Entertainment
Harnessing the business side of dancing …Isaac Allotey shows the way
• Isaac Allotey
Isaac Allotey aka ‘The African Lion’ has proved that dancing is not only an art for pleasure or exercise, but it is a serious business.
Starting as a juvenile dancer with friends and joining groups to dance, he never knew he could be famous, until he grew up and travelled outside Ghana.
Dancing to the highest level has propelled him gain knowledge in a field, and believes young people in the space could capitalise on their talent to make ends meet.
According to him building a unique brand opened a lot of doors and lifted one above those seeing it as pleasure.
Against this backdrop, ‘The African Lion’ has a huge heart and believes in giving back to society.
His philanthropic endeavours include Dancefrica, a US non-profit organisation that he co-founded and serves as a director.
Dancefrica’s mission is to invest in the future of Ghanaian children by providing financial and creative support to undeserved, high risk children, so they may find success and prosper in their adulthood.
The nonprofit’s first big event is Save the Dance, a competition for children under 17.
Isaac Allotey is again a founding member of the Ghana Alliance of Dance Professionals and has been able to maintain his connections with his international students by providing online classes and workshops during the pandemic.
His talent and fantastic special skills in moving his body and taking majestic steps earned him the Ghana National Dance Champion in 2002, and won the Malta Guinness National Champion in 2005.
Through dance, he has been exposed to many things in life and experienced different cultures, and travelled to the USA, Germany, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, Benin, Cape Verde and Togo.
He has worked on series of television programmes, and was a main judge for the Bumper to Bumper 2021, an eight weeks televised competition on TV Africa.
Allotey choreographed the opening dance for Di Asa, an Atinka TV Reality Series and Competition featuring the dance talent of women and worked on the Lawrence Otoo Dance Competition as a Judge.
Legendary Ghanaian gospel musician and founder of the Asomafo gospel group, Yaw Sarpong, is reporteddead.
The 66 year old gospel artiste is said to have died at the Emena Hospital in Kumasi on January 20, where he was receiving medical treatment.
For sometime now, Yaw Sarpong had been dealing with prolonged health challenges, forcing him to reduce his public appearances and step away periodically from performances.
Yaw Sarpong is widely credited as a pioneer of contemporary Akan gospel music.
Through Yaw Sarpong and Asomafo, he introduced a distinctive sound marked by rich harmonies, disciplined arrangements and lyrics firmly grounded in Christian teachings.
His leadership and musical direction helped shape the identity of gospel music in Ghana for decades.
Some popular tunes by the group includes ‘Wo Haw Ne Sen’, ‘Tie Obiaa’, ‘Aduro Yesu’ and ‘Awurade Kasa’, tracks that continue to feature prominently in churches and Christian gatherings across the country.
Yaw Sarpong’s death comes barely some weeks after the passing of Maame Tiwa, a key pillar of the Yaw Sarpong’s Asomafo music group.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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Heavens will come down at the International Central Gospel Church, Temple East (ICGC) as gospel songstress Diana Hamilton holds her annual concert.
The annual concert ‘Awake Experience’ with Diana Hamilton will take place in Accra on February 15, and at the church of Pentecost, Bantama Kumasi on February 22.
Speaking to The Spectator Agoro, she said this year offers another opportunity to have an experience with God, saying “So I want to be in his presence and watch him do mind blowing things.”
The ‘Aha Ye’ hit maker also announced that leading up to the event, the Diana Hamilton Team will embark on various outreaches to spread the gospel through ministration.
Themed ‘Dwell,’ will bring together renowned artiste and worshippers to celebrate faith and music.
Notable among them are Elder Dr Kwesi Mireku, Ntokozo Mbambo, Sisi Baidoo, Nana Yaw Ofori- Atta, Tagoe sisters and Joojo Arhin.
Diana Hamilton is a celebrated Ghanaian gospel singer, songwriter, and nurse, known for her inspirational music, spiritual depth, and impactful stage presence.
She has achieved historic wins like VGMA Artiste of the Year in 2021, becoming the first female gospel artist to do so, and is also recognised for her philanthropic work through the Diana Hamilton Foundation.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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