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Charley Haffner (lead & Manager Director of the world famous ‘Freetong Players International’ formed in 1985 |
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US trained Soprano Opera Singer Miss Joseryl Beckley accompanied by pianist Mr. Bami-Davis |
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Members of the the afro-modern dance group – Michele Pearson Dance Ensemble |
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Abdala Kesourani and Surlakshana Gupta deliver monoluges |
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Abdala, Surlakshana, and Stephanie Malyon in the ‘Waiter Rant’ Comedy performed by the trio – 2 Girls & A Guy |
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Sierra Leonean vocalist Dora King accompanied by Gerald Audaz and saxophonist Quentin |
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Tom Cairnes, Guitarist and Singer |
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hosted by me |
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drama performance by youth activists – Artists United for Children and Youth Development (founded in 2007) |
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me, again wearing my favorite ‘ronko’ country cloth outfit |
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Adbela as ‘Khasan’ with Gerald on guitar |
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Britelife Productions – dance and acrobat group |
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a cross section of all the wonderful players and performers at the 1st Shuku Blai Performing Arts night held at Bliss Patisserie on Wilkinson Rd. Freetown, Sierra Leone |
Last night I had the pleasure of hosting the first Shuku Blai Performing Arts Night at Bliss Restaurant on Wilkinson Rd. Some of the nights performers included: Freetong Players International, the Michele Pearson Dance Ensemble, Britelife Productions, Opera Singer Joseryl Beckley, and many others. The organizers of the event hope that they will spearhead a revival of Freetown’s past performing arts glory. It was the first time in a very long time that I attended anything that entertaining. The event was sponsored by the American Embassy in Sierra Leone.
A ‘Shuku Blai’ is a hand woven basket of many colors and sizes that is usually used to keep valuables. The ‘Blai’ was chosen to represent the diversity of performances on show. For more information about SHUKU BLAI PERFORMING ARTS NIGHTS
Editor & Founder of SwitSalone.com. Vickie Remoe is a TV Host, Writer, and Podcaster. She curates and amplifies fascinating, meaningful, and newsworthy content for Sierra Leonean audiences. She covers politics, entrepreneurship, good governance, travel, girls and women's issues from a uniquely feminist, African, and returnee perspective. She is an advocate for human rights and dignity. Remoe is Save The Children Sierra Leone Girl Ambassador. She is the author of two children's books; Adama Loves Akara and A Print for Ami.