Entertainment
Mona Dance School Showcases Talents At Star Night
Last Sunday, August 24th
2014 was not only historic, but memorable for lovers of good music and choreography as Mona Dance School, Port Harcourt held the 7th edition of her annual star night amidst glitz and glamour at the prestigious auditorium of the Arena, No 30 Tombia Street, Port Harcourt.
The large audience who attended the event from all works of life were thrilled by the raw talent and mesmerising dance steps of the trained dancers and their exciting and educative drama displays that left the audience spell bound as well as captivating music that blended with the dancers and created the right mood for the night.
The star studded event started at about 5.15pm with an opening prayer by Everest Okonkwo, followed by the introduction of the instructors, the creative minds behind the artistic creation, Jazz Line dance titled “When Jesus says yes…. “by Destiny’s child performed by Holiday socials students and “my first Ballet and Adagio” expressing the different basic movements in Ballet in tune to music using the body, space, different levels, direction and formation.
Other events of the night included in between” which talked of joining hands together in aiding positive growth of our children, “First Game,” which is a Hip Hop rap beat, “Suffering and smiling” which teaches that irrespective of whatever situation we many find ourselves, the smiles on our faces give us the strength to hope for a better day, and “thanksgiving” which teaches that even when we derail from his path in the bid to scarch for quicker solution and fail to find them, God’s grace is always available. There was also ‘Agbeko’, the migration dance of Ghana featuring music and life drums performed by Mona Dance School Instructors and DWM. “Watch me Dance” which is the joy of learning to dance by all ages performed by parents of Holiday socials students, ‘Apeja’ (Fisher Men Dance) exhibiting the rich occupational culture of the people of Lagos state and “the experiences”, Music is broken heels by Alexandra Burks.
The high point of the night is “influence” the theme of the star night which show cased heroes, leaders and remarkable people who have fought against human/ social injustice, poverty, oppression and supported Christian movements with a sence of purpose and integrity, men and women who still speak long after they are gone some of them include the following, Mahatma Ghandi (1869-1948), Martin Luther King Jnr (1929-1968), Mother Theresa (1910-1992) Bishop Ajayi Crowder (1809-1890) and Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) (46664). Speaking with The Tide Entertainment shortly after the events, the Airtistic Director, Mona Dance school Port Harcourt, Mrs Eloi Etomi said, “I feel fulfileld because we are starting with people who want to fulfil their world, we should have different mindsets not to be waiting for our leaders to infulence the soceity we live in.” She noted that we could start it our selves in our little ways wherever we find ourselves so taht the society will be better for all of us to live in. She disclosed that Mona Dance School started in April 2008 and that the star night is an annual event with different themes. According to her this year’s theme has been most fulfilling becasue of its message. She however assured that next year will be better.
One of the guests at the event, Pastor Melvis Odobo noted that the nights event was wonderful and the theme very apt and essential in the sence that the mesasge they passed across to the audience was what the country needed right now considering the personalities who passed through the society and used their and life to influence the society positively.
He stressed that the Mona Dance school is relevant to the society because dance is an art and we should channel the energy of our young ones in that direction as it will help to develop them in body and soul.
A choreographer with the school, Mr Akuro Godwill Bubbo and American based instructor and dancer Miss Angel Eieyae gave kudos to the students for their wonderful performance.
Dancers performing at Mona’s Star Night PH
Spotify yesterday revealed a significant surge in heartbreak song streams in Nigeria during the Valentine’s Day season, with a 626 percent increase between 2022 and 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos, Nigeria by Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa Phiona Okumu.
Okumu said, “Spotify data reveals a surprising trend, a massive surge in heartbreak song streams.
“Nigerians are turning to their playlists to express their emotions, with a staggering 626 per cent overall growth in heartbreak streams from 2022 to 2024.
“This Valentine, the sound of love is accompanied by the sound of heartbreak, and the data shows it’s louder than ever before.”
She said on Valentine’s Day, most surprisingly, male listeners streamed heartbreak songs at a significantly higher rate than female listeners, with a 362 per cent increase compared to 169 per cent among women.
“This could suggest that men resonate with the feeling of heartbreak more and turn to music as a private outlet for processing emotions.
“Whatever the reason, one thing is clear, when love is in the air, so is heartbreak and Nigerian men are pressing play on their pain more than expected.
“While Valentine’s Day is often celebrated with grand gestures, heartbreak is a common theme on Valentine’s Day -more than what’s publicly shown,” she said.
Nigerians will join their counterparts across the world to mark the 2025 Valentine’s today.
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has joined MLS side San Diego FC’s ownership group as a club partner.
SDFC announced today that Tems joined the ownership group through her company, The Leading Vibe.
In the process, Tems became the first African woman to be involved in MLS ownership.
“We are delighted that Tems has joined San Diego FC as a club partner,” SDFC chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour said in a statement.
“Tems is a globally significant artist who will help us reach new audiences and spread the word about our unique project, which, of course, has its foundations in sub-Saharan Africa through the unique Right to Dream organisation.”
Reacting to her addition as the latest partner in SDFC’s ownership group, the singer said: “I am thrilled to join San Diego FC’s ownership group and to be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture, and the power of community.
“Football has a unique way of bringing people together, and I am excited to help build something special in San Diego, a city that thrives on diversity and innovation.”
Fashion and beauty entrepreneur, Toyin Lawani, has claimed she is enduring back pain and that her spine is degenerating.
Lawani revealed this in a video posted on social media last Tuesday.
In the clip, she opened up about her experience with epidural anesthesia, an injection administered to pregnant women in the spine to reduce pain during childbirth.
The mother of three claimed that since receiving the injection, she has not felt like herself.
She accused doctors of not fully informing women about the long-term side effects of epidurals.
According to Lawani, she received the anesthetic injection during the birth of her last two children.
She said, “When you hear ‘epidural,’ run. Doctors tell you about the side effects but do not tell you about the long-term effects on your body. I have about three friends having the same issues that I am having.
“Like, I am just 42, how did I end up with spine issues? I have a degenerating spine. I have implants in my spine. I go paralyzed. I can’t stand for a long time. I can’t even breathe properly sometimes because it affected so many things in my body when I had the surgery.
“They will not tell you because you just want the pain to go away. I have had two epidurals. I had my first as natural birth. The last two were epidural. The last one I had epidural because I had to undergo a surgery and I had no choice.
“See, the pain does not stop. My back is killing me and my spine is degenerating.”