NYC: Rockerfeller Center
NYC
Cameroon’s new fashion wave
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/8320592.stm
Camer Couture: http://www.camercouture.com/
UK Basketball Experiencing a Spike in Popularity
It’s fair to say that basketball in the UK has benefited from a major facelift thanks to the likes of Luol Deng, Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Ben Gordon. Furthermore, events like the 4 Nations Tournament and NBA pre-season games in the O2 help to raise the visibility of the game. Although basketball has been established in the UK for many years, it has never received this level of attention or even respect.
As recently as this summer, children from Lambeth schools were treated to a visit from two NBA stars who stopped by on their way to the adidas NBA 5 United tour. Brook Lopez of the New Jersey Nets and Gerryd Bayless of the Portland Trailblazers were happy to play basketball with the children and offer pointers on the game. Lopez’s advice to the youths was to ‘keep working on your game. Competition is so important – keep competing, see where you are against other players. Compete to get better – that’s what I did growing up.’
A few years ago, such an appearance wouldn’t have gained this much attention, or even occurred in the UK, so it’s fair to say that the hard work of our leading British basketball players is paying off.
Brook Lopez of the New York Nets helps a youngster shoot a basket
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Visit to the UN headquarters in NYC.
MTV Africa Music Awards
It Was a Deng Good Show
Britain's Golden Boy of Basketball - Luol Deng (Photo credit: basketball247.com)
The eagerly anticipated NBA showdown at the O2 Arena delivered everything it promised – excitement, entertainment and world class basketball. Chicago Bulls and Great Britain Forward Luol Deng’s entrance was met with a standing ovation from the crowd. He opened the game by personally thanking fans for their support and expressing his gratitude for extending their warm welcome.
The battle between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz was close from start to finish as neither team was able to gain a definitive lead over the other. However, the game was eventually decided with a buzzer beating jump shot from James Johnson which edged the Bulls to a 102 -101 victory.
Deng only played for 24 minutes, but managed to notch up 18 points and 5 assists without committing a single personal foul.
Deng was glad that the game was over but admitted that the experience was unbelievable. ‘I’m looking in the stand seeing some of the people that helped me play basketball and they were able to see me in a Bulls jersey right at home. And there are so many kids out there with basketball jerseys – it’s so great to see that. It says a lot about the direction British basketball is going’.
Deng still has fond memories of his basketball roots in the UK. When asked if he had any poignant memories of his time in Brixton his immediate response was, ‘playing at the rec in Brixton. When I was playing at the rec, it was during a time when no one cared about our sport about except us and it kinda built a community’.
In true NBA fashion fans were entertained during the breaks with on court competitions, giveaways, routines from the team dancers and slam dunking shows. Furthermore sporting stars Darren Bent, Jermaine Defoe, Anton Ferdinand, Sol Campbell, David Haye and Phillips Idowu were in attendance. World Champion Triple Jumper Phillips Idowu was very positive about the game. ‘I love it –I had a great time and it was nice to be sitting on the front row. I don’t know Luol personally but he sent me a nice video message before Beijing so hopefully I can catch up with him to say thanks’.
Congo/Women Exhibitions
Congo/Women
South Bank, London – February 2010
The photographs in this exhibition, taken by John Rankin as well as photos taken by Congolese villagers with Rankin’s guidance focus on the love and solidarity found in the midst of one of the world’s worst conflict zones. There are images and stories exploring romantic love, love lost, mother’s love and the kindness of strangers,, providing an extraordinary insight into their everyday life.
Congo/Women and Women On the Front Line: Regarding Gender-Based Violence
New York – October 2009
The photographs in this exhibition, taken by Lynsey Addario, Marcus Bleasdale, Ron Haviv and James Nachtwey, tell the story of daily life in the Congo – political, economic, cultural, medical and personal.
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Women of Congo Exhibition
New York
Abram Wilson – New album & Tour dates
The Abram Wilson Quartet performs three full preview concerts ahead of the
official album launch, with further tour dates thereafter. Audiences can expect
something very special indeed on this tour…
As part of Abram’s commitment to music education, he is leading participatory workshops in each of the venues he tours to (except Canterbury) – please contact the venues for further details.
Related Links:
Abram
Wilson on Facebook &
Abram Wilson on Myspace
Abram Wilson – NEW ALBUM AND TOUR.
Seulja Live @ Plan B