so began another journey for Ayesha – one she wouldn't regret. Like the architect plans his buildings, so must the novelist. The minimum needed to plan a novel is an idea for its beginning and the end. The rest of planning involves filling in the blanks. Ayesha has taken those empty spaces and filled them admirably, imparting her cultural vision in a carefully, beautifully crafted tale.

Afrika Afrika Circus
Studio 53 and Ndaka attended The show that had a positive media attention from a social and cultural point of view, Afrika!Afrika! They featured a unique and extra ordinary combination of dance, entertainment, education and circus. The entire show is accompanied by a live band of musicians from Gambia, South Africa, Guinea and Senegal. The artists who were performing in the show presented Africa as it is seldom seen. Afrika! Afrika! Was an entertainment of the highest caliber that appeals to both families and adults alike. Bringing the enchanting beauty, incredible richness of African culture and joy of life, audiences is surely fascinated by the radiant colors, enchanting visual beauty, irresistible rhythms and dazzling energy. Afrika! Afrika! deliverd a breathtaking extravaganza which excited hundreds of thousands of visitors. The show was the brainchild of multi-media genius Andre Heller; featuring more than 100 artists from 17 African countries and overseas.

Designer Marissa Ibrahim
Studio 53 and IK visited Sierra Leone, were they met up with former Sierra Leone's model Marissa Ibrahim. This woman does not only have the beauty, but she has a creative eye on fashion. Sierra Leone isn't the first place you'd think of finding couture, but due to designers like Marissa the country is changing. Marissa is always working on the best way to get the best of two worlds to work together, Western design from an African fabric. Over the last few decades, African women have been turning their backs on the accepted 'western fashion system' and are developing an indigenous and vibrant fashion which negotiates between modernity and tradition. Marissa is definitely one of those women who is helping to bind the fabric of Freetown society together. In her designs, Africa meets the west. The serene but independent and playful spirit of African women is reflected in Marissa's designs. Yes, she may take from the current trends, but each dress is created individually.

Eyo Festival
Studio 53 and Nigerian VJ Christiana “Tana” Adelana visited the Eyo festival, which is a festival that is unique to Lagos. Eyo also refers to the masquerades that come out during the festival. This is still one of the very few popular local customs not yet effaced by religions introduced from outside the African continent. Many people taking part believe that whenever the festival is held, the barren will conceive and a variety of problems will be solved. Little wonder then that overseas residents return to join in the festivities! Since its original appearance in 1750, spectators have only had the chance to see it on about 80 occasions. And since it happens so infrequently - sometimes four or eight years apart – every time it does, it's a must-see 'exhibition' for several thousands; and to observe one is enough to leave the culture tourist reminiscing for a lifetime. This open-sky party, with heavy-duty speakers booming with every kind of music—traditional and western - accompanies the throng to the ultimate destination. The Adimu traditionally ends the day's procession with a symbolic performance: It dismantles at dusk a temporary construction inside which every eyo must come, dance and depart.

Watamu travel
Studio 53 and Fareed visited the beautiful Watamu situated in the east coast of Africa, Kenya, The best way to explore this seaside paradise is from the water, so it was time for Fareed to quickly sweet-talk his way onto a chartered cruise. Interestingly enough, watamu means “sweet people” in Swahili. The shoreline in the area with its white sand beaches is definitely a sight to see. The perks of the job also include a morning exploring the tiny island with such gracious hosts. After a great meal, Fareed headed back to the headland to see what was happening. He visited the Gede ruins, which are all that remain of what was once a thriving Swahili village, which was abandoned in the 17th century. Today, the ruins are overgrown and silent – home only to the seldom seen Syke's monkeys and the even more elusive Palm-Nut Vultures. Fareed headed back to the coastline where he visited the Marine National Parks and Reserves. Part of Watamu's commitment to preserving its heritage is conserving its marine life. Established in 1968, the Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve was one of Kenya's first marine parks. Its coral gardens are merely 300 metres from the shore and are home to countless species of fish and other sea creatures. He ended his day with the Watamu Turtle Watch program, which is dedicated to protecting the population of green turtles that nest on these beaches, as well as rehabilitating those turtles injured by fishermen's gear.

Samaki Samaki Rest.

Located right on the ocean's front door, Grace met up with more than just a restaurant and its owner. She uncovered an undiscovered paradise on a quiet beach, basking in near-perfect weather. The cooking of east Africa is based on fresh foods and with the ocean right outside, fish is bound to be freshly caught. Grace got a chance to experience cooking on the Kenyan and East African Coast with one of the best chefs of the east coast of Africa. Owner and chef Carlos showed us that a delicious combination of exotic spices, and when you throw in a bit of Spanish flair, there's a lot of zing. Absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying a long cool one to the soothing sounds and gentle breezes coming off the Indian Ocean. After this cooking experience Grace had an opportunity of tasting the goodness of Tanzania mixed with a flair of Spanish.

Modesta Mahinga
We had an opportunity to sit one on one with Modesta Mahinga in Dar es Salaa. She has cut her teeth on travel fairly early in life, firstly living for a while in Australia, then for schooling in Swaziland, then off to the United Kingdom and Germany for further studies in law and human resources. Initially wanting to ground herself in Human Rights law, she found herself revaluating her career decision on her return 'home', hoping to make a difference in the developing world. We got an opportunity to hear about what drives her to do the work that she is doing.

Duplicity EPK
Duplicity is a must see movie, which is why Studio 53 is showing the interviews with its cast and director. A big part of the fun in Duplicity - though not all of it, nor even the biggest part - is in keeping up with the impenetrable nest of potential double-crosses that Ray and Claire inflict upon one another in the course of 24 months leading up to their great present-day scheme. And they are "potential double-crosses", because it's never altogether clear whether the couple is working together or against one another. Given two such diabolically twisted characters, both Owens and Roberts give their best performances in a long time, producing one of the most witty and satisfying pair of lovers seen in a movie in ages, feeling every inch like they've just stepped out of a 1930s screwball comedy.

Kelechi
IK visited photographer Kelechi AMADI OBI. After his call to the bar in 1993, Kelechi settled down to full time studio art. His paintings mostly appear in the realistic mode and dwell on human anatomy and moods. He has shown unique style and mastery of aesthetics and creative lighting in his paintings. The attributes that brought him acclaim in the art world have been reinvented in his photography. This self-proclaimed 'restless' artist has earned international renown for both his paintings and photography, exhibiting both within and outside Nigeria, at the International Centre of Photography in New York, at the South London Gallery in the UK, as well as in Germany and Brussels. In 2004 he won the St. Moritz Style Award for photography.