Long Distance Staff Writer
During my Lagos years, working with Buddy Agedah, I became the staff writer for Dance & Art Alive under the name Jo Demmer. Continue reading Long Distance Staff Writer
Tag: #Nigeria
The Winding Narrative Turns One
Today marks a year since I posted my first blog, so it’s time to review progress. In my first year, I wrote 42 posts and nearly 30,000 words. Here are some highlights from The Winding Narrative: I celebrated a win in my writing journey when I signed with Michael Cybulski of NAC, see Five Reasons to … Continue reading The Winding Narrative Turns One
A Week in Lagos
(Photo of dancer Ukalina, Lilian and Zara.) Continued from Malaria, Kidnapping, Jewels … The day before I moved from Lagos to Houston, Buddy came to say goodbye. There was a very real possibility I’d never see him again. It was different with our expat friends—we’d likely meet up again somewhere on the international circuit—but this felt permanent. … Continue reading A Week in Lagos
Malaria, Kidnapping, Jewels
After Music & Dance on the Lagoon, Buddy and I were full of energy and couldn’t wait to design our next production. My goal was to write a showcase for dancers—singers had musicals, classical dancers had ballet, but where were the stories for ballroom/Latin dancers[1]? Buddy was insistent that we incorporate a social message over … Continue reading Malaria, Kidnapping, Jewels
Show Day, Music & Dance on the Lagoon
Part four of four in the Music & Dance on the Lagoon series, after Blame It On The Tango and Countdown to Show Day. After months of preparation, weeks of rehearsals and days of tearing my hair out, show day for Music & Dance on the Lagoon finally arrived. Tables and chairs were decorated, the bar was charged and security … Continue reading Show Day, Music & Dance on the Lagoon
Countdown to Show Day
Part three of four in the Music & Dance on the Lagoon series. Continued from part two, Blame It On The Tango. Music & Dance on the Lagoon was set for Saturday February 2, 2008. Most of my Lagos friends planned to be there. If it flopped, I’d have to go into hiding. Or skip the country. One … Continue reading Countdown to Show Day
Blame It On The Tango
(Part two of four in the Music & Dance on the Lagoon story. Photo: Ice Nweke and Andrea Barton.) In my last blog, I wrote about the myriad of problems we encountered setting up Music & Dance on the Lagoon. Many of those difficulties were beyond our control, but some were self-imposed. A more sensible person … Continue reading Blame It On The Tango
Music & Dance on the Lagoon
Part one of four in the Music & Dance on the Lagoon story. They say it never rains but it pours. Using this adage, Music & Dance on the Lagoon was a veritable tempest. After the buzz of Nigerian Gems, I combined my new love of salsa with my passion for storytelling and wrote a … Continue reading Music & Dance on the Lagoon
Get Ready to Salsa
The mention of salsa conjures images of fiery romance, flamboyant spins and beautiful costumes. Fun, sexy, fast. So what makes this Aussie chick think she has what it takes to mix it on the dance floor in a salsa club in Lagos? Continue reading Get Ready to Salsa
Nigerian Gems – In Print At Last
(Photo Nigerian Gems. Left, first mock up; right, the final product.) To pick up from where I left off in Tales from Lagos, the publication of Nigerian Gems had stalled. Graphic designer Els Van Limberghen volunteered to do the layout and design; we printed a copy on our home computer and painstakingly glued it together to … Continue reading Nigerian Gems – In Print At Last
Brightside Story Studio 