ethnic hair and beauty extravaganza attracts thousands OF VISITORS over the Bank holiday weekend
June 1 2009 - Over 10,000 visitors flocked to the prestigious Alexandra Palace over the sunny bank holiday weekend (24-25 May), for the annual Afro Hair & Beauty Live exhibition, supported by Europe’s largest ethnic hair care manufacturers SoftSheen-Carson.
With nearly 100 exhibitors spanning from across the globe, guests were treated to stunning makeovers by leading brands such as BECCA Cosmetics, as well as hundreds of freebies and samples from industry favourites including Dark and Lovely.
The main stage was buzzing with non-stop entertainment, hosted by the renowned British comedian Kojo, including performances by the amazing Alumni dance troupe and live PA’s by upcoming artistes Innate Forte and Malika Cope.
This year’s show also saw the emergence of a new competition dubbed Sensationnel Icon; where visitors witnessed the crème de la crème in hairstyling take to the stage in one of the most extravagant showcases of high-fashion weaves and Avant garde tresses. Following a rigorous judging process by celebrity stylist Glenda Clark and Randolph Gray, Marcia Johnson from Rougz Hair Design was crowned Hair Icon of the Year 2009; walking away with £500 in cash and £500 worth of Sensationnel products. Marcia said: “It was awesome winning the Sensationnel Icon and I loved the challenge, I will definitely enter again next year.”
Black Organ Donation, Diabetes UK and Sickle Cell Society were also among various charities, at this years show, on hand to address any questions or concerns in the new health area.
Event Organisers, Afro Hair & Beauty Live commented: We had a great show with a variety of seminars for professionals and consumer. The Pampering Zone was as always busy and many visitors appreciated the health monitoring facility provided by Holloway Seventh Day Adventist Church, in between all the make-up and beauty treatments.
Other attractions on the day included seminars and workshops facilitated by award-winning hair-technician George Kosit and inspirational speaker Grace Owen
Children representing London's rich diversity joined former professional footballers at Upton Park on Monday, (8th June) in an event to enhance community cohesion and help increase minority participation in football.The second "One Ball, One Game, One Community" event followed on from last year's successful day and saw 260 kids from all backgrounds: white, black, Asian, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and more, coming together to play football, learn new skills and meet police officers, community leaders, FA coaches and ambassadors, as well as former England and West Ham United legend Sir Trevor Brooking. The event, which was organised by the Metropolitan Police Service, West Ham United FC, Canary Wharf Group PLC, the FA, London FA, National Association of Muslim Police and the Jewish Committee for the London Games drew together children from the diversity of East London, who took part in a mini tournament. They'll also got the chance to touch the actual FA Cup and participate in FA skills sessions with England youth team coaches. The event was opened by Metropolitan Police Service Assistant Commissioner Rose Fitzpatrick. Following the mini tournament, which saw the children integrated into mixed teams, awards were presented by Sir Trevor Brooking. Afterwards, there were a series of senior matches including an exhibition game featuring community veterans; the Metropolitan Police first team against an Asian select XI, which comprised some of London's finest Asian players; and Tower Hamlets ladies played the Met police ladies team. Supt Dal Babu of the Metropolitan Police Service said: "Enhancing community cohesion is a key part of our strategy to help reduce crime and disorder in the future. If young people have a purpose - something that sport can provide, as well as having a better understanding and appreciation of all the communities in London then they will make a more positive contribution to our city. Football is a great way of breaking down barriers and by drawing together children of all backgrounds we hope they can see what they have in common, rather than dwell on their differences." Mimi Tran, Community & Sports Co-ordinator for Canary Wharf Group said: "Canary Wharf Group plc are once again delighted to support and help organise this annual event." FA Equality Manager, Lucy Faulkner, added: "The FA are committed to football for all and we're delighted to support this event as it unites boys and girls from different religions and cultures under one simple banner - a love of playing football." Zakir Khan, Community Affairs Manager, Canary Wharf Group: "It is pleasing to see these diverse London organisations come together to help the local community. Sport is such a great way to create aspiration and inspiration, especially amongst young people. We are proud that projects like this, in concert with many other community initiatives we are involved with, will have a lasting, positive impact." Supt Dal Babu of the Metropolitan Police Service added: "It was a great day and everyone had a lot of fun. The kids got the chance to meet and play with other children they wouldn't ordinarily mix with, therefore helping to unite communities in the spirit of teamwork and fair play. I'd like to thank our partners, particularly West Ham, Canary Wharf Group PLC, the Football Association and Jewish Committee for the London Games, who all gave up their time to help arrange this fantastic event". For further information contact the MPS Communities Press Team on 020 7230 7941.
Roots - Recollections - by Marcia Barritt (below)
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Bilingual Caribbean poet, writer, author
spoken word artist and illustrator.
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Featuring 6 very distinctive signed silhouette art designs, in contemporary fine square chinaware that creatively combines a unique fusion of the artists own inspirational…
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