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Secretary Of State Antony Blinken Performs Muddy Waters’ ‘Hoochie Coochie Man’ To Kick Off Global Music Diplomacy Initiative

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Secretary of State Tony Blinken kicked off a new state department global music diplomacy initiative by showing off his own skills as a singer-guitarist.

After delivering remarks at a State Department event, Blinken said that it would not be complete “without a little bit of blues,” before playing and singing the Muddy Waters classic “Hoochie Coochie Man.”

The State Department on the diplomacy initiative, which is designed to highlight music as a diplomatic tool in foreign policy, includes the Recording Academy as a partner. An American music mentorship program will bring international music industry professionals for mentorship and other opportunities. The first will be held in fall 2024.

Also announced was the Fulbright-Kennedy Center Visiting Scholar Award in Arts in Science, focusing on the intersection of arts and science. The competition will be announced in fall 2023, and the Kennedy Center will host the first scholar in 2024-25.

The State Department also will incorporate music into English-language learning overseas, and the diplomacy initiative will include oversees programming with arts envoys, including Herbie Hancock and the Dee Dee Bridgewater ensemble performing in Jordan in October. The tour then will go to Saudi Arabia for a first-of-its-kind program in that country. Ten American bands will travel to 30 countries starting in October, and the AMA Academy Cleveland will host young musicians from Ukraine in November.

Blinken and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. also announced a Peace Through Music Award, with Quincy Jones as the inaugural recipient.

Mason said that the initiative will “promote peace and cross-cultural understanding through music while continuing our mission to lift up music people around the globe.” Also part of the initiative is YouTube and Google. In a statement, its global head of music Lyor Cohen said that the initiative “creates a new avenue for us” to raise artists’ voices “and drive global music diplomacy forward; breaking down cultural barriers and fostering peace through music.”

BBC

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Entertainment

Ikenga becomes highest-grossing Igbo film of all time

The film was directed by Darlington Kelechi and features Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Patience Ozokwo, Zubby Michael, Beverly Osu, Jide Kene Achufusi, Regina Daniels and Destiny Etiko.

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Ikenga: The Last Festival has crossed the N75 million mark at the Nigerian box office and is now the highest-grossing Igbo title of all time.

The film was directed by Darlington Kelechi and features Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Patience Ozokwo, Zubby Michael, Beverly Osu, Jide Kene Achufusi, Regina Daniels and Destiny Etiko.

FilmOne Entertainment, announced the milestone on Monday in a post on X, revealing that the film has also maintained its position as the highest-grossing Nollywood film for three consecutive weeks.

The latest milestone marks another major step in the film’s cinema run, which has seen it maintain strong audience interest since opening nationwide in August.

FilmOne said the film’s performance reflects the strong response it has received from moviegoers since its release.

The distributor also thanked audiences who have supported the film, crediting moviegoers for helping drive its performance at the box office.

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Nollywood actress Atinuke Kareem dies of breast cancer

In the release signed by the state Public Relations Officer, Femi Solaja, on behalf of Ajasa, the association expressed deep appreciation to colleagues, fans, and well-wishers who provided financial and moral support during the actress’s medical battle.

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The Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) Ogun State Chapter, has announced the death of Nollywood actress Atinuke Kareem.

She died as a result of breast cancer.

The news of her passing was officially announced on Tuesday by her colleague and the Executive Governor of TAMPAN Ogun State, Owolabi Ajasa, via an official statement posted on his Instagram page.

The statement was accompanied by a video clip of Kareem seeking support and prayers during her battle with breast cancer, highlighting the physical toll of the illness on her.

“I’m a breast cancer patient. It has been going on for a while. My family has spent a lot of money; I’ve come to seek help. The association I belong to, TAMPAN, has tried too, but it’s not enough,” Kareem said in the video.

” Don’t allow me to die this way; I have two young children. Nigerians, please help me with any amount you can use to help.”

In the release signed by the state Public Relations Officer, Femi Solaja, on behalf of Ajasa, the association expressed deep appreciation to colleagues, fans, and well-wishers who provided financial and moral support during the actress’s medical battle.

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Dolly Parton Buried By Husband’s Grave In Private Cemetry

“Because she couldn’t have kids of her own, she always made us feel like we were hers. She loved us that way, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.”

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Country music legend Dolly Parton has been laid to rest in a private ceremony at a Nashville cemetery where her husband, Carl Dean, was buried last year.

The singer was interred on Friday at Woodlawn Memorial Park, following a small service held in accordance with her wishes, according to a remembrance shared by her great-niece, Lainey Parton.

“This is a really hard post for me to make. I wanted to wait until after my granny was laid to rest yesterday before I tried to put any of this into words,” Lainey wrote on social media.

She said that Parton had always treated her extended family as her own, adding that the singer’s absence would be deeply felt.

“Because she couldn’t have kids of her own, she always made us feel like we were hers. She loved us that way, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.”

Lainey also reflected on her personal relationship with the country star.

“I feel incredibly lucky that I got to call her my granny. Thank you for always believing in me, loving me, and making me feel like I could do anything,” she said.

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