Real pictures to come, but wanted to share a few we snapped before the main event. Merry Christmas!!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
It was a Happy Holiday Fundraiser!!
Stars, thank you to everyone who came out last Saturday to the Star 100 Holiday Fundraiser, and to all our sponsors. It was an amazing and generous turnout in support of Rural Communities Empowerment Center, a charity that has opened two community centers in Apirede and Jumapo, Ghana. Major gratitude to everyone who participated in the silent auctions and purchased a raffle ticket on top of springing for a ticket, and we can't thank our sponsors enough -- Kristin Hanson, Belvedere, Tropical Ghana chef Charles Cann, DJ Zuko, Arik Air, photographer and video director Oluwaseye Olusa, videographer Eric Csoka, Miebaka Yohannes, and photographer Nancy Borowick -- for donating their resources and time to help make the event a success.
Real pictures to come, but wanted to share a few we snapped before the main event. Merry Christmas!!
Real pictures to come, but wanted to share a few we snapped before the main event. Merry Christmas!!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Meet the DJ: From Ipanema to Accra to TriBeCa DJ ZUKO Will Bring the Beats at the Star 100 New York Holiday Fundraiser
DJ Zuko will be spinning his blend of Afrobeat and broken beat at the Star 100 New York Holiday Fundraiser. Purchase your $50 ticket by clicking the "Donate" button now.
STAR 100 NEW YORK: We want a preview of the DJ Zuko sound! Any links you can share of songs on your regular set list?
DJ ZUKO: Sure; here is a podcast from my website with full tracklist. It has a bit of Afrobeat, broken beat, etc. Just click on the title: "Your Soul Sound Choice"!
*100: How would you describe your sound?
ZUKO: That is a difficult question... This is how a critic described one of my sets:
'To Ipanema and beyond! DJ Zuko's adventurous blend of hip hop, house, broken beat, reggae and nu Jazz jettisons your feet to the dance floor all night long...!'
*100: Where/How do you find the hottest new sounds to add to your collection?
ZUKO: On the road. I try to bring a little of the flavor that I sample while traveling back home.I am constantly digging in the crates... Quite Literally! I wherever I am in... be it Tokyo, Jersey City, London, Amsterdam, or Albany... I post up in the Vinyl Shops. Yessir still Spinning Vinyl too!
*100: There are so many new artists redefining African music, who are your favorites?
ZUKO: Right now Efya is on rotation, She's Ghanaian so it's a no brainer.
Other new artists like Saba Saba and Kesse come to mind. As of late though Joshua Kissi and his Street Etiquette crew have done some amazing work bridging African Diaspora style and music together. I checked out a show and just got floored.
DJ ZUKO: Sure; here is a podcast from my website with full tracklist. It has a bit of Afrobeat, broken beat, etc. Just click on the title: "Your Soul Sound Choice"!
*100: How would you describe your sound?
ZUKO: That is a difficult question... This is how a critic described one of my sets:
'To Ipanema and beyond! DJ Zuko's adventurous blend of hip hop, house, broken beat, reggae and nu Jazz jettisons your feet to the dance floor all night long...!'
*100: Where/How do you find the hottest new sounds to add to your collection?
ZUKO: On the road. I try to bring a little of the flavor that I sample while traveling back home.I am constantly digging in the crates... Quite Literally! I wherever I am in... be it Tokyo, Jersey City, London, Amsterdam, or Albany... I post up in the Vinyl Shops. Yessir still Spinning Vinyl too!
*100: There are so many new artists redefining African music, who are your favorites?
ZUKO: Right now Efya is on rotation, She's Ghanaian so it's a no brainer.
Other new artists like Saba Saba and Kesse come to mind. As of late though Joshua Kissi and his Street Etiquette crew have done some amazing work bridging African Diaspora style and music together. I checked out a show and just got floored.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Meet the Winner: RURAL COMMUNITIES EMPOWERMENT CENTER
Thank you to everyone who voted. Now help us raise a grip for this amazing organization by attending the Star 100 Holiday Fundraiser. A portion of the proceeds from your ticket will go directly to benefit the work RCEC is doing to empower girls and women for a better future.
Buy your ticket now by clicking the "Donate" button above and submitting your payment of $50.
Happy Holiday Spirit!
Friday, November 25, 2011
Meet the Sponsor: Arik Air
You'll have the chance to win a free roundtrip ticket to Africa on Arik Air at the Star 100 New York Fundraiser. Click the Donate button and buy your $40 ticket now. After November 30th, tickets increase to $50.
STAR 100 NEW YORK: Who founded Arik Air and why?
ARIK AIR: In 2002, with Nigeria Airways in liquidation, Arik Air’s Chairman Sir Arumemi-Ikhide, decided to buy a Hawker jet aircraft. Colleagues and contacts in the gas and oil industry started using the Hawker jet to fly themselves around Nigeria. So, another jet was acquired and before long, a corporate jet business was launched. The next step was to find the right people and the right aircraft to build an airline that would set new standards and change the face of the aviation industry in Africa. Arik Air was born - an airline with whom “Nigeria and the rest of Africa would be proud to fly”. Arik Air officially launched in 2006, Five years later, Arik Air is the leading airline in Nigeria with a new fleet of 23 aircrafts. We have flown over 8 million satisfied passengers to all parts of Nigeria, the West African region, and internationally, winning prestigious travel awards at home and abroad.
*100: Arik has been active in sponsoring African community events and personalities. (We were particularly intrigued by your sponsorship of Fela! on Broadway and Femi Kuti's US tour!) What is the strategy behind this?
AA: Corporate Social Responsibility is one of the key principles here at Arik Air. We believe in giving back to the community that has made us the fastest growing African airline. Along with Fela! On Broadway and the Femi Kuti US Tour, we have sponsored many other US-based African NGOs, media houses, and cultural organizations who we believe are working to improve the image of Africa, and promote the variety of cultures within the continent.
*100: Air travel to West Africa can be demoralizing on certain airlines thanks to substandard service, tight weight restrictions on baggage, and exorbitant levies in the event you exceed your baggage allowance. What differentiates Arik from other airlines flying to West Africa?
AA: The great thing about an African airline for Africans is that we wholeheartedly understand the needs of our passengers and reasons for which they are traveling. For most of our passengers, traveling home is a huge endeavor that takes months, and sometimes years, of saving up to achieve. When traveling with Arik Air, you can expect a baggage weight limit of 66lbs with options to bring a total of 10 pieces of luggage, which is much higher than that of the industry standard.
Our flagship Airbus A340s are fitted out in the most luxurious style. All 36 Premier Class seats are upholstered in sumptuous leather complete with their own touch-screen control unit that adjusts the seat to a flat 75 inch bed. Features also include a five-zone lumbar massage system, a retractable mirrored divider of privacy. World class movies, popular TV programs, and audio favorites are available for each passenger’s viewing and listening pleasure on their very own 17-inch screen. Nigerian and international dishes are served with a wine list that brings together bottles selected from the best vineyards around the world. Our on board Kira Bar Lounge features white leather sofas for your relaxation and a barman at your service.
On Arik Air, even our Economy Class is World Class. With fewer seats than other leading carriers on our routes, you will enjoy more leg room to stretch out in. You will also receive the same audio and video on-demand facility available for our Premier Class passengers and a menu of Nigerian and international dishes and selected wine list.
*100: When will you start flying direct to Ghana?
AA: At Arik Air, we recognize the continuingly growing demand from other West African nationals for increased travel options to their respective countries, especially Ghana. Today we offer daily flights to Accra from our Abuja and Lagos hubs with connections available to our New York travelers through Lagos. Flying non-stop to Ghana is certainly an option that we will be exploring in the future.
ARIK AIR: In 2002, with Nigeria Airways in liquidation, Arik Air’s Chairman Sir Arumemi-Ikhide, decided to buy a Hawker jet aircraft. Colleagues and contacts in the gas and oil industry started using the Hawker jet to fly themselves around Nigeria. So, another jet was acquired and before long, a corporate jet business was launched. The next step was to find the right people and the right aircraft to build an airline that would set new standards and change the face of the aviation industry in Africa. Arik Air was born - an airline with whom “Nigeria and the rest of Africa would be proud to fly”. Arik Air officially launched in 2006, Five years later, Arik Air is the leading airline in Nigeria with a new fleet of 23 aircrafts. We have flown over 8 million satisfied passengers to all parts of Nigeria, the West African region, and internationally, winning prestigious travel awards at home and abroad.
*100: Arik has been active in sponsoring African community events and personalities. (We were particularly intrigued by your sponsorship of Fela! on Broadway and Femi Kuti's US tour!) What is the strategy behind this?
AA: Corporate Social Responsibility is one of the key principles here at Arik Air. We believe in giving back to the community that has made us the fastest growing African airline. Along with Fela! On Broadway and the Femi Kuti US Tour, we have sponsored many other US-based African NGOs, media houses, and cultural organizations who we believe are working to improve the image of Africa, and promote the variety of cultures within the continent.
*100: Air travel to West Africa can be demoralizing on certain airlines thanks to substandard service, tight weight restrictions on baggage, and exorbitant levies in the event you exceed your baggage allowance. What differentiates Arik from other airlines flying to West Africa?
AA: The great thing about an African airline for Africans is that we wholeheartedly understand the needs of our passengers and reasons for which they are traveling. For most of our passengers, traveling home is a huge endeavor that takes months, and sometimes years, of saving up to achieve. When traveling with Arik Air, you can expect a baggage weight limit of 66lbs with options to bring a total of 10 pieces of luggage, which is much higher than that of the industry standard.
Our flagship Airbus A340s are fitted out in the most luxurious style. All 36 Premier Class seats are upholstered in sumptuous leather complete with their own touch-screen control unit that adjusts the seat to a flat 75 inch bed. Features also include a five-zone lumbar massage system, a retractable mirrored divider of privacy. World class movies, popular TV programs, and audio favorites are available for each passenger’s viewing and listening pleasure on their very own 17-inch screen. Nigerian and international dishes are served with a wine list that brings together bottles selected from the best vineyards around the world. Our on board Kira Bar Lounge features white leather sofas for your relaxation and a barman at your service.
On Arik Air, even our Economy Class is World Class. With fewer seats than other leading carriers on our routes, you will enjoy more leg room to stretch out in. You will also receive the same audio and video on-demand facility available for our Premier Class passengers and a menu of Nigerian and international dishes and selected wine list.
*100: When will you start flying direct to Ghana?
AA: At Arik Air, we recognize the continuingly growing demand from other West African nationals for increased travel options to their respective countries, especially Ghana. Today we offer daily flights to Accra from our Abuja and Lagos hubs with connections available to our New York travelers through Lagos. Flying non-stop to Ghana is certainly an option that we will be exploring in the future.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Meet the Sponsor: Tropical Ghana Chef Charles Cann
Chef Charles Cann is the founder of Tropical Ghana -- a contemporary approach to traditional Ghanaian cooking. You can sample his delicious bites at the Star 100 Holiday Fundraiser -- purchase your tickets today!
STAR 100 NEW YORK: What inspired you to found Tropical Ghana?
CHARLES CANN: The roots of Tropical Ghana can be traced to my days at Northwestern University. After cooking for one, two, three friends during my time at Northwestern, more and more friends kept asking me to cook. It was impossible to meet the cooking requests so I decided to put together an online Ghana cooking resource for everyone.
Later, after settling in New York City, my Northwestern friends still kept up the pressure. I got inspired to do something and dug out the forgotten online Ghana cooking resource project. After much thought, prayer, and consideration -- and also out of the desire to sustain a school supply donation drive started in 2002 to send school supplies to less privileged kids in schools in Ghana in the Ofankor/Taifa/Dome suburbs of Accra -- the Tropical Ghana Cookbooks Project was born in December 2006.
In 2010, the Tropical Ghana Cookbooks Project became Tropical Ghana – contemporary cooking, Ghana style. As part of Tropical Ghana, the Tropical Ghana Foundation aims to offer assistance to less privileged kids in Ghana to stay in school. Part of the proceeds from the sales of Tropical Ghana recipes help the foundation reach its goal of offering scholarships in small financial amounts to encourage and inspire kids to stay in school.
*100: What is "Tropical Ghanaian" cuisine?
CC: Tropical Ghana is contemporary cooking, Ghana style.
Tropical Ghana inspires, encourages, and empowers individuals who love Ghanaian cuisine, crave West African flavors, or are interested in exploring tropical ingredients, to try new recipes and share with their loved ones.
Tropical Ghana’s contemporary cooking is based on combining traditional and non-traditional techniques in cooking. Traditionally, people in Ghana cook with the goal of sharing a meal that is a balanced diet with their family and they work tirelessly to achieve this goal. Our non-traditional approach is employing creative and innovative cooking methods. Our unique contemporary approach is what makes us believe that cooking should be simple, fun and healthy.
*100: Ghanaian foods run the gamut from heavy (rich in oil) and carb-rich, to healthy (beans, fish, fresh meat, and greens including kontomre and banana leaves). What's your recommendation for a balanced Ghanaian diet?
CC: We all know a simple balanced diet should contain portions of carbohydrates (staples like yam, cassava, maize), proteins (beans, chicken, beef) and vitamins (fruits and vegetables) in right portions. In Ghana, we are blessed to have varieties of dishes that are rich in nutrients. Over the years, we have moved away from moderation and the steps to eating right. Waakye for instance is very healthy meal. The rice and beans give you proteins and carbohydrates. Should it be topped with fried plantains, tomato gravy, shito, we are on track. An orange later and we have a balanced diet.
But is that the case? Our biggest challenge is we are not moderate, we want extra plantains, macaroni, eggs, beef, wele, fish, and more gari -- by the end of the list we have killed the idea of a balanced diet. Our other challenge is that we are moving away from wholesome food and we keep adding more and more processed foods and food additives to enhance flavors which our fresh ingredients like ginger, garlic, peppers and many more offer in abundance.
Our use of oil in cooking is also excessive, and the familiar sight of a sea of oil at the top of stew, sauces, and soup is another challenge we have to fight to maintain a balanced diet and a healthier life style.
*100: Please share an easy and quick-to-prepare Tropical Ghana recipe.
CC:
Tangerine Ginger Chicken Recipe
Serves: 5
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
1½lbs (24oz) cleaned thin sliced chicken breast
For Marinade
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
For Tangerine Ginger
4 large tangerines
1 large peeled and cleaned ginger root
Time to Cook
Combine ingredients for marinade and pour over chicken in a bowl.
Cover and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
Cut ginger in pieces and combine with two juiced tangerines in a blender. Preheat grill or grilling pan.
Pour tangerine ginger mix over chicken, and coat well. Grill chicken, turning occasionally till cooked, juicy and golden brown.
Peel and slice remaining 2 tangerines, remove seeds and place over chicken.
Cut chicken into strip, stick toothpicks through tangerine slices and chicken, and serve this finger food Tropical Ghana style.
##########
The new website www.tropicalghana.com will be up in December.
CHARLES CANN: The roots of Tropical Ghana can be traced to my days at Northwestern University. After cooking for one, two, three friends during my time at Northwestern, more and more friends kept asking me to cook. It was impossible to meet the cooking requests so I decided to put together an online Ghana cooking resource for everyone.
Later, after settling in New York City, my Northwestern friends still kept up the pressure. I got inspired to do something and dug out the forgotten online Ghana cooking resource project. After much thought, prayer, and consideration -- and also out of the desire to sustain a school supply donation drive started in 2002 to send school supplies to less privileged kids in schools in Ghana in the Ofankor/Taifa/Dome suburbs of Accra -- the Tropical Ghana Cookbooks Project was born in December 2006.
In 2010, the Tropical Ghana Cookbooks Project became Tropical Ghana – contemporary cooking, Ghana style. As part of Tropical Ghana, the Tropical Ghana Foundation aims to offer assistance to less privileged kids in Ghana to stay in school. Part of the proceeds from the sales of Tropical Ghana recipes help the foundation reach its goal of offering scholarships in small financial amounts to encourage and inspire kids to stay in school.
*100: What is "Tropical Ghanaian" cuisine?
CC: Tropical Ghana is contemporary cooking, Ghana style.
Tropical Ghana inspires, encourages, and empowers individuals who love Ghanaian cuisine, crave West African flavors, or are interested in exploring tropical ingredients, to try new recipes and share with their loved ones.
Tropical Ghana’s contemporary cooking is based on combining traditional and non-traditional techniques in cooking. Traditionally, people in Ghana cook with the goal of sharing a meal that is a balanced diet with their family and they work tirelessly to achieve this goal. Our non-traditional approach is employing creative and innovative cooking methods. Our unique contemporary approach is what makes us believe that cooking should be simple, fun and healthy.
*100: Ghanaian foods run the gamut from heavy (rich in oil) and carb-rich, to healthy (beans, fish, fresh meat, and greens including kontomre and banana leaves). What's your recommendation for a balanced Ghanaian diet?
CC: We all know a simple balanced diet should contain portions of carbohydrates (staples like yam, cassava, maize), proteins (beans, chicken, beef) and vitamins (fruits and vegetables) in right portions. In Ghana, we are blessed to have varieties of dishes that are rich in nutrients. Over the years, we have moved away from moderation and the steps to eating right. Waakye for instance is very healthy meal. The rice and beans give you proteins and carbohydrates. Should it be topped with fried plantains, tomato gravy, shito, we are on track. An orange later and we have a balanced diet.
But is that the case? Our biggest challenge is we are not moderate, we want extra plantains, macaroni, eggs, beef, wele, fish, and more gari -- by the end of the list we have killed the idea of a balanced diet. Our other challenge is that we are moving away from wholesome food and we keep adding more and more processed foods and food additives to enhance flavors which our fresh ingredients like ginger, garlic, peppers and many more offer in abundance.
Our use of oil in cooking is also excessive, and the familiar sight of a sea of oil at the top of stew, sauces, and soup is another challenge we have to fight to maintain a balanced diet and a healthier life style.
*100: Please share an easy and quick-to-prepare Tropical Ghana recipe.
CC:
Tangerine Ginger Chicken Recipe
Serves: 5
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
1½lbs (24oz) cleaned thin sliced chicken breast
For Marinade
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
For Tangerine Ginger
4 large tangerines
1 large peeled and cleaned ginger root
Time to Cook
Combine ingredients for marinade and pour over chicken in a bowl.
Cover and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
Cut ginger in pieces and combine with two juiced tangerines in a blender. Preheat grill or grilling pan.
Pour tangerine ginger mix over chicken, and coat well. Grill chicken, turning occasionally till cooked, juicy and golden brown.
Peel and slice remaining 2 tangerines, remove seeds and place over chicken.
Cut chicken into strip, stick toothpicks through tangerine slices and chicken, and serve this finger food Tropical Ghana style.
##########
The new website www.tropicalghana.com will be up in December.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
You're Invited to the Star 100 New York Holiday Party - December 10, 7-10:30p
Stars, let's have some fun and raise some FUNDS for a worthy Ghanaian charity!
On Saturday December 10th, please join us for an end of year celebration complete with delicious bites courtesy of Tropical Ghana, Afro beats provided by DJ Zuko, and drinks courtesy of Belvedere. You can also win a roundtrip ticket to Africa on Arik Air!
Buy your ticket now by clicking the "Donate" button above and submitting your secure payment of $50!
On Saturday December 10th, please join us for an end of year celebration complete with delicious bites courtesy of Tropical Ghana, Afro beats provided by DJ Zuko, and drinks courtesy of Belvedere. You can also win a roundtrip ticket to Africa on Arik Air!
Buy your ticket now by clicking the "Donate" button above and submitting your secure payment of $50!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Star Shots: Check Out this Ghana Photo Exhibit!
RSVP: info@brotherhood-sistersol.org or 212-283-7044.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)