An injection of International culture

There is always something going on in Accra, whether it's a classical music concert or a car launch - yes I know, a car launch. I have also been invited to the launch of a new make of Fruit Juice by a very reputable bottling company...yes, right up there with the opening of an envelope....

More seriously, one can actually find oneself out every night doing one thing or another in this city, you just have to be more discerning of where and what you choose to do. There is indeed a little bit of everything for everyone.

I took in the opening show of the Accra Jazz & World Music Festival on Wednesday  night at the Alliance Francaise . Two Ghanaian artists were exhibiting their work - The AF is great from that respect; I have seen more local artists showcase their work here more than anywhere else in Accra.  Nana Anoff who does interesting sculptures with Metal and wood and Nii Amasah, who does oils on canvas were the artists of the evening under the exhibition titled 'Silent Soul Food II'. This exhibit and music show was the first in a line up of art and music shows running until the end of October.  African Sound Project was the band of the evening. The programme is varied and diverse and I am looking to take in a few more shows. There is a South African group in the coming week's program, Quattro Fusion- and without a doubt I shall be there.

Whilst on the issue of an injection of different cultures I was at the Classical Music Concert which was held as a fundraiser for the Infanta Malaria Prevention Foundation last night. This was held at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons. It was a well-organised event and one of those evenings where I could have been anywhere in the world. The line-up included Naomi Suzuki; an accomplished concert pianist, Helmut Lackinger; an Austrian violinist and the Soprano was a Ghanaian; Kokui Selormey. As glitzy an affair as this was, it was all in the name of a charity fundraiser and it felt good to know that  the benefits would indeed go their intended recipients. The Foundation had received corporate sponsorships for much of the major costs of the concert and the musicians were performing gratis- all in the name of a good cause. So for a change Accra turned out all dressed up and a splendid time was had by all. As someone aptly put it 'for a change we get to dress up and do something culturally different.'

Alliance Francaise is one of many centres that offers a varied programme all year of music shows, art exhibitions, poetry readings and even drama productions. The Goethe Institut has evenings where it screens German movies and at the WEB Du Bois Centre one can always find the literary events. The British Council, the ever omnipresent institute in any former British colony also does not disappoint in its varied programme.
Getting on the mailing list of these organisations is a sure way of keeping in the loop with the goings-on in this city. The cultural diversity that one encounters as an expat is one of the things that are a constant comfort for me, and last night was a  good indication of how diverse one's cultural milieu can be - musicians from three different continents, in an auditorium filled with Ghanaian and international residents alike.