Today in history.

Today is the day in history when a black man of African descent became the undisputable leader of the United States of America winning by 338-156 electorial votes. God bless America, now we understand the American Dream and the reality that it can be in our lives.

Congratulations Barack Obama, Congratulations America!

See you all @ the Office tonight!

REDD'S LAUNCH AT RHAPSODY'S

Rhapsody's is launching Redd's for the first time in Ghana.
Lots of give aways and photos to be done.
Be here to experience the original flavours of life with redd's tomorrow night.

Date: Saturday, 25th October 2008
Time: 7pm
Venue: Rhapsody's, Accra Mall

Things to look out for...

Being the nerd that I am I've been scavenging the net as usual and just want to point you in the direction of a few websites that I figured you might all be interested in.

The first is Global Entrepreneurship Week Ghana. Save the dates 17th - 23rd November 2008.

http://www.ghanaenterpriseweek.com/

The second is a fantastic soon to be launched Afro'styled magazine I recently discovered called Pop'Africana I love the concept of it and I know you will too. At the moment it's just being piloted but from April of next year there will be more from the pop'Africana team. That's one to watch guys. I can't wait to see the first issue!

http://www.popafricana.com

And last but by no means least is our very own (GH) Chale TV which will be piloted from the 17th of this month I believe. It's definitely worth a browse and not to be scoffed at. Love it! *Unfortunately you can't actually check it out until it goes live on the 17th so mark your calendars and keep your eyes peeled. Soon your TV will be obsolete!

www.chale.tv and www.mychale.net/

More great sites coming soon...

Social Networking Pages GH

I was cruising through the world wide web when I came across these:

http://www.meetghana.com/ and http://www.ghanaflicks.com

and thought hmm, how interesting... Ghana seems to be producing quite a number of social networking and general information sharing sites these days, I didn't know there were that many people doing that sort of thing over here... It's funny that they go through all the hassle of making a social networking page and then don't even do any offline advertising.

The 'Official' I HEART ACCRA shirts

You've all been asking and it's FINALLY here.


The Official I HEART ACCRA shirts.

From the 7th of November you will be able to order these fabulous wardrobe must haves. AND the best thing about them is that for each one you purchase a percentage of the profits goes to the Family Outreach program on Spintex road (this years chosen charity).

Beginning in December you will also be able to get your hands on special 'limited edition' collectible tees designed by some of Accra's finest t-shirt designers. They will be in limited supply and only available for a short period of time so keep your eyes peeled for those!

The tees will *cost:

• GHc10 for the official tees
• GHc15 for the limited edition designer specials.
  

*special introductory rates available for 1 month only.

There after they will sell for

• GHc15 for the official tees in white
• GHc20 for the official tees in white
• GHc25 for the limited edition designer specials and polo shirts.
  

The tees will be available for purchase from Kiki Clothing at the Accra Mall. To find out more about the tees or pre-order just show your interest by responding to this note or drop us a line at:

iheartaccra@gmail.com

and we'll do the rest...

*also available in mens shirt

*also available in ladies version

For more styles please click post title... 

7th Ghana International Book Fair

It's a little way off (4th-9th November) but if you don't register before August 15th, you will miss out on a 20% discount to attend the 7th Ghana International Book Fair at the National Theatre.

Call Stephen or Belinda on 021 912 764 / 024 460 5253 for details.

Isaac Hayes Tribute

If you find yourself in town a little early for tonight's Bless the Mic MTV Base Special (at Baze... featuring  our very own Toke!), you might want to pop into the Lounge (Frankies') where PLAY/SoulnMotion will be hosting a Blaxploitation Special tonight in tribute to the late great musician Isaac Hayes.

Great drinks, free nibbles and more funk than you can shake a stick at.

Time: 6- 10pm
Venue: The Lounge @ Frankies' (go through the door on the right after entering Frankies' restaurant)

THE MTV BASE SPECIAL

Bless the Mic presents a once only special edition of the show which will be recorded for MTV Base. The show will feature the best of your favorite artists fom the show. This is not to be missed! I will be performing some poetry on the night too...

Date: Wednesday
Time: 21:00
Venue: The Baze Lounge bar, Osu

Celebrate Africa

I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely lady from Nigeria called Chioma Ogwuegbu a couple of weekends ago.  She has embarked on a mission to travel around the continent by road in order to highlight Africas positive attributes.

Check out her site to find out more about it:

http://www.celebrateafrica.net/

A weekend to remember

Last weekend was definitely worth all the work thanks to Mike O & Eugene of Xclusive Vista Entertainment. True to their word they gave us a show like no other. I HEART ACCRA would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them on the outstanding success of the show which was superbly pulled off even with all the glitches and problems they faced.

Well done guys more grease to your elbows!

On Saturday night one of the official sponsors for the show Hennessy held a Private Hennessy Party at Embar with the most delicious Hennessy cocktails ever! All I need to say is "Miami by night". All the drinks were on the house by kind courtesy of all the lovely people at Hennessy and EVERYONE had a great time.

The show on Sunday was even more spectacular than I imagined it would be. The local acts Scientific, Praye, 4x4, Asem, Skillions, Peer Pressure and all the others were fantastically well put together and Reggie blew us all away with his suit, words and sounds.

Miss Trinity was just what the guys needed to get them going and there was nothing but smiles from the three lucky guys picked to go on stage.

Omarion... Omarion was wonderful, he danced and he sang and the crowd went wild over and over and over again as he gave us all a no holds barred performance.  Ghana would like to show her appreciation to him for coming through on such short notice.  He was pretty impressed with how Ghana held it down on the dance floor too (see pics for more details on that).

Fat Joe gave an un-miss-able performance and played a few tricks on us all along the way.  He sincerely apologized for being unable to make it the day before due to ill health and disassociated himself and Xclusive Vista from the disappointment caused by Sean Kingstons failure to attend.  He went on to congratulate the boys on their work and guarantee Accra that this was only the beginning and there would be only bigger and better shows from XVE.

I HEART ACCRA is proud to have been associated with The State of the Republic concert and would like to once again congratulate Mike & Eugene on a job well done.

Pics coming soon.

UPDATES: Fat Joe & Omarion Live in Accra with SWAY

The show has been postponed until tomorrow evening at 7:30pm at the conference centre. Exclusive Vista Entertainment sincerely apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Sean Kingston was unable to make it to Accra but Omarion will now be performing live at the conference centre in his place.

Congratulations to our competition winners!

Congratulations to Adwoa Adu Ampofo the winner of our text competition, and Sarah Bartlett who had the most text entries.

You each won 2 free tickets to the show.

Sarah 2 VIP tickets
Adwoa 2 regular tickets

The Week Ahead

This is proving to be a very busy period for the I HEART ACCRA team.  Kobs is fully immersed in the literature of Pan-Africanism which is now in second gear over in Kokrobite.  The newest member of our team Felicia is busy getting ready for our Christmas activities and I am learning the art of putting Afro-chiq into recycling over at the Kokrobite institute, whilst setting my my mind on WAPi and preparing to Party it up with our guests from way yonder this weekend.

I'm really impressed with Accra.  I still remember what it was like here 4 short years ago when all people ever talked about was how bored they were and how there was nothing to do.  These days it's hard to take a breather from the amount of things that there are to do.

Tuesday night - Obama Party

Wednesday night - "PLAY"

Thursday night - Bless the mic Live

Friday night - V.V.I.P. party at African Regent

Saturday night - Drinks at Rhapsody's

Sunday night - Fat Joe, Omarion, Sway, Wanlov etc etc etc live in concert

See you all there!

Fat Joe & Omarion Live in Accra with SWAY

IT'S FINALLY HERE!  Next weekend is set to be ablaze with activity as we welcome Fat Joe and Sean Kingston to Accra!

On Friday the 18th there will be an a private V.V.I.P. party at the African Regent Hotel.

If you don't have your V.V.I.P. tickets and would like to get your hands on some send us and email at iheartaccra@gmail.com with your name and we'll forward you details on how to get yours.

On Sunday the 20th of July the show which will also include great performances from Ghana's very own number 1 UK artist SWAY will kick off promptly at 19:30 and will include hour long performances from both Fat Joe and Omarion.  The after party will be at Aphrodisiac night club located in the Airport residential area.

There are also FREE tickets up for grabs!  All you need to do to stand a chance of winning FREE tickets is text your name and number to 1499. The draw will be held on the 17th of July.  The person with the highest number of text entries will also WIN two V.I.P. tickets to the show so get texting now!

The Obama Party

On Tuesday the 15th of July join us at Rhapsody's at the Accra Mall for the next Obama Ghana party.  The party starts at 19:00 and is set to be quite a night.  There will be videos shown and information on voter registrations for all you American's in GH.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Pan-African Literary Festival (PALF)

Our beloved city is about to be the centre of a paper storm of readings, workshops & discussions: the Pan-African Literary Forum (PALF) is finally upon us! Featured writers, publishers and poets will include Tsitsi Dangarembga, Binyavanga Wainaina, Kadija Sesay, Dr. Abena Busia, Kofi Awoonor, Mohammed Ben Abdullah & many, many more participating in a host of readings, panel discussions, and other events across Accra and Kokrobitey.


The conference schedule is up on the PALF website. Please note that events and venues are still very much subject to change so make sure to regularly check for updates.
 
Space at most venues will be limited, but the organizers hope to pack in as many people as possible. Most events are free of charge, but the workshops will require pre-registration at the orientation session at the NYU Center (in Labone, near Ashesi University) this Friday at 7pm.

The Forum is a rare opportunity to engage with literature, especially from the Diaspora: something somewhat rare in Accra. So don't miss out!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY I HEART ACCRA

Accra...  I always knew this city would come through for me.  As our little city grows and expands in leaps and bounds I'm glad to say that I HEART ACCRA is growing with her.  As this month is our one year anniversary from our inception and first arrival on facebook on 04.06.07 we've got a few nice surprises lined up for you.  Beginning with the launch of our newest 'favorite' hang out Rhapsody's and ending with a BANG with a concert by Fat Joe and Sean Kingston you'd think it ends there but have I got news for you!

To mark our anniversary we're giving away a prize to our 1000th member and fan.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Accra-Ghana/I-ACCRA/16586384390

Fat Joe & Omarion Live in Accra with SWAY

July 19th. Details to follow

AFRICA DAY

HAPPY AFRICA DAY TO ALL!

Join us at the African Regent hotel where we'll be trying out the Rainbow Buffet.

See you there!

Rhapsody Restaurant Opening

Rhapsody Restaurant opens to the public today Sunday 25th May at the Accra Mall.

Don't miss it!

The Pan-African Literary Forum

Bringing together established and emerging writers of the Diaspora for a series of writing workshops, craft seminars, lectures, professional development, networking and cultural activities, the inaugural Pan African Literary Forum (PALF) goes down in Accra and Kokrobitey between July 3rd and 18th.

IHeartAccra has had a word with the organizers, who inform us that participation is free for Ghanaian writers and there may be events (e.g. book readings) open to the Ghanaian public.

Watch this space for more details…

A Taste of Africa: Rainbow Buffet

Have a taste of Africa with the Rainbow buffet, a selection of different African Food put together in celebration of the African Union.

Date:Friday 23rd - Monday 26th May

Time: Lunch and dinner
Venue:African Regent Hotel

Book Reading

On Friday the 9th of May 2008 a reading of the book 'The Imported Ghanaian' by Alba K Sumprim will take place. It begins at 19:00 at Josie's Cuppa Cuppacino, West Airport Residential Area, Accra (opposite old Jazz Tone). Don't be late.

Richard Bona Live in concert

Catch Richard Bona live in concert here in Accra on the 17th of May 2008 at the National Theatre.

Artists Alliance Gallery

The Artists Alliance Gallery situated on the La beach road is a gem of a gallery full to the brim with artistic expression.  With over three floors of art, sculpture, carvings and artifacts it is definitely a haven for anyone looking to be inspired or simply enjoy some phenomenal works.

Check it out today!

Harbin Entertainment Centre

Getting bored of Saturday afternoon chores?

Then go bowling!  Believe me you'll love it.  With hours of fun bowling, playing pool, eating and having drinks you won't see the time pass you by.  Plus the bigger the group the less you pay per head.  So check it out now.

They are open between 12 noon and 4pm and at that time games cost GHc5
And then at 6pm to midnight and at this time games cost GHc6 per person per game.

Located after La Palm Royal Beach Hotel on the La beach road.

Pre-launch movie pre-screening!

In the run up to the opening of the fab new movie theatre at the Accra Mall there will be FREE weekly pre-screenings starting on the 2nd of May 2008 and going right up until the end of June.

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday butter up your popcorn and prepare to be thrilled as you are pampered with the latest movies to hit the big screen right here in Accra!  Beginning at 19:30 in the food court every weekend for the next two months, don't miss out!

The Grill

If you live in the East Legon area you need to try out The Grill on Monday nights. It's great for after work drinks and a good meal. Let's make Monday the new Thursday night out.

Located above Pippa's in the A&C Mall parking lot, East Legon.

Venus

Sick of the same old start to your Friday nights?

Well this month I suggest you do it with style (and cocktails) at Venus in Osu.  It's newly refurbished and is looking great!  I can't wait to see you there!

Located behind the Total filling station on Oxford Street (Cantonments Road), Osu.

Welcome

Welcome to the official I HEART ACCRA blog. Where you can and will get the latest news and information on the best places to dine, entertain and be entertained in the city of Accra. Beginning in the month of May 2008.

Enjoy!