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Nottingham c nnected Interviews with... Felix Cross Mellonie Page Joseph Hall CARNIVAL SPECIAL Keep Carnival Alive! The Facts Know the Lingo Issue M0010 UK £1.00 Models Required
mojatuNottingham c nnected
Interviews with...Felix CrossMellonie PageJoseph Hall
carnival specialKeep carnival alive!The Facts
Know the lingo
Issue M0010
UK £1.00
Models
required
[email protected] www.nottinghamnewscentre.com
Mojatu magazine News desk Journalism training
E-Publication E-Library Photo journalism
Community Workshops in journalism starting September 2013
166 Alfreton Road, Nottingham, NG7 3NST: 0115 8457 009 M: 0798 4825 482
Wow! What a fantastic response to the latest edition of Mojatu magazine!
Many encouraging and constructive responses have been emailed, texted and phoned to us. See page 24 for some of the extracts. A big ‘THANK-YOU’ to all our readers and we look forward to hearing more from you. Get a copy of your favourite Mojatu Magazine from our outlets.
This Mojatu edition brings the best of Nottingham this summer. The special coverage of the Nottingham Carnival 2013 gives a glimpse of what the carnival entails including guidance on the lingo. See pages 4-9 and learn how best to get the waist wining and whet your appetite for carnival season. We also share the views of those attending this year’s Splendour in Nottingham and Shiefton’s 30 years of youth support celebrations.
Felix Cross, black theatre director, Joseph Hall, dancer and Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist and Mellonie Page, Notts singer extraordinaire also share their views on theatre, dance and music and their contribution to Nottingham city’s talent bank.
Truly, there is a lot to be proud of in Nottingham. Let us celebrate our heritage, passion and style at the Nottingham Carnival 2013. What are you waiting for…..get liming!
Kind regards,
Norma Gregory, Editor
ContentsCarnivalThings you should knowCarnival Lingo!Nottingham Carnival Archive
NewsShiefton Youth Group Windrush 65th Anniversary2013 Nottingham Sports Awards
CommunityLetters to the EditorTotally Tropical NottinghamNottingham’s Splendour 2013
Arts and CultureFelix Cross, Theatre DirectorJoseph Hall, Dance AcademicAlbum Review, Back to the Garden
Faith & SpiritualityPastor’s Corner - The Power of Prayer
HealthBME CancerFast foods you should avoid
EducationCommunity Literacy Improvement
Business Spotlight‘The IBA is ABC - ’ Business Support
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Group Editor: Frank Kamau – [email protected] Editor: Norma Gregory – [email protected] Graphic Designers: George Evangelos Bompetsis Robert Borbely | Maria - Tereza Tzelepaki | Maggie NdunguContributors: Kate Mills| Kevin Price | Piety KamuyuIT: Neha Shrivastava KhareAdmin: Penny CooperAccounts: Mercy JackreeceMarketing: Daniel MesterOnline and Magazine Advertisement Sales: [email protected]
Contact Mojatu: news, features, stories, letters and other comments [email protected] the magazineOnline www.mojatu.com/magazineSubscription @ £24 per year including postage(see page 31) [email protected] Foundation Publications166 Alfreton Road, Nottingham, NG7 3NSTel: 0115 845 7009 Mob: 07516962992 / 07984825482Facebook: www.facebook.com/mojatu1Twitter: www.twitter.com/mojatu1Printers: Mojatu Designs
Editor’s Welcome
Carnival
News
Community
Arts & Culture
Faith & Spirituality
Health
Education
Business
Editorial
Model: Samantha HudsonPhotographer: Simon [email protected]
CoverCity & Guilds (Journalism) | B.A (English)
PGCE (English) | M.A (Education)
Nottingham Carnival 2013 THe FacTs ThINGS yOu ShOulD kNOW! by NOrMA GrEGOry
What is the meaning and origin of the word ‘carnival’?It is said to come from the Latin expression carne vale, which means ‘farewell to meat’.
photos courtesy of TUNTUM
Why are masks worn?Masks in carnivals are sometimes based on 17th and 18th century masks and often used to disguise the wearer’s appearance or to refer to African cultures. Feathers represent the human ability to overcome tragedy and strength to continue in the face of adversity.
Where do costumes ideas come from?Ideas for costumes often come from mythical, cultural and historical figures and events. Often a theme is carried through in clothing, props and the colours used. Sometimes a troupe’s costume can be humorous or have deeper connotations perhaps referring to ‘jumbies’: mythological spirits or demons in the folklore of some Caribbean countries. Chains are worn to symbolise captivity and dancers cast off the ‘chains of authority’ and free to enjoy themselves as they please.
What is the importance of carnival?For many, especially peoples of African Caribbean descent, carnival is an important way to express rich cultural heritage, to reflection on history and to celebrate survival and progression.
photos courtesy of TUNTUM
mojatu.com4 Carnival
KIDS GO FREE!
To help the carnival remain free in future, the organising committee of Nottingham Carnival invites you all to contribute £1 towards entry to Nottingham Carnival, 2013. KIDS GO FREE!
Keep
Nottingham Carnival Free
By making your £1 contribution, the Nottingham Carnival will remain a truly free family event by helping to:
Reduce running costs
Improve standards of health and safety required at the carnival
Support the fantastic and inspiring, creative craft of carnival.
Make YOUR £1 Contribution to Nottingham Carnival, 2013
For Just £1!
The £1 contribution is great value compared to entry prices to typical musical events in the UK:
• Splendour Nottingham (1 day) £37.50 / £27.50• Leeds Festival (weekend) £197• Glastonbury £205 • V Festival (weekend) £209 • Reading Festival (weekend) £369
Nottingham connected 5
Who manages Nottingham Carnival?Since 1999, the Nottingham Carnival has been successfully operated by the Nottingham Carnival Trust and Tuntum Housing Association.
When was the first carnival in the uk?There is still scholarly debate about the date of the very first Caribbean carnival in the UK. Many believe what is now the Notting Hill, London Carnival was organised in 1958-59 (held then at St Pancras Town Hall) by Claudia Jones following the Notting Hill and Nottingham race riots in 1958. Some believe that Nottingham created the first Caribbean carnival in 1958 others suggest from the 1970’s. An accurate date is yet to be verified.
Where are the major Carnivals around the world?Trinidad and Tobago, New Orleans, Rio De Janeiro, Toronto, Venice and Panaji in India.
how is carnival linked to Africa, Europe and the Americas?The three continents are linked through the routes taken by the ships carrying enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas and Europe. Carnivals are often in Catholic dominated countries. The carnival of Venice was for a long time the most famous carnival in the world. Carnival traditions spread to the Catholic nations of Spain, Portugal, and France from Italy. They later spread to the Rhineland of Germany, and to New France in North America and to the colonial territories of the Caribbean and Latin America.
mojatu.com6 Carnival
how can one take part in the carnival parade through the city of Nottingham?Contact a dance troupe and join their practice dance workshops often starting each year. For more details visit: www.mojatu.com/nottinghamcarnival
Where are the major carnivals around the uk?Nottingham, Leeds, Huddersfield, Derby, Leicester, Birmingham, Ipswich, Reading, Preston, Northampton, Luton, Tottenham and Notting Hill, London, Ashburton, Oxford and Cardiff.
The Carnival Queen Show - where and when?The EMCCAN Carnival Queen Show takes place every year in one of the four cities in the consortium: Nottingham, Northampton, Derby and Leicester. 2013 Carnival Queen Show was held at the Nottingham Playhouse on June 1st
2013. The 2014 event will be held in Northampton.
photos courtesy of TUNTUM
What food to try at the Carnival? Jerk chicken, stew chicken, curry mutton, rice and peas, dumplings (fried or boiled), slush puppy from the ‘Ice Man’, fried plantain, pattie, roast corn, roast breadfruit, ackee and saltfish.
Nottingham connected 7
Carnival Lingo!
Some of the main words used in the carnival:
Mas (masquerade): Masked costume parade
Sound system: The large, black speaker boxes at the sides of the stage.
Jonkonoo: A street parade with music. It has West African origins, as the costumes and conduct of the masqueraders bear similarities with the Yoruba Egungun festivals.
Calypso: A style of Afro-Caribbean music that originates in Trinidad and Tobago during the early to mid-20th century. It lays its roots in the West African Kaiso and the migration of French planters and their slaves from Dominica and Martinique. The lyrical and satirical music plays an important role in political expression.
Troupe: A dance group.
Pan: Steel drum percussion instrument. Steel pans are said to have been invented in Trinidad by Winston ‘Spree’ Simon in the 1940s.
Pan yard: Place where steel pans are made, tuned and practised.
Jumbee, jumbie: A type of mythological spirit or demon in the folklore of some Caribbean countries.
Canboulay: Enslaved Africans extinguishing fires on the cane plantations carried torches, sang and marched to the fields in what became known as the burning of the cane or Cannes Brulées.
Fetes: In Trinidad, fete describes a party with music, dance and food; from the French word fête, literally meaning festival.
liming: A Trinidadian word, which describes a social gathering involving food and drink.
Moco Jumbie: The Caribbean name for a stilt dancer. The character and the name are derived from various African sources.
Ole Mas: A type of Trinidadian masquerade where performers wear costumes and perform socially and politically satire.
Obeah: Widespread medicinal system in the Caribbean based on traditional therapeutic practices in West Africa.
roti: A creole food originating in Trinidad with East Indian migrants; a thin delicate, large and round crepe-like pastry filled with curried vegetables and meats and then folded into Layers.
Soca: Trinidadian soul-calypso music or rhythm.
mojatu.com8 Carnival
Tuntum Housing Association has successfully won Heritage Lottery funding to create and develop a Nottingham Carnival Archive and a Carnival Centre.
how you can help!We are looking for people of all ages, backgrounds and experiences who would like to be interviewed about their memorable carnival experience. You will have a chance to voice your memories - funny, unusual or dramatic - online, in person, or on video which ever you are most comfortable with.We are looking for donations by way of photos, costumes, flyers, short videos or any Nottingham Carnival memorabilia from the 1950s to 2012. We may feature your contribution in the archive and will add a name credit for your reference.Remember, your contribution will be part of Nottingham history so take this chance and email: [email protected] with your contributions.
Nottingham Carnival Archive by NOrMA GrEGOry
The heritage project will help the younger generation, as well as the local and wider community, to contribute and engage with the extraordinary story of the Nottingham carnival, past and present.The carnival heritage project will comprise of three stages:
1. Collecting, conserving and cataloguing carnival related material, including the recording of stories in both audio form and moving image;
2. Interpreting material to share in various and creative ways: an virtual physical exhibition, presentations and an online carnival research library;
3. Educating by using the exhibition and archive material to deliver creative, exciting workshops and learning activities in community centres, youth hubs, churches and community groups.
Workshops are free for participating schools and will offer a range of activities such as mask making, costume design, carnival film and music production as well as workshops in autobiographical writing and recording.The successful delivery of this vital community project will be achieved through the support of the Nottingham Carnival Steering Committee, Stella Vision Films, Tuntum and facilitating partners.
Nottingham connected 9
Not many BME organisations can say they have reached the milestone of 30 years’ service for youth community work in Nottingham. Shiefton Youth Group and Supplementary School can. So on Saturday 20th July 2013, Shiefton celebrated thirty years in educating youth people in the community of Nottingham.Shiefton was formed in June 1983 in response to the need for youth provision in the city. Based in a red bricked, Victorian school building, now Radford Unity Complex on Lenton Boulevard, Nottingham, Shiefton was previously housed on Ilkeston Road ( ‘Rad Y’) and at the John Carroll Leisure Centre.
Nottingham City Council rented the disused building to Shiefton in the late 1990s on a shared basis with three other organisations. Over 90 students currently attend Shiefton, aged 6 to 16 years. They get extra support in core curriculum subjects like Maths, English and ICT, in addition to cultural essentials like African studies.
The word respect is very vibrant at Shiefton “Neville Cook requested the help of Professor Gus John to support the organisation of a constitution, aims and objectives to form the organisation. Shiefton was born through that,” said Derrick Senior one of its founding organisers.
Carleen Stewart, treasurer and on the management committee added, “Shiefton’s success is based on the dedicated support from volunteers, parents and tutors. Each Saturday, the tutors turn up
and teach on minimum expenses. We are an organisation where people pull together.”Winston Rose has been in involved with Shiefton for thirty years and teaches karate and football classes. “We have helped to produce lots of professions; former students have gone to university and travel over the world teaching karate. Shiefton is home to an array of youth activities for six days a week, “remarked Winston.
DedicationFitzroy Tate has also assisted the valuable work at Shiefton for over twenty years. “It has been a good experience working with the young people here. There is always an energy working with them, being with them,” says Fitzroy. “When you see the transition of young people going through school, then to college and into professional jobs and enterprise, this is what keeps me going.”The thirty-year celebration and family fun day was officially opened by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Merlita Bryan who gave her support and continued encouragement for the education of young people in the city. Children and visitors were treated to an array of freshly barbequed food: roast corn, yam and sweet plantain (provided by Gilbert Stewart catering), jerk pork and roast chicken. Visitors
could purchase African clothing, jewellery and enter a raffle. Angela Reid, a coordinator and youth worker at Shiefton since 1988 said, “Despite limited funding we have remained strong and receive
Shiefton youth Group and Supplementary School 30 year Anniversary Celebrations
mojatu.com10 News
Join Community Partnership Forum today and start contributing to the various themes and activities of the African / Caribbean community!• Arts & Culture• Children & Young People• Family, Women & Education• Faith & Crime• Health & Housing• Youth• Finance & Credit Union
www.cpfnottingham.com
support through the blessing of the community, volunteers and donation. Nottingham City council supports us today as well as Tuntum
Housing Association and the British Heart Foundation,” said Angela.“We need to refurbish the building and invest in the purchase of the building. For example, we need showers installed. This is an investment for the next generation,” says Winston Rose, backed by Derrick Senior who also felt that purchasing the building was the only way forward. Shiefton is currently in the process in attempting to purchase the building after being give notice to leave the building in 2011.
how can the public help Shiefton?“The community can support Shiefton to go from strength to strength and reach another thirty years youth service by making a donations, offering funding, giving time and sharing skills for the development of our day time service,” says Angela. If you can help email: [email protected] or make a donation at www.shiefton.com
Nottingham connected 11
Windrush 65th Anniversary National CelebrationThe Windrush Awards, Nottingham
The Windrush Awards and 65th Windrush Anniversary Celebrations were held at the Albert Hall, Nottingham on Saturday 22 June 2013.
The Windrush Awards was held to recognise the contributions made by African Caribbean people who migrated to England from 1945 to support the post second world war reconstruction effort in the UK. The ship named ‘Windrush’ set sail from the Caribbean and arrived at Tilbury Docks, Essex on 22 June 1948, carrying 493 brave passengers.
A special honour was given to William Chong, Nottingham’s only surviving passenger from the Windrush, for his community and voluntary work. The Lord Mayor Merlita Bryan attended to congratulate the commitment and dedication of these early pioneers of African Caribbean history in Nottingham.
Veronica Barnes of the Blue Mountain Women’s Group, Nottingham was a recipient of the Notable Community and Public Service award for her extensive work in the community from the 1960s. “I was grateful for the award but feel my work is not over in developing community knowledge of African history and our contribution to society, said Veronica who is working with Nottingham University to catalogue important African Caribbean archive material collated over many years in the city.
Guest were privileged to view an exhibition called, ‘My Windrush Journey’ by William Chong, along with pictures of Caribbean nurses in Nottingham’s NHS and Nottingham’s Caribbean civic leaders past, former and present. The Award ceremony included performances from local artists, speeches and religious reflections by Reverend James Stapleton.
The event was funded and supported by Tuntum Housing Association, Nottingham City Council, Nottingham County Council, and the Windrush Foundation among others.
Ghana Association NottinghamSoul Foods/ Services humbly request your participationat the re-launch of Ghana Association Nottinghamon the 26th August 2013 @ 12pm- 6:30pmAt Basford Community Centre, Bramble Close,Basford, Nottingham NG6 0QG Tel: 0795 6695 420Come lets unite and share ideas for a better Ghana community
mojatu.com12 News
2013 Nottingham Sports Awards open
The search is on for the second Nottingham Awards to be presented on the 3rd October 2013. Three awards will be offered for contributions made to Nottingham from the Public Sector, Private/Business Sector and Voluntary / Community Sector.
The nominees will have:• Made a significant and lasting impact on Nottingham, locally, regionally and potentially nationally;• Not have received other awards for the contribution that they are nominated for, (such as an MBE or similar UK award);• Made this contribution while having lived in, worked in or made • Nottingham the centre of the work that the nomination/award recognises
Celebrate the achievements of Black males in Nottingham. Nominate online at www.bamawards.co.uk or email [email protected]. Reserve your ticket by calling Natasha on 07792252333.
FREE entry black tie event held on Saturday 28th September 2013. Venue- The Marcus Garvey Centre, Lenton Boulevard, Nottingham NG7 2BY. Times- 6.30pm Drinks reception, 7.00pm Event commences.
Black Acheiving Men Awards 2013
Visit www.bamawards.co.uk for more details.
Nominations for 2013 Nottingham Sports Awards opens on 14th August. They recognise sports contributions made in the City by local groups and individuals. The awards are open to Nottingham City residents or people who represent organisations in the City. Nominees are for achievements made between October 1st 2012 and September 27th 2013.
• Amateur Club of the Year• Coach of the Year • Disability Club of the Year• Junior Sports Person of the Year • Junior Team of the Year• Junior Volunteer of the Year • Lifetime Contribution to Sport & • Physical Activity (Roll of Honour) • Most Physically Active School
• Outstanding Achievement Award (Junior)• Outstanding Achievement • Award (Senior)• Volunteer of the Year • Professional Club of the Year• Sports Person of the Year • Team of the Year• Voluntary Community Project of the Year
This year’s Awards will cover 15 categories:
Visit www.nottingham.gov.uk for more details.
Nottingham Awards
See more details at http://goo.gl/Rj8zUq
See more details at http://goo.gl/JNw26x
Funding availableFunding for Communities of Identity funding criteria have now been agreed and groups will be able to apply for funding from 29 July 2013, with a closing date of 21 October 2013.
Nottingham connected 13
“Wow what a picturesque product! I am happy to see the pages so nicely and clearly displayed online make good reading. First of all, I like the wonderful flash of strong colours; again I appreciate the various categories the editorial is offering .i.e. Business/Community/Careers/Education/Entertainment etc. Your range is very wide for a multi-cultured community! For me, this feels new: long-awaited. Gosh I had no idea Cllr Merlita Bryan coming up from the ranks of Sheriff is now installed as Mayor.Mojatu is a cracker, and long-awaited! This certainly is not the first magazine to surface from within the Afrikan Caribbean sector but so far is the best production I have seen. This goes without saying: KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK I am sure many of us will now be encouraged to come together in order to pursue our common aim .i.e. UNITY!”
Pitman Browne, Poet and Author, Nottingham
“Looks very eye-catching and nicely presented. Well done!”
Jeremy Prince, Nubian Link
“I would love one of them big posters with the Mayor on to put in our window I have seen them and they look great but no shop in Meadows have them. I think it is important that we are not isolated; actually I would love to do a story about the area as it gets left out of most things.”
Go Digit All, Bridgeway Centre, Meadows, Nottingham
“Congratulations I just read it. Great job I’m proud of you at Mojatu and the Nottingham News Centre. You are finally doing what was in your heart. With God’s blessings we can all do amazing things.”
Massimiliano Caldini, Restaurant Owner, New York
“Hi Norma, you’ve provided some good material for deeper, academic reflection and for promoting community entrepreneurship. ”
Michael J. Mills, Sociology Lecturer, London
Letters to the Editor
Take a look at some of the comments and add your own to our websites www.mojatu.com and www.nottinghamnewscentre.com after you have read this Nottingham Carnival 2013, issue M0010. Enjoy!
mojatu.com14 Community
Imagine being in a tropical, luscious, warm place surrounded by greenery, plump fish and a waterfall? Many of you by now will be dreaming of the distant Caribbean shores, Kenya or beyond. Well, you don’t need to spend all that money, travel around six thousand nautical miles to experience a sense of the tropics in Nottingham! Visit Woodthorpe Tropical House, in the grounds of Woodthorpe Grange Park, situated on Woodthorpe Drive, Nottingham NG5 4HA and get a sense of the tropics for free.
The tropical greenhouse opened in 1995 as part of a redevelopment and modernization programme at Woodthorpe Park. It houses a wide selection of exotic plants from all over the world that would not normally survive in British climates without sufficient protection and heat. There is a small waterfall and pond, housing several Koi Carp Platinum fish, introduced in 1996 as ‘fry’ (baby fish).
Free admission, open Tuesday to Friday 9-4pm (summer months), weekends 9 -12 noon. Tours of the Greenhouse can be arranged with the Nursery Manager on 0115 915 0074.
leading universities for studying BotanyNottingham, Nottingham Trent, Derby,
Oxford, Keele, Cambridge, Manchester, Sheffield Hallam and others. See www.ukcoursefinder.comUCAS tariff 160-340 points (‘A’ Levels grades CC-AAB) usually including Biology or chemistry.
Types of Jobs in BotanyEmployment in conservation, botanical
gardens and collections, teaching, government research agencies, environmental protection agencies, universities, environmental consultancies, agriculture, horticulture and the food industry.
SalaryStarting salaries can be around £22,000
a year. Botanists in research posts earn up to £30,000 a year, and senior lecturers at universities may earn around £55,000 a year. Salaries for people working in private industry will vary considerably.
Totally Tropical NottinghamVisit Woodthorpe Tropical house
Nottingham connected 15
Nottingham’s Splendour 2013YOUR THOUGHTS...
Andre “Splendour shows how culturally diverse Nottingham is. They could be playing music to suit the varied audiences though.”
Michael “Brilliant atmosphere! Splendour is on our doorstep in Nottingham. It should be a bit cheaper but the bands are getting better so you do have to pay more.”
Frank This my second time at Splendour, as I was here last year. I think the acts are terrific! I liked Dog is Dead - fantastic vocals. I like a cross section of all music. I think the African Caribbean community could support this event more by attending. When Dizzie Rascal performed the attendance was higher. However, it would be better if the sun was out!”
Effie, Friday, Gloria and Stacy “I came to Splendour to have time with my family and to have a picnic. We are all one in the eyes of God. We all have to come together as one big family.
Gully “I am here today to check things out. To be honest, it is not really my type of music but I am a people person. It is about the whole event and not just the music. The black community could take some notes from this and don’t segregate ourselves.”
Keisa “I just came to chill out and to see something different.”
mojatu.com16 Community
Nottingham connected 17
How did you prepare for the EMCCAN Nottingham Carnival Queen Show 2013?We had a casting session at the New Art Exchange, Nottingham and at the Hyson Green Youth Club as well as a few drama workshops with the young people of Nottingham. I am really trying to show the young people the types of performance we will be doing in the full rehearsals. We had an initial session on 18th May and started full time rehearsals on the 26th May, where we rehearsed Monday to Friday. The show was held at 7pm on Saturday, 1st June 2013 at the Playhouse Nottingham. I wrote the show and engaged with sponsors and contributors to formulate ideas.How many actors, dancers and performers were in the show?We probably had about 40 talented young people, ranging from 16-25 years and a few people who were younger than that, who could be not left out. The performers were very good. All the performers and the young people were great ! We did some improvisation work and it was enlightening for me to see their energy and performance skills.How did you explore the idea of carnival through theatre?The title for the show was Rainbirds and Drumbeats. The rainbirds represented the idea of the flamboyance, the style of costumes and sheer beauty of the carnival. The drumbeats represented the slightly edgier side and historical context of the carnival. The carnival was not always a colourful celebration, as it has some very serious side to it. It was about claiming the streets while reflecting on the roots of coming out of slavery and so on. Whilst most of the young people might have had a limited understanding of all that, we played around with all these issues
plus the history of carnival, the current carnivals and the carnivals in the Caribbean. Would you class the production more of a musical or a play?It was not a play as such and if when you think of musical you think of a story – it was not going to be that either. There were performers who talked directly to the audience and there were calysponians, rap artists, steel pan artists, dancers and drummers in the show. Tell me about Nitro, your theatre company.Nitro is a small company as there are only four of us. I am the artistic director while the others are finance, production and digital marketing managers. We are a touring company and employ actors and performers for each production. We came to Nottingham nearly ten years ago to make a show called Slam Dunk at the Nottingham Playhouse – a hip-hop, basketball show set in the world of basketball and street ball. How did your career begin?I have always been a musician. I started as a guitarist and became a songwriter before moving into stand-up comedy for a few years. Then somebody saw me performing and asked me if I wanted to be in a comedy play. I said yes, and so I did a bit of acting- not much though as I was a terrible actor! In 1985, somebody asked if I wanted to write some songs for a new musical so I did but I also ended up writing the script. The show was well received in London and I have been writing musicals and working in theatres ever since. Where did you study to work in theatre?I did not study through formal education. I picked things up as I went along. When you starting working in something you enjoy, you pick up thing
Felix Cross, Theatre DirectorNitro Black Musical Theatre, London
Felix Cross, Artistic Director
Norma Gregory met Felix Cross, Artistic Director of NITRO Black Musical Theatre. Trinidadian born, Felix Cross is a writer with spirit, passion and armed with a creative mission. He produced Nottingham’s first Carnival Queen Show shown at the Playhouse Nottingham, Saturday 1st June 2013.
mojatu.com18 Arts & Culture
so quickly because your mind is open to it.Who inspires you?All sorts of people inspire me. Usually it’s not big figure heads like Nelson Mandela, Bob Marley etc. As a writer, I have an idea for a subject matter. For example, I am working on four different shows at the moment. One of them is a very tragic piece called Requiem for a Witch Child. It is about children who are abused because people believe they are possessed by evil spirits. Artists are not writing about this enough. What inspires me often are TV programmes and reading articles. When I see brilliant artists, plays and musicians this inspires me to write or produce even more.Congratulations on receiving your MBE. Tell us about this.I usually forget about this! It was last June in 2012, on the Queens’ birthday. Anybody can nominate anybody. Are you happy with it?Of course I am happy - in a sense. It was quite difficult though as I don’t really agree with it. However, when the letter arrived, it said, ‘We would like to offer you this award but first we would like to know if you will accept it’. So you have to tick a box to say if you would accept it. I kept the letter in my draw for about two weeks as I didn’t know what to do. Then I thought I would accept it as my mother would love it and also because I realised that the people I actually worked with nominated me and I was delighted that they did that for me. The fact that the award is called an MBE and is seen to represent the British Empire, that’s unfortunate. However, they had no other way of nominating me for an award. So, whilst that medal is the only one, I’ll take it! I had a nice day at Buckingham Palace too.Sandwiches?No! We had fizzy water or apple juice. We could help ourselves to this!
Contact:NITRO Black Musical Theatre www.nitro.co.uk Email: [email protected]: +44 (0)20 7609 1331Facebook / TwitterUnit 36, 88-90 Hatton Gardens,London EC1N 8PG
Nottingham connected 19
Who are you most inspired by? Sammy Davis Junior, Nicholas Brothers, Gene Kelly, James Brown, Michael JacksonDance style inspiration: dance artistry of the 1920s What are your thoughts on dance in the future since Diversity? I think dance technique will go backwards. One of the styles that will emerge will come from deep within African and Indian traditions. I think they will submerge and come out. African American dance like the styles of the Nicolas Brothers, the ‘shoe shine’ tap dance style will also emerge again. Take a look at street dance. It looks fantastic with flips and gymnastic moves but is because it is merging with different traditions.What are you up to at the moment? I am touring. I have danced in London, Glasgow, Nottingham for Roland Klein and many other cities.
Arts and Culture
Joseph Hall, Dance Academic of ExcellenceName: Joseph Martin HallTalent: Dancer, businessman, instructor, Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalistAge: 36Place of birth: St Ann’s and grew up in Mapperley Park, Nottingham Education: Gedling and Elliot Durham Comprehensive schools, NottinghamPrevious jobs: Worked in schools as a mentor to support disaffected kidsEntrepreneur spirit: Owner of QMX Dance Academy, Nottingham Reason for starting his own business: To help kids achieve their potential through danceCV entries: BBC 1 Britain’s Got Talent 2013 (Semi- finalist)SKY 1 Got to Dance 2011 (Semi-finalists)BBC 3 Move Like Michael Jackson 2009 (Semi-finalist)BBC 1 Strictly Dance Fever 2005 (Winner)Heineken Advert 2011 (Director)In my mind- Kia Sol Hamster commercial (Director)
Do you have an agent?World Dance Management, London. Tell us about your successful appearance on Britain’s Got Talent.
It was a fantastic experience. It was another opportunity to reawaken a force that was almost
a sleep inside me. I just came home one day and spoke to my partner and said I wanted to go on the programme. She looked on line, completed the application and sent me forward to do it.
What did you learn from Britain’s Got Talent? I learnt that it is never too late! I learnt that you can keep
going; you can redesign your dance and always develop and learn something new. I am shocked and amazed at the
performance I did on the day because of my delivery and the sense of giving honour back to great dancers of their generation. They are talented people that I have learnt from. I think the Gods were happy that day!
www.qmxacademy.co.uk126 Lower Parliament Street
Nottingham NG1 1EHTel: 0115 9411953
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=habNR8FdIIE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbkmbYOlDcU
Contact:
mojatu.com20 Arts & Culture
Nottingham singing talent, Mellonie Page’s debut album brought back memories of youthful nights spent in house parties in 1980’s Nottingham: slow dancing to lovers’ rock, old skool and revival, memories brought back from the garden of youth. This fifteen track album reignites that 1980’s musical spirit by capturing the essence of nature through its sultry and smooth style achieved in a way that you have to listen and feel free. The album’s spiritual and lovers rock tone was inspired by Mellonie’s Christian faith and vision. “I was lying on the floor at my sister’s house and all of a sudden waves were moving up and down my body and when I opening my eyes, I was transported to a garden. Everything was so vivid. The grass was massaging me, the breeze was ministering me and soothing. I felt I was taken to a heavenly garden. Obviously you think of the Garden of Eden and I often wonder what it would be like to go back to that garden. As Mellonie prepared for an evening performing at the Contemporary Art Gallery in Nottingham, she shared how much she enjoys listening to music by artists who have performed at the same stage including “Lenroy ‘Bassie’ Guiste from the Nottingham dub band the Natural Ites (including Percydread and Ossie Samms) who played the beautiful track titled, ‘I Will Rise’, one of the tracks I really enjoy.”Originally from Basford in Nottingham, Mellonie started her musical career as a youngster singing in church and at Alderman Derbyshire secondary school before going on to study Performing Arts at Clarendon College and for a degree in Contemporary Arts at Nottingham Trent University. In 1994, Mellonie toured with Black Mind, one of the biggest theatre companies in the UK. She now teaches singing in the city to help and encourage young people into the music industry. Mellonie explained that to succeed, you have to train “as much as you can and learn about your craft. Go to concerts, get to know other artists and try to get a mentor. Dr Martin Glenn was my mentor and took me under his wing. He taught me to write poems and said if I could write poems, then I could write songs and if I could write songs then I could write plays. He really encouraged me from a young age.” “Use your home area as your training ground. Serve in your training ground. Don’t charge people; just sing for free, people get to know who you are as well. It’s not always about the money. Believe in yourself first!” said Mellonie radiating the wisdom and knowledge gained through the years and through the blossom of her successful singing career.
Album reviewBack to the Garden by Mellonie Page Producers: Errol M & Winnie William
[email protected]/mellonie.pagewww.twitter.com/melloniepage
Back to the Garden albumcosts only £10 and is available at:
Nottingham connected 21
The Bible says that, the reason why we do not have things is because we do not ask (James 4:2b).
You see, prayer is part of a hidden lifestyle. The way to live this great mystery requires us to ask God to provide for both our physical and spiritual needs.
God has everything that we need in this life already in store for us. Our God is sovereign and all powerful, he can do anything for us and all he wants us
to do is ask. This indeed is a great privilege, and not a duty! Some three months ago on the 3rd of March to be precise, about twenty of us came together for a kesha at St. Andrew’s Church on Mansfield Road, Nottingham to cry to God on behalf of our beloved nation of Kenya. It was just three days before our general elections, which indeed took place
that following week on the 4th March 2013. It was a time that Kenyans both at home and in the diaspora felt the dire need to pray for our nation. The single uniting desire was that, elected leaders of our nation would be men and women who would walk and
serve our nation in reverence of the Almighty God, for truly it is “in Him we live, move and have our being” (Acts17: 28).
Our overnight prayer was guided by the scriptures from 2 Chronicles 7:14; Nehemiah 9:1-12, & Daniel 4:17, which led us into confession and
repentance of our sins as individuals, and the sins of our nation. We prayed according to the Word of God for the healing of our nation. We also prayed that people may cast their votes in full awareness of the truth that, “the Most High God is the ruler of the kingdoms of men, and gives it to whomever he will”. We left our overnight prayers the following morning in awesome peace and blessed assurance. We believed that God had heard our cry and that we were not only going to have perfect peace in our nation during and after the elections, but also that God was going to give us his chosen one,
for a leader in our nation. We parted in the morning full of joy as some of us went straight to work and the rest to their homes.
As we all know, the elections were very peaceful and orderly. That was the first answer to our prayer, more was yet to come!Then finally came the much waited day of inauguration, when the whole nation witnessed the president, his deputy and their wives kneeling down in total humility and submissiveness before God for prayers and blessing. A servant of God pronounced blessings upon them and the nation even according to the Word of God! This was the confirmation that God had answered the prayers of all those people all over the world, who stood by the night watching and praying over our beloved nation. We all know how faithful and true our God has been to our nation in that, He not only has given us the kind of leaders we prayed for, but also leaders who have chosen to involve God in the governance of our nation. Listen to this: “First and foremost”, said the president, “we dedicate ourselves to God, and then to all Kenyans; we shall serve all Kenyans equally”. Is this not the result and the power of prayer? May God be given all the glory forever!
Pastor’s CornerThe Power of Prayer by Piety Kamuyu
mojatu.com22 Faith & Spirituality
SHEPHERD’S VOICE MINISTRIES NOTTINGHAM (SVM)
Opening Times:Sunday Service: Sun: 12pm – 3pm
Prayers & Bible Study: Fri: 6pm – 8pm Women’s Meeting 1st Sat: of the month – 2pm-7pm
SHEPHERD’S VOICE MINISTRIES
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28
VENUE:Leen Valley
Community Centre234 Arnold Road
NottinghamNG5 5HB
Bus N0. 15, 16, 16c, 17Contact: Pastor Anthony & Pastor Jane
Mobile: 07533459814 / 07830735352
WELCOME ALL ARE INVITED
Nottingham, NG3 5ADNext 3 services will be on: 18th Aug | 22nd Sep
AFrICAN hOly COMMuNION SErVICE EVEry ThIrD SuNDAy OF ThE
month from 2.30pm
St Andrew’s Church 1 Chestnut Grove, off Mapperley Mansfield Road
De’ Viv DecorationsYour vision, Your Style, Your Day, We make it happen!
07462 144931 0115 [email protected] Alfreton Rd, Nottingham NG7 3JR
Nottingham connected 23
BME Cancer Awareness WeekBe a winner through Mojatu Curb Cancer Quiz!To help us keep motivated in body and mind following BME Cancer Awareness Week, 8-14th July 2013, Mojatu has put together this Curb Cancer Quiz to see what you know about maintaining a healthy heart.Curb Cancer Quiz: Identify the True statements:1. People of all ages who are physically active are less likely to get
cardiovascular disease as those that are inactive.2. Being physically active can be anything from going swimming or running, to everyday things like walking, gardening and climbing the stairs. It can help you have more energy and relieves stress. 3. A healthy diet helps to reduce your risk of developing heart disease or if you’ve already got heart problems, it will help to protect your heart.
4. Drinking too much alcohol is not one of the most common causes of hospital admission in the UK.
5. Taking exercise, eating a healthy diet, encouraging children to be heart healthy and being aware of dangers such as smoking, drinking, high blood pressure and stress are all important for your long term heart health, whether you currently have heart disease or not.
You can also enter the quiz online at www.mojatu.com/cancerquiz2013
----> Enter Curb Cancer Quiz CompetitionEmail the following to enter Mojatu and BME Cancer Awareness Competition:
1. Your name
2. The numbers of the TRUE statements3. Your idea to complete the following inspirational statement:
Cancer Awareness Week 2013 has helped me to _____________Email: [email protected] ThE lUCKY WInnIng EnTRY WIll RECEIvE:- £20 voucher- A goodie bag from the British heart Foundation- 1 Year’s FREE subscription for Mojatu Magazine and your photo with inspirational statement in the next issue of Mojatu Magazine (due out October 2013)
note: Rose Thompson, BME cancer
interview coming soon!
mojatu.com24 Health
Fast Foods you Should Stay Away FromBy Kate Mills
Chicken nuggets: This is a concern food as they have been found to melt into a pool of liquid, when left out for a while.
Though care is taken in provision of safe food, there is a universal consensus that you should take heed of the following tips, especially when going for fast foods:
Grilled chicken options: Though grilled is often healthier, fast food grills are a big NO! For example, in paration of chicken grills, liquid magazine is used in the bottom of the sandwich to prevent the sandwiches from sticking and on top to keep them juicy. Now that is truly fatty!
Seafood salad: By seafood, many takeaway chains mean imitation crab and the rest was just mayo. Lots of mayo.
Fish sandwiches: Fish sandwiches are another batch of fatty foods. Some fast food joints fry Fish Filet vat in old oil which is too dark and old to make fried.
Pan pizzas: Any pan pizza is a bad choice. I remember preparing the frozen discs of dough and filling the pan with vegetable oil. Those things are saturated with the stuff
Fast food veggie burgers: Do not order veggie burgers, ESPECIALLY if you do it for religious reasons. It’s cooked in a microwave, and handled by people and utensils that have made contact with meat products. Seriously, if you want a veggie burger of such a low quality, just buy some frozen patties at a store, grill them yourself, and you will be way better off.
Visiting restaurants before closing time: This is a no-brainer to some! Old and unused menu items are served at this time. Many pizza places make “Slice-pies” or overly large pizzas specifically for the purpose of selling individual slices. These slices are slowly heated and sit until sold throughout the day. While safe, they are cardboard at the end of the night.
Sweetened teas: These have huge amounts of sugar comparable to any soft drink, even more than soda!
Stuffed crust pizza: The stuffed-crust pizza has an entire stick of mozzarella cheese crammed into the crust of EVERY SINGLE SLICE. The pizzas are cut eight ways, so that’s eight full mozzarella sticks you’ll be getting per stuffed-crust pizza
Nottingham connected 25
Why punctuate?Punctuation marks are essential principles for making writing easy to understand and for indicating direction in a line of thought. Punctuation marks can emphasis ideas, offer pauses for the reader, add emotion and show surprise. However, this is dependent on which punctuation mark you use and when you use it.Write Right Skills Focus 2 on the use of punctuation, gives practical guidance on how to use common types of punctuation correctly so that your writing will always be clear and effective.
Answ
er t
o p
unct
ua
tion Q
UIZ
1.
No e
xcla
ma
tion m
ark
s ne
cess
ary
2.
N
o s
pee
ch m
ark
s and
ap
ost
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eces
sary
3.
A
post
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poss
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John’s
)
Write Right!Community Literacy Improvement
Writing Skills Focus 2: Punctuation
Common punctuation errorsCan you spot the non-standard use of punctuation? Can you explain why?
* Answers
Proofreading Copy WritingTranslation
Job applicationsStudent Placements
www.curuba.co.uk [email protected] 0745 1087 057 0798 4825 482
Tips for improving YOUR use of punctuation:• Read quality writing and take note of the punctuation used• Try an online test see http://www.mondofacto.com/study-skills/ writing/how-to-improve-your-punctuation• Attend a short language course at college or study The Penguin Guide to Punctuation (1997)• Learn from your writing mistakes – IT TAKES TIME TO MASTER PUNCTUATION.
mojatu.com26 Education
Punctuation Mark Purpose Examples of Usage
Full-stop .To complete a sentence (which is not question or exclamation)
The parade went through the city.
Exclamation mark ! To show surprise and emotion
Be quiet!That was a fantastic steel pan performance!
Question mark ? To pose a question that needs an answer
Where are my shoes?In which country did the carnival originate?
Comma , To separate clauses, lists and numbers
He came, he saw, he conquered.What a happy, intelligent child. 53, 693
Semi-colon ;To join two complete sentences which are very closely related.
Women’s conversation is cooperative; men’s is competitive.It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.
Colon : To introduce a listA carnival picnic basket might include: water, mangoes, hot patties and sugar cane.
Slash /To separate alternativesTo write fractionsTo show periods of time
Have the chicken and/or mutton.¼ ½ The winter of 2011/2012 was the worst.
Apostrophe ‘ To show possession or contraction
This is Janet’s costume.Don’t do that as he’ll be here soon!
Hyphen - Used to unite words Sugar-free, computer-aided, well-read, up-to-date
Ellipsis … To show suspense or mystery The door opened slowly…
Dash - Used to separate words, used to explain or interrupt
The agent – a good friend of mine – denied the charge.Talent, hard work, good luck – these are the ingredients of success.
Speech marks “ ” To show direct speech “No drinks in here,” said the doorman.
Brackets( ) [ ] { }
To show additional information, asides, brief explanations
The (French) horn can be difficult to play.Marcus Garvey (1887-1940) was a writer, entrepreneur and leader.
If you need help checking punctuation in your essay, brochure, manuscript or any written text, call Curuba Education and Language Services (CELS) to check and edit your work at very reasonable prices saving you time to do other things.
We offer 20% discount for students at Nottingham University and Nottingham Trent University. Don’t lose marks or that job offer you deserve. Write Right!
Types of common punctuation marks, purpose and usage
[email protected]: 07451 087057
07984 825482
Nottingham connected 27
The story: In November 1999 at a meeting in the Nottingham’s Boulevard Hotel in Radford, Steve Wakeling led the local businesses in establishing an organisation aimed at increasing business cooperation and engagement in Nottingham.
The meeting culminated from the palpable frustrations, failures and dissatisfaction experienced by the businesses that followed the ‘accepted’ use of outside consultants, who lacked understanding of the real issues facing local businesses.
The group became IBA, a ‘voice’ to support and address the concerns of local business. IBA is ABC “A bridge between Business and the Community”. To cement their commitment, the attendees contributed finance towards the printing and distribution of the first IBA newsletter, ‘Local Business Matters’.
Celebrity Network: In 2007, IBA held a Business and Sports Networking event which was graced by celebrities from sport and business, at Castle Cavendish Business Centre. Guest Speaker was John McGovern, the Nottingham Forest European Cup winning captain, along with host Colin Slater, MBE. The event was held in partnership with Sport Acts and was attended by over 350 people and raised over £2,000 towards Danielle Beccan Memorial Trust.
Today: The IBA continues to support businesses and the community in the East Midlands. Within Nottingham, the IBA has joined hands with the Nottingham City Council in implementing the Shop Local Scheme at Bulwell, Hyson Green and Radford. The scheme seeks to encourage the local community and businesses to shop and do businesses locally thus supporting local growth, independence and prosperity of the local areas.
Stop Press: The new IBA website, www.iba-em.co.uk is to be launched in September. It will provide free listing of the local businesses and also facilitate members to create own dedicated pages to promote their products and services.
Contact: Kevin Price, the Independent Business Association Limited (IBA) on 07974 723 692 or email him at [email protected] or check out www.iba-em.co.uk
Independent Business Association (IBA) is ABCA bridge between Business and the Community’ by Kevin Price
rehoboth164 Alfreton Road, Nottingham, NG7 3NS
Tel: 0149 4798 138/ 07830514483 Fax: 0149 4798 139
E: [email protected]: www.rehobothlegal.com
Approved
Need immigration advice or services?Rehoboth Legal Services Specialist Immigration and Visa services providing• Leavetoremain&BritishCitizenship• Pointbased-Tier1,2,4&5Visas• EEA/EUapplications• DeportationandRemovalservices• AsylumandHumanRightsapplications• Appeals,Tribunals&BailApplications• Marriage&CivilPartnerships
mojatu.com28 Business
Nottingham connected 29
Date What’s On Venue Time Cost
19 Jul-2 Sept Nottingham Riviera 2013 Old Market Square 12pm-late Free
6 Aug Jamaica Independence Day ACNA Centre 31
Hungerhill Road NG3 4NB
12pm-late Free
17/18 Aug Nottingham Carnival 2013 Forest Recreation
Ground, Nottingham
12.00-9.00pm Sunday parade from City
Centre @ 2pm
£1 Voluntary Contribution Kids go free
24 Aug Men’s Football League Saturday Football 8-A-Side Summer Weekend Sports
Forest Recreation Ground, Nottingham
Sat 10am – 6pm Free
25 Aug Under 16 Football League Sunday Football 8-A-Side Summer Weekend Sports
Forest Recreation Ground, Nottingham
Sun 10am – 6pm Free
25/26 Aug Notting Hill Carnival Notting Hill, London 9am – 9pm Free
31 Aug Trinidad & Tobago Independence Day
ACNA Centre 31 Hungerhill Road NG3
4NB 12pm - 8pm Free
7/8 Sept Mela 100 New Art Exchange, Gregory Boulevard,
Nottingham
6.30-9pm 11.30-6pm
Free
28 Sept Black Achieving Men Awards 2013 Marcus Garvey Centre,
Lenton Boulevard, Nottingham
6.30 drinks reception 7.pm start
Free advance booking
required call Natasha on 07792252333 Black tie event
29 Sept Robin Hood Half Marathon Victoria Embankment 9.30 start Free to spectate
Every 3rd Sunday on the
month African Holy Communion Service
St Andrew’s Church 1 Chestnut Grove
Off Mapperley/Mansfield Road
Nottingham, NG3 5AD
2.30pm-4pm Free
Sept-Nov African History Season events
Leicester University: lectures and seminars
http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/scs/activities/black-
history-season
varied Free
2-6 Oct Goose Fair Forest Recreation
Ground, Nottingham
Wed 17:30 -23:00 Thurs, Fri & Sat 11:00 -
23:00 Sun 13:00 -21:00
Free
26 Oct BEFFTA Awards ( Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television Arts)
London www.beffta.com
4pm-late Nomination / Invitation
27 Oct Stephen K Amos is The Spokesman Nottingham Playhouse 7.30pm £16
Daily
The voice of the African Community based in Nottingham: Insite Radio Kemet FM
http://insiteradio.info http://www.975kemetf
m.co.uk/radio00 24hrs a day Free
1 Nov Motown Tribute Night 3 course dinner, tribute act, disco
Crown Plaza Hotel, Nottingham
7pm -11pm £23
Email: [email protected] to add your event in a future edition of Mojatu.
Email us to [email protected] to add your event in a future edition of Mojatu.
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