African and Caribbean Arts and Culture

[iMaverick] Johannesburg - It was bound to cause a storm. The image of President Jacob Zuma in a Soviet-style stance, his genitalia exposed. What it really showed was exactly how divided we still are, which means we still don't have a clue who we are. (AllAfrica)

[iMaverick] Johannesburg - For a week, South Africans have been huffing and puffing about the president's depiction in Brett Murray's artwork, The Spear. Tomorrow, the matter comes before a judge and one of the houses - freedom of expression or the right to dignity - has to crumble. Alex Eliseev explores a case which has divided a nation. (AllAfrica)

[SACSIS] Over the past eighteen months there have been enough "Kaffir" slips of the tongue, from different echelons of White society, to prove that racism is alive and well and living on the tips of the tongues of most White South Africans. (AllAfrica)

[Focus] There might be so many TV-shows showing in East Africa but only one is being talked about in almost the entire region. (AllAfrica)

[RNW Africa] Malian singer and guitarist Fatoumata Diawara, 30, is worried about the ongoing political crisis in her country. Her concerns are shared by many other Malian musicians and artists. Fatoumata spoke to RNW during her tour in the Netherlands. (AllAfrica)

[ANGOP] Luanda - The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly to mark the date of approval in 2001, of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity . (AllAfrica)

[Ghanaian Chronicle] This book has an identity problem. The author, the NPP politician and medical doctor, Arthur Kennedy states in the introduction that the book is "a work of fiction". Five lines later he restates that "this book is fiction." The author states that the book is an attempt to sound the alarm about the impact of drug abuse on Africa in general and on West Africa in particular, and therein lies the problem about the book. (AllAfrica)

[Biz-Community] Classical artist André Rieu has added another show to his forthcoming SA Tour. Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra will now also perform at the Coca-Cola Dome on Saturday, 18 August, 2012. Tickets are now on sale. (AllAfrica)

[Biz-Community] Wits Art & Literature Experience (WALE) took place during 9 - 12 May 2012 at Wits University. The festival is known for its diverse and top class artists, showcasing the best Wits has to offer in dramatic arts, film, music, literature, theatre, dance and more. (AllAfrica)

[Biz-Community] Still I ask this... The first article on this topic asked why we, as South Africans, seem not to be valuing our skills and composing music that is ingrained in our South African-ness when raising awareness on social issues. (AllAfrica)

[Biz-Community] If you are a musical theatre buff, you know all your Broadway hits, and you have a sense of humour, you need to get your tickets for the UJ Arts & Culture production, Forbidden Broadway. (AllAfrica)

[Daily Observer] Basse - The vice president and minister for Women's Affairs has called for the protection of Gambian cultural heritage and norms saying traditional chiefs have a significant role to play in safeguarding it as well as in the maintenance of peace in the country. (AllAfrica)

[Biz-Community] As 1st Quarters go Fresh Eye Films has had a busy one. Not only have they signed up promising young director SuPa, but they have had cameras rolling across a host of different projects. (AllAfrica)

[Daily Observer] The much talked about Gambia's maiden International Kora Festival that has in recent times received great attention from both the government and the private sector has been rescheduled for November 1-4, to coincide with the start of the 2012-2013 tourism season, organisers have disclosed to the Daily Observer. (AllAfrica)

[ANGOP] Huambo - The Angolan researcher Festo Sapalo said on Monday here that the central Huambo province has a rich cultural diversity that represents a range of facts and concepts comprising the collective memory of Ovimbundo tribe. (AllAfrica)

[Ghanaian Chronicle] Last year's biggest selling outdoor music event, which took the music industry by storm, is back with a bigger bang in Accra. (AllAfrica)

[ANGOP] Luanda - The National Association of Artists and Composers (UNAC) has proposed the Ministry of Education to introduce more subjects related to arts and the concept of specialised school into the school curricula at all levels. (AllAfrica)

[ANGOP] Yeosu - The Angolan artists thrilled on Sunday the South Korean public that visit the country's pavilion at Expo Yeosu 2012, in South Korea. (AllAfrica)

[ANGOP] The Angolan fashion designer Nadir Tati was on Sunday very happy with the reception of her collection by the South Korean public. (AllAfrica)

[ANGOP] Yeosu - The dancer Tânia Manuel, also manager of the Kina ku Moxi dance group, who are one of the attractions of Angola's participation in the Expo Yeosu 2012, in South Korea, said Sunday here that there is a great need for the country to invest in the creation of school dances, aimed at spreading this art in the whole country. (AllAfrica)

[ANGOP] Luanda - The Angolan singer Pedrito do Bié released on Sunday his second album entitled "A suko yangue" in Luanda. (AllAfrica)

[News of Rwanda] Technical Festival to be held in Kigali will enable students of Rwanda to experiment with various technical ideas. Technical festivals usually help students understand different concepts and experiment with new ideas. The event will be graced by seminars and talks by leading technocrats from different walks of life. (AllAfrica)

[New Vision] A combination of applause and derision! That's what tore through the air Saturday evening at Ndere Centre in Kampala when the minute Charlie Denzel Mwiyeretsi, 25, was announced winner of Rated Next, a reality Urban TV contest that has been on since November last year, having enlisted more than 2000 hopefuls at audition level. (AllAfrica)

[ANGOP] Huambo - More than 6,000 people cheered Saturday with the music made in central Huambo province, during a show at Dr. Agostinho Neto Square. (AllAfrica)

[Leadership] There exist a drastic change in every aspect and facet one applies to what is obtainable in Kano today compared to the previous year. Indigenes cry for the lost glory, the hubbub of business, the general buzz, the clamor, the visitors, the free movement, the security, every other thing that had made Kano what it was- the nerve centre of commerce and industry. Not anymore. Hopefully, for a temporary period of time. (AllAfrica)

[Leadership] Samson Uche Mogekwu, popularly known as Samsong, is an award winning gospel artist, in this chat with Uche Uduma and Nanna Selkur, he talks about his passion for gospel music. (AllAfrica)

[Namibian] After staging a successful jewellery exhibition last year, 'five of a kind', a group of Namibian designers have done a one up and will be staging a follow-up exhibition, 'six of a kind'. (AllAfrica)

[Namibian] While phrases akin to "Sorry, we are experiencing technical difficulties. Please stand by," are all part and parcel of dealing with national broadcasters as well as telecommunication providers, it is not a phrase one often hears when watching a film screening courtesy of AfricAvenir's 'African Perspectives' series. (AllAfrica)

[Namibian] On Friday Nigerian housemates Chris and Ola shocked fellow housemates and a continent-wide audience when they opted to voluntarily exit Big Brother StarGame. (AllAfrica)

[Zimbabwe Standard] Delta Beverages has announced dates for provincial finals of its annual talent search programmes: Chibuku Road to Fame and Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance festival. The national finals of both programmes will be held in September. (AllAfrica)

[Times of Zambia] THIS year's Kulamba traditional ceremony of the Chewa-speaking people of Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique is expected to take place on August 25 at Mkaika village in Katete District. (AllAfrica)