Entertainment
Harnessing the business side of dancing …Isaac Allotey shows the way
• Isaac Allotey
Isaac Allotey aka ‘The African Lion’ has proved that dancing is not only an art for pleasure or exercise, but it is a serious business.
Starting as a juvenile dancer with friends and joining groups to dance, he never knew he could be famous, until he grew up and travelled outside Ghana.
Dancing to the highest level has propelled him gain knowledge in a field, and believes young people in the space could capitalise on their talent to make ends meet.
According to him building a unique brand opened a lot of doors and lifted one above those seeing it as pleasure.
Against this backdrop, ‘The African Lion’ has a huge heart and believes in giving back to society.
His philanthropic endeavours include Dancefrica, a US non-profit organisation that he co-founded and serves as a director.
Dancefrica’s mission is to invest in the future of Ghanaian children by providing financial and creative support to undeserved, high risk children, so they may find success and prosper in their adulthood.
The nonprofit’s first big event is Save the Dance, a competition for children under 17.
Isaac Allotey is again a founding member of the Ghana Alliance of Dance Professionals and has been able to maintain his connections with his international students by providing online classes and workshops during the pandemic.
His talent and fantastic special skills in moving his body and taking majestic steps earned him the Ghana National Dance Champion in 2002, and won the Malta Guinness National Champion in 2005.
Through dance, he has been exposed to many things in life and experienced different cultures, and travelled to the USA, Germany, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, Benin, Cape Verde and Togo.
He has worked on series of television programmes, and was a main judge for the Bumper to Bumper 2021, an eight weeks televised competition on TV Africa.
Allotey choreographed the opening dance for Di Asa, an Atinka TV Reality Series and Competition featuring the dance talent of women and worked on the Lawrence Otoo Dance Competition as a Judge.
Entertainment
Nineteen57 Events announces Black Stars Legacy Awards
Nineteen57 Events has announced the launch of an event aimed at celebrating Ghanaian, African, and diaspora achievements.
The event is a prestigious platform dedicated to honouring exceptional individuals and organizations contributing to the growth and success of the Ghanaian society, the African continent, and the African diaspora.
Since its inception as part of Rhythms on the Runway in 2019 during Ghana’s historic Year of Return celebration, the Black Star Legacy Awards has recognized remarkable achievements in creative arts, culture, and beyond.
It has always been a component of ‘Rhythms On Da Runway,’ however, the organisers have decided to stage it as an independent event this year.
This shift allows for an expanded focus, honouring excellence across various fields, including business, leadership, innovation, science, and humanitarian efforts.
This bold move aligns with the awards’ mission of celebrating the spirit of achievement and innovation that defines Ghana and connects it to the broader Pan-African and global community.
While specific event details, including categories and selection criteria, are still being finalised, the Black Star Legacy Awards promises to be an unforgettable experience that highlights the very best of Ghana, Africa, and the diaspora.
Esteemed icons from Ghana, Africa and the African Diay such as Obrafour, Ricci Osei, Hon. Lisa Hanna, Reggie Rockstone, Queen Asabea Cropper, Nene Agyemang, Agya Koo Nimo, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Morgan Heritage, Stonebwoy, and Richard Mofe Damijo have been among the honorees, setting the stage for what has become a highly anticipated annual celebration of excellence.
Entertainment
Zhikay Junior launches ‘The mind shift campaign’
Ghanaian award winning gospel blogger Isaac Nartey, popularly known as Zhikay Ike Junior, and his team have launched a campaign at Sap’s School in Teshie-Nungua, located in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra region.
Themed ‘The mind shift campaign’, it was aimed to touch the lives of students by educating them on the use of social media and how it can impact lives.
Isaac Nartey, told The Spectator that the purpose of the campaign was to orient students in Ghana about social media and its impact.
Sharing photos from the campaign on Facebook, Zhikay also emphasised the importance of listening to children’s concerns, which include mental health, emotions, and societal acceptance.
“We must not consider children as just minors, they have genuine concerns that revolve around mental health, emotions, societal acceptance and others. We must create avenues for their voice to be heard,” He explained
The campaign included education, games, and entertainment. Some students received customized ‘Zhikay’ items as rewards for their hard work.
This initiative seems to be made a positive impact on the students.
‘The school tour will delve into the overview of social media and how it can be used to impact society positively,’ he added
Zhikay embarked on the tour with popular Ghanaian content creators such as “Freedom Official” and “Quecy Official.” Together, they created an educational and engaging atmosphere for the students.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
